A/n
Okie dokie! Here is Chapter 8, a bit of a transition filler for what is to come, but there is a need for such things. Nothing more to say from me, On with the story!
Chapter 8: The Calm Before the Storm
-Sai's pov-
A week had gone by since the Saturday I had put in the new defenses in my room. Normally on a Sunday like today, I would take it easy. You know, kick back relax, take a load off and most importantly, rejuvenate my sanity and nerves from the beating they took during the week. However, with the individual tournament coming up in a little over two weeks from tomorrow, such luxuries had to be foregone. The time was going to fly by and I knew it and there were still things for me to do to be ready for the tournament.
I needed serious data for adjustments to my IS unit, with only two more Saturdays to get for working time. And then I just need practice in general; granted, I hadn't lost any of the matches here at the IS academy, but I've never had anyone out to kill me if they can. Laura Bodewig, I don't doubt fully intended to kill me should she gets the chance, at least if the look of hatred and loathing she sends my way whenever she sees me is anything to judge by. She had definitely made it clear that she detested me and would love to prove through physical means that she's better than me and I am nothing.
So, for that reason, I'm out in the IS arena on a Sunday morning, the time being eleven-o-clock. I had been practicing for around an hour by this time and it had gone decently, would be going better if I had an opponent to work with, but beggars can't be choosers as the saying goes. With the second morning class period now a free period for the first-year students. Most days, students use the time to practice and I use it for that, but mostly for school work and catching up on said work lately. To be fair for today, I had discovered the targeting system needed a little tweaking for better accuracy, so the hour wasn't a loss.
"Sai," said a female voice.
I turned at hearing my name and found Charlotte Dunois with her IS deployed standing meters from me. Her unit was a variation of the Rafale Revive, the same model that Miss Yamada had used before. And it is my understanding that the teachers and top students use the model when trouble comes up to get things under control. The major difference between the basic version and Charlotte's was the color as far as first impressions go, hers was orange and not green. Then as I studied further, the restraint system was a little sounder in my opinion than the basic model that Miss Yamada used before in demonstrations as it was more shaped and designed like armor. And then there was only one shield instead of two and it wasn't over the shoulders but went over her left arm. Finally, over her shoulders was one wing each that were above the two wings that sat at her mid-back on either side.
"Hey Charlotte, out to practice for the upcoming Individual tournament as well then," I asked politely.
She smiled in return, "Oui, with only two weeks from tomorrow until they start, need to keep one's skills sharp no," Charlotte posed.
Well, perhaps this is an answer to my unsaid request for an opponent to train with that I was wondering about a moment ago. I'll take it if the offer is being extended, who says no to opportunity knocking on the door? I gave a half-smile to Charlotte, "Is that an offer to a practice match Charlotte," I asked.
"If you are interested, then yes," was the reply from her.
I was more than just interested, I'm pumped for this as I really want a fair challenge for a change that I really haven't gotten much of. The fight with Cecillia had been boring within a short period, and the skirmish with Rin wasn't a great deal better. It isn't entirely their fault, I'm just more skilled and experienced than them and I take the fights seriously when they don't, more like a game of some sort. Maybe that is what helped me realize that Charlotte is different in a way from the other girls around this academy, she doesn't flirt with me at the most opportunity and treats me like a person honestly among other things. "It would be ungentlemanly of me to refuse an offer from a lady, so you're on Charlotte," I said with a bow.
The match began right then and there with a '3 2 1 go' with the two of us rushing forward at each other. Reaching for one of my two beam sabers with my left hand, I pulled it out and ignited it and when I got close enough, I swung at Charlotte. Yet, she blocked me with a short combat knife and held me from going forward immediately. However, I kept pushing forward which was accompanied by the sound of creaking as we tried to force the other to back down. Nonetheless, we ended out force one another back from our locked blades yet neither of us took our eyes of the other.
Immediately after the separation, Charlotte brought out a machine gun and started firing at me. I raised my right arm and activated my right light shield and intercepted the incoming rounds. Ground combat showed that we were matched fairly and so there needed to be a changeup and so, both of us took to the air. As I climbed, I saw slightly too late that Charlotte brought out an assault rifle before she started shooting at me. The result, my shield energy dropped a bit with the couple of shots I took before getting up defenses to block. Her technique of using two guns and switching between them was quite interesting and effective somewhat. It made me realize that Charlotte is pretty good and honestly, it makes this all the more fun admittedly.
Over the next five minutes, I ascertain that Charlotte was a natural with not just using an IS but is also fairly competent with tactics. She did manage to hit me with a few more shots while we were in the air. Hitting me was something that those I had faced recently got a hit or two, but that was usually all I let them have. Cassidy was the only exception lately, but she was an experienced IS pilot so there is a difference. So, I picked up speed coming around to be behind Charlotte, and I brought out my railguns and fired. The projectiles made contact with Charlotte and she dropped a distance but caught herself and stabilized her machine.
-Charlotte's pov-
As it was the weekend, it was best to use it to train for the upcoming tournament in two weeks. So, I had come one of the IS arenas and found that Sai was also there looking to be practicing with his personal unit. Sai's IS was quite different than other IS models that I've seen either built or just blueprint designs for. The unit itself was overall grey in color mixed with parts that were red here and there. The red was on the middle section of the shoulders on the outside, then there was the rectangle of red over Sai's front pelvis area. There were gem-shaped pieces of red over the forward section around the middle of both the forearms.
The front plate covered much of Sai's front torso area which was a departure from how most ISs tend to be designed. In general, IS's fronts have a combination of parts covering the chest area and waist but Sai's unit covered more. The section itself stuck out about half a foot at heart level and had what looked like two vents set over the upper chest on either side of where Sai's heart was, and there was also a stripe of red on the front plate. And finally, there were two dual-wing apparatuses set behind the shoulders of the unit. And I could see no visible weapons anywhere on the unit though that meant nothing as Sai could be hiding his arsenal.
I had greeted him and thought it would be interesting to spar to see what Sai can do with his unit. It was one of the reasons I was here, to get data on his IS plus, I was curious about him with the information I was given about Sai. He had agreed to have a mock battle and we went at each other from there. It quickly became clear to me that Sai wasn't a novice with piloting an IS nor fighting with one, he was good and knew what he was doing. Not only that, he was talented in being able to read his opponent and it took some real tactical thinking to get hits in on him. Range didn't make any difference since Sai could defend and attack from any range and transition between what range he was working at to another was close to seamless.
The glimpses I got of weapons gave me the impression that Sai was prepared for most situations and could counter them. It was impressive to realize that Sai's personal unit was designed to be well-rounded and from what I could tell worked incredibly well with Sai's talents and skills. And yet, from what I was to understand, there was no claim to the unit's design nor rumors as to who could be responsible for its creation. I was snapped back to the present when what appeared to be rifles or cannons on Sai's unit which had emitted a flash and then a split second later I felt a hard impact hit me. It took a moment to right my IS and face Sai again and by the time I had, I found that he had two rifles in hand.
Sai shortly put the rifles to use by shooting at me, and while I tried evading the bolts, Sai adjusted his aim to compensate. I was forced to reassess my thoughts about Sai reading and predicting my movements, he had been leading me on and countering me to force me into the position I now in. Along with that, I had not seen or suspected a thing as Sai had led me into this trap of his. It showed that Sai was better than likely most in the first years or likely many of the upper classmates as well in this. And yet when my energy shield reached zero, I wasn't disappointed, if anything I was more intrigued when it came to Sai Taichi.
The other girls who were also in the arena were oohing and awing at the match between Sai and me. Not that I couldn't understand the wonder they were feeling at seeing Sai fight, it was impressive and something in me says he can go harder than he was, but I don't have evidence to support that belief. I landed just after Sai and saw that he had dismissed the arm sections and wing apparatus of his unit. I decided that would be wise for the moment and did the same for my IS. Yet, the sound of the girls' mutterings changed and so I glanced around to see the cause.
"Hey, isn't that the new transfer student?"
"Then that must be the German third-generation IS."
At hearing those lines, I followed the gazes of the others and found they were looking at the German transfer student Laura Bodewig. She was in a custom IS that was perched on one of the arena catapults currently and she was glaring down at us and had likely been watching the spar between Sai and myself. I'd seen some specs on the German third-generation IS before coming here and I wasn't that impressed. It wasn't finished and from the few scientists, I talked to regularly, the model has a lot of work to be done before any hope of mass-production.
Although, from what I could tell, the glare the girl was giving was directed at Sai specifically. The expression showed the feelings of disdain she had towards Sai and spoke of her desire to do horrible things to Sai which he doesn't deserve. I looked over at Sai and saw that he was gazing at Bodewig with an expression of courage, daring the German to follow through on her intentions. He didn't seem to have any real issue with the way Bodewig was glaring at him and that worried me a bit. Sai is so nice of a guy and doesn't deserve to be hurt or hated by anyone from what I have observed thus far.
-Laura's pov-
All these foolish giggling girls here at this place are nothing but annoyances, they know nothing of a battlefield at all! Why mentor would even think of coming to a place like this is beyond my comprehension. Her talents are wasted here on the idiotic girls around this 'school', and that's before one even takes into account that sham of a male in this place. His reaction to me before just confirmed what I suspected, he doesn't belong and should be blotted out completely. The sooner I can deal with him and convince Mentor Orimura to return to Germany the better!
I equipped my IS unit and headed out towards the open arena to practice my skills and keep them sharp. However, once I got to the end of the catapult, I got a view of my target that was worse than an eyesore. A nobody like him shouldn't be near an IS and is a waste to have around the academy at all. But the same could be said about many of the girls around the academy, they had no idea what the IS is meant to be used for.
The male Sai Taichi was participating in what could aptly be called a mock battle with another and though it was pointless to watch the comedy, I took in what information I could. Taichi's IS unit was quite unique and appeared capable showing that it was customized in an unusually way. But that didn't matter, no matter how high the quality of the unit, if you put a horrible pilot in it, then there are only poor results. As I watched him 'fight' against the other, it became very boring and also frustrated at the same time. And mine God, when the boy won, I believe that his opponent either went easy on him or let the male win to gain favor! Such displays of embarrassment are unacceptable, but the second-generation French machine could be used for target practice later.
It was a short bit after the joke of a match that the boy took notice of me being there. He seemed to study me and my unit, but why not let him look at what will bring his demise. After a minute, I decided to get started with dealing with this male and move on from there. "Sai Taichi, as you have your own personal machine that will make things much easier, now fight me," I barked at him.
He gazed back at me with indifference, "I have no reason at this time to fight you Miss Bodewig. The individual tournament is in a few weeks, we can settle your issue with me then," he replied flatly.
How dare this sham deny me let alone talk back to me, he will pay dearly for that! This matter will be settled here and now, "You may not have a reason, but I do," I bellowed hating the very sight of Sai Taichi.
In return, he glared coldly at me, not that such intimidated me for I do not fear this boy nor anything he is capable of. "Then I recommend you keep those reasons of yours to yourself until the individual tournament and contain your interest in having a go at me under control," he returned firmly.
There has been enough delaying of this eyesore's presence and insistent chatter, he needs to be dealt with now. For I am seemingly the only one that sees the sham as he truly is, it falls to me to take care of him. I gritted my teeth I shouted, "Nein! This ends here!" I brought up the 'Purizushi' railgun and aimed at the pest and fired the round that would end this issue.
And yet, the French IS moved into the path and blocked my shot from bringing the sham to his rightful end. There was silence after that for a moment save it from the shell from my gun hitting the ground, in which I glared at the French girl that dared to interfere. The boy acted surprised that his life had been spared for moments longer, "Charlotte," he muttered.
"I can't believe she just fired at you like that, but then, Germans get hot and bothered rather easily," the foolish French girl said in challenge pointing two rifles at me.
As if her pathetic second-generation unit was a threat to me and the Schwarzer Regen, it was laughable for her to believe she could best me. That she had interfered at all was enough of a reason to teach the girl a harsh lesson that she wouldn't soon forget. "How dare you stand in my way with your pathetic second-generation French machine," I snarled.
"A unit that performs much better than your German third-generation IS, which has no prospects of being mass-produced anytime soon," shot the French fool back at me.
It would appear that there will need to be more than one grave dug today, so be it then, I will get rid of them both. "Enough ladies," yelled the horrible boy as he got between us. If this boy is so ready to die first, then I will grant him that wish without hesitation. His acting the hero is beyond irritating and must end as it is ridiculous! "Thanks for your concern Charlotte, but I had the situation under control, so your intervention isn't necessary," he told the French girl. I fired another shot from my railgun to which the boy raised an arm and deflected the round and faced me. "As for you missy, as I stated before, this will be settled later and not now, so put your vendetta on hold. If you can't accept that, then you can face the teachers who I wouldn't doubt would be more than willing to help you cool off and see the reasoning for settling this later."
If I had to go through others to kill him, then I'm fine with that, as long as Sai Taichi vanishes like the terrible plague that he is, the cost doesn't matter. Him blocking one round means nothing, I would end him whether that was to separate his head from his body or some other means that brought about his death. But before I could carry out the task a voice sounded out, "Students on the field, what do you think you're doing?! Disarm and disburse immediately!"
I growled at being denied the opportunity to end the sham as he should be dealt with, but I can wait. Patience is a virtue that rewards those who practice it and so, I will have my chance to rid the world of Sai Taichi. He is merely lucky today, that luck will not last forever and I'll be ready to kill him when it runs out. I disengaged my IS unit and left the arena not looking back as my goal is still clear and I would fulfill it given time. The rest of the day was spent in thinking up a plan to achieve the goals I was here to do as ridding the world of the boy is only one of two.
The next evening, the opportunity to have a chance to speak to Mentor Orimura came and there was much I wished to say to her. She even agreed to listen to what I had to say, I would do my utmost to convince her of the folly of staying here at this place! When we were alone, I face mentor, the perfect picture of strength and prowess, the ideal woman. "Please answer me Mentor, why would you waste your time in a place such as this," I asked.
"What are you talking about Bodewig," mentor posed.
I took a breath in, "Mentor, your patience is incredible, for you would have to have much to come and teach at this academy. But, your talent and great resource of knowledge are not utilized as it could be, so why would you waste the time here," I asked.
"I have my reasons for being here, and that's all you need to know," mentor replied.
I frowned and though, as a soldier, I know it isn't right to question your superior, I can't help that in this. "But mentor, forgive me, but what possible reason could you need to be here that another could not fulfill," I questioned.
"Don't make me repeat myself, I have my reasons to be here, that's enough said," mentor said.
I could not stop myself, I must convince mentor to return. "What possible reasons could you have to be in this place that is mistakenly called a school?! I'm begging you Mentor, please return to Germany and teach us there once more. Your talents and experience are not put to a fraction of their worth here!" Mentor was silent, simply gazing at me, "The female students here in this place do not understand what the world is like, something a person like you can teach wonderfully, but none here pay heed. They lack a sense of danger and come to view the IS as nothing more than a trinket or fashion accessory. And then there is that male student, he should never have even been allowed near here, he is a sham, a pretender and only to get attention," I claimed for it was the truth.
-Sai's pov-
Hmm, the plot thickens, and the plot was something else already from the information I have gathered. The respect Bodewig shows for Chifuyu is close to worship, then compared to what she thinks of the students here explains a good amount. Not saying that Bodewig doesn't have a point of some girls not understanding the danger that the IS can be, they have become weapons after all with their development. And then, her opinion of me… to say it's low would be an understatement and then some. And I knew she thought rather low of me already, the impression that she thinks little of me has been hard to miss. Yet, to consider me a sham and a pretender, to not be allowed here, that's bordering on egotistical of her.
Hell, the truth is that if I wasn't being blackmailed by that dumb bunny, I wouldn't be here at all and would have preferred it that way personally! I would be at Cornell and want to be there, rather than here in the first place. But silly me, a damn metal-eared perverted bunny had other ideas for me and won't leave me alone even when she promised that she would! I swear she gets her kicks watching me go through hell! I don't want the attention I get here, I hate being the center of attention! That's the rabbit's thing and she's welcome to have the attention and the crap that comes with it!
"It is a testament of your patience that you even tolerate this attitude, but please Mentor, this place is not worth your time," said Bodewig to convince Chifuyu of what she was saying.
What Laura Bodewig doesn't seem to understand is Chifuyu Orimura doesn't let what others say to sway her opinion or decisions. It's a fact I've learned in the years I have known Chifuyu even when I was a part of the Orimura family, which included Ichika and Chifuyu herself. You can give your own opinion, but it will not change Chifuyu's full stop period and I have personal experience in that. "I've heard quite enough, little girl. You may have grown up physically somewhat, but mentally, you're still a child that has much to learn," replied Chifuyu.
And so Chifuyu shuts down Bodewig as one would expect from her for those that know her personally and not just by reputation or acquaintance. And I totally agree with Chifuyu's view of this girl, she is a child indeed and has proven that quite clearly. "I was," started Bodewig a little emotion coming into her voice.
"I'm busy and you should be getting back to the dorms, now off you go," cut off Chifuyu.
I heard Miss Bodewig run off to wherever she goes and I must admit, an informative conversation I just listen to. And yet, with time to think about my current position, it would be a good idea for me to leave before I'm found out. I'm in enough hot water with my older sister as of late, I don't want to add to that collection. I turned and was going to quietly sneak away, but never managed to, "Male student over there behind the tree, were you eavesdropping on a conversation that didn't concern you, or indulging in some aberrant sexual behavior," called Chifuyu.
Too late, she knew I was here and I now would have to own up and face my sister one on one. I came from out behind the tree I had been listening from and faced Chifuyu, "Okay, as I'm the only male student, you might as well just call me out by name Chifuyu. And you accuse me of eavesdropping, really? You're one of those few that are well-aware that should I wish to hear a conversation, I don't need to be there in person and can listen in without being caught with little effort coming from me should I have a reason."
I paused, took a breath and continued, "After all, lest you forget, I learned things from a metal-eared rabbit who's a serious pervert with VERY strange fetishes. Then there is the life-size porcelain doll that can seemingly appear out of nowhere and give you a heart attack and still keep a straight face while doing so." I took a deep breath and kept going, "Those two taught me just how to obtain information; legally, illegally and just plain wrong methods of doing so. And it's also due to the two previously mentioned women that I have little interest and tend to be disgusted by sexual behavior as you also are aware of. I mean, did you know that the hasenpfeffer has a large collection of panties from who knows where, and is more than willing to show me them and even let me borrow some for whatever reason I could come up with."
Chifuyu had an angry expression flash across her face at me mentioning the bunny's collection of underwear. I kept going with that encouragement, "Then the doll," I stopped as the thoughts of what Alice possessed when it came to "sexual things" as it had sickened me in different ways than the bunny does. I shook my head and shivered, "Actually, I would rather not talk about what she had on the subject of sexual things, it's just wrong and I have never gotten those images out of my brain, they were burned in."
Chifuyu sighed at my explanation, ou being a male likely has something to do with as Chifuyu would be the most likely to know the answer, l uncomfortable. "Sai, what are you doing here right now?"
I stared at Chifuyu, "Technically speaking, I was heading towards the dorm and just happened to overhear the conversation, you two weren't being very quiet or discreet, to say the least," I replied.
There was silence between the two of us, it felt similar to what we had when we parted ways last night and it was still uncomfortable. I broke the ice, "Chifuyu, I want to say that I'm sorry about what I said before. I didn't mean what I said about blaming you with regards to what happened to Ichika." I swallowed hard as Ichika is still a sore subject for us, "I was and still am frustrated with the current circumstances I've been shoved into and have to deal with. Girls here have been viewing and treating me like I'm some kind of pet or object to claim for themselves in some sort of competition. You of all people know how much I dislike being seen that way, especially after what the bunny and doll would do to me."
"I think we both said things that we didn't mean, so I'm sorry as well," answered Chifuyu somberly.
I nodded, "Yes, we did. I'll forgive you if you forgive me, sound fair," I asked.
She nodded, I then had a thought and decided to ask the question as Chifuyu would be the most likely to know the answer. "Chifuyu, you have any idea as to the reason as to why Laura Bodewig has to want to," I paused, "well, make me disappear, to put it nicely?"
"You being a male likely has something to do with it. Although I think there is more to the issue than that, I can't figure out what it is," commented Chifuyu.
I left Chifuyu and headed back to my dorm room and got to doing homework. It took me a good solid hour and a half to get my work done and once done, I leaned back in the chair at the desk. I had done the work for math before that so, by what I can figure, I'm caught up and am where I should be when it comes to classwork and material for my college courses for the time being. It had taken a lot of work and shutting myself in this room for evenings for most days in the week which hopefully will change to an hour or two an evening and not the whole thing.
Originally, I had thought that I would be able to keep up with my college work here in Japan, but that had been proving difficult thus far. Namely, due to the girls in my class and others who are first years taking up the majority of my free time. Sure, they don't know I'm doing more than twice the work they are doing when it comes to education or the difference between the levels of education we are at; and that's between noting and planning the adjustments to my unit. Ah, the challenge that is time management for me, again one of the reasons that this is going to be a long semester and motivation to hunt down the rabbit.
There came a knock at the door as I put away my books, papers, and suspending my computer terminal, so I put down my things and went to the door. I unlocked the door and when I opened it, there stood Charlotte Dunois. "Hello Charlotte, what can I do for you this evening?"
"Well, I was hoping to talk to you about something Sai, if this isn't a good time, I can come back later," Charlotte said.
I shook my head, "No, actually I just finished what I was doing, so I'm free. Please come in then," I replied moving aside and gesturing her to enter.
-Charlotte's pov-
I came into Sai's room, and I must say, not only was this the first time I've been in a boy's room, but the room itself was not what I would have imagined. I was always led to believe that most boys were not the most organized, yet one look around the room showed Sai was very organized. Everything in the room had its place even the things I didn't know what their purpose was clearly had their position they belonged in. The more I learn about Sai Taichi the more I'm left to wonder where the information about him came from for much of it was wrong, none of the rumors or assumptions were close to right.
After I had taken in the room, Sai gestured I take the far bed for a seat which I did as directed while Sai took a seat on the other bed. I attempted to gather my thoughts for the reason I can to see Sai was to 'come clean' as it's said, about everything as the reasons I was here and how they involved him. But I didn't know how to start this confession or even how to go about it, how do you even tell someone that you were sent to spy on them and take what is theirs? When I said nothing, Sai waited for a bit, but then spoke, "So, you said you wanted to tell me something, what would that be," he asked calmly.
I sighed and began, "Well, I came to tell you my reasons for coming here to the IS academy since they have to do with you," I answered him. My story has become so complicated in the last few years, I don't know where to even begin anymore. Sai said nothing yet gestured for me to continue though I shifted uncomfortably first, "You see, the main reason for me coming to the IS Academy is because my father ordered me to come here," I started.
"The president of the Dunois Corporation, the main IS developer in France," Sai posed.
I smiled halfheartedly, "Oui, that is correct. I really have little choice in the matter as the consequences of not doing so are well, not pleasant to say it mildly."
"Why do you say that," Sai questioned simply.
Explaining what I face were I to refuse my father is difficult for most to understand with me being the illegitimate child of my father. I looked away from Sai, "Well, to tell the truth, I am not the child of my father's lawful wife," I said. "I grew up and was raised by my mother and never knew my father until recently."
When I looked at Sai's face, his expression told me he was thinking, but not harshly of me for the fact that I told him. It was nice that he didn't look to be judging me for being an unwanted child, a number would and have when they find that fact out. So, I lowered my head in slight shame that my situation is different than most others. "And how should your male sire being an idiot on top of unfaithful man reflect in any way how you are," Sai inquired calmly.
My head snapped up at that comment as I'd never received such from anyone else before other than the servants at my father's estate. "What," I uttered.
"I said, how should the man that was being a stupid and an unfaithful idiot play into who you are? One's parents or sires do not define you, they are but apart," he reasoned.
I smile a bit as that idea did give a different view of my situation, "I suppose I never thought about the subject like that before," I mused.
Sai shrugged, "I can understand one viewing and using you for their own benefit or satisfaction. I have my own experience with the idea," Sai said.
He had experience of being used? "What do you mean you have had experience," I asked curiously.
Sai frowned angrily for a moment, "The man who was supposed to be my parent… well, let's just say that I haven't seen him for a long while and have no interest in seeing him ever again and leave it at that," he replied. Then Sai cleared his throat, "So, back to the subject you were on before, your father sent you here, why?"
"Oh right," I said, realizing I had gotten sidetracked. "It was two years ago that I even knew who he was, my mother would talk about him, but never mention him by name. When my mother died, my father took me in or rather, people from the Dunois family came and picked me up," I continued.
Back then, when those who came to pick me up had said they were from the Dunois family and were there on behalf of my father, I didn't know what to think. For me to belong to a family like the Dunois, that couldn't have been true, not with the time that had passed since my birth and there has been no word at all. Only later on did I learn the story, and it was by putting together the pieces I gathered from others who worked for the Dunois family.
When I got the Dunois estate, Mrs. Dunois went out of her way to mistreat and abuse me, taking every opportunity to make sure I knew that I was unwelcome and unwanted there. Some of the staff there were nice when Mrs. Dunois was not around, and it was from them I got the pieces to the story between my mother and father. My mother had once been a secretary for my father, and apparently a very dutiful one at that. She had been well-liked by most that worked for the company and she always managed to get work done on time or early. Then, when my father was having issues with his wife, he wooed my mother and I was born as a result.
"After I arrived at the estate the Dunois family had, things took an unpleasant turn for me," I said remembering the hate-filled gaze I received from Mrs. Dunois. It was because I looked so much like my mother, so I was a constant reminder of my father's actions against her. I exhaled, "Some tests were run not too long after that and it was discovered that I was not just compatible with the IS, but exceptionally so. With that information confirmed, unofficially, I was made a test pilot for the Dunois corporation, very few outside the developers knew who I really was." I paused, my head lowering as I kept going, "The thing is, I have only seen or even been in the same room with my father twice in my life and me, have only spoken to him for no more than an hour between those two times. So, I really don't know my father as a person, more by his reputation. Sadly, I know his wife more than him and she isn't fond of me at all." I sighed, "Then, not too long after the development of the third generation IS began, financial trouble came for the company," I stated.
"It was my understanding that Dunois Corporation though not the top developer wasn't doing that badly as of yet though I can't say I would know much on that subject," Sai interjected.
That is what the company board wants the world to think, the scientist and developers know the truth. I shook my head, "That's what those outside the company are shown and those within have been doing things to portray that very picture. However, even with the Revive unit selling going like it is now, it is only a matter of time before those sales drop off and demands for a third-generation become too much to ignore. It is likely that reason, which Miss Cecilia, Miss Lingyin, and Miss Laura are here, for test data."
I took a breath and continued, "The Dunois corporation has begun development on their own third-generation, yet progress has been slow and if that does not change within a reasonable amount of time, then Dunois's development permit will be taken away," I said.
It was the punishment and consequence for poor development or a lack of it for some time. Sai put a hand to his chin appearing to be thinking, "How do I fit into this exactly? I mean sure, I'm the one male right now, but that can't be the only reason, is it," he posed.
Smart indeed he is, more so then the rumors and assumptions predicted I would say and it is to his credit. And so, I couldn't look at his face as I answered his question, "I'm ashamed to say you are right, you being a male is not the whole reason. The plan was to send me when the news was received that you were coming here. Yet, it was after your match with Miss Lingyin that the plan was accelerated, mostly due to your IS unit and its performance. That recorded performance became of extreme interest as your IS out-performed even experimental data of any third generation and there are no claims of responsibility to its construction or design. Having me come to this academy gave a chance of meeting you and in so doing the hope was that I would meet you. The intention was to collect information and data on your unit, and then, data on you as well to help with research and development," I said quietly.
I was embarrassed to admit what I was ordered to do, especially after finding out how nice Sai is. "The idea was to steal data on your machine and you to advance research," I confessed. I put my hands together, "I'm sorry that I deceived you Sai, please forgive me. You are nothing like what I had been led to believe you were by the information that I was given to study."
Sai is one of the nicest people that I've met, he shouldn't be treated like he is. And after meeting him, I am willing to take the punishment that I have coming from both Sai and the Dunois Corporation.
-Sai's pov-
I had to admit, Charlotte's story is truly tragic, one of the more terrible ones that I've heard. However, by what I've been able to gleam, Charlotte didn't do what she has by choice and no real damage has been done yet. So, the girl shouldn't be blaming herself, and I can see that she's been beating herself up for a while now. It is high time the record be set straight, so I held up a hand to tell Charlotte to stop talking so that I could answer. "Well, you are certainly not the first to mistake me for being someone that I'm not, believe me. So, don't sweat it, we can just start over," I said.
Charlotte gained an expression of shock at my reply to her, "Wait, you are not mad at me?"
"Why should I be mad at you Charlotte," I asked.
"I lied to you, I was sent here to steal information on you! Those reasons alone should be enough," she shot back at me.
This girl doesn't see what a normal day is like for me here, I see them like hell, but that's my opinion. There are times like this I would love to have some do a day in my shoes and see how easy I make it look dealing with what I do. I couldn't stop the sigh that escaped me, "I'm lied to multiple times a day by many of the girls here, little white lies true, yet lies nonetheless so, I'm used to it. Then you unlike a good portion here, actually confessed and apologized for it, a very refreshing change. As for stealing data from me or on my IS unit, please don't take it as an insult, but good freaking luck," I challenged with a laugh.
"Huh? I don't understand what you are getting at," Charlotte replied.
I calmed down and then continued the explanation, "You would have extreme difficulty stealing information on my unit that would make sense to anyone else. My IS is unique and custom-built by myself and friends I trust, not by a company, firm or corporation. Even one of the most advanced development laboratories has a very hard time understanding how my unit works much and I say that from recent experience. So, I'm not that worried about you stealing anything of value," I iterated. Then a smile crept onto my face, "Honestly, it has been a nice change you being around me. Do you have any idea what it is like to have no one that you can talk to that will actually listen to what you say rather than what they imagine doing to you?!"
Charlotte appeared confused, "What?"
I slapped my forehead with a hand, "You're the first girl that doesn't flirt with me at most opportunity, and it is a VERY welcome change," I commented flatly. "So, what do you plan to do now since you've been found out?"
"What am I," she hesitated, "Well, now that you know, I will likely be called back to France. Once there, I don't know what will become of me. If things work out and my father is feeling generous, sent to jail, or maybe to live out my life away from prying eyes with little contact with the outside world," she said halfheartedly.
Charlotte is just going to give up? That seems… a real waste if you ask me as I wouldn't doubt that she can do better than that. Nevertheless, if that's what she wants, then I won't stop her. "If that's what you want, then go for it, but you could stay here as well you know," I remarked.
The blonde stared at me, "What do you mean?"
"Technically, your father nor his company or France can tell you what to do. In the manual of the Academy, there is a rule, 'All students at the IS academy are under its… umm, something… control, and no nation, organization, or another group can interfere with their attendance here' I believe it goes. Simply put, should you choose to stay, you have three years to come up with a way to not receive such a punishment." I quoted from what I had read from the academy manual, which had been a very dry and boring read, more useful as a paperweight if you ask me.
Charlotte giggled softly, "I'm surprised you even know that rule, I had forgotten it. There are over fifty rules in the manual to remember," she remarked.
"Fifty-five to be exact for the number of rules. I have a good memory and study hard when I want or have reason to," I said nonchalantly.
She smiled warmly at me, "Sai, thank you. You are sweet."
I waved a hand in dismissal, "It's not that big of a deal. So anyway, have you had dinner yet?"
"Uh no, I have not," she replied.
I rose up from the bed, "Well, I'm going to get some now that I'm finished with stuff I was working on, you interested in tagging along," I posed taking a step and turning to the door.
Charlotte caught up with me before I got to the door, I opened it and we stepped out next to each other. I was not even five feet out the door when into view came Cecilia and Houki… And so, trouble rears it unwelcome and ugly head once again, getting prompter these days. "Evening girls, what might you be doing here at this time," I asked politely hiding the annoyance of them tracking me down.
Cecilia was the first to answer me, "Oh well, as I didn't see you at dinner, I assumed that you hadn't had it yet, so, maybe we could go together," she said with a slight smile.
Sure, I'll just bet that's the only reason you have for being here and trying to get me alone and to yourself has absolutely nothing to do with this at all. I'm left to seriously wonder if the girls here think that this kind of ploy will work with me. Do the female students here really believe I'm so dim and dumb not to see their poor attempts to 'claim' me as their own pet or toy… something along those lines?!
This is just grating on my nerves terribly with each and every example of this crap. Then there was Houki, I would like to think she's here to stop Cecilia from doing what she wants, but I would doubt that Houki would refuse a chance to be alone with me either. I was snapped out of my thought processes by both of my arms being grabbed by a pair of hands and I was being dragged forward. On my right arm was Houki with a determined look and on my left was Cecilia with an expression of persistence. I naturally struggled against the hold I was in, "Girls, I'm fully able to walk on my own and so, I don't need to be dragged. Enough is enough, now get off me and stop invading my personal space," I replied with contained annoyance.
Cecilia glared at me, "Now Sai, you should be happy that you are escorting a lady, not complaining," she replied forcefully.
I returned the glare that I added a sour feel to it, "Funny because from the view that I'm damned to right now, the one being escorted in this situation is me and not you. And let me tell you plainly, I'm not happy about it at all as it's being forced upon me," I shot back.
In the end, both Houki and Cecilia still dragged me to the cafeteria and continued their contest over me throughout the meal. I managed to whisper goodbye to Charlotte and slip away, almost got to the door but then was noticed. Not wanting to go through being fought over for a longer period, I broke out into a sprint and headed back to my room and fully locked the door with all the locks. Sliding down the door and looking up at the ceiling, I thought about what I would do to that metal-eared bunny when I find her to help deal with the stress that I was going through.
For what that woman had and is putting me through, I'll make her pay dearly! It was thoughts like that going through my mind and did give me some comfort. I had been hunting for where she is right now but have had no success thus far which only frustrated me further. After a few minutes I decided to just go turn in, I took a hot shower to soothe my tired muscles and headed for bed and was out within minutes.
The next two weeks flew by fairly quickly without much event of note occurring. I was planning to practice now that the tournament started a week from today as it was Monday, it was crunch time! Classes in the morning were cut down to just the one on information about IS. That left time that would have been used for practical training supervised by Chifuyu was now open for uses and we were encouraged to use that time for practice for the upcoming tournament. Cassidy had managed to get permission to work at Asake IS R&D this Saturday, which was cutting a little close, but it couldn't be helped.
At the start of this week, the first-morning class occurred as usual, but the practical training was now an open period. So. after Tuesday's morning class was over, I headed over to the arena to get some last-minute data for the final adjustments this weekend. On my way, I bumped into Houki who fell into step with me and walked with me as I continued to the arena. She was talking about the possible fights that would be of extreme interest that would happen in the tournament. We passed Charlotte and she joined us and participated in the conversation on the more difficult participants in the first years to take on. Laura Bodewig did come up in that, along with me in the category of difficult opponents in first years, no surprise with either of us really.
The three of us reached the intersection before one of the academy arena going straight forward, you would enter the spectators' stands, to the right was the locker room and to the left was the stairway up to the operation room. I was starting to turn towards the locker room as was Charlotte and Houki when the sound of an explosion came from up ahead. All three of us raced forward up the stairs heading into the stands.
The sight that met my eyes was one that, didn't specifically horrify me, it more sickened me. Laura Bodewig was out in the arena along with Cecilia and Rin and they were battling each other, Bodewig verses Cecilia and Rin. And by what I was seeing, Cecilia and Rin were losing, actually, to be frank, Bodewig was pretty much wiping the floor with them. Granted, Cecilia and Rin don't work well together as a team, but with what Bodewig was doing, it went beyond the bounds of a practice match. The German was whipping them and taking pleasure in doing so, in essence, she was bullying them, no other way to say it.
As I looked on at the battle, rage boiled up in me since I've never cared or liked bullies. The reason why is I've had to deal with more than my fair share of them over the years. It comes with being years younger than those you're around, you get seen as the easy target to pick on, hence why I started learning martial arts. High school had been the worst and memories from those times were flooding back to me at this moment. Let me tell you, it was at the high school level which I learned that being different, specifically younger than everyone else around you by a sizable margin, helps make a lot of enemies. The captain of the football team had taken pleasure in particular on bullying me like it was his job or calling to make things harder for me. The teachers had been no help to me whatsoever even when I went to them about the issue. The guy, captain jock could do no wrong in their eyes, he was the leader of the football team that would go to state every year, had fairly good grades. They were blinded by the face he put up for himself, so I was forced to fend for myself.
Nevertheless, it was as I watched Laura Bodewig toy with Rin and Cecilia as she beat the crap out of them, which reminded me of what I'd experienced. It angered me to view this kind of thing again even if I wasn't the target of the said bullying.
-Charlotte's pov-
Watching the fight between Laura, Cecilia and Lingyin was difficult, the wish and urge to interfere, and stop the conflict increased the longer I view the scene. Laura was not fighting the two other girls, she was whipping them and doing so with relish! I mean, the German girl had made it clear that she had a dislike for Sai, which crossed the border of competition. But this kind of treatment with others is plain wrong and yet, she enjoys this with the gusto she puts into it. She was showing that she felt the need to dominate and use others to make herself feel better and such people are horrible individuals.
When I glanced over at Sai to see what he thought of this, I couldn't help but stiffen at seeing him trembling with anger and his fists clenched. Sai obviously didn't like what Laura was doing and the activity itself was ticking him off in some way. I had no idea that this type of thing would affect him so much, maybe there is a past experience that causes this? "Sai, you need to keep calm, you're not looking too good at the moment," I said calmly.
Sai said nothing to my remark, but it was still evident that he wasn't liking what we were seeing down in the arena. Yet, the sound of an explosion caught our attention and out on the field Cecilia's IS had its missile tubes out and smoke rising from them said they had just fired. However, as the smoke from the explosion cleared, Laura was plainly unharmed which the barely visible barrier was responsible for. The means that barrier was a part of was known as an Active Inertia Canceller, a newer development in equipment for the Infinite Stratos.
"What the," exclaimed Miss Houki.
"She has an AIC," I said with a tone of worry as this would complicating things.
"So then," posed Houki, leaving the question open to be answered.
"Conventional weapons and attacks, in general, won't work the same against her," I answered.
Houki didn't seem to understand what I had said, and I was about to give further explanation, but Sai spoke up before I could. "In other words, the field she's projecting can block or rather stop incoming shots, projectiles, or objects as long as the pilot is focused on them." Both Houki and I stared at Sai in shock as at least I hadn't expected that Sai would know about AIC. He had given a general technical definition that a developer would accept and that brought into question Sai's knowledge base. "Yes, I'm aware of how the piece of equipment and system works," he said.
None of us said anything for the next few minutes, things just kept getting worse for Cecilia and Lingyin. Laura was being mean, but she seemed to be going out of her way to make them suffer. And as I glanced between the arena and Sai's face, I was getting more worried with each passing moment. Sai's face was showing more anger and fury with each passing minute and I was left to wonder how long it would be before he jumped in. But when Laura wrapped wires around Lingyin and Cecilia necks and lifted them off the ground, things took a bad turn.
It was clear that both the girls were having serious trouble as things stood. "If the mandatory unlock activates with the state of damage their units have and are taking, then it could kill them," Houki said sounding very worried.
She wasn't wrong, that was possible, but what scared me more was the expression on Sai's face. It had morphed into being almost murderous, and something had clearly snapped within him. "Enough is enough," Sai growled, "That bi**h wants a fight from me, then she's got one now damn it! I'll put her into the infirmary for the next week at bare minimum by the time I'm done. She'll have way more sh*t to worry about than the individual tournament won't be near the top of the freaking list!"
-Sai's pov-
I had enough of watching the German have her way, I would take her down a couple of pegs for torturing others for her pure enjoyment. The deployment of my unit occurred in a flash, I took out my beam sabers and igniting them I took a step towards the barrier shield. I heard Houki shout at me not to go out, but well, I was in no mood to listen. I was far too focused on Laura Bodewig and the beating I would be giving her that she wouldn't soon forget! I slashed my sabers upward in an X motion and rushed forward at the arena deflection shield, the loud shattering crash echoed around the arena as I broke through.
At the sound of the deflection shield being smashed, Bodewig turned, and when she saw me smiled. The second I hit the ground, the screeching of the wheels running against the ground sounded. I leaned forward, and the wheels obtained traction and I sped ahead towards Laura Bodewig. The German tossed Rin and Cecilia to the side and shot towards me. Activating a beam saber on either arm, she leaped into the air, let out a cry and brought the sabers down at me, to which I used my own beam sabers to block them.
"I will enjoy crushing you and prove to those here and to the world that you are nothing more than a sham," snapped Bodewig.
I smirked maliciously back at her, "You know Bodewig, there's a reason why underestimating your opponent is considered such a bad thing. One would think you Germans learned that from World War II," I said. The plate that the light shield emitters were on rose upwards and two gun barrels whipped out on each arm. The four gun-muzzles clicked signaling that they were loaded and ready, "Your opponent just might have a freaking ace in the hole," I retorted shoving the girl back and then I started unloading rounds in fast succession at the German girl.
With her pretty much on top of me, it was nearly impossible for me to miss and she can't deploy her AIC this close without taking a lot of damage to her energy shield first. Bodewig tried to move back further from me but kept moving forward to keep the distance the same and she was holding her arms in front of her face defensively. I mean, I was pumping a crapload of bullet sized energy projectiles at her. If the guns used old fashion shells and casings, the ground would be littered with a growing pile. I hadn't meant to introduce these hidden Gatling guns until the individual tournament, yet this will do just fine. With these guns, each gun barrel can fire five rounds a second, three hundred rounds a minute, so combined, the unloading capacity is twelve hundred rounds a minute between the four barrels. So yeah, these babies can go the distance when it comes to getting my opponent to back off or just to pin them down, whichever I felt like doing.
However, Bodewig did after a minute and a half manage to deploy her AIC and did so with a look of triumph. Instantly, the barrage of bullets didn't hit her but stopped less than a foot in front of her, the AIC was doing exactly what it was designed to do. I backed up and brought my railguns out to use but never got to fire them. For the expression of surety, Bodewig had disappeared as the gunfire came from her right and make contact. I turned towards the source and saw Charlotte coming into view using her assault rifle and a machine gun in sync to exploit the major flaw of the Active Inertia Canceller. That being its inability to be effectively used against multiple opponents at the same time and that flaw is a consistent one.
With Charlotte keeping Bodewig busy, I had the railguns fold down before I went over to where Bodewig had tossed Rin and Cecilia. Their ISs had safely disengaged by now though they did show injuries from the damaged done as they laid on the ground. I scooped up one in each arm and then carried them over to the side of the arena to put them out of harm's way. Rin and Cecilia were muttering their apologies to me for having to help them and saving them.
After making sure both of the girls were okay and stable, I looked back to the battle that was still happening and saw immediately that Charlotte was having trouble. Bodewig had some kind of cable binding Charlotte's right arm that was coming from one of her unit's shoulder apparatus. So then, a dagger attached to a cable, that explains what those small orange cross-shaped pieces on the top center of her shoulders. Even though Charlotte was using her machine gun to attempt to get the German to back off, Bodewig was using her AIC to block the weapon fire while pulling Charlotte towards herself.
At seeing this, memories flashed through my brain of the original IS unit I'd test piloted, the Black Knight equipped with core zero. The machine had a similar weapon system as Bodewig's dagger and cable. The Black Knight had been similar to and different from Bodewig's unit. It had excelled at close range combat but didn't rely on a singular defense, still, I haven't seen a machine that can match either original IS prototype. But there had been several reasons that I don't like remembering that IS though I'll never forget it either.
Refocusing on the matter at hand, I moved forward with great speed grabbing one of my beam sabers and getting behind Bodewig who had forgotten about me and was focused on Charlotte. The German girl ignited her left arm saber and brought it down at Charlotte, I placed the beam saber in my right hand, so that when I were to ignite the saber, it would go across her neck. Before I could, however, there was a clang, and like she just appeared out of thin air, Chifuyu stood between Charlotte and Bodewig a long katana that was part of the preset of the Uchigane used in her hands stopping Miss Bodewig from striking Charlotte.
"Mentor," whispered Bodewig.
"This is one of the times that dealing with kids here, is a royal pain in the a**," grumbled Chifuyu.
Rare is it that Chifuyu cusses in front of others that don't know her on a personal level, which means that she's very annoyed. And a very annoyed Chifuyu is a woman that you don't want to mess with even I know that and am not so stupid to test my luck with that.
Chifuyu continued, "To practice here with your IS is all well and good, but there is a problem when the arena's shield is broken. Now, stand down and disarm," said Chifuyu.
I decided that that was my cue to make my presence know. The hiss of energy from my beam saber being turned on was heard, followed by the quiet hum of it now stretching across Bodewig's neck close enough for her to feel the heat from the weapon. Then I whispered to Bodewig, "Haven't forgotten about me, now did you Bodewig? You would do well to listen to Miss Orimura. Your 'powerful' AIC won't help you against my saber at this range and your unit's energy barrier will only prevent death and life-threatening injuries, nothing else. Don't give me a reason to prove what I'm saying, stand down and disarm, or else you'll become familiar with the infirmary, that's a promise."
There was silence for a little bit longer, but then there was a flash and Bodewig dropped to the ground with her face passing inches away from my saber. When she touched down, I deactivated my beam saber and clipped it back into its holster on the back of my hips. Chifuyu looked between Bodewig and me, "You two will not fight each other, this will be settled during the Individual Tournament, is that clear," ordered Chifuyu.
"Ja Mentor," replied Miss Bodewig.
"Crystal clear ma'am," I returned flatly.
With that now established, Miss Bodewig left the arena, I disarmed as well and dropped to the ground. I headed back to the locker room not talking to any of the girls who were asking questions of me. I was neither in the mood nor did I have a reason to answer any of them. This would be settled soon enough, no reason to let it affect me further.
-Charlotte's pov-
Sai walked towards the locker room after Miss Orimura broke up the fight. Houki and I also headed for the locker room, but by the time we got there, Sai was going out the other door. I quickly changed and went after Sai as he still seemed irked about what had gone down and managed to catch up with him. When I did, I asked him where he was going, and the answer was Sai was going to check on Cecilia and Lingyin. Apparently, the two of them had been injured during their altercation with Laura.
We arrived at the infirmary, and after Sai talked with the nurse, we were allowed in to see the girls. Inside, the sight of Cecilia and Lingyin wrapped in bandages even if they were still in their pilot suits and overall, they were worse for wear. Both Rin and Cecilia looked up and froze when they saw Sai and me, their cheeks turned slightly pink. Sai smiled slightly, "Nice to see you two awake and okay, you'll need time to fully recover from your injuries."
It was good to know that both Miss Alcott and Miss Huáng were okay. "Now a question for you two, why in the hell did you pick a fight with the German troublemaker Bodewig? If she didn't make it clear to you earlier, she's more than willing to do serious injury if not more. Especially, if the action can get her closer to getting to me, then it's a guarantee," Sai said.
Rin and Cecilia mumbled unintelligible things about Sai and Laura, and that's what gave me the clue as to what was going on. The two had been defending Sai when Laura had said something insulting about him. Their whole fight had been over the point and while it's nice of them, they didn't want to say it had been about that and definitely not to Sai himself. I couldn't help the snicker that came from me, "No need to put on an act you two," I said. Sai stared at me, then looked at Cecilia and Lingyin, yet said nothing for the time being, "You do not need to be embarrassed about how you were defending Sai when Laura insulted him."
Sai gained an expression of incredulity at what I said before his face shifted into a cold glare directed at both Cecilia and Rin. "Ladies, I don't need anyone to defend myself or stand up for me. If Bodewig wishes to insult me, she's more than welcome to do so directly to my face, then I'll reply to her as I see fit. Now, let me be clear once again as apparently you haven't gotten the point in your minds. None of you, I repeat, none of you needs or should defend me! I'm fully capable of defending myself and standing up for myself," Sai stated firmly.
"But," both Cecilia and Lingyin started saying. However, then there was a growing rumble that seemingly came out of nowhere which drew our sight to the door. Seconds later, the door burst open and a crowd of girls flooded into the room, pretty much all of Class One. The girls surrounded Sai and all of them began talking to him and many were attempting to talk over one another. I couldn't get much from what they were saying, other than the subject having to do with Sai. "Girls, one at a time!" Sai shouted, and our classmates quieted down for a moment.
"Now, what is all the hubbub about," Sai asked.
"Look," said several of our classmates to Sai, holding out papers in front of his face.
Sai took one of the pieces of paper as did I, and then I took a closer look at it. It appeared to be an informative flier that said the following:
'For the upcoming Individual Tournament'
'So that accurate data and to obtain a fair view of participant's skills'
'The matches will be set up in the form of two-member teams facing one another'
'Teams are to be formed before Friday or team members will be assigned by a random drawing'
Teams instead one against one, that is fine and more realistic, but why would the girls bring… oh, then they are here to try and get Sai to be their teammate. I looked over at Sai and he was smiling halfheartedly, "Um, Ladies…"
He didn't finish the sentence he was trying to get out, as our classmates all started talking at once again.
"You should partner up with me Taichi!"
"No, you should team up with me!"
"Please be my partner Taichi!"
I could only feel sorry for what Sai was going through, for I could not think of what I could do in this for him. "I'm very sorry girls, but I'll be partnering up with Charlotte Dunois. She and I work well together and as we both have an issue to settle with Miss Bodewig, it works out better for everyone," Sai said simply.
That caught me by surprise, I mean, I didn't have anything against work with Sai in the tournament. Most of the girls accepted Sai's answer, some looked a little hurt, but still took what was said. Sai was turning towards me, but before he was grabbed by a pair of arms reach around each of his. "Hey, you should be on my team," Lingyin stated a determined expression on her face.
"No, Sai will be teaming up with me," Cecilia shot from Sai's left.
I was going to step in and help Sai, but the door to the infirmary opened again, and when I turned, I saw Miss Yamada in the doorway. "I'm afraid that you two will not be participating in the tournament," she said, gaining everyone else's attention.
The argument over Sai stopped and they gazed behind at Miss Yamada, "But ma'am, I can still fight just fine," snapped Lingyin.
"Yes, myself as well can fight in the tournament, so just what are you on about," replied Cecilia.
"No, your units' damage is extensive, and has been classified at level C. So, neither of you will be participating in the tournament," stated Miss Yamada firmly.
Then started an argument between Rin and Cecilia versing Miss Yamada, both the girls let go of Sai. He began moving towards the door to the infirmary, and truthfully, I think that's a good idea as well, so I began heading in that direction as well. It would be best for Sai and me to be gone before Cecilia and Lingyin notice. We had almost made it, Sai even had a hand on the door, but then we were noticed, "Hey, where do you think you two are going," said Rin and Cecilia.
Sai and I froze on the spot as we had been caught trying to slip out of the room, we both turned to face those in the room. I was trying to think of an excuse for Sai and me, but Sai beat me to it, "Well Rin, Cecilia, as you two need rest to recover from your injuries, we were going to just give you that time to do so," he paused and grabbed me by the hand and threw open the door, "Get plenty of rest girls, BYE!"
After ending the reply, Sai rushed out the door and pull me after him. The voices of Cecilia and Rin came as they started to chase us, but Miss Yamada stopped them. Sai and I were moving down a hall away from the infirmary, my legs somehow keeping up with Sai's pace before I stopped him, "Sai."
Sai came to a standstill and I ran into him, though he kept upright and prevented me from falling to the ground. "Oops, sorry about stopping suddenly Charlotte. My apologies Charlotte for pulling you with me, I doubt that those two would have left you alone, so I…"
I shook my head, "It is all right Sai, I just wanted to thank you for partnering up with me. It is very nice of you," I said.
Sai smiled at me, "Don't mention it Charlotte, I meant what I said that we work well together. And you deserve as much of a chance against Bodewig as I do. Together, we can defeat her and show her that the way she judges people is wrong."
He is sweet, but then I noticed that we were very close, and Sai was still holding my hand, and the feeling of how warm his hand was. I felt my face beginning to heat up, "Um Sai, how long do you intend to be so close and hold my hand," I inquired somewhat shyly.
Sai look down at our hands still holding on to each other, Sai then let go and backed up a step, "Sorry about that Charlotte, neither were intentional," he said.
I smiled softly, "It's fine Sai," I returned.
Chapter end!
A/n
I'll leave off at this point, next chapter will be the match between Sai and Laura for a good if not major portion of the chapter. Please, like always, take the time to write a review to say what you think of the chapter or the story thus far. Even if you want to say I'm an idiot and that this story sucks, I appreciate the feedback.
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Glad you like this story and I'll try to keep it interesting.