Opening song: YG - I Got a Question Ft. Lil Wayne

Time: 7:30PM - Stadium

Rin and Liu trained in their IS, flying in directions to land a direct hit. Rin's Ryuhou prevented Liu to get in close combat, forcing him to shoot her at different angles. Rin has superior training, deflecting his mid-range attacks. Liu could not come up with other attacks besides shooting. Rin loses her temper when under-performed, but she has better combat senses than Liu. He fears little in a fight, but Liu rarely used his head to overwhelm his opponents with gunfire instead of being subtle or use proper skills.

"Is that all you got?" Rin ridiculed at Liu's basic strikes, charging her Souten Gagetsu. The blade swiped Liu's Venom Slug out of his hands, drawing his Rattler. Rin was too fast for Liu, slapping it away. Left with the CQC knife, they locked in places as Rin pushed Liu back further. Liu lunged forward to stab, but she knew it coming, parrying the attack. As they traded blows, Rin had the upper advantage to prepare her finishing blow.

"Time to end this!" Rin raised her Souten Gagetsu up high for an overhead strike. As the blade traveled down Liu's head, he foolhardy blocked his face with his small knife against the giant scimitars. On spur of moment, a beam saber generated through the metal blade, making a dent on the scimitars. Liu did not expect some source of power to appear like magic. Taking advantage of the new power, Liu jabbed and sliced consecutively. Liu appeared to turn the tables around as Rin put more effort against the beam saber.

"Bitch, don't get too cocky with that new weapon of yours!"

Rin made a disappointing comeback by firing her Ryuhou. Liu crash landed, and his energy shield immediately went to zero. Rin expected Liu to withstand at least five hits, but one hit ended the fight. Rin showed Liu the onboard footage of the fight, where she dominated the fight.

"You need to work on your defense," Rin was perturbed at Liu's performance. "It's barely noticeable, and you got KO from one hit."

"Shit, girl, thanks for the notice, but I'm learning the blocks."

By the time Liu refurbished his energy shields, Rin sparred once again until Liu learned how to learn justifiable defense tactics. After excruciating minutes flew by, Rin concluded the training session. Liu's beam saber was Sockdolager's advanced weaponry that can increase its speed. Liu sort of got the hang of the essential skills to pilot an IS, but still nowhere close as Rin and Cecilia's abilities. After getting cleaned up, Liu and Rin read their IS textbooks, jotting notes on the notebooks. Liu wasn't having a good time studying, groaned at the diagram of an IS. "Does an IS have to be complicated to understand?"

"That's how IS's are made," replied Rin, writing notes on her paper. "You think an IS can be complete by Lego pieces? Doesn't work that way."

The night was quiet in the IS Academy and midterms were coming up tomorrow. Three days ago, all classes had ended and study period began. Liu was in IS Academy for a month, but he understood the basic topics Chifuyu and Maya lectured. He was given an option from Chifuyu and Maya an extra day to study for the midterms, but Liu declined because he wanted to get it over with.

"Combat Theory, Physics and Math are the subjects I have no problem with," said Liu, twirling his pen. "Not the IS structure that's filled with doo-hickey bullshit."

"How about quit complaining and study?" Rin suggested.

"Fine." Liu mumbled as he re-read the diagram of an IS, highlighting important texts. After a few minutes, he closed his textbook to take a break.

"IS somehow relates to a human body," said Liu. "The difference is it runs on machines of course, not organs."

"If you're awake, and not sleep during class, you should be fine." said Rin as Liu mocked her by imitating her mouth. "Kiss my ass."

Liu blew a kiss to get on Rin's nerve, but he didn't really mean it, just for jokes, and his stomach growled. "I'm starving, but I'm not buying food at the cafeteria because it's a rip-off. How about cooking food here?"

"Sure. You want sweet and sour pork?"

"No thanks, I'll have Nikujaga. I'll cook the rice."

They walked towards the kitchen to they prepare the food. Liu stared at Rin slicing the potatoes with a knife, and chuckled, washing the rice.

"What are you laughing at?" said Rin, annoyed.

Liu smirked when Rin looked back. "Nothing. It's just that you look pretty when you cook. I think you'll be great to run a restaurant like your parents did."

Rin blushed hearing the word "pretty".

"Oh, umm how thoughtful of you."

"Rin, I have to say thanks for saving my ass in China, who knows what would have happen to me?"

"I guess. What I want to know is why Three Dragons is after you and Sockdolager?"

"Three Dragons tried to kill me over Sockdolager and the money he claimed I stole from him."

"Did you really do that?"

"No, that pok gai set this up because in reality, we fought over who had it first. Asshole made a deal to end the dispute, which was a fluke to get me killed."

They finished preparing the food as they walk to the table, ate Nikujaga in silence. For the first time, Liu was able to live in a normal life. He made amends to Ichika, and greeted him warmly instead of a hostile. Every time Liu hung out with Ichika and his friends, he gained connection to humanity. After eating dinner, Rin washed the dishes and, Liu head straight to bed.

"Jou tau, Rin."

"Goodnight, Liu."

Time: 8:00AM – Room 1-1

During the midterm sessions, students were in their classrooms, glancing through their exams, but Liu was fully prepared, bubbling the correct answers. As hours fly by, the midterms were coming to an end. When Liu received his grades on the computer, he got A's and a B+ in Chifuyu's class. He was satisfied with his grades and shut off his computer.

On the way out, Chifuyu leaned against the wall. "Liu, nice job on getting good grades. You should have taken my offer to get an A in my class."

"Thanks, Orimura sensei, but I don't need it." Liu replied.

"Very well then, remember what I said to you, and have a good one."

Time: 8:20AM - Stadium

2 IS flew high in the sky as Rin's Ryuhou fired shots at Ichika. He dodged the compressed air bullets to counterattack with his Yukihara Type 2. She used her Souten Gagetsu to block the attack. The fight continues, and Rin continuously fired lasers, but it missed, again.

He took his particle cannon and fired back. Rin frantically dodged from being shot at before raising her scimitars in a overhead strike. Ichika's particle cannon landed a direct hit, sending her flying to the ground.

"I can do this!" said Ichika, firing his particle cannon at Rin. She rose back up to go frontal assault.

They squared off, flying from corner to corner in many directions. Rin and Ichika traded blows, both of them were not giving up.

"The first practical training of the 2nd semester," said Maya. "These two seem very enthusiastic."

"Yeah." said Chifuyu in an unenthusiastic tone. Liu wasn't sure why Chifuyu didn't fully agree with Maya's remark. He want to chime in, but he didn't want to interrupt at the wrong time.

"Once again Ichika is the dominant one in this battle." Liu stood in silence, watching Ichika attacking Rin with full force.

"Orimura-sensei, do you really think he's going to win? From what I'm seeing, I think Rin might lose."

"No, Liu and Maya, that idiot has no strategy and is being too reckless."

Rin and Ichika breathed heavily, ready to attack again. Ichika, in kamae stance was ready to strike. "Rin, the next one will end it." He charged at Rin, which she strikes back. He attacked her without holding back, sparks flied from his sword, but suddenly, his shield depleted to 0. His sword ran out of power, and Ichika couldn't believe in his eyes until Rin threw her scimitars that struck his shoulders.

"You're using your shield too much!" said Rin, aiming her Impact Cannons at Ichika, and shot him.

Time: 8:38AM - Men's Locker Room

"I was so close to winning." said Ichika. "I guess I need to work on fuel consumption..." He was about to leave until a pair of hands covered his eyes.

"Guess who!" said a female voice.

"Huh? Heh? Ahhh!? Who the heck is that?"

"Times up!" He turned around, and saw a teenage girl with short blue hair and red eyes. Ichika questioned the girl he has never seen before. "Umm, who are you?" The girl grinned and walked away.

"See ya! You'll be in trouble if you don't show up in Miss Orimura's class on time!" Ichika looked at the time: 8:40, and quickly got dressed as he dashed to his class.

Time: 8:43AM - Room 1-1

Ichika did not arrive to Chifuyu's class on time as she stood there, arms folded like a boss threatening to fire an employee.

"So...is that your excuse for being late?" Chifuyu questioned. Ichika made an excuse to Chifuyu, clearly not in a mood. "Well, so basically, this unknown female student, and she umm, ehhh, gaahh..." Chifuyu had enough hearing Ichika's feeble attempt to ease her. "So you were late because you prioritized a conversation with some girl you had never met?"

"N-no, that's not it!" Chifuyu was at her limit as she turned towards Charlotte.

"Dunois! Show the class the Rapid Switch."

"The what?!" Ichika was bewildered when she obeyed her orders. Charlotte was in her IS less than 1 second. Ichika couldn't comprehend the sudden change.

"C-Charlotte?"

"Is there something wrong? Let us begin!" Charlotte opened fire on Ichika as punishment for being late to class.

"AAAUUUGGGHHH!"

9:00AM - School Assembly

Students lined up with Ichika, worn out from his punishment as the intercom voiced over the assembly. "Ladies and gentlemen of the IS Academy, please standby for an address from your student council."

The girl walked towards the stage to make her announcement. "Well well, things have been hectic this year, so I haven't been able to properly introduce myself yet. My name is Tatenashi Sarashiki, the head of all students." Ichika's eyes widened when Tatenashi winked back at him.

"So, as the school festival coming up this month, I wish you all good luck, deciding what you want to do as a class." She folded her fan that read, "Deadline Coming Soon."

Time: 9:42AM - Room 1-1

The students chatted about ideas they wanted for the school festival. After debating the ideas, Maya chose 5 ideas on the board, which were:

1. Ichika Orimura's Host Club

2. Twister with Ichika Orimura

3. Pocky Play with Ichika Orimura

4. The King Game with Ichika Orimura

5. Dunk Tank with Ichika Orimura

Ichika looked at the ideas, which he clearly does not like. "All the suggestions for our class entertainment are...rejected!"

"WHAT!?" The students uproar in unison, and Liu was surprised to see Ichika rejecting the ideas for the school festival.

"Are you stupid or what? Who would want to do stuff like that anyway?" Ichika demanded before looking at Liu. "And you! Was that your idea of me in a dunk tank?"

"Maybe, maybe not." Liu acted innocent as few girls giggled at his comment.

"I would! I'm sure I would!" said the student.

"Tsk..tsk..buu-what?!"

"She's right! It's your duty to please us!"

"But-but.."

"Ichika is our common property!" replied another student. The classmates agreed the comments, demanded the ideas not be rejected. Ichika stammered, looking at Maya for suggestions.

"Miss Yamada, you can't be serious to approve these ludicrous ideas, would you?"

"Well...I'd like the one with the Pocky." replied Maya. Ichika gave up, and turned back to his classmates.

"What I mean is I need something more normal, and no, Liu, we'll not have your 5th idea."

"How about the maid cafe?" Laura suggested. The classmates looked at Laura's new idea.

"I'm sure its going to be received well. Besides, an eatery will let you earn back the money you spend on it. Charlotte thought for a while, and agreed to the proposal.

"Good idea. Why don't we have Ichika to be either a butler or a chef?" Charlotte commented.

"Ichika? As a butler? That sounds great!" another student replied. Ichika's eyes widened again.

"It's decided we'll have the maid cafe!" said the student. The classmates clapped, and Ichika sighed. Liu may have not gotten what he wanted, but a maid cafe was enough to satisfy him.

Time: 10:37AM - Stadium

Class two students in their Uchigane lined up together as they listen to Liu about long range combat. The others trained the rest of Class two students. "You guys know how to engage close combat, but when you face a long range fighter, that's a disadvantage."

Liu activated Venom Slug to show the classmates. "This here is Venom, .55 cal bullpup assault rifle, the jack of all trades."

Kiyoka Aikawa raised her hand. "A katana should be enough in a battle, and we don't have firearms like you."

"Maya and I provide them. Deflecting projectiles with a sword is possible, but those with experience can accomplish it easily. Let me show you what I mean."

Liu motioned Kiyoka in battle position. Liu fired three shots at Kiyoka that she deflect with ease. He fired few more shots where she had no struggle, but eventually, it was too much, and nearly lost her balance. "Refined close combat skills, or outsmart your foes are the ways to overcome long range fighters."

He laid out a row of firearms and targets. "Firing from the hip and spraying bullets all over the place can't guarantee your target a hit."

Liu hip fired at the targets, few bullets scored a hit.

"See what I mean? I sprayed bullets all over. Pick your targets by aiming wittingly down your sights."

The students took the firearms, aimed down their sights, and fired at the targets. It took them a while to get the hang of it, but a few minutes later, they got the concept.

"You want your targets to go down? Aim down your sights. I don't know who's into long range, but maybe some of you might find this handy."

While the students practice shooting, Chifuyu took over to teach the students. "Liu, you may proceed, I'll take it from here. Although you might want to observe how Tatenashi trains Ichika, Cecilia, and Charlotte, you might learn a thing or 2."

Laura walked towards Liu, still questioning his firearms credential skills. "You may have impressed the students, but that'll take more for me to respect you."

Liu stepped back, ready to reveal more. "Still not buying my abilities? It all started when my guys supplied a shipment of guns. We learn how to use them, modify it, but not in combat. An armored car heist was the idea, and the last time I saw my friends."

Flashback

Liu and three robbers Hong, Zhang, and Xu in black boiler suits sat quietly in a Florett Silver metallic Audi A6. Xu was the oldest of all, a twenty two year old that guided them weapons, despite being teens. They were searching for an armored truck to rob, and can't fail. They rehearsed it numerous times to get it right. They readied their guns with various accessories. Liu checked his AKMSU with "jungle-style" taped magazines for functionality.

"Stay frosty, my friends." Xu said as they wore old woman silicone masks. The car parked behind the armored truck, and they jumped out, incapacitated the guards before they called backup. Liu dismantled the safe, securing the loot onto duffel bags.

Xu listened to the police scanner when he picked up a dispatch radioed in. His left fingertips touched the Ruger P90 concealed underneath the steering wheel.

"Officers in the area, a robbery in progress. Suspects may be armed and dangerous." Xu was little unnerved hearing the cops closing in soon. While the robbers were on lookout, they apparently didn't take notice of the driver who snuck out, and used Hong as a human shield.

"Get out of there! You and your friends are in big trouble." The guard commanded, pointing his Sig-Sauer pistol against Hong's spine.

Liu tried to reason the guard to stand down. "Let's not make this hasty, let him go, or else you'll get hurt."

The trigger-happy guard was beyond listening, overeager to take down Liu and his crew, despite the odds four against one.

"You put your gun away, you're mine, pr.." He was cut short by small burst of rounds to the chest when he refused to comply. Liu didn't want to kill the guard, but he was forced to do so when the guard's finger was on the trigger, intending to kill Hong.

While they leave the scene, Xu questioned the commotion Liu caused. "I heard gunshots, what happened?"

"Goddamn it, I fucking told you!" Zhang reprimanded at Liu.

"Fucking shut the hell up, alright?! His finger was on the trigger, almost pulled it!" said Liu, unhappy killing a guard. Hong scanned the area to make sure they weren't being tailed, clutching the HK G36C with red dot sight.

However, a police car around the block had its sirens on.

"Aww fuck, they must have heard it." Zhang said, cocking the QBZ-95 with reflex optic. Xu floored the accelerator, his right side wheels bounced over the curb, trying to evade the police car.

The overlapping screams from the sirens were closing the gap, causing Xu to take evasive maneuvers, nearly spun out from a sharp left turn. He bullied his way through traffic that didn't slow down the executive car

4 more police cars joined the chase, but that only made Liu and his crew agitated. A bus blocked their path, and Xu pulled a 180-degree powerslide, facing a battalion of police cars head on. Cops surrounded them with weapons drawn.

"Driver, throw your keys out and show me your hands!" the police officer ordered. People immediately abandoned their cars to flee for their lives. Xu looked at Hong and Zhang, then at the cops.

"Last warning, out of the vehicle, hands.." Hong leaned out of the window, released a large burst of weapon fire, spraying up the police cars with bullet holes and also destroying the engine blocks, sending the officers scrambling for cover. As cops return fire, Liu fired at the pursuing police, and some retreat to save their injured colleagues.

Zhang fired his QBZ-95 at the cops pinning down the crew, and hollered at Xu. "Get us out of here!"

Xu plowed through the parked cars, as they're in pursuit once again with additional police cars giving chase. Xu slammed the brakes to damage a police car, and sideswipe onto a parked car.

"Goodbye!" Hong taunted at the pursuing cops. The smaller police cars manage to put some damage, but its German design kept the car from dying out.

Running out of options, Xu came up a solution. "This is our last goodbye, we'll have to split up, along with the money. That'll give cops a harder lead to catch."

"Are you out of your mind? Cops won't give up that easily!" Hong argued.

"We have no choice, it's do or jail time!" Zhang protested.

They ran hard, but squadrons of police cars show up every step they took. Endured stress sends them in panic mode with no chance to think thoroughly. They took their loot, and Liu lay down suppressive fire to give his crew time to escape.

Suddenly, three identical black Mercedes Benz S550 pulled up with doors open. Hong, Zhang, Xu went inside, and drove off in separate ways. Liu threw an M26 Grenade at his pursuers, and the cops ran for cover as the Bouncing Betty exploded. Liu saw the glimpse of the fading taillights of the three Mercedes, and took off. They outran the cops at the cost of going separate ways for good.

Present Time

"That was the last time I saw them, and that moment to use guns for real. I don't know if they survived the ordeal, but who knows?" Liu concluded his story while Laura thought for a while to believe it.

"Is that so? A person who never uses guns through the entire life until the day began."

"No joke, the first time I used a gun, it was like a roller coaster coming down that drop, and never stopping."

"Yet you didn't use it to inflict harm on others." Laura said.

"Yes, anyone can point a gun and shoot, but on a living organism, that's different."

A/N: 'Pok gai' and 'Jou tau' are Cantonese words. Pok gai has many meanings, primarily go to hell, or bastards while Jou tau means good night.