Chapter 7: A Familiar Face
Mcgillis watch as the workers began assembling his personal IS. But while it appears that he's watching, his mind is actually wandering somewhere else and it is caused by the third IS project he had decided to build after Bael and Barbatos, though why he even decided to build it is unknown to him.
After all, the third unit he's going to build is the same unit that defeated him in his final battle while being piloted by his only friend, Gaelio. But he had decided to follow through with Tatenashi's request and build the IS equivalent of the Gundam that defeated him, Gundam Kimaris.
Akira is still going through the data given by Tatenashi. It's not just IS data but surprisingly, data on Phantom Task. It appears that Phantom Task is Tatenashi's main enemy just like Tabane is his.
Sarashiki Tatenashi. Just who is she? Mcgillis had to wonder. Her questions and the Kimaris, she must be someone like him and Mikazuki, someone who was reborn into this world. But who? Gaelio? No, it can't be Gaelio. She would've been born male otherwise. Perhaps someone else? Perhaps that girl who was always following Rustal Elion, Julietta if he recalled her name correctly.
Mcgillis shook his head. No, it's not one of his enemies. They would kill him or detain him or something if they confirm that he is indeed the Mcgillis Fareed who rebelled against the corrupt Gjallarhorn. But Tatenashi had given him info and even entrusted him with building her an IS unit. A former ally? Mcgillis cannot recall any woman who became his ally.
"It can't be… Almiria, can it?"
Mcgillis wondered. Kimaris is the Gundam belonging to the Bauduin family and there is one female he is close to that belongs to the Bauduin family and that is Almiria. But that can't be… can it? It seems finding out who Tatenashi is will be an important job he will have to do. Is she an ally or an enemy? One thing is for sure, she will be someone very dangerous in the future. Whether she'll be a friend or a foe remains to be seen.
Putting the matter aside for a moment, Mcgillis smirked when she saw that his personal unit is almost finished and equipped with the Alaya Vijnana system. In less than a week, his personal IS, Bael will take to the sky with him. Beside the almost finished unit is the mostly finished Barbatos Nero. Made based on the Barbatos Lupus and Byakushiki, it will be Mikazuki's personal unit. Aside from those two, there are other designs ready to be made.
Soon enough the Devils will be ready.
Before meeting him in the IS academy, Shinonono Houki had met Orimura Ichika before, a very long time ago. In fact, it was when she's just five years old. But even if it's just a vague memory, Houki knew Ichika once. After all, Houki never forget the young boy she played with all those years ago.
It was at first just curiosity. She saw a boy who was very quiet and always doing his own thing and wonder what he's doing. Then she found out that he's the little brother of her sister's friend. So she tried to get to know him and play with him. Or rather, she's playing while he just watched over her.
Orimura Ichika had always been a quiet and passive person. He would stay silent and watch her play when they were young. But Houki thought that he's a nice person. Now she clearly knew that he's not interested at all with playing with her then but he still accompany her without much complain.
And then he suddenly disappeared one day with no trace leaving Chifuyu behind crying. It's the first and only time Houki saw Chifuyu cry openly.
She never knew why he disappeared so suddenly
And just like how he disappeared, he now reappeared just as suddenly though it is clear that he did not remember her, or did he? Ichika never showed any sign of remembering her but also never showed any sign that he doesn't know her. He is still the quiet antisocial boy she remembered.
Orimura Ichika is an enigma to her.
He is a docile boy who is rather dedicated to learning even if he is not the best at it but he certainly doesn't lack the drive at all. Even on the first day, he is already trying to catch up on all the knowledge about Infinite Stratos that he will need… to the point of ignoring everyone and everything around him except for the teacher.
He never looked up from the books he was reading even when the girls in the class bombarded him with questions. It's like he had mastered the art of ignoring people that doesn't interest him. In fact, she recalled that Ichika WAS ignoring everyone when they were picking the class representative. His answer sounds too automated which consists only of 'fine' and 'I'll leave it to you'.
The only person he did not actively ignore is a senior who is now a college student named Kudelia Aina Bernstein and by the two's own admittance (with some embarrassment on Kudelia's part) they are actually dating and meet up weekly. Just thinking about it made Houki's head spin. Her roommate and former childhood friend is just so mysterious.
"Well then, let's start practicing some basic IS maneuvers. Orimura, Alcott, try flying with your ISs."
Currently the class is having a practical lesson outside and apparently Chifuyu is the one in charge of practical. Houki and the rest of the class watch as the only two owner of personal IS prepare to demonstrate using their unit.
Once the IS is optimized, it will remain with the pilot in the form of a decoration. Cecilia's is an earring on her left ear while Mikazuki's took the form of a bangle with Tekkadan's emblem in red.
Thanks to lessons from Kudelia and his extensive experience with the Gundam and Alaya Vijanana system, Mikazuki easily deploy his IS with a mental command, taking less than half a second for his IS to fully deploy and cover his body. Again he frowns. While there is nothing wrong with Byakushiki itself, piloting the unit just doesn't sit right with him and Houki noticed this frown as did Chifuyu.
Cecilia was also equipped with her own IS [Blue Tears] as she floated. While the unit itself is fully repaired, some of its weapons are still missing. Due to the extensive damage done to the frame during their match the mechanics didn't have time to work on the weapons. Cecillia's eyes met Mikazuki's and the apprehensive look he got is all the explanation needed on what she thought of him.
"Okay, fly."
After Chifuyu said that, Cecilia immediately got into action. She quickly rose up and stopped high above the ground followed by Mikazuki at a faster pace. Despite having only piloted an IS for a short time, Mika had proven to be a fast learner. But again, he had received less training or guidance when he first piloted Barbatos and he managed to do more than just good.
"Orimura, Alcott, try doing a sudden dive and then come to a complete halt. The target is 10cm above the ground."
Chifuyu ordered again.
"Roger. T-Then I'll be going first."
After saying that with a slight bit of nervousness due to talking to Mikazuki, Cecilia immediately dropped towards the floor and stopped at the right elevation as ordered. Mikazuki soon followed and also stopped at the right height. Chifuyu nodded in approval.
"Orimura, deploy your weapon."
Mikazuki nodded and reach his hand to his back in the same way he would draw his weapon from Barbatos' backpack. The image in his head is clear as he remember Barbatos Form 6 using its katana, the same type of weapon Byakushiki has. In an instant, the Yukihira Nigata form in his hand and in a trained, lightning speed movement, the sword was drawn.
The speed in which he draws is under half a second, surprising Chifuyu that a new pilot could have such a speed. But Chifuyu immediately hid her surprise and turn to Cecillia, not needing to tell her what to do. There is a problem though.
"Uhh, sensei, all of my weapons are still under repair except for my combat knife."
Chifuyu nodded in understanding. While she's not pleased, it can't be helped if the weapons are still under repair.
"Then Cecilia, deploy your close-range weapon."
"Ah, yes, yes!"
Cecillia prepare to deployed a close-ranged weapon. As with every other weapon deployment, it is accompanied with a glow. However, the glow in her hand couldn't shape itself as it floated around in the air.
"Huh..."
"Isn't it ready yet?"
"It, it'll be ready soon—ahh, damn it! 'Interceptor'!"
She half-reluctantly shouted out her weapon's name. After her focus gathered, the glow shaped into the weapon. However, having to call out her weapon's name to deploy it is a 'beginner's method'. For a representative candidate like Cecilia to deploy the weapon through this method, it's really humiliating.
"...How long did you take? Do you want the enemy to wait for you in a real battle?"
"In, in a real battle, I wouldn't allow the enemy to enter my range! So, so there would be no problem!"
Mikazuki didn't say anything but Chifuyu cast him a look that said everything she wanted to say to Cecillia. The blonde representative candidate gulped. She will never forget the brutal trashing she received from him and didn't dare say anything. Something inside her broke that day and it was not just her pride.
"I-I will try harder."
Cecillia answered, not daring to refute what Chifuyu wanted to say or offend Mikazuki.
"Time's up, that's it for today's lesson."
Chifuyu informed. Mikazuki and Cecillia deactivate there is. The moment Cecillia's feet touched the ground, she walk away without looking back. Houki sighs. Cecillia was definitely traumatized by the brutal trashing Mika gave her. She would too if she were in Cecillia's place. Houki then turn to Mikazuki. Like usual, he doesn't seem to care that he had traumatized one of his classmate and lazily walk back to the school building.
"Oh, so this is the place..."
At night, in front of the IS Academy Entrance, stood a girl with a Boston bag. Her blonde hair that was flowing in the still warm April night was tied with two tails on each side of her head.
"Lemme see, where's the reception counter?"
She pulled out a slip of paper from her shirt's pocket. That crumpled piece of paper really was proof of the girl's straightforward character and her lively nature.
"The 1st level General Service Counter in the Main Building."
After confirming where she needed to go, she quickly found the General Service Counter. The main building was actually behind the arena, and since it was lit over there, she immediately found the place.
"Mm, then, the procedures are complete. Welcome to IS Academy."
The girl finished her transfer procedures without problem. But before she left for her room, she asked the receptionist a question.
"Which class is Orimura Ichika in?"
"Oh, that famous kid? He's in class 1. You are in class 2, so you're in neighboring classes. Oh yeah, that kid's the representative of class 1. As expected of Orimura-sensei's younger brother!"
That was all the girl needed to hear. She waved goodbye at the receptionist and head to her room with a smile.
"I wonder, is it really you, Mikazuki?"
"Good morning, Orimura-kun. Have you heard about the rumor of the transfer student?"
Even after being ignored so many times, there are still a lot of his classmates trying to talk to him. Although the number had been reduced greatly since many get the message that he doesn't like to be bothered by things that are not important, especially after his display, some still tried to become friends with him.
Fortunately, he had been catching up with his study and Kudelia did say that he need to listen to people more so while still flipping through the pages of his textbook, he answered without looking at who is speaking to him.
"No, I haven't."
Mikazuki curtly replied, surprising his classmate that he even heard what she said. Getting a single reply from him is as good as getting a full conversation out of the former Gundam pilot.
"That's right. I heard that it's a transfer student from Spain."
"Is that so?"
While he is not entirely interested in the topic, Mikazuki would file that information for later. Though he can't understand what's so exciting about a transfer student when their time can be used for more useful things. But Kudelia had said that gossiping is one part of a normal school life.
"By the way, the class representative tournament is coming up next month. Are you prepared Orimura-kun?"
"I am."
Mikazuki again replied while still flipping the page of his textbook. The class representative tournament is just what the name implies, it's a battle between the class representatives, and a chance to give everyone a realistic goal before they really start learning how to pilot an IS.
Besides, this also seems to allow the classes to act as units and allow each other to work together. In order to motivate everyone, the class that gets the first prize will earn half a year's worth of free dessert coupons. While Mikazuki cannot fathom why the girls are so excited about it, he won't complain as free food is free food.
Everyone is confident that their class will win. Despite some apprehension on how he fights, Mikazuki had displayed his prowess in combat and everyone knew that they have this in the bag.
"At this point, only the representatives from class 1 and class 4 have a personal IS, so it should be easy to win this! With Orimura-kun's skill, I'm sure our class will definitely win!"
Mikazuki did not reply to the girl who is getting excited, whoever she is. He is now more interested in learning about the enhanced senses granted by the IS' sensors. That was when he heard the classroom door slide open.
"—Your information is outdated."
Mikazuki heard the voice of a girl that sounds quite familiar, like a voice he had heard a lifetime ago.
"The class representative of class 2 also has a personal IS, you know! You can't win that easily, even if it is you."
Mikazuki finally raised his head from his textbook just as the girl walk to his table. Mikazuki finally saw the full form of the girl who had entered his class, her familiar blonde hair flowing behind her. His eyes widen slightly at the familiar face, the face of a comrade, a family member.
"Lafter."
Mikazuki spoke her name. The girl was stunned for a brief moment and then smiled, nodding in acknowledgement.
"It has been a while, Orimura Ichika."
Lafter Frankland addressed him with his new name but at that moment, both know that she knew who he is. After all, even if it is for a short few years, they are comrades and a family forged in the flames of war.
Damn, this one took quite a long time but finally I'm getting back to this. So Lafter is here and she is the representative candidate of spain! Her father is Naze Turbine and I get this feeling that he would make a good Spaniard since making Lafter as the Chinese representative candidate doesn't make sense. With Lafter here, it is only a matter of time until Akihiro appear. So I replace Rin with Lafter, sorry for that, but Rin will be the only IS heroine replaced because no matter what scenario I think of, she just won't fit and I'm not making Rin as Lafter's reincarnation. Although, Rin might appear if I finally found a use for her but for now, Lafter would matter more to the story when introduced in this stage rather than Rin.
Shikyoseinen: You brought up good questions which I will need to answer in the future, especially the part about Kanzashi and Tatenashi/Almiria's relationship.
Anhilliator1: Soon. Mcgillis will be testing Bael and I have a plan for that which will occur during the class representative tournament.
HolyKnight5: Tatenashi here will be a bit different and much more dangerous than in canon. In canon, Tatenashi, although a monstrous fighter, has some arrogance that made her drop her guard like in the OVA and she was born in a relatively peaceful time (not counting the shadow conflict behind the scenes) with a lot of talent. But Almiria is different and it will show in the future, especially regarding Kanzashi and Mcgillis.
The nameless hero: I agree, which is why I replaced her with Lafter.
Benalien 100: Rin doesn't even seem important in the series other than to become a harem member but Laura will have an even bigger role with the current setting. While I'm sorry about Rin, look forward to Laura's appearance.
Kharn: I'm not reincarnating someone as an opposite gender. It's just wrong on so many level. I might find something for Eugene though and Shino… don't know what he can be here.
GuestGundam: Well Lafter is here but I decided to make her Spain's representative candidate instead of China… which means I have to design an IS for her since I can't use ShenLong, dammit.
AGundamFan: It's more of a message than a request really. And about Houki, there's a little bit about her here and she is curious about her childhood friend.
GBF93: Like I said, it is a message and maybe a peace offering. Plus she wanted to give Mcgillis a headache.
Guest: I'm planning to add Akihiro. Lafter is here after all so I will feel wrong if I don't add him but first I need to figure out how.
HolyKnight5: Rather than the mechanical soul of a devil, making Bael have Agnika Kaieru's soul sounds better.
Epikphael: Thanks. I value human sentience and I have apprehension with overly emotional prick.
CrazyCriticer46: Mika won't get anyone other than Kudelia and Atra though Laura is a possibility but I have a plan for that and that include Charlotte. And no giant Gundams. The size different makes imagining it a headache. And sorry about the lack of details but I'm still working on it, slowly but surely.