Chapter 14: More Transfer Students
"Hey Dan, it's been a while!"
A short girl with long brown hair tied in twintail greeted him cheerfully. It didn't take long for him to identify the girl as his old friend, or really his only close friend from middle school, Huang Lingyin, or Rin as her close friends call her.
"Rin! I didn't know that you're back in Japan. Come in!"
Dan opened the door fully and ushered his friend in. There's still time before everyone else wake up and the restaurant opened so they can catch up for a while. Ran will be happy to see Rin again after so long. Not to say that he's not happy to see Rin but Ran and Rin has always been close before her family moved out, they even have pajama party from time to time.
"Hee, not much change in here."
Rin commented as she sat on the table closest to the kitchen. She looked around to see the place she was familiar with years ago. Nothing much changed since she last came to Gotanda eatery. Only minor details here and there. Well, the paints are fresher and older stuff seems to have been replaced but that is to be expected. Other than that, everything else appears to be the same.
"Really? We renovated the place a year after you moved out. The place was getting old after all."
That explains the fresh paint and some newer appliances. Dan came back from the kitchen with a cup of tea, oolong, just how Rin likes it. The Chinese girl smiled when she saw that Dan still remembers her preference.
"By the way, why didn't you tell me that you're coming? Are you moving back here or is this just a visit?"
Dan asked while Rin took a sip from her tea.
"Well I want to surprise you so I didn't tell you… not like I could though. I lost your number and mail address when I changed phone. Forgot to save them. I was busy too so it's not like I have much time to contact you with training and all that."
That at least explain why she didn't contact him after she moved back to china. He almost thought that she forgot about him but it seems that he's wrong. Rin still remembered him and she even came to visit… wait, training? Did he just hear her say training?
"Wait wait, hold up, what do you mean by training?"
At his question, Rin grinned. She then pointed at herself with her thumb as she stood up. Now that he looked at her, she seems to be wearing a uniform, a white uniform with short skirt and detached sleeves. He had never seen the uniform before and it looks like it belongs to an elite school. Finally, Rin declared.
"Feast your eyes on this! I'm attending IS Academy starting today as the Representative Candidate of China! It should've been at least a month ago but the papers got mixed up so I entered late."
She proudly said. Dan as struck silent. Rin is attending IS academy? He didn't expect that. But that would mean that she's training to become a pilot and became part of the military. The military… Dan shook his head. Everything is different in this world. But still, he doesn't quite like it. Rin being a soldier at her age. But at least she became one out of her own will and not forced into it like he did, like Shino did.
"Ahh, I see. Congratulation."
There's not much joy in his words but if Rin noticed it, which she does, she didn't point it out. Rin look at her old friend, knowing that he's not as thrilled with her decision as she thought he would. Maybe it's because he would never be able to join her in IS academy or maybe it is for some other reason. Dan has always shown moments where he's in deep thought like he's contemplating something and whenever he did so, he always has this sad look on him, the same look that he's currently showing her.
"Rin, please, stay safe. Being a pilot is dangerous and I don't want to see you hurt."
He suddenly said with a forced smile as he patted her on the head. If anyone else said that to her, she would scoff and said that they don't know anything about piloting, especially piloting an IS. But as it is Dan who said it and she knew that he said it because he's worried about her, not to mention that she felt like he said it from experience, so she nodded instead and smiled.
"I will."
Her reply satisfied Dan. The two then continue to talk about random things like their old days in middle school and what she has been doing in china until finally, Rin looked at the time and got up from her seat. It's time for her to catch the monorail to IS Academy.
"I should go now. I still have some paperwork to take care of in the academy."
Dan nodded. He cleaned up the table and escorted her to the front door. It's too bad that she can't stay much longer. Ran would've loved to catch up with her. As she was about to leave though, she turned back to him once more.
"I will come to visit on the weekends. When I do, would you like to taste my cooking like you promised?"
The Chinese girl shyly asked with a light blush on her cheek. Dan blinked. He did remember he made such a promise back when Rin moved to China. Back then Rin was a terrible cook but maybe that has changed right now. So Dan agrees to her idea.
"I'll be waiting then."
Rin smiled brightly and gave him a sudden kiss on the cheek. She then said her goodbye and skipped happily towards the station, leaving Dan frozen in surprise. He lightly touched his cheek where Rin had kissed him moments before. That was a new one. The reincarnated teen chuckled and went back inside just as his sister came down for breakfast.
-I-403, somewhere in the Pacific-
With Bael's successful combat run as well as a new IS core to tinker with, the crews of Mcgillis' secret submarine are filled with excitement and anticipation. People have continued working once again with renewed vigor, examining the unregistered IS core as well as processing the data from Bael.
The new data helped with improving the Bael some more, adjusting it to improve its performance beyond what it already shows. Mainly the problem with the cannons' energy consumption as well as the cutting edge of the swords, things that only a pilot would notice after entering combat with the unit.
Along with those, Bael's successful first combat also means that they are now ready to begin production of the other planned units with a total of five other units planned to be rolled out in the future. While three of those five units are still planned, two of them are already under construction with one nearly finished. It is the production of those two units that Mcgillis is currently overseeing.
"How goes the Kimaris' construction?"
Mcgillis asked his head researcher, Alan, as he watched through the screen where the machines inside their small factory move to fabricate parts. It took a lot of design and redesign to fit a whole factory that can construct IS parts inside a submarine. Looking up from his tablet PC, Alan told him.
"The Kimaris is going along nicely. We have just begun construction since you informed us about the alliance with the Sarashiki. Are you sure this is a good idea though?"
Alan questioned, still not quite sure why they're building an IS for the Sarashiki. While their boss have made a deal for an alliance with the Sarashiki group, building an IS for them goes beyond just a simple favor, that on top of him ordering them to not tamper with the Kimaris is quite surprising. Although Alan does have a theory about why Mcgillis is doing all this.
"So you finally found someone to settle down with? I suppose if you of all people are going to court someone, this Sarashiki Tatenashi would be the best choice since she's in on all of this. But don't you think that she's too young for you?"
He commented. Good thing they're not walking or drinking or Mcgillis would've tripped or spit out his drink. He did twitch at the comment and glared at Alan. He didn't say anything though because, honestly, he doesn't really know what to feel about that matter. Alan is not wrong though. If he were to, as Alan put it, court someone, it would be someone like Tatenashi who is involved in all this. After all, he had vowed to himself that he will no longer betray anyone who put their trust in him.
"There's nothing happening between us. I am merely doing this to show that I am committed to this alliance."
Mcgillis answered in a level tone. Alan did not believe him, at least, not fully. There is something more about this matter between Mcgillis and Tatenashi, more than what the blonde wanted to admit. After all, even if they are allies now, Tatenashi did give the schematic for the Kimaris before they finalize their alliance and now Mcgillis is asking them to build the unit without tampering like adding a backdoor to spy on the pilot.
Tatenashi and Mcgillis are putting a lot of blind trust on each other to an unusual level in his opinion. But if Mcgillis doesn't want to admit anything then it's not his place to ask. Besides, getting a girl into his life will do the man some good. He's a workaholic and while he knew how to pace himself, no one has ever seen him enjoy the simple pleasures of life.
Although there is some worry about his preference. Sometimes the men would talk about how Mcgillis is quite close with Akira and there's also that girl Atra he took in. That started rumors about him having preference for young girls. Alan at least knew that he only saw them as something akin to little sisters or daughters. Though perhaps there is some truth to those gossips with how he is acting with Sarashiki Tatenashi. Maybe he should meet the girl and see what made Mcgillis interested in her.
"So, what about the other unit?"
Mcgillis asked, hoping to steer the conversation away from his private life. Alan knew this but they do have work to do so he reported the progress on the other unit. While one screed shows the Kimaris' parts being fabricated, the other screen shows a mostly completed unit that is only missing one arm and its weapons.
"The Barbatos Nero. It's nearly complete and I estimate that we can finish it in just a few days. Give us a week and we'll have it fully armed."
Mcgillis looked at the screen that showed the reborn machine of the Devil of Tekkadan. Barbatos Nero was primarily designed based on Barbatos Lupus with added elements from the Lupus Rex. While it overall look exactly like Barbatos Lupus, there are several key differences in the unit taken from Lupus Rex. One of those is the arms. While it is not as large as Lupus Rex's, it is larger than a normal IS arm would be. The hands are also clawed with fingers each as sharp as a spear's point and if their research bears fruit, the fingers can also be equipped with the barrier nullification effect of the Reiraku Byakuya.
The other difference is the head design which incorporates the four horned crown design of the Lupus Rex. It gave the unit a much more vicious and regal look than the Lupus' two horned crown. He does want to make it as intimidating as possible. And speaking of intimidating, there is nothing more intimidating in the Barbatos' arsenal than the Lupus Rex's tail blade. Wire guided remote weapon is not a new technology in this world but Mcgillis is sure that none of them are as big as the Barbatos' tail blade.
The tail blade is nearly as long as the unit's own arm and equipped with beam blade technology for increased damage and eventually the Reiraku Byakuya if possible. After all, nothing is as intimidating as seeing a tail blade rip through an IS' shield to impale the pilot's body. Between the claws and the tail, Mcgillis would prioritize equipping the tail with Reiraku Byakuya first if they ever crack the technology behind it.
All this makes up the Barbatos Nero, Orimura Ichika's unit. Though he's sure that there will be more additions to be made in the future after Ichika took it for a test run. He had contemplated about adding a set of wings that would house six sets of wire-guided blades as extra weapons as well as additional boosters but he opted not to until Ichika flies it.
"That's good news. That just leaves…"
"Yes, the Gremory Magius for Akira's use, the Agares, and the Phenex."
Mcgillis smirked. Everything is going well. Soon the world will change, and nothing will be able to stop them.
-IS Academy-
"Then, Yamada-sensei, please begin the homeroom."
"O-okay."
It has been several since the inter-class tournament and it has been surprisingly peaceful for Mikazuki.
His fight with Lafter ended with his victory, even if only barely. Devil of Tekkadan or not, Lafter is a very capable pilot and Byakushiki was not suited for him. It was only chance that allows him to win against Lafter. Well, chance and skill but the battle could've gone either way at the end as it's mostly a slugfest by then.
After Lafter, none of the other competitors gave him any challenge, not even those with personal IS. Most of them are quite intimidated with his brutal fighting style to the point that they perform worse than they normally should. After all, being shot and slashed with guns and swords are one thing. Being punched and ripped apart piece by piece is beyond what a normal IS pilot would face. Those with weaker heart would need counseling and Kudelia berated him for going over the top against naïve girls.
On the bright side, his class was very happy with him thanks to the free dessert coupon they win and they all celebrate his victory with a big party. While he's not the partying type, he joined them since the party was for him and free food is free food.
After that, class resumes as usual. Nothing new happen and while his class is starting to warm up some more to him, he still spent his time mostly studying. Thankfully, with Lafter around, he could ask her to help him study on the weekdays. While Kudelia has been very helpful, he can only meet her on weekends which makes his progress slower than he would like.
Today started just like any other normal day. Like usual, he came to the class, sit down, and wait for lesson to begin. When Maya entered, the day continue as usual… until now that is.
"Well, today, I'll be introducing some transfer students, and there are two of them."
"Wha..."
"""WHAAAAAT...!?""""
On hearing the introduction of transfer students, everyone in the class exploded. Can't be helped, to the class that feeds on gossip even during their meals, it's to be expected that they would be shocked now that a transfer student slipped past their information network, and there are two of them.
"Excuse me."
"…"
The moment the class saw the two transfer students, the buzzing quietened down. That's to be expected. That's because one of them-is a guy.
"I'm Charles Dunois from France. I'm not too familiar with this country, so please take care of me."
One of the transfer students, Charles, smiles and bows to everyone after saying that. Everyone in the class is stunned. Mikazuki doesn't really understand their reaction. For him, it's just another guy. For the class though, it's another thing entirely.
"A, a guy...?"
Someone muttered.
"Yes. I heard that there's someone in the same situation as me here. So I transferred here from my country."
He has a face that's easily approachable, courteous, a fine and proper body, bright blond hair on his head-that's neatly tied behind. His body is also so thin that one may feel that it's too skinny, very different from the only other blonde male that Mikazuki knew.
"No..."
"What?"
"NO WAY-!"
"A MALE STUDENT! A SECOND MALE STUDENT AT THAT!"
"AND HE'S IN OUR CLASS!"
Everyone began shouting, much to Mikazuki's annoyance, though by now he's already used to it. Their daily gossiping and shouting have become a part of his daily life that he's actually expecting to get irritated at least once every day. And like every other day, a certain teacher would stand up and discipline them.
"THAT'S ENOUGH, SETTLE DOWN AND SHUT UP!"
"Ev-Everyone please be quiet. We haven't ended the self-introduction~!"
After being pointed out by Maya, the students turn their attention to the other transfer student. She has shiny silver hair that's almost white, and the hair's almost reaching her waist. Also, she has an eyepatch on her left eye; not a surgical one, but a real black eyepatch like what pirates and military people would wear. Though the other opened eye is red, hidden in it is a seemingly endless zero degrees celsius.
The impression she gives with her attire doesn't need much description. She's a 'soldier'. But when Mikazuki look up to her, he sees more than just a simple 'soldier'. When his eyes met with the transfer student's, he immediately understood, and he knew that she also saw the same thing as he did.
They are of the same breed.
"I'm Laura Bodewig."
She introduced herself simply. To the class, they only learned her name. But to Mikazuki, he had learned about her more than what the whole class could ever hope to before she even uttered the first syllable.
So I covered Dan (Shino) and Rin's interaction a bit. Rin acts differently with Dan than she did with Ichika in canon. There's more dere between him and Dan than tsun but this is mostly because she has no competition and Dan (Shino) is very different from canon Ichika. Dan has problems and Rin knew it. More about them will be revealed as the arc goes. And of course there is the meeting between Dan (Shino) and Ichika (Mikazuki) in this arc.
Mcgillis is also advancing the development of new units. We finally get a glimpse of Barbatos Nero in this chapter and it mostly looks like Barbatos Lupus but with Rex's head and tail blade. Its arms is a downsized version Rex's but without the sub-arm extension. There will be more additions in the future and of course, upgrades. And I also teased some new units. Gremory Magius is Akira's unit. If anyone here knew where Akira came from, they would know what other unit I base this one on. And then there is the Phenex and Agares. Agares and Phenex will be original designs but based on existing units in the Gundam series... mostly.
And finally there is the arrival of Laura and Charles. Take a guess whether this Charles is a disguised Charlotte or a real male. To be honest, this part was supposed to be Rin transferring to Lafter's class but I have no idea what to put there other than a short introduction so I skipped it and put this in instead and I have to admit, this will be interesting. I didn't put much thought about Laura before but after this scene where Laura and Mika recognize each other for what they are, I think I will enjoy writing their interaction very much. I can say that it will be very different compared to canon Laura and Ichika.
CrazyCriticer46: Dialogue can be the hardest part sometimes. And an IS x Gundam Wing crossover with Ichika as Heero? That is interesting.
Xamusel - Gamma 11: Shino.
IronPen1991: I think it will get easier from now on. The Tatenashi/Mcgillis part of the story is always the most difficult due to their complicated relationship as well as their ambition. But since this arc will mostly feature Mika's side of the story, it should be easier. We will also see more reincarnated Tekkadan and Turbines since I'm gonna use the Laura arc to develop them.
Spartastic 4: I don't know if Shino will enroll in ISA. Most likely not. And I'll watch out for my tenses... maybe. I'm mostly writing on instinct.
omega9028: Rustal and Julietta won't appear. Don't know about the other antagonists though. I'll see who can fit.
epikphael: Don't get too excited. It will be a long time until Dan (Shino) would pilot Ryusei-go again. It's part of his character development.
Czar Joseph: Yeah, their relationship is complicated. And Barbatos is almost ready to wreak havoc once more!
GuestGundam: Really? I feel like I could've done better with them though. And yeah, Ichika in canon is... well, annoying.
GBF93: Difficulty between them means difficulty for me. Sadly, I can't rush their relationship or it will ruin the pace. Hmm, yes, Urdr Hunt's Gundam Marchosias (Hajiroboshi but I'm going to use it's supposed devil name) might appear in the future. By the way, Tatenashi does have a team. They consist of the Nohotoke sisters and Kanzashi. Meanwhile, Mcgillis only have Akira (Mika is cooperating but ultimately, he is not Macky's subordinate) though I might add Isurugi in the future.
AGundamFan: Probably gonna call her Katana. As for Kanzashi's opinion of Macky and Mika, we'll have to wait until it's their turn. Rather than Mcgillis, the thing about how a Japanese became a Russian representative is what bothers me about Tatenashi. As for Houki... she'll have more development in this arc. And yes, I did imply that battle.