Infinite Stratos: Hidden Trump

by Blackshadow999

My life was going the way I wanted, then the Bunny called me, to get her kicks by messing with my life again! Now, I'm going to the IS Academy, all my classmates are my age and females... This'll be some of the hardest challenge I've faced! That Rabbit will pay for making my life HELL and that's a promise I'll KEEP! No Ichika in this story. OC main.

4. Plus One Makes a Trio

A/n

So hello all you readers. Now, some might notice that this story follows parts of the storyline of Infinite Stratos, but I warn you, some of the characters you know from the anime or manga, will be different or at least act differently to Sai than they did to Ichika. And then, there will be variation to the storyline so deal with it and feel free to laugh your head off… no, I'm serious, laugh at the differences. I find them funny and chuckled as I wrote them.

Chapter 4: Plus One Makes a Trio

-Chifuyu's pov-

The results of the duel between Sai and Alcott were, in the end, no surprise to me, but how it had played out certainly wasn't the way I expected. Yes, Sai had shown up Alcott, I was sure he would, and he is tactically minded in most things where Alcott as far as I have seen isn't. But things had taken a turn once Sai stopped dodging and fighting back and Alcott had lost it. Of course, I had tried to get them to stop, yet neither listened to me at all though I didn't expect them to really.

The way that Sai had ended the issue was different yet fitting for him as he exploited a design feature of IS shielding. If it takes enough blunt force impact, it will absorb it but at the exchange of being drained completely. And Sai would know about that because he did a sizable amount of designing and work for the energy shield that IS units use. The other abilities that his IS unit showed would need explanation later on but with him fainting that wasn't possible immediately. The mess the two made was not pleasant and responsibility fell on me as I had been there. Never mind that the two teens wouldn't have listened to anyone when things took a turn for the worst.

After the explanation I gave to the higher-ups of the academy and the lecture they then gave me in response, I had gone to the infirmary. Both Sai and Alcott had been taken thereafter the results of the duel, both unconscious. Alcott was the first to wake up and I didn't waste any time chewing her out for her reckless action and what they could have done. The lecture seemed to humble the girl a bit at least and I would take that for the time being and hope it sticks somewhat going forward. Sai took an amount of time longer to wake up, and in the interim, girls from Class One came by to "visit" my little brother. I made it clear to the nurse that they were not to be left alone with Sai for any amount of time nor was there to be inappropriate actions done.

It wasn't until the end of the day that Sai finally regained consciousness which I was in the infirmary during the time. He woke up slowly, clearly in pain and working to keep awake and not slip back into unconsciousness. It was him groaning that told me that he was aware enough to have a conversation, "So, finally decided to wake up, did you," I posed.

Sai sat up slowly using his arms to prop himself up before he glanced over at me and then exhaled, "Would you give me a break Chifuyu? I feel horrid and don't have in me to argue right now, nor am I in the mood to take crap," was his answer to me.

Where there may be truth to what Sai says, there are other things that need to be clarified. My brother's face shifted into a hurt look, "You know, you used to cut me a good amount of slack when I was younger while living with you and Ichika." Sai shrugged his shoulders a bit, "Sure, you were still pretty strict, but overall you were a good guardian and responsible adult." He paused then gained a pouting expression, "Yet now, you're so cold towards me and treat me like I'm a stranger and delinquent or something to that effect," Sai said in a slight whine.

Sai is trying to guilt-trip me and it won't work, our relationship has changed over the years so he can't get away with things he used to. And where I'm one of the few of those that know what Sai's life before he met Tabane and Alice and how horrible it was as it was similar to what Ichika and I had to face, that is irrelevant in this. I wasn't in the mood to hear a sob story, "Enough of pulling the sobbing acted Sai, what happened out there," I questioned flatly.

Sai sighed while staring back at me, "Not all of that is an act you know, it does hurt a bit that the relationship we used to have has deteriorated to the point it has, at least to me even if not for you. And then as for what happened, do you mean before that crazy blonde lost it and was just being an idiot, or when she became dead set on obtaining my blood as proof that she's better than me," he asked seriously.

That's one way of putting it I suppose, blunt and to the point as Sai usually is. It showed that Sai was still rather good at reading people which I've never figured out where he learned such a skill. "When Alcott started shooting without regard to where her shots were landing," I stated.

Sai nodded in understanding slightly and then proceeded with his explanation, "So, after she was set on getting my blood it is then. Once I realized that she had thrown out all common sense and logic so that only her pride in control I knew things needed to change. I had after all blown her "nobility" to kingdom come by that time in the match anyway, so I guess unhinged her. It was obvious that she needed to be put down and quickly as much for watching students as for myself. As I believe we both know that the quickest way to disable an IS in one fell swoop is blunt force impact as her shield would block such but would be drained in doing so," Sai iterated.

He wasn't wrong, I've used the strategy before myself to take down an opponent in the competition. It isn't seen as against the rules, just a tad unfair and most don't do that kind of idea, so it doesn't come up often. However, to deliver the needed force that produces that impact isn't small I can attest to that. So, even though Sai would know exactly what draining the IS shield would take with his knowledge, it's still tricky to pull off. Sai continued, "So since my unit is capable of going supersonic speeds."

Hearing that fact floored me a bit as most IS models aren't designed to be capable of going those kinds of speeds without specialized equipment. That said equipment is unwieldy and is for special operations only and not competitions. Even third-generation ISs don't use them in competitions and are in special packages as far as I knew. The point that Sai had incorporated such into his personal IS unit is impressive yet also kind of suspicious at the same time. And while he is one of the IS creators and they do things their ways regardless of what others think, Sai didn't do things without a reason in mind. It made me if he tried to include any of the demonic IS's capabilities. Sai seemed to notice my surprise as he stopped, "What, have I said something weird," he asked.

"Your machine can fly at supersonic speeds," I posed to make sure I hadn't heard incorrectly.

"Uh, yeah, not the smartest idea to go within close quarters, especially not without a system that I disabled before the match that's for helping the pilot to keep in control. But then, I hadn't planned on being in a duel or anything like that for a while and, like at least half a year. So, there are still systems that my unit has that aren't ready for real use yet. You can thank the Bunny for me not revealing such things and putting me through the mill," Sai replied.

This is one of those times I don't know whether to ask for details on what Sai is inferring or just better not to know. By the reply, he had planned out more time originally to work on his IS, but with Tabane blackmailing him that time was essentially changed to be days instead. Honestly, I can't decide whether to chew out Tabane on how idiotic she can be or beat her for what she gets others into. Sai paused and then continued, "So back to what I was saying, when I came out of a turn, I took a leaf out of your book, I used the environment around me and created a dust cloud to blind my opponent. Then I climbed up to an acceptable height before diving down reaching speeds that were slightly over Mach 1, hit Miss Alcott and sent her careening into the ground. Following that, I managed to slow down before my unit shutdown and I fainted."

Sai makes what happened sound so simple, but he didn't comprehend what the other effects of the mess made were. It was a quality that my brother picked up from Tabane and Alice and one I've tried to break him of. Alas, it would seem he still has the issue even if it isn't as bad as it once was. I sighed after Sai's reiteration of the event, "Do you have any idea the amount of damage you caused and how much it will cost to undo it," I asked.

What might my younger brother respond with some would ask, an apology of some sort, of course not, that isn't his style. No, he merely grinned a bit, "Amount, only small bits, so overall no, as to cost of the mess, I haven't a single clue. I don't doubt you'll be more than willing to tell me though," he returned in a carefree tone before he began snickering.

Sai can be an idiot sometimes, but his reply reminded me of Ichika as it was one that he would give when in trouble. It brings back to mind just how Ichika had helped change Sai for the better without either realizing it. Sai is still the same kid I gave a place to call home even if certain points about him have changed. He even tensed up, probably thinking I would hit him as I had been unfortunately doing lately even closing his eyes. For most of those times I hit him, he did earn with his actions, but that isn't exactly the point in this. Instead of punching him like I should've to get him to understand what he had contributed to, I ruffled his hair and felt a smile come to my face. "For being a genius, you can be an idiot at times, you know that Sai," I said softly.

Sai stared at me with a bit of shock on his face, but then we haven't acted like family for a while now that I think about it. He got a cheesy grin that he and Ichika would have every now and then, "Even though I'm smarter than the majority of those my age, that doesn't mean I don't do stupid things like everyone else," he replied.

At that, I couldn't help but laugh, "There are times I wonder if it was wise to leave you with Ichika as often as I did. You're starting to say lines that he would," I remarked.

Sai snorted, "We may not have been brothers by blood, but Ichika and I were in every other way. Whom do you think I learned such phrases and ideals from, big sis," he questioned.

The two had been quite a pair even I had to admit that and what Sai said was right, he and Ichika had been as brothers in all but blood. It also made Ichika's absence more apparent to both of us I would imagine, losing him hadn't been easy for Sai or me. But there were things to clarify before Sai let the infirmary, and I was going to say so, yet Sai beat me to it. "Chifuyu, we need to talk about something, so might as well do so while we're here," he said.

I was somewhat curious as to what Sai wanted to talk about, "That being," I said leaving it open to provide details.

"Well, first I assume you still plan to make me be class one's representative as Miss Alcott was disabled first, aren't you," he grumbled.

I had told him that when he wins that he would then be taking the position of Class 1's representative, I had meant that. That being the case, I nodded to Sai, "That is what I told you Sai and I do not have a reason to retract that statement," I returned.

Sai appeared to think for a moment, "Fine, as I doubt you'll let me refuse the post, I'll take it as unwilling as I am to do so. However, there's an issue with the job that I won't back down on," he stated firmly. I said nothing waiting for him to say more about what he was talking about and he continued, "Attending meetings with the student council as a class representative in the evenings or afternoons or whenever they are, I won't do it and it isn't going to happen with me. If you haven't heard, which I find nigh impossible by this point as the headmistress has informed most, if not all the staff that I'm taking college courses in the afternoon. My evenings, I do homework for those courses and that takes priority over the high school responsibility crap."

"And your point Sai," I posed to have him get to the matter he was inferring.

Sai frowned, "My grades are not as nice as I like to have them Chifuyu, they have fallen to a level I'm not the proudest of. And while I blame the Bunny for it, I admit that in part it's thanks to the girls here that insist they should get attention from me and screw up what routines I normally have. Time management is something I've had to be pretty much religious about now, it's how I'm getting work done and keeping up. So, I doubt I need to tell you I don't need more crap shoved onto my overflowing plate," he iterated. Sai to a moment to calm down and take some breaths then kept going, "Technically, I already finished high school level education almost five years ago and are one of the few that know that. You've seen the diploma that proves that I've completed high school, hell, you even attended my graduation and laughed your head off quite a bit and you can't deny that."

His graduation had been kind of amusing, the difference in age and size was something that couldn't be hidden. And I framed his diploma as he wanted to that none could deny he had done "his time" in the public school system. "Lastly, between you and me Chifuyu, if it wasn't for the da-daang bunny," Sai said which got me to give him a stern look when he just about swore. He paused and then continued, "She has the fun that she so clearly does at my expense, above others forced me into this. I wouldn't be here if not for her, but with her blackmailing me I can't. The alternative I would face would bring me a lot more sh-rapnel hitting a large fan I'm in prime range of getting splattered from!"

I'm not interested in his reasoning or complaints, "I say again, get to the point you're trying to make," I stated.

Sai took a breath, "Fair enough Miss Orimura, I'm willing to be the leader of that bunch of girls who have little if any self-control over themselves when they're around me and even fight as a rep for the class. I doubt they'll listen to me, but I'll try to 'lead' them the best I am able, no promises on the results. But I won't go to student council that cuts into time I use for college work as I paid much more for college than this place and prefer that environment over this high school setting. My grades are suffering enough already so I put my foot down and say enough is enough, I'm willing to compromise in this a margin, but that's it. I'm stuck here, for the time being, is that to the point enough for you, ma'am," he posed.

For Sai to offer compromise is rare and is something he avoided due to circumstances that came from his time with Tabane and Alice. And what he is offering is acceptable, he being the representative for Class 1 was better for the class than for him. Plus, I know if I didn't take this offer, he would more than likely look for ways to skirt around doing the position's responsibilities. I would rather not give more motivation for Sai to resort to skirting and ignoring set rules as he used to. It had taken me some time to get that habit corrected which Tabane and Alice had taught Sai and I don't want that work to be wasted. "Very well Taichi, that's acceptable," I agreed.

-Sai's pov-

The conversation with Chifuyu at least settled the class rep business for the time being. And it showed me that there was still some of the relationships we had at one time when we had been family. Heck Chifuyu laughed and that doesn't happen every day I can promise you that. Anyway, I dropped off to sleep a short period after the talk with Chifuyu. The next time I opened my eyes, I found myself staring at the ceiling and realized that I was in the dorm room that Houki and I share now. My mind began running better throwing off the effects of sleep that were still over me though it was slower than usual. Still I laid on the comfortable piece of furniture trying to recall a reason as to why I would feel this groggy. I can't clearly remember actually getting into bed last night… scratch that, I can't recall most of last night, nor much of yesterday. The parts that I can recall in any way are murky, so I don't know how much of them I can trust.

I looked over at the clock and saw it was ten in the morning, Monday morning in fact, and I was still drained and tired from recent events. So, I rolled over in my bed and dropped back off to sleep within minutes not caring enough if there was the thing for me to do today. When I woke up next it was dark suggesting I'd been sleeping for most of the day. Upon waking up, I was breathing harder than normal as images of the dream I had gone through my mind. I managed to calm myself down and push the images of the, admittedly erotic dream into the depths of my brain. I looked over to my left and saw that Houki was in her bed sleeping soundly. I also noticed a glass of water on the table next to my bed, I think Houki put it there for me.

It was very nice of her to do that, I guess she must have been worried about me. I grabbed and drained the glass, the water was very nice for my dry throat as I've been in bed for a good portion of the day. Feeling something on my right arm, I glanced over and saw that I had an IV in my right forearm. The tube attached to the IV was connected to a bag that was filled with liquid and was hanging on a pole. I suppose it's better to be miserable in private rather than the infirmary where the first years could crowd me. I think I have Chifuyu to thank for that arrangement, I will have to make my thanks to her when I see her next. At least girls can't crowd me here and invade my personal space while I can do little to stop them. I lowered my head back to the pillow and drifted back off to sleep.

When I came to be alert again the next morning, I found that I was doing better, so I got out of bed and grabbed the pole that held the bag that was attached to my IV. I changed my clothes and made my way to the academy infirmary to get checked out and get the IV removed officially. I would've pulled it out myself, but then there was the chance that I would get another put in to replace the one I took out and I don't want that. The doctor gave me a clean bill of health and took out the IV and sent me on my way telling me to take it easy for the next few days.

It was seven in the morning, and I went back to the dorm room, I retrieved my things and went to the cafeteria and while I ate breakfast, I attempted to do some catch up on my college work that I missed with the duel and what followed. I would guess that Chifuyu must have had me moved at some time after that back to my dorm room. Taking into account my condition, I was excused from Monday classes as I felt horrid still and had been sleeping off the aftereffects of the experimental interface I had employed. It had felt like a big rig had plowed into me and continued by running me over with all its wheels.

I would need to contact some classmates at Cornell to make up for the lectures I'd miss as I hadn't felt up to going to class. Thankfully, I had made enough friends and acquaintances that I could contact one for the work I missed. Then, I would have to plan to spend time going over the damage report from Corinthos as soon as possible to get around the damage that had been sustained. I have no idea how long repairs could take or if I can do it here, may need to get parts, so yeah, not looking forward to the work ahead. To my good fortune though, I bumped into Chifuyu and she told me that I didn't need to attend morning classes today, and I told her thanks for getting me to my dorm room and away from first-year girls. Don't trust any of them with the exception of Houki at the moment to leave me alone and not try something right now.

So, I contacted one of my friends and had them talk with my professors to explain that I had come on some hard times and to ask them to be patient with me. Once that was done, the remainder of Tuesday morning was used to do work on my unit without interruption. The damage wasn't as bad as I had feared it would be but, it still wasn't pretty. To say there was an amount to fix didn't say what list I would be working on and it wouldn't be short. There a number of things to fix with my machine, the stabilizers were the worst, I might need to replace them though I hope not and those are kind of custom. After lunch, I went to my lectures and started getting back into a routine which felt wonderful. The evening, I spent talking to classmates from Cornell and catching up with schoolwork and it was nice I admit.

When Wednesday came, and I was back on going to morning classes with my female classmates even though I really wanted another day without them. The first-morning class came and went, the class itself was as boring as it always was to me since I know the material back to front. What came before class was unpleasant as the girls crowded around me saying how worried they had been when they hadn't seen me on Monday and Tuesday. The invasion of my personal space was not appreciated as it reminded me of days with the Bunny and the Doll, but I didn't let it show. And it was only Miss Yamada calling the class to order that got the girls to back off and give me some space for a time.

The day began to go along a different path during the second-morning class, the practical skills application of the IS. I was the first on the arena grounds as I got to go to the locker room first to change, a nice benefit being the only guy here. Intuition tells me that my classmates would stare at me far more than changing for practical training. I'm fit and show the results of practicing martial arts, and so I don't need to give the girls more interest in me. Plus, there are the scars that were a parting gift from my horrible old man that I don't want to talk about. The girls followed me into the arena ten minutes after I got there, and with all of us in one of the arenas used for IS battles waiting for Chifuyu.

The girls were dressed in outfits that looked like racing swimsuits that enclosed around the neck for support instead of having shoulder straps as one sees normally. The material appeared to be similar or could be spandex, it had the same look about it. They had blue embroidery along the bottom edge. The girls' pilot uniform also had dark blue thigh-high socks that went to their mid-thighs that also had the blue embroidery at the top of the socks. There were sneaker type shoes on their feet as well. The whole outfit fit skintight, showing off the girls' curves, even from a distance. I'm pretty sure that the pilot outfit is the style it is because the hasenpfeffer wanted to see Chifuyu in such a getup.

And the more I get the view of these 'uniforms', the stronger they remind me of Japanese style dark blue school swimsuits. I did note that Houki was wearing the same style of outfit, she just had red embroidery rather than blue. Whereas I was wearing the same ensemble as I did on Saturday and Sunday, the skin-tight black short-sleeved muscle type shirt and equally skin-tight black shorts which serves for my clothing for IS operation in my case. Finally, you got Miss Alcott's getup, she was wearing the same type of swimsuit like outfit as the other girls, but hers was a much lighter blue. I hadn't really talked to her, not that I had tried hard or had the opportunity, I wasn't really that interested in doing so after the fight/match we had Sunday.

Now speaking as a guy, I'm certainly not ignorant of the differences between males and females, especially at the age we're at now. I learned enough with the health course I had been required to take among the general course load I've been working on. So, I'll admit that the girls in my class are developing in particular areas that these outfits do make rather pronounced, namely their figure with an emphasis on their busts, waists, and hips, some more than others. True as it is, I won't name names plus, I don't know most of their names yet or rather I haven't matched faces to names as I haven't put forth the effort to do so much yet.

But the point I'm making, I have learned control over hormonal urges that come in the teenage years and afterward somewhat. A rather rare thing to find in a teenager I know, yet I have spent my time since a young age with people that are five years older or more than myself. So, I have gained maturity at an earlier stage in my life than my peers who are still working on it, not many of them are putting a lot of effort into it though in my opinion. I was exercising that maturity and control, and that I would say speaks well of me. It doesn't mean that I don't have stray thoughts come to mind, the dream about Houki that I had Monday attest to that fact.

-Cecilia's pov-

The last time I had been out in this arena, I had fought Taichi and well, I lost to him and I can't deny that. After consideration and further thought since then, I had underestimated him and paid the price for that. His IS unit and his performance was… better than I had expected to be and he had outdone me. Yet, my thoughts had been dwelling on Sai Taichi, and I couldn't come up with a logical reason as to why. The boy was still unruly at times like he was before, and yet, I had to admit, he was more often a gentleman overall looking back. I am so confused with all these thoughts I didn't have before.

"Alcott, Taichi, you two since you have personal units, you will be doing the demonstration for the class," barked Professor Orimura which snapped me back to attention.

I activated Blue Tears as instructed and looked over to Taichi who looked like he didn't wish to demonstrate right now. Still, he rolled his shoulders then spoke, "Come, Freedom!"

Light engulfed him and when it died down, he was in his IS though it appeared to be missing two sets of the wings from Sunday's match. There could be several possible reasons why Taichi had parts undeployed, I couldn't say what they could be. "Now fly," command Miss Orimura.

I launched into the air, I looked over to Sai Taichi, and it surprised me to see that he appeared to be not paying much active attention to piloting. No, he seemed to be lost in his own thoughts by the expression on his face. It was a look he would often have during the first class of the morning, almost bored indifference. Being bored is one thing yet piloting an IS takes concentration at some level but Taichi was showing no signs of putting forth much effort. It didn't make sense logically how he was flying and not paying attention to the task however, he was doing just that.

After close to two minutes of Taichi being silent, the air was feeling awkward to me. I know I owe Sai Taichi an apology, not just because of the agreed-upon wager we made, but also to say that I had committed an error. Perhaps if I were to start off with a compliment, it would help, "I must admit, your skills in flying are quite impressive," I stated.

At speaking, Taichi twisted his head and looked at me gaining an expression of incredulity like he was trying to figure out something. It took him a moment before he spoke, "Um, I beg your pardon?"

I smiled a bit, "Well, I was noticing that your skills at flying and they are good," I said.

Sai Taichi continued to stare at me like he was seeing someone else at least that is what his dumbfounded expression said to me. He then shook his head after a minute, "Thanks, I think," he replied hesitantly.

The air of awkwardness remained between us though not as strong as before. And now that I really think about it, this was the first time in a long while that I have talked with a boy like I'm trying to. "Well, perhaps we could compare flying styles later," I suggested.

Taichi kept his gobsmacked look as he stared, but it quickly was added to with an expression of slight pity. However, before our conversation could continue, Miss Orimura's voice came over the radio, "Taichi, perform and high-speed dive and landing, Alcott you're going to do a power dive!"

Taichi instantly went into a dive downward gaining speed as he did so. He pulled up sharply just before the ground having his thrusters burn hard and then he landed on the ground gently. The technique shown in that high-speed dive was more than just impressive even I had to admit that. In fact, that was one of the most seamless high-speed dives I have seen in person and it could beat out a number of recordings I seen of the technique! And Sai Taichi had made it look easy to do and like anyone could do such a maneuver. I feel myself questioning just how much I could have underestimated Sai Taichi as I am finding it is more than I thought.

I then began my instructed maneuver the power-dive, which is similar to the high-speed dive but done at lower speeds and a harder pull up before the ground. I came to land on the ground a short distance away from where Taichi had touched down and looked over at him. Taichi was facing Professor Orimura, "Yes Professor?"

"This isn't an opportunity to show off," barked Miss Orimura.

Showing off? Sai performed a magnificent high-speed dive, the technique was near perfect from what I witnessed… Wait, Sai? When did I think of him by just his first name? "I did what you told me to do Miss Orimura, is that wrong now," asked Taichi.

He then disengaging his IS and dropped to the ground as Miss Orimura approached him. Then, in front of all of us in the class, Miss Orimura slapped him on the backside of his head. But that didn't make sense, why did Professor Orimura hit Sai like that? He had done what she instructed him to do and done so to the highest standard. I disengaged Blue Tears and jogged over to where Taichi was who was clutching his head with both hands.

Meanwhile, Miss Orimura faced the rest of the class and began lecturing about IS operation. When I reached Taichi, I looked him over, thankful that he didn't look to be hurt though he was muttering under his breath. "Oh my, how mean of Miss Orimura to say such things to you and then hit you like that," I remarked.

Sai spun around and seemed to notice me being there for the first time today. I placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled a little, yet he moved forward and made some distance from me. "I can deal with it," he replied.

People should not have to deal with such abuse, no matter who it comes from. Teacher or not, Miss Orimura should not have smacked Taichi as she did. I gained a worried expression and stepped closer to Sai, "Are you sure, maybe you should go to the infirmary and be checked over," I suggested.

The expression of incredulity returned to Taichi's face, "I'm good, really, I've spent more time than I want to in the infirmary to last me for a while. Why are you being so nice all a sudden, you were saying all sorts of demeaning terms before now, what's with the total change," he asked.

I was about to tell him that I was wrong about him and that perhaps we could start over again, but we were interrupted. "Indeed, only last week, you were calling Sai a useless male pig I believe. So, why are you talking to Sai now like none of that happened," asked a female voice.

Taichi and I twisted around and found Miss Shinonono standing behind Sai glaring at me. Classmates though we are, she is interrupting and intruding on a conversation that she is not involved in. I shot her a miffed expression, "Oh Miss Shinonono, I do not believe that it is any of your business if I speak to Mr. Taichi," I shot back.

Then, I turned back and faced Sai swallowing my pride for the apology I was about to make. I frowned for I was wrong about Sai Taichi and I know that now, "Sai Taichi, I may have let my previous notions about males get the better of me," I confessed.

Miss Shinonono snorted, "That's not much of an apology," she remarked.

Frustration and anger swelled up in me at being told that as I hadn't been done making the apology and that was not easy for me! I stomped over to Houki Shinonono, "This is none of your business Miss Shinonono. And you are improperly interrupting a conversation that you aren't included in, so kindly butt out," I snapped.

Miss Shinonono didn't back down, "None of my Business you say? That's an excuse and you know it but aren't willing to admit it. You've been taking every opportunity to embarrass Sai and put him down that you can get away with. So, what's with the sudden change in attitude? When he beat you did that finally show that you are not as high and mighty as you say," she posed.

This girl is just getting in the way and I will not be talked down to like this by someone like her. Yet, before accounts could be settled, we were interrupted, "Okay ladies, eyes on me." Both Miss Shinonono and I turned our heads to stare at Sai, "Whether you two like each other or not is your own business but don't use me as a reason to fight each other." Sai looked to Miss Shinonono, "Houki, I can defend and stand up for myself and don't need others to do that for me." Sai then focused on me, "Miss Alcott," he started.

That way of address, it just sounds too formal for my liking, "Um, I would prefer you to call me Cecilia," I interjected.

Taichi paused at my request, "Fine, Cecilia then, your concern is acknowledged but isn't needed, I'll be fine as I'm no stranger to having to endure pain. So, being smacked is not new," he finished.

Sai then turned away from both Miss Shinonono and me and walked towards the rest of the class. I looked back at my classmate feeling that continuing the argument that we had been having was pointless and beneath me. So, I followed Sai's example and began making my way back towards the rest of our classmates.

-Sai's pov-

The morning part of the day had definitely been different than I had imagined it would be, especially with Cecilia Alcott. The blonde had done such a full reversal from what she had been like before, and it was creepy! Thank goodness for my sanity, my afternoon college classes helped me not worry about recent developments. When I got out of my math lecture, I headed to the cafeteria to obtain food.

However, I never made it there for I was stopped by a few of my classmates beforehand. They told me that they had a 'surprise' for me and that raised reddish flags in my mind and those aren't wise to ignore I've found. The word 'surprise' coming from the girls doesn't infer the same thing it would if I say it. I was already suspicious of the motives of my classmates as some of my peers were getting bolder with each passing day. Still, in the defense of those addressing me, I'll say that their smiles were kind of cute. I planned to kindly refuse and tell them to show me their 'surprise' later as that was safer in my view. Of course, none of them listen to my refusal which is the normal response, they just grabbed me and dragged off to wherever they had this 'surprise' meant for me was.

It was as I approached the first-year dorms that my worry had a serious increase in magnitude about the surprise and what it would do to me! I had been working on some contingencies and escape plans, but none of them were ready just yet. We entered the dorms and went to the common room, where I was blinded by a flash. I blinked several times to clear my vision of the light that had blinded me. All the girls from the class were in the room along with others who were in the same year, but different classes, then the room was also decorated for a party. "What in the f-freaking h-heck! What's going on here ladies," I asked to the room at large biting back the cursing I had almost said.

Miss Nohotoke appeared in front of me, spreading her arms wide, "Why, it's a party for you becoming the class representative!"

I flinched at the sudden appearance of the girl as I had no warning, which is odd with the sharpened senses martial arts have given me. So what the f**king hell is all of this?! The next moment I'm able to register I was surrounded by members of Class One, all of them trying to talk at once. They were congratulating me, flirting with me and all sorts of the things they did to me, accompanied by other first-years doing the same. Expertly, I managed to extricate myself from the gaggle of girls in around ten minutes and made my way to the table with food as I was looking for dinner as I hadn't gotten any yet. My math lecture had been a rigorous one today, all the college courses were beginning to pick up and so the load that was required was increasing as well. After getting dinner in my stomach, I milled around looking for a way out of this as I have homework to get to!

I began hearing some of my classmates talking about how neat it was for me to be their leader and represent them on the student council. It would seem I'll need to clear things up about what me taking the job of class rep actually means. I cleared my throat loudly to get the attention of the girls in the room, "Okay, listen ladies, it sounds like you have a little bit of the wrong idea. Yes, I'm first year, class one's representative, which means I will be the class leader and fight in class tournament. I'll not be doing anything with the student council, someone else will be doing that, which Miss Orimura will be choosing soon. That's how it is and will be ladies, you don't like that, sorry that's not my problem."

The girls cheered at what I said, which infers that none have a problem with my partial representation, okay then. The party continued, and it took me around half an hour to slip away from the party and get to my dorm room. Once I closed the door, I slid to the floor, "Too many girls flirting with me without letting up! I'm a guy, even I have limits to how much control I have over instincts of nature and mine is worse thanks to the Rabbit and the Doll. If this goes on much longer with no change in how things stand, then I'll either be forced into participating in something along with another female or multiple which we shouldn't do at our age, or I might do something I would regret unable to stop myself!"

Letting out a shuttering breath to calm down, I then got to my feet and headed over to the desk. I set my bag down at the side of the desk and took out my math book and Quantum Physics and set down to the work I had. I was able to finish my quantum physics problems and had begun math when Houki entered the room, which was about thirty minutes later. We looked at each other for a moment before she spoke, "So you did come here, I wondered if you had gotten here when you disappeared."

"Yep, there a problem with that," I answered.

Houki shook her head before she got ready for bed while I finished up the set of math problems I was doing. By the time Houki was stepping out of the bathroom, I had just finished putting away my homework and so, I took my turn to use the bathroom to change for bed. Following that, it wasn't long before we both headed to bed for the night.

Around a week went by and was as quiet as they will likely get for me around here. Then came a day that changed, a Thursday as it happens, I'd sat myself down at my desk, waiting for one or both our teachers to show up to begin the lesson. So, I wasn't really paying attention to the chatter from my classmates around me. After all, I've little interested in gossip, not that fond of it, for I think that gossiping is a complete waste of time and only creates problems and misunderstandings. Such has been proven over and over on a daily basis by the media alone. Yet, I just have good hearing and so I overheard things being said anyways.

"So, inter-class league matches are going to happen soon right," came a girl's voice

Oh yes, the event of the first year inter-class matches are coming up soon, that task would fall to me since I'm class 1's rep now. However, my mind was more focused on my Nanotech and Prosthetics lectures that I had this afternoon. Now those are courses I enjoy going to, much more than this academy's educational curriculum where I'm the subject of attention of the students. To be in a setting with others that are closer to the same academic level as me, it's wonderful.

"Yeah, in two weeks I think," said another female classmate.

"Say, have you heard the latest rumor," said a voice I actually knew. The voice belonged to Yuzu Tanimoto, the red-haired girl from those three who had come to have breakfast with me sometimes.

Perking up my ear at hearing that line, I listened to what was being said that hopefully didn't involve me. I may not like rumors and gossip, but that doesn't mean that such things can't bring up facts that you don't know before. I'm the unwillingly class one's rep to an extent nevertheless, it would be a good idea to know about some of the other first-year reps. Hopefully this 'rumor' would provide some facts about the other class representatives as that has been the subject so far. Sure, I may have gotten Chifuyu to let me off the responsibility of attending student council meetings, but I still am the 'leader' of this class of girls and also will be fighting in the previously mentioned league matches. Information on your opponent helps in the match that will come!

"The representative for class two has changed apparently," replied Miss Tanimoto.

"Yeah, some transfer student I hear," that was from a classmate I wasn't familiar with.

"At this time of year, really," answered Miss Tanimoto.

A transfer student, after the semester has gotten well underway, that's rather odd, I wouldn't have thought the academy would've accepted an application this late. Then for the transfer girl to become a class rep, that would infer that she's either very good at piloting or has her own personal IS, or both perhaps? Something doesn't add up in this, I hope this doesn't add to my already loaded plate of things I'm dealing with, that pile is getting to be a real sizable tower. Balancing the load is really becoming difficult and I don't need more shoved on me to make it worse!

"Supposedly, she's from China," informed Miss Tanimoto.

Once again, I have to admit, it is impressive at how girls gossiping can have this much information on someone they have never actually met, it's scary at times. But China, the same country as one of my close friends back at the college campus. I wonder how she's doing after I was forced to leave, for she didn't take me leaving for Japan well. The poor girl was crying her eyes out… while squeezing the life out of me or that's how it felt. The woman is far stronger than she looks at first sight yet being around her is neat.

"I wonder if she transferred here to study my techniques," came blondie-I mean Cecilia's voice.

I see that her ego and pride have fully recovered from the blow they took when Miss Alcott lost to me. Really, I can't tell which is worse, her usual arrogant prideful self, which I've come to expect, or this new blonde that looks like Miss Alcott but is… nice to me to the point it's getting more than just weird and awkward! Not saying that Cecilia isn't good looking, she is pretty and everything, it's just her attitude is a real shut down to me.

"What do you think of this transfer student Sai," asked the bubbly voice of Hoone Nohotoke popping up in front of me as if it was some kind of magic trick of hers.

What the Hell, she did it again?! Okay, once I can pass off as a fluke, twice means that I'll be the need to keep an eye on Hoone Nohotoke, she can appear out of nowhere and that could be a potential risk! Taken aback a bit with suddenly being asked what my thoughts were on this, I took a moment to think of how to word my reply. "Well, as I've never actually met this girl from class 2, I'll admit I'm kind of curious. However, I'll reserve judgment on her until I meet her so, I really don't have thoughts on this new student girls."

"It should be fine, the only classes that have students with a personal IS, are you for class 1 and class 4's representative," said another female voice from behind me.

Turning, I found myself looking at a blue-haired classmate. Her height I estimated to be four foot ten. The blue hair went down to her shoulders in the back and framed her face in the front; dark pink hair clips keeping her hair from getting in front of her eyes. Her ocean-blue eyes complimented her hair and face. She was wearing the normal academy uniform like pretty much all the girls wear consisting of the white blazer with long sleeves, white dress shirt, and the skirt that appeared to connect to the blazer.

"I'm sorry, I don't think we've been introduced, you are," I asked.

The girl giggled before she answered me, "My name is Shizune Takatsuki, Mr. Taichi."

My brain did a double-take, I dislike being referred to as Mr. preceding my first or last name. It's a bit of a pet peeve of mine. I waved a hand in dismissal, "Please, No Mr. just Sai. I'm not fond of formalities myself."

It was seconds after I said that, the door to the classroom slides open with force and banged against their stops. Thinking it was Chifuyu as she did open the door like that when she's having a bad day, which seems to happen on a regular basis, I didn't look up. I hadn't any desire to add fuel to whatever might be making our female professor be in a bad mood. Yet I didn't expect what came next, "You would be wrong about that, Class Two also has a personal IS user! Now where is your class representative, Sai Taichi," said a young female voice.

At hearing my name and said in a voice the clearly wasn't Chifuyu, I glanced at the doorway from the hallway and saw a girl that I've never seen around the academy or met before now that I can recall. The girl stood at I would guess to be four feet and eight to nine inches in height, probably eight and somewhere around a half I think. As I stared at her, I began to take in her other features, this girl's eyes were a deep green with a bit of blue mixed in. Her hair was light brown and went down to her waist though currently was tied in twin tails that were on either side of her head, tied with yellow ribbons. She also had two sections of hair that framed her face on both sides. Her face bared features that denoted Asian descent, Chinese if I had to guess. The figure the girl had was petit, but not overly thin. Her uniform was a variation of the normal one, the blazer she wore was the same color and basic overall design, but the shoulders were open, and skin was visible with her hands were poking out of sleeves less than they would with the normal uniform. The rest of her uniform was like the other girls' uniforms except socks that started just under her knees and she was wearing shoes that were a cross between hiking and combat boots.

There was something about the girl that tickled something in the back of my mind but couldn't say what though. Anyways, with what the girl said everyone in the room was silent at the demand, "Did none of you hear or understand me? Where is she?! Sai Taichi, your representative," The brown-haired girl again.

Now, do my ears deceiving me, or am I being mistaken for being a girl? Finally, perhaps I could have some amusement to enjoy that doesn't require me to put forth a great effort. Now normally, I would feel insulted with being mistaken for a female, but in this instance, it's for whatever reason, funny to me. One would think my name would provide enough of a clue that I'm a male and not female. Apparently, I'm wrong about such a fact, still, I feel I'll get a laugh of this. So then, let's find out what kind of reaction I get from clearing this misunderstanding, I hope it's interesting, I need a good laugh! I drew attention by clearing my throat, yet before I had the opportunity to say a thing, I had a glare directed at me from this girl.

"Who are you and why would there be a boy here at the academy," she snapped.

Well, I didn't expect that. Before I spoke, I noted that this girl wasn't actually looking at me very hard only taking in basic details, and so, she only glanced at me long enough to see I'm male. "Excuse me miss, but I would be the Sai Taichi you're looking for, I'm clearly male as your eyes should tell you. However, as the students at this school are all female other than myself, the mistake can be made in my gender I guess. But now that you've seen that I'm a guy, please introduce yourself as I haven't heard a name for you yet, and then explain your reason for seeing me. It's only good manners to introduce yourself first," I said in a neutral tone of voice.

-Rin's pov-

Honestly, I didn't want to come to this school, but mom insisted that I do and went behind then around dad. Their relationship has been getting worse since the divorce, but it had already been going downhill before that. Yet, it's like neither of them even notice that their actions affect those around them. It's not like I was against coming back to Japan, but I haven't been able to find anything on those I knew when I lived around here when I was younger. Two of them in particular, it was like they never existed, it was very weird when I had done some research. So, I was cranky as of late with all the things that had been going on. Even for the day that I've been here, it felt similar to junior high days before I had met Ichika and Sai.

Anyways, once here, I thought it would be better if I just make it so that others would be less likely to bully me whether because I'm short or something else. The quickest way I figured I could do that, was to confront the class representatives for the first years so, I headed over to Class One to begin. Apparently, Class One's representative was named Sai Taichi, a different name for a girl, but some people have strange ideas these days. Everyone seemed to know her name, why, I don't know, there had been some stories whispered between some I've passed.

When I entered Class One's room, I saw that most of its members were gathered around the middle of the room. None really seemed to react to my entry, I'd been overhearing them talking about Class Two's representative, which is me now. To be talked about and not to was annoying and I wouldn't let that continue, especially with an assurance that since only Class One and Class Four had personal IS users. "You would be wrong about that, Class Two also has a personal IS user! Now, where is your class representative, Sai Taichi," I demanded.

No one in the room answered me, whether that was because they somehow didn't hear me or something else, I don't know or care. "Did none of you hear or understand me? Where is she, Sai Taichi, your representative," I started again.

The girls in the room shifted uncomfortably at my statement, yet during the shifting, an odder sight caught my eye for a moment, there was a single boy here in the room. Why he was here, who the heck knows, he shouldn't be at all. Still, I refocused on the girls since they still have not told me where their class representative was. "Who are you and why would there be a boy here at the academy," I snapped in annoyance.

I'm not interested in making the time for some nobody that shouldn't be here to begin with. "Excuse me miss, but I would be the Sai Taichi you're looking for, I'm clearly male as your eyes should tell you. However, as the students at this school are all female other than myself, the mistake can be made in my gender I guess. But now that you've seen that I'm a guy, please introduce yourself as I haven't heard a name for you yet, and then explain your reason for seeing me. It's only good manners to introduce yourself first," the boy said in a neutral tone of voice.

Honestly, being here is ridiculous, "I'm Ling Huáng and," I trailed off as what he had just said sunk in. "Wait, you say that you're, Sai Taichi?"

This boy couldn't be who he says he is, males can't pilot an IS, that's how it is… right? Yet, when I looked at the guy's face, I froze with what I saw. The black hair and red-brownish eyes, they were the same as Sai's had been, it was one of the things I remembered about him much like Ichika's facial features looking so much like Chifuyu's. But could this guy in front of me really be Sai Orimura? If it was Sai, then why was he here at the IS Academy? There were so many questions going through my mind and I couldn't make heads or tails of them. With the chance that this boy was Sai, he had changed an amount since I last saw him. Admittedly, the guy was good-looking, appeared to have a build that was solid and worked for. I felt a bit of a blush coming to my face as I stared at him. The guy then nodded to me, "That's right, I'm Sai Taichi," he stated.

The more I looked at this Sai Taichi, the more he reminded me of Sai Orimura, he and Ichika had been so nice to me when I lived around here. I was attempting to reply, but my voice wasn't working like it was supposed to. It took a minute and shaking my head before I was able to overcome whatever was going on. I walked over to the guy and bowed, "I'm sorry for the earlier outburst, that was rude, forgive me," I apologized.

Taichi blinked and studied me for a moment, then he shrugged, "Sure, it's okay Miss Huáng, I'm kind of getting used to girls overreacting around me."

He didn't hold my actions against me, thank goodness! Plus, this reminded me of how Ichika and Sai had been, quick to forgive and forget. Sai had been more sincere as I recall, Ichika had been more naïve if anything. "Thank you, you're so nice, and could you call me Ling or maybe even Rin, it sounds better," I requested.

Taichi was quiet for a moment, before he answered, "If you insist Rin, now, you had something you wanted to ask me, did you not?"

Oh my, this is embarrassing now, I had originally meant to establish position and yet, I don't think that would be necessary. To hide my embarrassment, I started twisting side to side shyly, "Oh well um, it wasn't anything that important really. I just came to see who the representative of Class One was, and I'm glad I came to see as I met you," I got out.

The next thing I knew, I was looking at a smile that warmed my heart in a way I hadn't known before now, except in the early days with my parents. And I wasn't the only one that had a wistful sigh escaping them at seeing the smile. However, there was a bang at the desk which Taichi was sitting at, and when I glanced at the cause, I saw two girls standing there, a blonde and one with purple hair. Both the girls were glaring at Taichi then and me and then back to Taichi, it made me feel lost at what was going on. Yet, the air in the room became worse when the door flew open again and one of the staff entered the room. "What's going on here," yelled the woman that upon looking over at her, I identified as Chifuyu Orimura.

-Sai's pov-

All of us in the classroom looked to the doorway and standing there, was professor Chifuyu Orimura, and she was looking beyond non-too pleased at the moment. No, if looks of emotions could do damage, I could easily prosecute Chifuyu for assault at a bare minimum, more likely attempted murder by how she looks right now and win the case! Chifuyu's gazed locked on to the poor girl, Rin Huáng in under ten seconds as she wasn't one of her students in this class. "You there, Miss Huáng, your class is Class Two! Now get to your homeroom," barked Chifuyu loudly.

Good GOD! Chifuyu isn't only looking mad but sounds like it too, I don't like the looks of this at all! She's getting close to the point that she would be willing to do serious things to someone, it makes me wonder what put her in this state?! I haven't seen her in this angry of a state for a while, the only time I've seen her any worse than this would be when Ichika was killed! Back then, the woman had been out for blood and would have murdered those that remained. Had she known the force of navy seals that had been with me had taken the three that were alive into custody, Chifuyu would likely have attempted to kill me to get to them back then! I had called in a serious favor when I found out Ichika had been kidnapped and gotten the services of the Seals… long story as to how the person that owed me could get that. I couldn't exactly blame Chifuyu back then either, I was sorely tempted to do the same after seeing what the captors… had done to Ichika. But, that's another story, for another time I think.

Rin noticed Chifuyu's mood like I did and made the best decision in heading for the door, but she stopped before leaving and waved at me in such a way that said that I would see her later. She headed for her classroom after waving at me and class shortly began, still, things didn't improve much if at all. Chifuyu's bad mood continued throughout the class period and the room was TENSE!

Lunchtime couldn't come fast enough with how the atmosphere in the room was during the lesson, I certainly didn't have a single thought of nodding off today! Nonetheless, lunch came thank goodness, and I was out of that classroom as soon as I could be, not wanting to be around Chifuyu any longer. I grabbed a bowl of ramen a few rice balls and a plate that the lunch woman called 'Yakitori', which I've heard is chicken on sticks seasoned with a couple of things. All the food smelled pretty good, kind of reminds me of some of my friends back at the university. On that thought, memories about those I had left back in America, specifically the circle of friends came to mind.

The first friend from my circle, I used to see a lot of the time, was a twenty-two-year-old guy by the name of Mathew Oscar. A true blue old-fashion American from the day he was born, came from back around the western US. He had been my roommate for the two years I'd been at Cornell and he was still able to stand the young resident genius at the university. Although I'm not a hard person to get along and live with, the hype I get for being as young as I am and going to college well, hard to not crack under that kind of attention. It's more having to live with someone, you learn a lot of things about that person that you wouldn't find out about otherwise. And I had learned a good amount about Matt that I wouldn't have otherwise.

Matthew stood at close to six-foot and was on the thinner side of the figure spectrum, but he wasn't a 'stick'. He had three-inch length straight hair that was light brown the color of cinnamon. His eyes were the same color as his hair and had… the quality that drew in the girls, don't ask me what it is, I haven't the faintest clue. I've even with the double dates I've gone on with him, and I still don't get how he does it, just know he has looks that girls very much like. He also had a country drawl in his voice and it sometimes made him hard to understand at times, but somehow adds to his likability. Overall, he has and is a loyal friend to me and damn it, I miss him even his… dumb puns and rural/country comparisons he learned on the ranch he grew up around. The things he would say and think they were funny when they weren't, they were pretty bad. He was a Mechanical Engineering major, and that was his contribution to helping with my IS unit. Let's just say he knows a lot about getting parts of machines to work together and work right than many that I know sometimes!

The next in my circle of friends was one of the first women that I didn't just respect but actually wished to be around. I say that, whereas with Chifuyu who I respect, but don't always want to be around or the bunny and doll who I don't respect nor wanted to be around at all. Back to my female friend, she was twenty-three years old and has the name of Cassidy Mets. Like Matt, she's an American yet, where Matt is a country guy, Cassidy is a city girl. She grew up on the east coast of the US, around the Jersey area she says. Cassidy stands at near five and a half feet with a defined hourglass figure. She has long dirty blonde hair that flowed down to the middle of her back in impressively thick and silky locks. With her blue eyes, Cassidy can easily be considered a 'knockout' in the looks department. Most guys that didn't know her would tend to focus on my friend's chest, which if I were to estimate is an F in size. How might I know all of that? After almost two years of knowing each other, I would think I would know and then, we went on a few dates over the last two years, three to be precise.

As an example, during my freshman year for Homecoming, Cassidy had asked me to go with her, originally it was to help her get out of having to go out with a horrid jock that was pestering her. But it had developed into being fun for both of us and a much better time than my first date that had occurred earlier the same year. Cassidy was studying Advanced System Programming as her major, which helped me and my unit's development nicely. Yet, her experience as a former member of the United States IS team which won the smaller tournament that takes place between the Mondo Grosso that occurred every three years was invaluable knowledge. Cassidy was also the first woman that I have been hugged by and not felt sick or reacted badly to like I do because of the Bunny's and Doll's years of smothering me.

Then there was a guy by the name of Luther Smith, who was Mathew's and my roommate last semester. He was an American like my first two friends, yet he was the 'stoic' type or comes off as such and with his height of over six foot but under a half, just serves to hammer the stoic impression he gives off. Luther could be seen as handsome with his thick three-and-a-half-inch blonde hair which fit his smooth and regal facial features. He does wear glasses, square lenses that are rimless; but that didn't detract from him at all. No, what seems to put off so many people, was his eyes, they were gold and the pupils were smaller than average. I never saw that as something to have a problem with, but quite a few people do. His major is Advanced Architectural engineering with emphasis on mechanical architecture. Yes, that includes ISs and he knows his stuff. What had been surprising to me, was the sense of humor he possessed, which you wouldn't expect from someone like him. Luther could crack me up, have me nearly rolling on the floor with a few well said and timed lines! An awesome guy when you get to know him!

My second female friend, which I met the second semester during my first year at Cornell, was a foreign exchange student from France, named Olivia Beaumont. She's a redheaded advanced weapon design and ballistics major. Olivia had a height of close to five and a half feet, about the same height as I have now. Her red hair was long and straight, went down three-fourths of the way to her waist. The young woman usually kept it going down her back so that she had no hair running down her front at all. Olivia also tends to wear two-star shaped hair ordainments above her ears on either side of her head. Her light blue eyes have a twinkle to them that adds to her cheerful attitude she has. Her figure is pretty streamlined, an average-sized chest, though I could be off as I have never asked nor gotten close enough to check.

Even with her being from France, I would've thought that she would have a good grasp of the English language before coming to the United States, but she'd struggled at first. It had taken me time to understand what she said, her pronounced French accent made the English she did speak harder to comprehend. Yet, once I'd managed to understand what she said and I had discovered she had a simple childlike wonder of things and so was amazed fairly easily. Plus, I started picking up the French language from her during the first part of my second year at Cornell and am now fairly competent in it. Not fluent, but good enough and we talk to each other in French, which she seems to like. Olivia's knowledge of weapon ballistics and design had been wonderful! It'd assisted in some of the weapons that I haven't used yet with my IS.

The final member of my gang is a twenty-year-old woman by the name of Jia Xuan and like Olivia was studying abroad in the United States. Her home is in the southeastern section of China in a town named Chongqing. An energetic young woman with the height of five foot two, yet she's a living example of the phrase, 'don't judge her by her size' when you're taking in your impression. Jia might be compact when it comes to body frame, but she packs a painful punch with the unseen strength she has! In fact, she was the one who had taught me the basics of Hung Fut, one of the forms of martial arts I've learned thus far. She has black hair that goes midway down her back when its let down, though she tends to wear it in two braids that stick out on either side of her head. Those braids somehow defy gravity as they stick out at forty-five-degree angles and stay there every time I see her. Then she also has two buns on either side on the back of her head, normally covered with colored cloth, white being the most common she uses. With her chocolate brown eyes, most would say she is very cute. and that's before you take in her figure.

Like Cassidy, her body was the shape that of an hourglass; from the young Chinese woman's E volume chest to her cinched waist, finishing with her shapely hips. In other words, she has an Hourglass figure and it's something that's hard to deny. It's probable that some of her figure can be attributed to her consistent practicing of Hung Fut, the Chinese martial art. Simply put, she was fit! I assume as a way of showing pride in her country her normal clothing choice, that consisted of a Chinese cheongsam. The piece of clothing is a body-hugging one-piece dress that the west knows as a Mandarin gown. Doubtlessly, the piece of clothing only shows off her impressive figure with how it looks on her. Jia's major was Energy Production and Application Research, which fits working with an IS very nicely. She had been helping on the prototype shielding we'd been developing for my unit, we just hadn't gotten it to work efficiently yet. And then, she always was an optimist and made it contagious among the rest of us in the group.

The reason my friends were coming to mind, was the smell of this food reminded me of Jia's cooking. The girl was absolutely amazing in the room that the culinary art takes place known as, "the kitchen"! I may know how to cook food to eat, but Jia knows how to turn raw food and meat into a meal that you can't help but drool at the sight and smell of! The feeling of familiarity brought the pain and aches of missing those I'd been with for more than a year. I've had really good and fun times with all of them and had been looking forward to having more with them this year. But then, the damn soon to be near dead rabbit hopping forced me to come here instead! I bet she thought it would be great fun to force me to do other things and have a damn good time laughing at my expense with the sh*t that has been and will possibly happen! Hence, when I find that woman, I plan to make her understand the consequences of messing with another's life, namely mine, and it WON'T BE PRETTY!

My friends had accepted that I wouldn't be at Cornell this year, but not all of them had taken it as well as others. Jia especially hadn't handled it well, I think she was excited to teach me more Hung Fut, and she did appreciate the tutoring I did for her in subject or two last semesters and she'd needed it to an extent, she might need more this semester. It had been nearly heart wrenching having to watch the poor girl ball her eyes out, I would have been comforting her if she hadn't been squeezing the breath out of me while doing said crying, but that's how she is. She is one of the few females, that can hug me, and I not react with revulsion, she just doesn't know her own strength or how to manage it sometimes. The others in the gang had to separate us by pulling Jia off me before she incapacitated me. I couldn't help the sigh that came at reminiscing about how things had gone before I'd left for Japan.

"Would you mind some company," asked a feminine voice.

I looked up and saw… Ling Huáng? I wasn't expecting her to find me again already, that's not half bad at finding me, I'm pretty good at not being noticed when I try. Then there was still something about her that brought familiarity, though I still haven't identified why. Motioning for her to take the opposite side of the booth I was sitting in, she quickly did so. She smiled at me, "Could I ask a perhaps more personal question," she asked.

Now, this is a real first, one of the girls here asking for more information about me as a person, "Sure, go right ahead," I said.

"Well, I was wondering, do you know much about those with the name of Orimura," Rin asked.

That perked up my attention, "Yeah, Chifuyu and Ichika Orimura, why do you ask," I inquired.

Rin then focused harder on me, "Then, did you know a Sai Orimura," I question.

I jerked at that for I had gone by the name of Sai Orimura years ago while I'd been living with Chifuyu and Ichika. I hadn't gone by it for close to four years now, I'd gone back to Taichi when I left the house. Coming out of my thoughts, I looked back at Rin, "Yes, I knew a Sai Orimura, that's me, but how do you know that name, I haven't gone by that name for a couple of years now," I replied.

Rin smiled at me, "Don't you remember, you and Ichika used to help me out when I lived around here and would come by my family's restaurant at least once a week."

A family restaurant that Ichika and I would go to? You know, I recall that we did eat out once a week or more back then, Chifuyu had been working a lot and so wasn't home a great deal. However, if memory serves me right and it normally does, the restaurant that Ichika would often choose was a Chinese one. It had been owned and run by a nice family that had moved in just after Chifuyu had helped me get away from the Bunny and Doll. There had been a girl back then who had been a classmate of Ichika's that would come around the house. She'd been nice, and she had stuck around Ichika at first until he and I had gotten the local idiotic boys to leave her alone. But that would imply that… you got to be joking, could Rin really be that girl that Ichika and I had become friends with?!

My eyes widened at the thought, "Wait, as in the Chinese restaurant 'Huáng Pork'," I asked.

Rin nodded, still smiling, "Yep, that was my family's restaurant."

Wow, never expected to see someone I knew from around here again. I'd kind of lost track of most that I knew after Ichika was killed… it had been hard to deal with back then. "I have to admit, never thought I would see anyone that I knew when I lived around here again, it can really be a small world," I commented.

Rin nodded in agreement, "So, where's Ichika, when I tried to look up either of you, I found nothing at all, it was odd," she said.

Apparently, she didn't know what happened to Ichika, but then, the event had been covered up. My mood fell, and I took a steadying breath, "Well, sorry to tell you Rin, but Ichika passed away in an accident a few years back," I stated evenly, holding back the pain I felt with the subject.

Rin's smile was wiped away at my reply, "Oh, I see, I'm sorry to hear that," she said sadly.

I exhaled, "Yeah, happened pretty suddenly, sorry you have to find out from me Rin," I remarked.

After a while, Rin got into telling me a bit more about what had gone on with her since last I'd seen her. She'd lived in Japan up to a few years ago before Ichika's death, but due to marital problems between her parents, she had gone to live with her father in Hong Kong. In the end, her parents had divorced, and she had been the one who had suffered the most by the sound of it from her account. I wouldn't know about what it's like to go through parents divorcing, my mother died due to illness, I was young, so can't really remember her clearly. My… father, well, he blamed me for my mom dying and abandoned me when I was six after giving me his parting 'gifts' that I could have done without. The scars have never fully healed even with the decade that had gone by and serve as a reminder to me about a few things.

As for what I said to Rin since she told me a little of her history, I did tell her a bit about what I'd been doing since last seeing her. I didn't go into great detail and just went with general events that had happened to me. I didn't mention that I had completed my high school education, as I'd been working on while she and Ichika were starting middle school. I don't know how the girls here would take that just yet, so best not to say that I have done the level they're at now.

The catchup conversation was going rather nicely when there came the second loud bang of the day on the table. Glancing to the source, I was looking into the faces of two very irritated girls and three girls behind them, for I knew all five girls. In front was Houki and Cecilia and for whatever had their panties in a twist if you know what I mean, they looked very miffed at me for sure. I think I can guess why they would be irritated with me and the reason irked me! Behind them was Miss Nohotoke, Yorutake, and Tanimoto standing observing this even play out.

"What is the meaning of this," shouted Blondie.

"Yes, how do you know this girl," barked Houki.

Keep control, hard as it may be to do so, I shall not lose my control over my emotions and yell at them for hovering over me and acting as they own me as one would an object or animal! I resorted to doing a breathing exercise that Jia had taught me to calm down, helped me to keep my control before I jumped into this. "Okay, first of all, get ahold of yourselves girls. Second, I was just getting to know Rin here and she did ask if she could have lunch with me before sitting here and I said yes. Plus, I happen to have met her a number of years ago, so she isn't a stranger," I answered with a controlled tone.

"What? If you wanted company you could have come to me," Cecilia replied.

My right eye started twitching at what Cecilia had said as she wasn't listening to what I am attempting to get across. Sighing before I went on, "Honestly, I don't have a preference whether others eat with me or I eat alone. If someone asks to eat with me, then it's unlikely for the time being that I'll say no."

"What did you mean get ahold of ourselves? We're fine," Said Houki.

Really? I beg to differ greatly, it's times like this, being a gentleman is very hard. "The way you ladies have been acting says differently and I'll leave it at that right now." I slid out of the booth and grabbed my tray that had my empty dishes and began to head towards the kitchen return counter. But I turned back for the last word, "Now, I've classes to attend soon as do we all this afternoon, so I recommend you girls think about what others say to you, good day." And with that said, I returned my tray and dishes, then headed off to my quantum physics lecture.

The evening finally came, and I had managed to reach the safety of the room I share with Houki. I was about to get started doing homework for my advanced calculus class however, my thoughts revolved around the upcoming class tournament. If I'm completely honest, my IS unit still serious work, some of it would be repairs. Then, it just needs work, in general, to be brought up to an acceptable level. After just listing out what needed to be done, doing the job by myself isn't feasibly possible with the current position I'm in, with the girls around me being the constant cause of time loss. With how the girls in my class alone are trying to hold my attention during daylight hours pretty much every day, add to that, the other girls here in the academy doing the same, that's just eating up any spare time I might have, when I have much less than I had planned on this semester. So, I foresee that should I try to work here at the academy, then the girls will track me down and demand that I pay attention to them rather than the work needed on my personal unit.

As I kept thinking, the equations I was studying came to a standstill that I was going through, I put down my pencil and leaned back in my chair. The best scenario would require me to have help and a way to get away from these hormonal control-challenged females for a period of time to do work on my unit. Well, perhaps I can solve both parts of this problem with one action, call a friend and ask for assistance, beg for help if necessary. Therefore, taking care of the two issues with one 'stone' as it were. Without further hesitation, I took out my cell phone, pushed the '2' button, which I had set to a number for speed dial. Hearing three rings, before there was a click and a voice came on the line, "Howdy duty, this is Matt Oscar, what can ah do for ya?"

The drawled voice was that of my friend Mathew Oscar… and it was wonderful to hear from him! It was to my best friend that I turned to in my time of need, "Matt, it's me, Sai."

"Well, ah'll be! A mighty fine howdy to ya Sai, and a goooood mornin' to ya too friend, to what do ah owe the pleasure of this unexpected call," asked Matt in his country drawl.

"Well Matt, first it's the evening for me on the other side of the world, but I'm calling because I've got a favor to ask and well, it's big. You see," I started.

And so, I began telling my best friend about what I had been going through close to the last month. About having to deal with the girls flirting with me nonstop and not leaving me alone. Of how my unit, though operational now, needed serious repairs and work after what I had put it through, to get it to acceptable working status. Bypassing the stabilizers and rerouting control pathways, had temporarily handled the problem of my machine relying on them for managing flight and me not doing most of the work. Right now, my unit 'works', but I haven't a clue how long that will hold true with the condition it's in. With the stabilizers barely passing as useable, the managing of the small corrections and the other things that make flying easy fell to me. That was just one example of issues that have been plaguing me. In short, there's fixing needs to be done before my IS enters actual competition or other dangerous situations.

If it were only the prospect of having to work through the list of things to do for my unit, then I wouldn't be so stressed as the real worry I would've is a time crunch. I do just fine under time crunches and deadlines, normally I know they're coming and prepare for them. But the added wrinkle of my 'peers', changes a great deal and make a number of my coping mechanisms much less effective. With how all the girls here in some way shape or form are taking up time I don't dedicate to school. None of them give me the option to say no, or rather they don't listen to me refusing. That's before I get into the varying way the females here see and treat me and I don't want to talk about it as it irritates me.

Once I'd finished, I waited for Matthew's reply, "Whoo-whee! Gotta say Sai, certainly sounds like ya've gotten yourself into quite a bind over there, like havin things go bad while drivin cattle on the range. So then, what's this favor ya mentioned needin?"

I took a deep breath preparing to ask what I wanted, "I'm asking you along with the rest of the gang to come to Japan for a time and help me fix and tune-up my unit. I'll even pay for the plane tickets if need be, I can supply the money required. Please man! I need serious help here and I'm at the end of my rope! You and the others are the only ones I can turn to for this! I'm begging you all, I'm approaching serious crisis mode here since I'm drowning, and I need rescue that I can't find here," I got out. But the first signs of stress and desperation that had been building in me began to be heard.

There was silence for half a minute, "Ah can't speak for the others just yet Sai, but ah'll ask 'em… the problem ah see is we still have classes here at Cornell. We can't just up and leave, not attendin classes, that's like not doing mornin milkin! Ah can tell ya, them bovines don't take that kindly when ya don't milk 'em, more libel ta get a kick to the gut by 'em," Matt returned.

His country comparisons are… odd still, but I was ready for the difficulty that he brought up, "I can talk to the head of the IS academy and get permission to use the image transmission system that I use to attend lectures that way you won't miss anything. PLEASE MATT! I'm begging you, and you know I don't beg unless I have no other choice," I said quickly the tone of desperation increasing, and the last words were my cry for help that I don't use with anyone other than my friends and only when it's serious! To me, if my current situation wasn't an emergency, then there is little else that is!

"Holy St. Mary Sai! Things have got ta be harsh there if ya are that desperate to have the gang's company. Ah feel for ya my friend," exclaimed Matthew.

My head banged down on the desk and I let out a mix between a sob and a small howl. It told the story far better than words ever could, then I brought up my head a little before I spoke. "You've no idea what kind of crap I've been dealing with for close to a month my friend. I'm going through worse than what I faced the first couple of months at Cornell. I'm overwhelmingly surrounded by girls who I swear will at some point drag me off somewhere and jump my bones or something of the like that! And that would happen whether I want to or not, kicking and screaming bloody murder the whole way! Help a fellow guy and friend out Matt, I'm begging you," I pled. Thank God the walls in these dorm rooms can block most sound from being heard from outside though I only say that for the moment, I won't if I'm dragged off!

Matthew laughed, "Yee-haw! Sai, ya know that most guys would be happier than a tornado in a trailer park being in your situation! Ya cozyin up to any fine lookin gals over there yet? Ya've a huge herd to go lookin through after all," he asked snickering while he did.

I groaned, "Yeah, I'm sure some guys would love to be in my position, not me though. And no, I'm not cozying up to anyone here, I'm not interested in that type of relationship… more worried that some of them will assault me soon enough," I replied.

"Pity my friend, ya missin out with the warm company that gals can provide Sai. But look, ah'll ask the others, then ah'll get back ta ya with their answers as soon as ah can. And as you sound like ya are in a situation that's stickier than a barrel of prime molasses, ah'll do this like I would finish my chores back home when my gran's bakin her famous apple pies," was the reply from Mathew.

I paused before I answered processing what he had said and translating the meaning, "Okay then, you do that, talk to you later Matt," I said back to my friend.

"Sure as shootin like a Texas ranger trackin down a no-good varmint ta throw them into jail! Ah'll get back ta ya soon, keep your chin up Sai, like ya going to the county fair for the whooole day," said Matt before hanging up.

The phone went silent as Mathew hung up and I let out another groan before I looked back to my school work and decided to get back to the grindstone. Houki returned to the room around forty-five minutes after I got back down to work with my homework. We exchanged greetings, I merely glanced up for a moment, said hello, before going back to my schoolwork. My roommate grabbed clothes and headed to the bathroom to get ready for bed while I focused on my work.

-Houki's pov-

I had gotten back to the room finding Sai was there doing homework as he seems to do in the evenings. I grabbed clothes and headed for the bathroom and took a shower as Sai appeared to be engrossed in what he was doing. It took half an hour to finish preparing to be in for the night when I did exit the bathroom, I saw Sai stretching and rubbing his eyes. Sai finished up the work that he was doing as I had gotten to my bed. Yet, there came a knock at the door before we could retire for the night. I glanced at the clock just like Sai did, and we both saw that it was late, after 9 pm, so who would be calling at this hour? As Sai was putting away his things, I rose and went to answer the door only to find that it was Class Two's Lingyin Huáng.

To say that I was surprised to see the girl again here was an understatement, and I would assume that Sai feels the same way. I got out of my feeling of dull shock and gazed at Lingyin Huáng, "What do you want," I demanded.

Lingyin put her hands together, "Well, I was thinking we should switch rooms Miss Shinonono," she said.

The girl then went into the reasons why I should switch rooms with her and that she should be Sai's roommate. In the first place, I wasn't inclined or had any intention of changing rooms with anyone. Although, how she figured out which room Sai was in was what I wanted to know since Sai doesn't say the room number to any. It was one piece of information that most of the girls here in the dorm had been trying to figure out, but very few had been successful. Sure, what Sai said about knowing her could be true, but what should that have to do with room assignments?!

At the end of the ridiculous explanation, I folded my arms, "All that you have said is why you want to be Sai's roommate, nothing on why we should switch rooms," growled Houki.

"It's the same thing, isn't it," Lingyin said flatly.

I would not let me slide, I rushed back and grabbed one of the shini and then attacked the girl. However, she did a partial deployment of her IS, which was magenta and black and blocked my swing. I didn't let that deter me, so I drew back and readied myself to attack again. Nevertheless, a figure got between Lingyin and me, there was a flash and the next thing I knew, was my shini was held by an IS arm. Lingyin's IS arm that she had been sending towards me had also been caught by a second IS arm. Between the two of us was Sai with his IS partially deployed and it was he that had been the one that had stopped us attacking each other.

"ENOUGH," he bellowed, "Break it up you two! Or so help me, I'll personally toss you both out of this room right now and lock the door," Sai said in a loud voice.

Lingyin and I drew back from each other and Sai before we simply stared at him, I dropped my wooden bokutō and Lingyin dismissed her partial deployment. The expression on Sai's face was unlike any I'd seen yet, for he was clearly angry. "You two teenage girls are acting like five-year-old children throwing a temper tantrum over a toy you aren't willing to share! Act your age and grow up, both of you," Sai snapped. I could think of nothing to say in reply to that, yet he continued, "Or else, you'll sleep outside this room in the hallway tonight and I'll bar the door to make sure of that! You can deal with Miss Orimura and tell her why you're out there, I doubt she'll be all that understanding."

Lingyin and I flinched and back up a bit at Sai's yelling for it was so unlike him. He was breathing hard, yet calmed down before he continued, "Listen, both of you. First, room assignments are made by the dorm manager. So, you want to switch rooms, you go to Miss Orimura and talk to her about it. Or, I can just save you the trouble and tell you that she will tell you no and to go back to the rooms you're already assigned. Second and more importantly, I'm not some kind of prize, pet, or toy for anyone here at this academy to win ownership of! I'm a free man and I will choose whom I spend my time with. There are standards I have for members of the female gender that have the interest to be around me. If those aren't met, then I'll ignore them and if necessary, get a restraining order placed on them and have it strictly enforced."

Sai paused, then turned towards his bed, "The current arrangement is fine to me, now ladies as it's evening, recommend you go to bed as there is school tomorrow and curfew does come into effect in less than an hour," he finished and left no room for argument.

Sai then grabbed clothes and went to the bathroom closing and locking the door behind himself. Lingyin and I simply stared for Sai had never acted like this before, but perhaps he hit his breaking point. He has been looking stressed lately, but I haven't been able to figure out why. If it's homework, I'm keeping up and Sai works harder and longer than I do, I've seen that already, so I still don't know what's bugging him.

Lingyin left after she apologized leaving me alone as Sai hadn't come out of the bathroom yet. I headed for my bed planning to apologize tomorrow, but as I passed the desk, I noticed a page that Sai had been probably working on earlier. I was going to be nice and put it in his bag for him, but when I glanced over the page, I froze. The page as far as I could see was filled with what I saw as gibberish. I picked up the paper and stared for it seemed to be math, but it was nothing like I'd seen, definitely not algebra that was the first-year core math class. I couldn't make any sense of what I was looking at, yet it all appeared to be handwritten meaning Sai had scribbled it all down.

The door to the bathroom opened and I heard footsteps coming towards me, yet I couldn't stop staring at the strange page of math. My face formed a look of confusion as I tried to figure out what I was looking at for it was not like the algebra we were being taught in the afternoon.

"Hey Houki, what's caught your interest that would have you looking like you do," Sai asked.

I turned, marched over to Sai and held out the page for him to see, "What is this," I asked evenly.

Sai blinking at the question then looked at what the page I was holding out for him to see and said nothing for a minute. But when he said nothing, I put the page to be in front of his face, "I asked what is this page," I repeated firmly not giving Sai little option to wave this off.

My roommate still said nothing for another moment, obviously thinking on how to answer, "Um, schoolwork," he said hesitantly smiling slightly.

Schoolwork, that won't fly with me, there is more to this and he will tell me. My expression became one of irritation, "Schoolwork, you say? I've never seen anything like this!" Then, a realization hit me which I hadn't noticed before now, Sai had been absent during afternoon core classes. How I had missed that point until now I don't know, but it was obvious looking back and it didn't make sense. "And now that I think of it, you don't go to high school core classes in the afternoon like all are required to," I said out loud and I focused on Sai's face, "Where do you go?"

Sai said nothing for a few minutes, but I stayed where I was not letting him get out of this explanation. Finally, Sai seemed to come to a decision and exhaled in a huff, "First, that page is indeed schoolwork and I'm not surprised that you haven't seen anything like it. Second, I take different classes in the afternoon," he said flatly.

He will give more of an explanation than that before he can justify this, "Then what class is this for," I posed daring for him to come up with an off the cuff answer.

Sai shrugged calmly, "Math, specifically Math 514 or Advanced Calculus along with some Intro to Mathematical Theory as it's more commonly referred to as," he said simply.

Advanced Calculus and intro to what?! Yeah right, what kind of crap is that answer, we're in high school, the kind of math Sai says this page is for isn't taught here at all. I glared at him, "The academy doesn't offer math courses that advanced even for the third-year or fourth-year grad students. Now stop lying to me," I demanded in a slightly louder voice.

Sai didn't move or so much as flinch, he just stared at me with an expressionless face and shook his head from side to side. "Do I look like a person that would lie for the heck of it? Rarely do I lie, normally I won't say the whole truth or don't say anything at all rather than lie. Plus, I know this academy doesn't offer Calculus, let alone the class that I'm in which that page of work is for. Technically, I'm studying at a college level and am a sophomore almost a junior at Cornell University to be precise," he stated calmly.

The answer wasn't one I expected, and I was dumbfounded at Sai saying he was studying as a college student for it didn't make sense with him being fifteen to sixteen. My voice failed me, still, Sai kept going, "Look Houki, I get more attention than any other student in this academy because I'm the only guy. I don't need nor want more with the fact of me actually being a college sophomore, close to a junior becoming common knowledge making it worse. Being the d-" Sai stopped appearing to have difficulty getting something out as he had been saying something before stopping. He took another breath, "That trouble making b-" Sai came to a halt once again, not finishing whatever it was he was trying to say.

I was getting worried that Sai wasn't finishing whatever he was attempting to say. He sighed and gained an expression of annoyance before continuing, "T-Tabane," he said saying my sister's name in clear tones of dislike. That didn't make sense though, Sai had said that he had encountered her before a few times, but the tones of dislike and the annoyed expression inferred more than that. "Shinonono's sister, I would think you can understand the wish for less attention because of something you can't change more than anyone else here," he finished.

The unwanted attention is something I understood, but still left holes in this explanation. "But how can you be in college? You're fifteen, aren't you," I asked.

Sai nodded, "Technically I'm sixteen, but the same age range as you yes. I'm very smart to put it simply, I've made some of the doctors that tested me on intelligence speechless, apparently, my scores on the IQ tests were very surprising. I got my high school diploma when I was eleven if that's anything to judge by," he stated.

My eyes widened at hearing that not only had Sai graduated from high school already but did so at the age of eleven, but I said nothing. Sai kept going, "Let me tell you, it's awkward to walk the graduation line with the rest of your fellow students when they're seven years older and also sizably taller than you even the girls." He paused before he continued, "Please Houki, don't say anything about me being in college to anyone else. I have enough issues and difficulties without that adding to them," he asked me nicely.

That still left the question of why Sai was here in the first place if what he said was true, "If you're in college, then why are you here," I questioned.

Sai flinched at my question, but I couldn't come up with a reason why he would. "Well, I'm not here by my own choice exactly." Sai paused for a moment, "I was cohered into coming here since the alternative is something I really don't want to happen. So, unless I want something very horrible to occur, I don't get a choice but to be here. Please don't ask further than that, I don't want to talk about it," he said flatly.

But that doesn't say much either, what is Sai not saying in this means far more for clearly, he doesn't like his situation as it is. It's almost like whoever is doing this to him is someone that he dislikes but doesn't want to have to face or something. Sai grabbed the page and put it into his school back before he went to his bed and was silent. I doubt that I will get anything else from him right now, so I went to my own bed and laid down having trouble falling asleep.

Chapter end!

A/n

And there's chapter 4. Yes, Rin is infatuated with Sai for now. Sai has blown his top for the first but not the last time, yet one blame him? Anyway, hope you enjoyed the chapter. Please write a review and say what you think, and I try to answer the best I can. Peace out all!