Song: 21 Savage & Metro Boomin - No Heart
Time: 9:50PM – Kyoto Hotel
The fight, or better yet, the Battle of Kyoto nearly turned the vacation paradise into a barred wasteland. Phantom Task didn't hold back to assault IS Academy students and staff using any methods to accomplish the objective. Even if it cost civilians getting hurt in the process, that didn't matter to them. In the end, Phantom Task lost and retreat into the shadows. They lost Autumn that's now P.O.W. to IS Academy.
Ichika, Mattheus, Joel, and the girls went to their respective rooms to sleep. They were too tired to introduce themselves. As it stands now, they'll do so tomorrow morning. Rin and Liu reconciled in the private sauna thanks to Righteousness Union that took them far away from Chifuyu and the classmates. A long make out in a hot sauna was enough for them to fix their issues.
Liu's higher associates escorted them back to Chifuyu as promised. Rin wasn't sure how Chifuyu would debrief Liu, so she tagged along, despite his protest that he didn't want her to follow. When they enter Chifuyu's room, she was already there.
Rin and Liu gulped as she stared at them briefly. With a big cross pop-vein on her head, Chifuyu rolled up her left sleeve, and gave Liu a roundhouse kick to the jaw. Rin instinctively intervened, only to be punched in the stomach by Chifuyu. This was Liu's punishment for ditching IS Academy for selfish purposes. A clipboard slap wasn't enough to knock Liu into his senses, so Chifuyu opted for a nasty kick.
"You deserve that for leaving your classmates behind," said Chifuyu, quelling her anger. "We got a lot of work to do."
Liu obeyed immediately to not get pummeled again for disobeying Chifuyu because she's not in the mood for playing. Rin could only watch the two stare face to face.
"So, what do you want to talk about, Miss. Orimura?" Liu questioned the Brunhilde. "Is it about the current situation in Kyoto and Phantom Task, or do you want to talk about love?"
"As much as I hate seeing you acting reckless, I noticed you're not tired from fighting Phantom Task," Chifuyu replied, ignoring his remark. "You'll thank me later when we get down to business, and no, I don't need you finding a boyfriend for me."
Liu raised an eyebrow at the instructor that's partially bandaged on her left shoulder and bicep. "That's okay, I don't need to because me and Rin already confessed our true feelings."
Rin played with her fingers as Chifuyu's right eye slightly twitched at his bold remark. What Liu doesn't know was Chifuyu cooked something up to really make him tap out. They take a seat, and the grilling has begun.
"Why did you go on your own to take down Three Dragons? I have told you specifically not to let your vendettas get the best of you. From the ill fated heist, you also lost your buddies in the process."
Liu frowned at Chifuyu that she had to bring it up. "Three Dragons will do whatever he pleases if no one stopped him. You didn't do shit when I was here, but no, you sat behind the desk like an office worker."
Chifuyu glared at his remark as Rin trembled she'll smack Liu again. Instead, Chifuyu took 2 bottles of Köstritzer German black beer, and threw a bottle at him. It was rather unusual to give someone a drink even after he or she mouthed off the Brunhilde. Mattheus and Joel put Liu under control, but Chifuyu knew it wouldn't last for a long time, so it was up to her to put him back on track.
"Liu, you're an idiot for doing something that can get you in the media. I could have inform my men to take you away for the list of crimes you committed, but I'm giving you slack to not make Rin run amok."
Rin slightly nodded while they sip on the black beer. Chifuyu continued to ask questions.
"When you're on a field trip with your family, what did you see?"
"Me and my crew witnessed a money laundering poised as a car dealership, which Three Dragons owns one of his operations," Liu described the lot. "It houses laundered money, and as a bonus, they also have stolen weapons cache."
Liu wasn't done just yet as he explained his misguided field trip.
"List of people wanted dead for overdue debts, disputes, or bounty. There's high-scale drug and IS smuggling ring, and Three Dragons even kidnapped a wealthy businessman for a ransom, which he succeeded. Three Dragons has planned to utilize stolen IS for the purpose of destruction."
Chifuyu shook her head in disgust hearing Three Dragons' illegal operations.
"Criminals like you always look for a fight. Ready to kill those that look at them sideways. They think they're free of rules to do whatever they want without repercussions."
Liu agreed he's a criminal that will whack anyone that looked at him sideways. A statement of living rule free, he didn't fully agree because Liu has rules to follow under his family, and Rin. He broke some rules just to accomplish objectives, even if it cost him some repercussions, primarily from Rin.
Getting kicked by the instructor was his second punishment, which Liu deserved for being a dog.
"Liu King-Sang, even though we share mutual interests of taking down Three Dragons, there's a word that's called assistance. Ever thought of that when you lost your backup?"
Chifuyu gave a stern explanation no one would dare to talk back.
"I don't think you'll put the cuffs on me at all because that will make my family very unhappy, especially the boss. Am I right, Miss. Orimura?" Liu challenged the Brunhilde as if he wasn't afraid to die.
Chifuyu shook her head that Liu was almost like Mattheus the way he defy her many times. Righteousness Union doesn't take it kindly on anyone that would apprehend precious members to the slammer. In fact, Liu's associates listened carefully to make sure neither of them would do anything rash, and they'll take action to restore order.
"Three Dragons and I are in the same set, but we have different routes. He wants me dead to have his hands on Nightmare. I'll warn you this, Chifuyu. Three Dragons has some influence on the police department. Even your officers could be bribed or blackmailed into helping him and Phantom Task."
Chifuyu growled, tightening the grip on her drink before letting out a sigh.
"Isn't he a fine masterpiece?" said Chifuyu, drinking the alcohol. "You got anything else you want to show and tell?"
Liu shook his head since that was all of his evidence. "Other than Three Dragons' extensive connections, that's all I got, but you'll find this one pretty surprising. Joel nabbed Autumn that is now in IS Academy. That should brighten your mood to play detective."
"Autumn in IS Academy?" said Chifuyu with a twitchy eye. "As in she's a P.O.W.?"
"Yes, you can squeeze some vial information out of her," Liu explained casually. "I'm sure she'll crack immediately when you bring down the hammer."
Chifuyu took a breather, finishing up the bottle as she threw it away.
"She attempted to steal Byakushiki, and had the nerve to attack the students again. That'll do just for now, Liu."
Liu had the look to object Chifuyu's warning, but she glared with her menacing red eyes that made him think twice before Liu mouthed off again. Liu finished his bottle of black beer as the conversation came to an end.
"That's enough grilling out of you, Liu. You and Rin should get some rest."
Rin and Liu were about to leave until Chifuyu gave him a useful tip.
"Oh yeah, if you're going to take down Three Dragons, don't take him on in your own Triad, unless you know for a fact someone else is gonna back you up."
Rin took a sigh of relief Chifuyu bring Liu back to his senses as his associates escorted them back to their room. Liu removed his clothes to take a shower. With the hot water running, Liu washed himself with body soap, shampoo, and brushed his teeth. 5 minutes later, he stepped out of the bathroom, and Rin went in to clean herself up.
Wearing a gray tank top and black sweats, Liu laid on the bed. Rin freshened up in a bright pink pajama top with a cat imprinted. Her loose brown hair was something Liu liked to see. Rin cuddled to her boyfriend, wrapping his legs like a knot.
"What shampoo and body soap did you use?" Liu asked Rin, stroking her soft hair. "The products I used didn't have that smell, but regardless, you smell hella nice."
Rin smiled, snaking her arms around his shoulder. "Kracie Naïve Aloe body wash, and Ichikami Herbal shampoo."
Liu couldn't stop smelling the sweet scent while he brushed her beautiful hair. Rin stroke his tattoos she still admired the gorgeous colorful ink. She played a quick video clip on her IS in standby mode of Kaori going ballistic engulfed in flames. Nothing beats watching her going apeshit as they snickered at their hated enemy now turned into an annoyance. Liu wrapped his arms around her stomach, and kissed her in the lips.
"I'll promise you I won't leave you ever again, and keep certain secrets to ourselves."
"You better!" Rin tapped his forehead, and returned the kiss. "Good night, Liu."
Liu rubbed her head as he turned off the lights, and snoozed throughout the night until...
Snap.
"Ooww...! Oh no..."
Time: 11:46PM – Phantom Task Hideout
"Ah~the water feels nice!" Daryl exclaimed, swimming naked in the pool at a special floor of a high-class hotel.
"Aunt Squall is the leader of Phantom Task, and this treatment is rather different."
Squall, lying on the edge of the pool revealed a bitter smile when she heard her niece talked about her.
"Are you being sarcastic? I prefer you don't call me aunt, or our identities might be leaked."
"W-what's wrong?" Forte questioned sitting on a buoy butt naked, although Squall wore a swimsuit. The girls weren't alone in the private pool, Squall accompanied 4 of her bodyguards in suits for security purposes. Their weapons of choice were shortened AKMS, and HK UMP45. It was small, but not too big to guard two agents and the leader.
Daryl looked back at the bodyguard with a flirtatious look, but the poker face bodyguard was unaffected by her charm. Stone cold, void of emotions were the words to describe Squall's bodyguards. Sure they're not the best type to have a chat, but they're very efficient doing their job.
"Autumn is such a slow poke, I told her to bring Madoka here."
"Daryl, don't harass my bodyguards, they're not here to play with you," Squall warned, removing her aviator shades. "It's a shame Autumn got detained by IS Academy all thanks to the English first year student, and her little brat."
Squall frowned that her companion was now being detained. Her troops were also killed in action assisting Autumn, and Squall holds regards for their lives. Even though the ground troops were considered expandable, Squall doesn't like seeing her beloved troops killed every time they're deployed.
"Hold on tight, Autumn, I'm coming to get you soon," said Squall as her eyes appeared angry, but anxious at the same time. She got up from her pool chair to save her lover. The way Squall moved, she was not her usual self.
"We can only wait for an opportunity to come, Aunt Squall."
Rain said with a teasing tone as a female bodyguard whispered something into Squall's ear. She understood the situation and motioned 2 bodyguards to accompany her.
"Squall, it's time for inspection," said the female bodyguard. "New troops are ready to act upon your command."
2 bodyguards stepped outside to guard the entrance as Daryl and Forte get in closer with lustful smiles they kissed each other.
Squall wore her formal red dress, and her bodyguards walked down the stairs into a hanger, where technicians worked on IS units as IS pilots give directions. Troops carried boxes of equipment, inspecting their fresh arsenals, and by the time Squall arrived, they immediately stopped working.
Madoka appeared fine, and snapped her finger so loud the troops, IS pilots, and technicians lined up in formation. Squall and Madoka inspected the servants; they're squeaky clean, and have fierce loyalty.
"We waged a war against IS Academy to kill personal IS users," Squall said with her hands on her back. "The objective was a failure because we underestimated the capabilities of our enemies. Autumn is now P.O.W. to IS Academy, and we must retrieve her as soon as possible. Given the fact IS Academy won't yield that easily, we'll have to be cautious when approaching an enemy turf."
The troops and technicians didn't budge as they respond with slow nods while the charismatic Squall continued. "Don't be too hard on yourselves, those IS users aren't mere amateurs which you're not used to see compared to military IS pilots. In the end, I gathered enough combat information for you guys and gals to use. Everyone is free to use them as you please."
Squall's top underlings presented data information about Ichika and the whole gang. The information is very sensitive, and Phantom Task got their hands on it to turn the tables around. While they studied the strengths and weaknesses, they saved as much information as possible on their software like grabbing candies on Trick-or-Treat.
Phantom Task troops aren't exactly private military company or mercenaries; they're crooks recruited around the world to serve Phantom Task for big sum of reward. Trained in the art of surprise, and urban warfare tactics, they hit hard, and distinguish themselves to confuse enemies. They'll go even further to disguise as law enforcement officers or emergency service members.
Madoka nodded in approval for passed inspection as Squall closed her eyes. She had something up her sleeves, ready to reveal it.
"You may come out now."
The hangar doors open, and 30 troops walked in resembling Hong Kong Special Duties Unit or Shadow Company soldiers. These soldiers wore dark Navy Blue uniforms and Marengo light plate carrier, black balaclavas, tactical goggles attached to their ballistic helmets. Some wore gas mask to protect themselves from chemical warfare and distinguish themselves. They also appeared to have other equipment, such as extra magazines, concussion grenades, flares, etc. They're heavily armed, highly trained and extremely dangerous.
Their weapon of choice is HK MP5A3 with weapon lights, the widely used 9mm Submachine gun, but they also have modern weapons in their disposals. Up next were 6 IS pilots in Ultramarine Rafale Revive Custom II stood behind the soldiers. What stood out to them was their heavy equipment that looked intimidating. It ranged from battle-axe, medieval lance, shield bits, machine guns, and heat seeker missile pods, even an AIC copied off of Schwarzer Regen. Their extensive customization was beyond legal status for the purpose of destruction.
Squall could have deployed these heavily armed men and women earlier from Battle of Kyoto, but she didn't in order to gather combat data. Since Squall, Autumn and Madoka gathered sufficient data, it was time to debut them.
"It has a long uninteresting name. I just took to calling it…Lion," said Squall, pointing the head Lion soldier with two yellow stripes on her shoulder pads. "And yes, it does come in yellow."
Hologram Ichika and the gang materialized, charging at the Lion tactical units with live weaponry. Lion troops in groups of 5 covered their commando IS pilot, and opened fire. The head Lion operator slapped the handle back down on her MP5A3 to load a bullet in the chamber, squeezing the trigger. Hail of bullets hammered down as the hologram targets evaded the attack. The fake Houki slashed beam sabers as the ground troops raised their ballistic shields to protect the commando pilots.
They took the hit, but quickly recovered thanks to their heavy armory. This tactic was done to wear out IS users to give commando IS pilots the time to take them down. They charged head on, unleashing heavy assault without stopping at all. Their strength was very exceptional that matched the capabilities of personal IS users.
A Lion IS pilot charged beam of energy on her lance, and thrust at Laura and Mattheus, destroying them into pieces. Another IS pilot used her shield bit to deflect Cecilia's barrage of gunfire at high rate of speed without breaking a sweat. Lion troops fired their QJY-88 5.8x42mm heavy round Chinese light machine gun for suppressive fire, damaging their target's energy shields.
What's scary was the Lion tactical unit figured out the fighting patterns of Ichika and the gang quickly, pinpointing their strengths and weaknesses. With the information obtained, they can strengthen their fellow troops and IS pilots to be more lethal.
"Okay," said Madoka, folding her arms at the show and tell. "That's your plan to rescue Autumn from the hands of IS Academy?"
Squall smiled with content. "Regular troops wouldn't be able to handle Ichika and the others like last time. Think of the Lion as extra resistance to give us a bigger break."
Madoka was rather unimpressed with the new arsenal Phantom Task has to offer. I can rescue Autumn without any backup like last time. She looked up at Squall, her locket opened, revealing a picture of Chifuyu.
The captain approached to Squall for further orders. "When do you us to rescue Autumn from her captives, Squall?"
Squall gently patted the captain's armored shoulders. Squall knows how desperate she is to get her lover, but right now, it's not the appropriate time.
"Wait until the heat has died down, my dear. It's best we lay low for a while from the raid on Kyoto."
The captain nodded as she walked to her fellow men and women.
"There's too much heat going on due to our assault that caused a lot of attention," the captain said, putting away her gun. "We don't take action until her say so. That means no attacking IS Academy, even if Autumn cracks. We'll get her back on track, is that clear?"
"Yes!" The Lion troops and IS pilots said in unison. Formality wasn't required to address each other since they're not in the military; a simple yes or no was enough to answer questions.
"M," Squall said. "Tell Daryl and Forte to stop what they're doing, we all need to get our beauty sleep."
Madoka obeyed as she walked away while Squall adjusted her dress. "Sleep tight, my servants."
Squall truly cared for her workers as shown when she told them not to take the failed objective too hard. Squall's servants were dismissed while she and her bodyguards went back to her room.
Madoka wished she didn't want to baby-sit the lovers. Madoka groaned when Daryl and Forte were going at it so loud she could hear them as she made her way up.
"Mmmm…aaahhh…!"
Daryl moaned as Forte groped her F-cup breasts, playing her nipples hard as AK bullets. Daryl raised her head to lick and nibbled the ear and neck of Forte.
Forte used her fingers to insert Daryl's womanhood, stimulating her lover more and more. Daryl threw her head back from the pleasure and sucked on Forte's petite breasts like a vacuum cleaner. Making gargling noises from her sloppy foreplay, Forte tried to keep her mouth shut, but the pleasure was too much for her, and she yelped.
"Uuuuuu! Hughhh…"
Forte made lewd noises from the irresistible desires while she continued fingering Daryl. The moist and slapping noises from the furious foreplay echoed. Outside, bodyguards stood stiff as mannequins, clutching their firearms to let the agents finish. Forte kissed Daryl's mouth, enjoying on how much it feels good to make out her senpai with no limits.
The rubbing of their baby pale skins only sensationalized both Daryl and Forte to wrestle their saliva filled tongues.
"Aaaahhh!"
Forte grabbed Daryl's bubbly behind, and smacked them like bongos. Her butt jiggled from the spanking that made Daryl more lustful to pull Forte's braided ponytail, kissing and licking her innocent looking face.
Their make out session sent them into system overload while they shared another deep kiss. Sounds of moist mouth locking in with each other and moaning filled the empty pool. Daryl caressed Forte in the armpit while she rubbed against her waist. Daryl and Forte couldn't stop showing love, and taking a break was out of the question. Daryl furiously rubbed Forte in the thighs, and the poor petite Greece girl screamed in delight.
"GAAHH!" Forte was on the verge of releasing her juices, not before she spanked Daryl once more. As they were about to finish, Madoka opened the door that interrupted them, effectively ruining their final piece of the puzzle. Daryl and Forte groaned at Ichika's sister that had to ruin the fun.
Madoka shook her head at the lovers. "It's past your bedtime, lovebirds, You're making way too much ruckus."
"Oohh poo!" Daryl pouted, crossing her arms. "Why do you have to be such a party crasher?"
"You're no fun at all, M," said Forte, wiping tears off her face. "I'm telling Squall!"
"Not going to happen, everyone's sleeping right now. Or do I have to spell it out?"
Madoka partial deployed optical drones aimed at the butt naked lovers to make her point. Daryl and Forte knew Madoka was not to be fucked with, and complied as they got out of the pool. Madoka withdrew her drones while the bodyguards escorted the birthday suit agents to their respective rooms.
Time: 10:30 AM - Stadium
Ichika and the gang were finally back in IS Academy from the wild vacation they had. Thanks to Phantom Task that made a grand entry to kick up the fun, Kyoto was under major repairs to undue the damages. Luckily, everyone survived from the horrific incident, and Liu was back to his senses thanks to Chifuyu.
Class started as usual, followed by a training session with IS classmates. At the Stadium, Class 1-1 and 1-2 stood in formation with Chifuyu in her jogging suit. Cecilia looked around, and noticed Liu was not around.
"Where's Liu?"
Chifuyu said. "He pulled a muscle on his right forehand, so he won't be joining us today. Don't worry, Liu is still around for something else because you're in for a surprise."
That was true because something was about to turn things upside down when they see a Flemish man, and a young Irish boy.
"I would like to introduce you to Mattheus Adjzof, and Joel Pearce, your combat instructors!" Maya proudly announced.
Mattheus wore a dark gray sweater with a hoodie, and denim jeans. The classmates were slightly shocked seeing their new instructors because Mattheus was a third male pilot next to Ichika and Liu. Ichika stood silently with a small grin as the girls had confused expressions on their faces.
"Combat instructor, eh?" Laura folded her arms, unimpressed with the Flemish man. "Chifuyu-sensei is the best instructor out in the world. We don't need another one."
Undeterred by her challenge, Mattheus nodded his head to make his point.
"In case you haven't remembered, Maya beat Rin and Cecilia 2 on 1 to demonstrate her capabilities. Would you like to make a rerun?"
Rin and Cecilia frowned that they got whooped by Maya that had a basic IS. However, Laura was determined to test her new instructor's patience.
"I'm not convinced of your credibility," said Laura, deploying Schwarzer Regen. "You'll never be like Chifuyu. Show me what you got!"
Classmates nervously stood back because they know how dangerous Laura can be in combat mode. Mattheus sighed, deploying Lavathenian that he didn't want to do it, but he had no choice.
"Don't say I warned you, Laura. You'll show me the proper respect as us instructors."
They soared into the air with Laura hack and slash with beam sabers. Mattheus drew Goedendag, his long spear as he parried Laura's furious attacks. As they traded blows, Chifuyu calmly looked over her students to provide commentary.
"This is Joel Pearce, the young genius that created Lavathenian specifically for Mattheus."
Chifuyu pointed Joel watching the battle while the young punk ate popcorn at the same time. The classmates were shocked that a twelve year old that created Lavathenian.
"It's smaller than the usual IS that has less energy shields, and doesn't match the power capacity. Don't be fooled because it makes up for agility, wide variety of arsenals that can be lethal with the right hands. Think of it as a hit and run personnel, or put it this way, a ninja that never reveals his plans."
Joel chimed in. "Lavathenian is a Generation X IS created by my hands. Weapons are AK-47, Spas-12, Chasseur, pistol, and bolt action sniper rifle. My personal favorite is White Death, named after Simo Häyhä. Thing is a cannon that can bring an IS down to its knees in a second. Like Chifuyu said, Lavathenian's arsenals doesn't match the power compared to an IS, but it's enough to put some damage."
As Chifuyu and Joel finished their commentary, a big pile of smoke erupted, and down goes Laura hurling down the ground, and crashed, creating a giant crater hole. Laura was dazed from Mattheus's surprise Spas-12 blast to the gut. She wasn't hurt too bad thanks to Schwarzer Regen's defenses, but her pride was greatly damaged.
Mattheus helped Laura back on her feet, which she turned her head away in embarrassment, growling that Chifuyu would poke fun at her loss.
"I hope this demonstration would help you understand what your new instructor is capable of," Chifuyu said with her hands behind her back. "And knowing that, showing us instructors the proper respect."
Classmates stare in awe at Mattheus's strengths as he pointed at the Uchiganes lined in formation. Class has begun as his first day of teaching classmates.
"By now, you have some familiarity of using Uchigane. You should know how to get in and out of it without any assistance. It's a common mistake for riders, but under my instructions, you'll be stronger than before."
Mattheus directed towards Ichika as he jumped in Uchigane with one leap without a slipup. The classmates were in awe of his appearance, but Mattheus wasn't going to let them be hypnotized by him.
"Ladies, get inside Uchigane without any assistance," Mattheus said with a stern voice. "We won't be amused if you can't complete the basics."
Classmates at first were a bit hesitant, but after witnessing Ichika, they leaped inside Uchigane with 170cm katanas by their side. Better yet, they wouldn't dare pushing his patience.
"Good, draw your katanas!"
They drew their katanas in battle positions while Mattheus inspected their postures, and the grip of their weapons.
"Strike!" Mattheus barked like a Marines drill sergeant. The classmates raised their katanas and swung it down, followed by another down slash, and a horizontal swing. Mattheus nodded his head when they do it correctly, and shook his head if their postures were off.
"Back to your positions!" Joel ordered.
Mattheus noticed some errors the classmates had when they attack. He had knowledge when it comes to weapons, and Mattheus and Joel was the perfect candidate to be combat instructors.
"You rely on speed and good reflexes to beat your opponents, but you forgot your hips are not completely engaged for forward attack," said Mattheus, showing some pictures of improper techniques. "Make sure your posture and technique are correct so you don't leave yourselves open to attack through bad kamae."
Chifuyu watched Mattheus and Joel teaching the classmates without any slipups from these two. Being an instructor is not funny business in her eyes, and Chifuyu has expectations from them. She jotted notes for future references.
Mattheus grabbed a katana to show his proper techniques. "As you can see, my posture is natural and comfortable. Centre should be focused on your target, but that doesn't mean that both hands and the mid-point of your head and body should be in a direct line. Your body should form a triangle pointing your target."
They corrected their postures and techniques while Mattheus and Joel carefully inspected them. By the time the classmates followed their instructions, they improved in less than an hour. As the classmates perform consecutive strikes and defenses, Mattheus and Joel nodded their head in approval. Chifuyu approached them with a katana on her right hand.
"Not bad, you two," said Chifuyu. "Houki will take over, you deserve a break from teaching my classmates."
Houki gave a nod of approval to Mattheus and Joel before she trained the classmates with advanced combat techniques, and sparring sessions.
Ichika was impressed by his best friend's abilities to teach. On the other hand, the girls were slightly convinced of their skills. Mattheus deactivated Lavathenian and walked towards them.
"I haven't properly introduced myself thanks to Phantom Task that attacked us at Kyoto," said Mattheus, stretching his arms.
"It's not too late now," said Ichika, his face smiling moon-bright. "You don't mind to tell who you really are, right?"
"Not at all, I'm not just your instructor, I'm good friends with Ichika, aka older bro that helped him through life."
With a little mischievous, half-dreaming smile, he watched their expressions slightly irritated that he said older bro. Their friendship is very strong that can never be torn apart like super glue.
"How long did you know Ichika?" Charlotte questioned their friendship.
"Aha," Ichika tee-heed. "Way before I met you, Laura, and Cecilia."
"Take it from my words," Mattheus replied. "Don't be surprised that I knew him and Rin way back then."
"Heh?" Laura said.
Ichika tittered, then watched Laura slightly clenching her right fist like she's about to erupt a volcano. Laura wasn't going to be mocked by his "bride" and the foreigner.
"That's silly talk! You beat me in a mock battle, and you dared to take Ichika away?"
Charlotte can't let Laura blow her fuse, and she quickly pulled out bunny shaped gummies. Charotte shoved it in Laura's mouth as she ate her favorite sweets, and calmed down. Joel and Cecilia giggled at Laura happily eating as Charlotte scratched her head, making an extremely cute scene.
"Sorry about that," Charlotte gave Laura a bag of candy to ease her mood. "She can loose her marbles when something doesn't go to her agenda."
Laura gobbled the candy like a hamster as Charlotte patted her head. Mattheus couldn't stop hiding his smug at the French and German girl.
"Where was I saying?" Mattheus said sheepishly.
"That you knew Ichika a while back," Joel chimed in.
Mattheus's face came to life. "Oh! I'll explain it short and sweet to not bore you girls. When Houki moved, I became acquainted with Ichika to be friends with the same gender. I looked out after him when he's down in the dumps or whatever, I'm always there to help him out, or to kick it."
Rin remembered Ichika hanging out with Mattheus when they were little, clasping her hands together, twisting them.
"I remember you!" Rin exclaimed. "We met at an arcade center, and slept over at my parent's restaurant."
Mattheus smirked that she recognized him. "Rin knows this. After all, who fended off the rude couple that mouthed us off? And the fact you invited us to your restaurant? I love the food your parents make!"
Ichika and Rin chuckled as the girls gave an understanding expression. Chifuyu was impressed of Mattheus and Joel's teaching skills, and since she's in a good mood, Chifuyu let them be. After all, Chifuyu got Liu back to his former self. Laura, Rin, and Charlotte went to teach the rest of the classmates. A long day of training got their stomachs growling for lunch.
"Want to get lunch?" Ichika asked Cecilia.
Cecilia's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Sure thing!"
"I-hey!"
Cecilia tugged Ichika away from the girls as Mattheus and Joel tagged along.
Time: 12:35PM – Cafeteria
Ichika had a bowl of Tonkotsu ramen while Cecilia brought homemade Beef Wellington that looked scrumptious. Determined to have Ichika appreciate her cooking skills, Cecilia sliced a piece of the beef.
"Here, try some!"
Mattheus and Joel had Mitraillette, a Belgian sandwich popular among students. The bread had Frikandel, fries, and sauce andalouse. Ichika was well aware how horrible Cecilia's cooking could be, but he didn't want to hurt her feelings. While the Flemish man and young Irish boy watch Ichika slowly ate the filet steak wrapped in baked puff pastry. Ichika's face lit up that Cecilia's cooking was actually delicious as he smiled.
"Oh my god! Cecilia, your cooking has improved!" Ichika exclaimed.
"You like it?!" Cecilia squealed, grasping her hands.
Mattheus and Joel scotched back slightly from the jittery British girl, they did not expect the sudden mood change. Ichika nodded, offering her some ramen as Cecilia took a bite. She lit up, and Ichika smiled.
"Glad you like-"
"Cecilia?" Houki grunted, pointing her katana at Cecilia. The emotionally unstable Kendo girl emitted raging aura around her. "Ichika, what's going on?"
"Don't blow a fuse on us, we're having lunch together," Mattheus said, eating his sandwich. "Watch where you're pointing at, someone could get hurt easily."
Cecilia glared at Houki that was just as intense.
"Care to join us?" Joel offered an empty seat. "We don't bite, well, except Cecilia the haughty one."
Cecilia hissed at Joel, which he merely gave a mocking "I don't know" pose.
Mattheus smirked at Joel as Houki took a seat, looking away at Cecilia while Ichika quietly ate his ramen to not further aggravate Houki and Cecilia. Ichika has a head full of bricks that seem to not understand the girls' feelings for him. At least he wasn't at fault for this because Cecilia had Ichika all by herself.
"How do you like IS Academy, Mattheus and Joel?" Ichika started the awkward conversation.
"Not bad, asides that it's very technological and not to mention, very big," Mattheus wiped his lips with a napkin.
"A lot of girls like you that much, isn't that true?"
Ichika scratched his head, slightly chuckling that he was popular among female classmates. "You could say that just because I'm the only boy, except you, Mattheus, and Liu."
On the other hand, Houki gritted her teeth that Cecilia beat her to it to get lunch with Ichika first.
Damn you, Cecilia! You won't be laughing the next time I'm with Ichika.
Mattheus turned to Houki, but scooted back when he saw her radiating steam of anger.
"Houki, please, calm down," Ichika said, "What happened to you?"
She smiled, hiding her rage at the same time. Houki clenched her right fist to break Cecilia's arrogant face. "It's nothing, Ichika, I didn't expect Cecilia to be here as well…"
Mattheus wasn't fooled of her façade, and it was up to him to extinguish the flames. "Houki, eat a Mitraillette."
Houki tilted her head, staring at the juicy sandwich. "Why?"
"Because you turn into a Tsundere when you're hungry."
Houki frowned as she took a bite of the sandwich, and the savory meat, sauce and fries turned her soul mood into happy sunshine.
"Better?"
"Better." Houki swooned at this point.
Time: 1:15PM – Hangar Room
Ichika transferred combat data into Byakushiki as Liu assisted him while Cecilia and her technicians tuned Blue Tears for better stability. Houki, Mattheus, and Joel oversee the trainees. Laura and Charlotte took over long-range training since Liu's right forearm wasn't fully healed.
"What happened to your right forearm?" Ichika asked. "It looks like you can't move properly."
Liu scratched his head. "Oh this, I pulled a muscle last night, but I'm fine, thanks for asking."
Ichika would hate to be in Liu's condition, but he already has a lot to deal with being the most popular student. Good thing Ichika gain some skills maintaining an IS from Honne and her technicians that worked on Uchigane Nishki.
"Liu, bring me a data scanner and the ultrasonic wave tester, please."
"Here you go."
"10mm socket and wrench."
"Got it."
Despite his right arm not functioning properly, Liu helped Ichika as much as he can. Byakushiki was in need of total maintenance, and they weren't the only ones. The girls, along with Mattheus and Joel also need to have their personal IS undergo repair.
"Man, Byakushiki has some impressive arsenals," said Liu, watching Ichika polishing Byakushiki.
"Yukihara Type 2 once belonged to Chifuyu before she handed to me," Ichika described his signature weapon. "It's an ordinary metal sword, but when the One Off Ability is in play, thing is strong to out battle IS."
Ichika wasn't done talking. "Chifuyu is strict, prideful, stoic, gives us plenty of crap, but deep down, she cares a lot for our well being. No way she'll ever let anyone lay a finger on me or my friends."
Liu reminisced his time with Righteousness Union that always looked out for each other. Sure, they have done some crime to get money in order to survive. Family was one thing they'll never turned their backs on.
"Ichika, I got something cool to show you, want to check it out?"
"Sure thing."
The boys went to a shooting range with targets scattered 25m away. Liu revealed a black duffel bag as he set down a black semi-automatic pistol, and 2 box magazines on the table. Ichika stared at the handgun like it was something new.
"You can't be serious brandishing a firearm," said Ichika. "Don't tell me you got-"
Liu revealed a stainless side pistol. Ichika could only give a somber look with depressing aura around him.
"I borrowed it from a friend," Liu replied. "Go ahead."
Ichika hesitated looking at the pistol, but he took it, and inspected the stainless side pistol. Liu gave Ichika 2 box magazines.
Ichika had some experience with firearms as he loaded a box magazine, and pulled the slide back. Aiming down the night sights, Ichika squeezed the trigger, and the recoil slightly pushed his hands back.
"That's a HS2000 45 caliber semi-automatic," Liu tapped Ichika's shoulders. "The recoil is pretty high, so don't tense up. Relax your shoulders and fire."
Ichika took a deep breath, and fired at the targets. Despite the recoil, it didn't mess up Ichika's stance and aim. Ichika continuously fired his HS2000 without blinking or flinching. He does an excellent job keeping his composure, and 7 out of 13 bullets hit the bullseye.
"Not bad shooting a gun with your bare hands."
Liu grabbed his QSZ-92, loading a 20 round box magazine, and fired left hand. Ichika smirked as he reloaded a clip, and fired away. The boys were so focused hitting their targets that they didn't noticed Mattheus, Joel, and the girls approached them.
They emptied their bullets in the process. Liu had a handicap due to his sore right forearm that forced him to use his left hand. 9 bullets hit the bullseye as Ichika scored 8 out of 13.
"No wonder where the noise was coming from," said Charlotte, looking at the bullet-ridden targets Ichika shot. "You happened to use that gun, no?"
Ichika nodded, setting the unloaded gun to the table. Houki never knew her childhood friend would use a firearm up close. Then again, Houki fired a machine gun, but she preferred to use swords.
"It's a different experience firing a gun bare hand," said Ichika. "What else is in the bag?"
Liu revealed the bag, and the girls were shocked looking inside the content that had some guns and ammunition. On the other hand, Mattheus and Joel weren't surprised at all.
"Whose guns are those?" Laura asked, holding the HK416 with an ACOG scope.
"Borrowed it from a friend."
Liu used the same excuse, which in reality, Righteousness Union gave it to Liu in case of emergencies, and he's allowed to keep them.
"Chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO, no doubt it's German's finest weapons that has derived mechanisms from the G36. I wonder what happens when you fire towards a target. Will it break into pieces…?"
Laura had knowledge with weapons coming from a trained soldier in her childhood. The way she described the gun made the girls a bit unsettled like she wanted to use it right away.
"Liu, you don't mind if we check them out?" Joel said, holding a Vityaz-SN equipped with Zenit-made rails. Joel gleefully hoped that he could fire the Izmash 9mm submachine gun.
"Go ahead, it's one of the rare occasions that I let you guys use them. Make sure you don't break it, and better not tell anyone about this."
The girls and Mattheus rummaged through the duffel bag, grabbing whatever they have in their hands.
Cecilia had a L1A1 that suited her sniping type, Houki with a Bushmaster ACR Compact, and Rin with the QBZ-03. Charlotte carried a FAMAS-G2, and Mattheus's weapon of choice, an AKS-74U. Liu and Ichika watched the gang firing the targets.
"Arrgg!" Houki growled, aiming down her sight.
There came three moving targets with Squall, Madoka, and Autumn drawn on it. Houki tried to shoot them down, but most of her shots missed. They took notice, and frowned as if the inanimate objects mocked them.
"You're going down…" Houki muttered in a murderous tone. She fired 5 remaining bullets, but none of them scored a hit. Houki reloaded, carefully aiming at the moving targets.
"We got you, Houki," said Mattheus.
"You're not the only one that despises Phantom Task," Cecilia replied. "I'll provide you assistance."
"All for one, and one for all!"
Ichika can't miss this opportunity to vent out some anger at Phantom Task as he drew his HS2000. Liu took the last weapon in the duffel bag that was very compact size.
Brandishing his carry gun, Liu could only smile and said, "Hit em with the Draco!"
Rin got slightly confused. "That's a weird looking gun, doesn't look like a proper firearm."
"I have to agree you on that, Rin," Mattheus replied. "Is this thing supposed to be an AK or what?"
"Issa knife," said Liu in a lazy voice.
"Umm, what?" Mattheus didn't understand the slang Liu blurted out.
"Just kidding, it's a Draco AK-47 pistol, an ugly contraption. But hey, it's better than being empty handed, right?"
Everyone got their guns lock and loaded aiming at the Phantom Task targets.
"On my mark…open fire!" Houki barked, burst firing her ACR.
Hail of bullets hammered down the moving targets to the point it was barely recognized. Liu gripped his Draco to keep it steady, despite the heavy weight that was designed to be used two hands. Six bullets remained in the magazine, and Liu fired without missing a shot. Everyone set their guns down to see their targets have been neutralized.
"Oh yeah, victory is ours!" Cecilia cheered.
Mattheus had to give it to Liu he wasn't too bad for a male IS pilot. They remembered to set the safety triggers on before returning the guns back. Liu even offered Ichika his HS2000, but Ichika politely declined.
"Guns aren't my specialty as a weapon," said Ichika, handing back the stainless side gun. "Kendo is good enough for me."
"Fair enough, Ichika."
Rin smiled at Liu that was back to his usual personality, but a bit calmer and more mature. Ichika and the gang are Liu's greatest strong arms, though he didn't realize it. They shared mutual interest of taking down Phantom Task. Liu can't do this alone, and the last attempt almost got him killed. They were more than just friends. They're a family, regardless of blood or age. Families look out for each other, no matter how dire the situation is.
Righteousness Union were also concerned at Liu that's been MIA, but he was lucky they found him. Righteousness Union cared about family the most. Brothers and sisters never stab each other for a pot of gold. Sadly, it's one rotten apple that had to break apart the harmony. Three Dragons instigated the civil war that forced Liu to take action. For once in his life, he was glad to be given another chance.
Mattheus and Joel walked towards the maintenance room with Chifuyu and Tatenashi leaned against the door. Chifuyu had a folder on her right hand while Tatenashi twirled her fan.
"Ladies, are you ready?" Mattheus asked. "Chifuyu, it's your dream to play the lead role in CSI you love to watch."
Chifuyu and Tatenashi nodded as they opened the door to meet their maker.
Issa knife is short for "It's a." It was commonly used as a slang before the famous rapper 21 Savage interview where he mentioned his knife tattoo on his forehead.
Int: What does the cross on your forehead signify?"
21 Savage: Issa knife.
For those that's looking for a story to read, check out Infinite Stratos: The Graduated Student and the Irish Street Punk written by Kerlongsj Evert Orlejov. It's a good one.