Chapter 6: Unexpected Request
The moment Mikazuki return to the hangar, he deactivated his IS and it entered stand-by mode. An IS' standby mode usually took on the form of a portable object and in his case it became a bangle adorned with, surprisingly, Tekkadan's emblem in red.
He saw that the three people in the hangar, Chifuyu, Houki, and Maya looking at him apprehensively. He wonder why… that is until he realized that it's the first time they saw him fight. He sometimes forget that his fighting style can be… too much for those who are not used to it, or at least that's what Kudelia told him, though she herself has no problem with it, mostly because after seeing his battle one too many times she just got used to it.
But for those three, it is a brutal fighting style that made him looks like a barbarian. What's even more frightening for people watching is he did it all like there's nothing wrong. He didn't look like he enjoy it but he doesn't look like he hated it either. That is a disturbing sight for any normal people.
It's a miracle that Cecillia is relatively unharmed after Mikazuki's brutal beating.
Seeing that he's done, Mikazuki went to the locker room to change. No one in the hangar tried to stop him because they're still stunned silent by his display. On the way to the locker room, Mikazuki saw Kudelia waving at him.
"Ichika."
Mikazuki let out a small smile when he sees Kudelia, though being called with his current identity by Kudelia still felt strange to him. He knew that he is Orimura Ichika now and he had gotten used to being called with that name but to hear it coming from Kudelia felt like she's referring to a different person.
Then again, those who are close to him like Mcgillis and his fellow mercenaries from back in the days, those who actually matter to him, call him Mikazuki. So being called Ichika by someone very close to him felt disconcerting. It's like there's a lack of familiarity between them even if he logically knew that he is Ichika.
Kudelia went to his side, walking together at the same pace with him as she follows him to the locker room. If there is one thing Kudelia like about Mikazuki's new look is because he is now taller and their pace is more even.
"So how does your first official match feel?"
Kudelia asked. He had done as expected, no, Mikazuki actually held back in that match. She had seen him at his peak and how brutal he could be. The fact that Cecillia did not lose any limbs proved that he held back so he wouldn't kill the girl. If he did fight seriously, Cecillia Alcott would've died a brutal death, just like many of his previous enemies.
"It's… so-so."
"I thought as much. You did well out there."
"I made sure not to hurt her too much. It's actually rather difficult to hold back my instinct."
"But you did it and I'm happy for you. But that's enough about the match. So what do you think about your new IS? Not everyone can get their personal IS so you're lucky to have one. Is it different from the standard units?"
Kudelia and Mikazuki arrived in the locker room. Kudelia sat with her back towards Mikazuki while the boy changed.
"It's better. More responsive and powerful… but it's not mine."
"Not yours?"
Kudelia wondered what he meant by that. She remember that great feeling when she first use an IS, that liberating feeling when she got off from the ground and took to the skies for the first time. How powerful it makes her feel. But from how Mikazuki said it, it's like he doesn't feel the same way and is instead displeased.
"It's just different. It's like it's not listening to me entirely. It's different… from Barbatos."
Barbatos, Gundam Barbatos, one of the 72 Gundam Frames from their old world and Mikazuki's partner. He had been piloting that Gundam from the day they first met and using the Alaya Vijnana system to connect with the Gundam he became a living legend and symbol of Tekkadan.
They called him the Devil of Tekkadan because of the feats he achieved while piloting the Gundam. His connection with the Gundam is so strong that he and the Gundam can be considered as one and the same. It is… frightening. Even Kudelia would shudder when she remembers the Gundam and how devil-like it could be. Mikazuki seems attached to it even now if he still prefers that Gundam over his personal IS.
"You really love that Gundam, don't you?"
Mikazuki did not verbally answer but Kudelia could imagine that he is nodding behind her in agreement.
"Anyway Ichika, Mcgillis Fareed came to see the match. Did you know that he is coming?"
"No. So chocolate man came. I didn't see him with you."
"He went to talk with the current student council president."
"The student council president? That's… interesting."
Once Mikazuki finished changing the two of them exited the locker room. But when the door opened, they met an unexpected person. There stood Shinonono Houki just outside the male locker room.
"Houki? What are you doing here?"
"I-I-Ichika! Why is there a girl with you in… wait, Bernstein-senpai!"
Shinonono Houki recognize the senior who Mikazuki introduced to her as his girlfriend. Houki's face became flustered, thinking of several reasons why Kudelia is with Mikazuki together in the boys' changing room. Her wild imagination began projecting several… questionable images in her mind.
"You are… ahh, Shinonono Houki-san, right?"
"Y-yes!"
Kudelia, not knowing about Houki's wild imagination making a guesswork on what she's doing with Mikazuki, greeted the girl casually.
"Is there something you want?"
Mikazuki asked. Houki shook her head, still caught up in her imagination. Mikazuki look at her oddly before shrugging and walking away with Kudelia, chatting with her as they walk, leaving Houki behind. The girl then turned towards where they went, contemplating whether to go after them or not. Eventually, Houki shook her head and went to the opposite direction.
'He didn't even spare me a second glance.'
-Mcgillis & Tatenashi-
"That was an impressive show, don't you think so, mister Fareed?"
"Yes, it is impressive. Orimura Ichika is better than what the rumors made him out to be."
The match had ended and Tatenashi is currently talking with Mcgillis in the student council office. She had also told the other student council members to leave them which they did reluctantly. Now it is just the two of them together in the student council room.
Mcgillis is wondering why Tatenashi invited him. Sure she made it sound like a business talk but Mcgillis knew that it's not just that, especially because the Sarashiki foundation is one of the many secret organizations around the world holding a certain amount of military power.
He did not know how much power they possess because he had been focusing his resources on Tabane and Phantom Task but nevertheless, he will be cautious. After all, Akira did list her family as dangerous just a level below Phantom Task. Tatenashi then served him tea and sat directly across Mcgillis.
"I am sure you are wondering why I invited you here and by now you would have figured that it's not for a simple 'business' talk."
"Indeed, I have a feeling that you wish to speak about something with me."
Mcgillis said. It's just something he noticed during the match. Tatenashi had been stealing glances at him and look as if she wanted to say something to him but decided to wait. Now in the privacy of the student council room they can freely talk.
"It is. I have wanted to talk to you for some time now."
"Hoo? And why might that be?"
Suddenly Tatenashi showed a sly smile. What she says next is definitely something Mcgillis did not expect as she said with half her face hidden behind her fan that now reads marriage.
"I was wondering if you're interested in a marriage between us?"
There are few things that could make Mcgillis loose composure and what Tatenashi said made him choke as he took a sip from his tea. He coughed a few times before looking at Tatenashi with eyes that says 'are you kidding me?' The student council president chuckled, satisfied that she managed to catch Mcgillis off guard.
"Ahahaha, that's just a joke!"
Tatenashi try to wave it off with a hearty laugh. Then her expression turns serious. The change is sudden but now she's ready to speak with Mcgillis seriously.
"Mister Fareed, what do you think about the world's situation right now?"
She asked. Mcgillis raised an eyebrow at this. An interesting question, though not one he expect to come from someone like Sarashiki Tatenashi. He wonder what the girl is playing at. She's looking at him intently, like she's expecting something. She's waiting for his answer.
"And why does it matter to you what I think about the world?"
He replied with his own question. Tatenashi smiled and got up from her seat. She turn to face the window and have a strange look of nostalgia as she look outside.
"Call it… a feeling.
Mcgillis close his eyes and think about how to answer her. Once he opened his eyes, he spoke.
"It is… wrong. There is something wrong with the world right now."
"Hoo? Is this about how the situation between men and women had been reversed?"
"That is one thing. It causes friction in society like never before seen. That in itself is not the main problem though. The reversal of role is just that, the reversal of role in gender status where women is more appreciated and uplifted. If it is under normal circumstances, history will repeat itself and men will be the one demanding equality this time just like the time before the emergence of IS when feminist movement exists."
"Interesting view, although I sense a 'but' in there."
Mcgillis took another sip from his tea and with a grim look, he continue talking.
"It is the circumstances that made everything wrong."
"Circumstances?"
Tatenashi return back to her seat in front of Mcgillis, looking intrigued with his words. She look straight into his eyes as she urge him to continue, so Mcgillis did.
"It is all an illusion. The current society is built up based on an illusion."
"An illusion?"
Mcgillis nodded.
"Yes, an illusion that the IS cast unto us all. It is common knowledge that there are only 467 IS cores, correct?"
"Yes, it is basic knowledge for anyone in the industry."
"And it cannot be replicated by anyone and the only one able to create any new core is professor Shinonono Tabane."
"Again, that is basic knowledge."
Mcgillis nodded and took another sip from his tea.
"467, that is how many people who could wield this so-called power in one time. Like I said, it's an illusion. Nothing has actually changed. It's only 427 people, all solely female, projecting an illusion of strength coming from borrowed power."
"Borrowed power? An interesting take on the IS."
"Indeed, it is borrowed power. After all, the IS technology exists only because Shinonono Tabane allows it. In reality, the pilot being solely female is not a proof of female superiority but the genius and madness of a single individual. After all, who is the one that ultimately made it in such a way? Shinonono Tabane herself. If she wanted to, she could make the IS usable only by males or any other specific conditions like coming from a certain race or carrying certain DNA strain."
"Thus why you call it an illusion. This happens only because Shinonono Tabane happen to make the IS to react only to females. If Shinonono Tabane were to decide to create more IS cores, this time specifically for males or those possessing even more specific condition then the society will change once again. In fact, the emergence of Orimura Ichika alone had caused quite a stir."
"Magnificent isn't it? Magnificent… and terrifying. We are just playing on the palm of one demented genius."
"Very interesting. Then one last thing."
"Yes?"
"What do you intend to do in a society like this?"
Mcgillis was about to bring the cup to his lips but paused when Tatenashi ask her last question. He look at the blue haired girl sitting across him. There is something about the question that bothers him. It's not like she's genuinely asking because she wanted to know but it's like she's asking just to confirm.
"…who knows. Despite everything I said, I might just live my life like normal. But… I believe that things should be changed. It's just that it is impossible. To destroy the power creating this illusion, a much greater power is needed. But as we know, there is no one in this world more powerful than Shinonono Tabane at the moment. To change this world she shaped… perhaps only a devil can do it."
Mcgillis answered. Tatenashi did not react to his answer but Mcgillis noticed that there's a faint smirk he almost didn't notice. Then Tatenashi stood up and went to her desk. She pull out something from a drawer. Mcgillis kept a close eye on her movement in case she try to do anything. He expected her pulling out a gun… but instead she pulled out a file from the drawer and went back to her seat.
Tatenashi presented him with the file. He was about to pick it up when Tatenashi's hand stopped him.
"Don't open it yet."
Mcgillis narrowed his eyes in suspicion. What is the girl playing? He is becoming even surer that she will be a powerful player in the conflict to come. There is just something about her nagging at him.
"And what might this be?"
Mcgillis asked.
"A schematic."
"Schematic?"
"Mister Fareed, I wish to commission you and your company to build me this machine. That is my real purpose in asking for you to come here. After all, this one is for… personal use only so I can't ask anyone else. Besides, I believe that only you can make it to the exact specification I want."
Personal use, Mcgillis understand the underlying meaning. Interesting, she's trusting him with a schematic… if she is to be believed. An unexpected move on her part. Maybe he'll humor her and make the unit for her, perhaps they can even be allies. So far Mcgillis cannot see hostility from her despite the girl seemingly knowing something more about him than she shows.
"I see. I will read through it later and see what I can do."
Tatenashi smiled. The two of them then stood up and shook hands.
"It has been a pleasant meeting, mister Fareed."
"Yes… I have to say that this meeting had developed in a rather unexpected way but I don't dislike it."
"I'm sorry that I won't be able to show you out. There is a student council meeting after this so I need to stay. I hope to hear from you again soon."
Saying their goodbyes, Mcgillis walk out from the door while Tatenashi stayed behind. Once Mcgillis disappeared behind the door and his footsteps grew dimmer, Sarashiki Tatenashi's smile turned to a mischievous smirk.
"So it is you, Macky."
Once he got to his car and told the driver to drive, Mcgillis open the file Tatenashi gave him. There appear to be a disc inside which he will need to have Akira check later and also a printed paper. Once he pull out the paper, Mcgillis' eyes widened in both surprise, realization, and something else more complicated.
There on the paper is drawn a single IS unit. But that in itself is not enough to surprise him. What surprised him is the memory evoked by the design and the name of the IS unit he was asked to build.
"Kimaris…"
Sorry for taking so long but this chapter has lots of complications, less on Mikazuki's part and actually more on Mcgillis and Tatenashi's part. I have planned on that talk since I first decided to have Mcgillis watch Mikazuki's fight. To be honest, I feel like I wrote my own opinion of IS instead of what is possibly Mcgillis' opinion though I believe he will most likely have the same view as what I have written. And sorry for having Tatenashi be serious for most of the chapter because this is one of the time she need to be.
So what do you think? Did anyone expect that Tatenashi is Almiria? Just because Mcgillis, Kudelia and Atra are themselves doesn't mean that everyone will. Mikazuki is Orimura Ichika after all so in this case Tatenashi is Almiria reborn. Don't worry, she'll still be her mischievous self in future chapters. I just need her to be serious for this chapter so she can confirm if Mcgillis is actually her Macky.
Next chapter is... I actually have no idea what I should do. It should be Rin's appearance but... hmm, yeah, that could work. I just need opinion. With Mikazuki/Ichika's different past, he never met Rin and so she's not his childhood friend and they are practically strangers here. But... what if I make Rin another IBO character reincarnated? And maybe I will set up for Akihiro's reappearance though. Or maybe I will just kick Rin out from the story altogether and put in Lafter and make her China's representative candidate. If Tatenashi who is Japanese can become Russia's representative so why not pull this one and put Lafter who is not chinese as China's representative candidate.
Now for the revs.
The Black Wolf of the Arks: I get what you mean. Laura huh. I might be able to do something with her and yeah, she's actually the only IS heroine who has a chance with Mikazuki... if there is no Kudelia and Atra. As for Charlotte, I'll think about it.
Amir-015: Charlotte is actually one of my favorite pairing with Ichika but since this is Mikazuki, you're right, it won't work. But they can get along. As for more details, I'll try to do better. Improvement comes with time.
GBF93: I don't actually see Mikazuki be paired with Laura with Kudelia and Atra around, although she is a great choice if Mikazuki's default pairing are not around. And even with what the author did to Laura, she's actually one of the more interesting IS heroines like Tatenashi and Madoka.
AGundamFan: Well if she didn't get a reality check after this then maybe I should arrange for a fight where she actually nearly died. Mikazuki is actually holding back here and the proof is she's not lying on a pool of her own blood and actually sustain minimal injury.
shikyoseinen: Well it would be awkward to slap Mcgillis in public venue. You just don't do that unless you're really mad and since Gundam IBO happened a lifetime ago in her perspective she doesn't hold anymore grudge... if she had any. As for those who knew Ichika/Mika's status as former mercenary, only the principal knew and of course the politicians. Plus after their meeting, Mcgillis made sure to have Akira erase those information. Maya and Chifuyu did not know that he was a former mercenary. Tatenashi knew though. It's a very closely guarded secret.
fazrulz21: It makes him rather irritating. And if you mean that the fight is unexpectedly short, then yeah. After all, Mika has a lifetime of combat experience and had killed. I doubt Cecillia ever got to the level where she ever killed someone and that makes all the difference.
GuestGundam: It's psychological matter. Suppose if you have a brother you dearly loved and had been searching for years and he suddenly return as a cold-blooded brutal soldier, can you face him immediately? And I thought there are some stories where IS character got into a Gundam universe... well, I think there should be.
Ichika4594: Mika has always been brutal and this is actually rather mild. And sorry but no, putting the main heroines as a harem for Mika just won't work because their life are too different. Somehow I just don't see it happening.
Guest: Sorry, no Orga for Mikazuki just like there will be no Gaelio for Mcgillis.
Kharn: I might consider Shino actually and maybe Eugene. Akihiro is a definite yes.
Drgyen: Well I guess no villain monologue with Mikazuki around.
InfernoKnightmare: Basically sums up my plan for my IS stories, it's just people killing people.
HolyKnight5: I'm totally going to enjoy writing that. Chifuyu's reaction to Mika's polygamous relationship will be interesting, though Atra has not made any major appearance yet... which I will rectify when Barbatos is nearly complete. And here you see who Almiria is. Didn't expect that, did you?
Guest: Thanks for pointing that out. I failed grammar class and will be retaking it this semester.
benalien100: Maybe next time. It's still the introduction arc after all.