-12:00 HRS, Room 1-1, Day 77-
Same routine. Students go out to lunch, friends chattering, some prepares lunch or some goes to the cafeteria. Before the break started, Chifuyu had told Alex that their talk would have to wait later on as she told him that she had some matters to attend, leaving Him in the open for now to keep himself busy for the next hour and a half.
"Alex, are you coming with us?" Houki asked him as her, Cecilia and Laura are heading out to the cafeteria to eat. Alex, on the other hand had something to finish while his face was facing the hologram screen on his desk computer.
"Girls, don't worry about me. I'll be fine. I just need to finish up a couple of notes from today. You go on ahead." He nodded while typing on the keypad.
"If you say so, Alex." Laura sighed at the officer, who was working himself once more.
"But please, do take a break to eat. Okay, Alex?" Cecilia added once more, showing concern to him.
"It's okay. I won't push myself too far." Alex assured them. The only thing that they can do is nod and head out while he finishes up. As he looked at them for a bit, they were smiling and in good spirits than they usually are.
"Hm... must've had a good night's sleep." he muttered before continuing his work.
Meanwhile, Ichika was finished and was about to leave his desk. Charlotte came up to him holding a large bento wrapped in pink cloth.
"I-Ichika, I made too much food for lunch today. Would you like to have some?" She asked while carrying the large bento in front of him.
Ichika was surprised on the size of the bento as she offered some. "Whoa... Charl, are you sure?"
"Of course!" She chirped.
Ichika could only stand up and agree to join her. Before doing such, he turns to Alex, who was still typing on the computer.
"Hey, Alex! Would you like to go?" Ichika asked.
"Hmm? Oh, it's uh... it's fine. You guys go on ahead." Alex, still his eyes on the screen, turned his head slightly towards them as he declined for the time being.
"Alex, are you sure you're not hungry?" Charlotte asked, showing worry to the officer.
"It's all right. I'll be heading out in a few minutes anyway." He told.
Ichika tries a bit to convince him. "We could use the company, Alex." He said, prompting Alex to stop what he was doing.
Alex, turned his head towards them, only to look at a persistent Ichika Orimura... and Charlotte Dunois, who was pouting as she became slightly disheartened at what he said. To him, it was pretty clear that She wants to be with him.
"Ichika... you know that Charlotte's offering you some food... With her... the two of you... alone... Do those things connect in some sort of way?" Alex asked him, hoping that dumbing it down for him would result in something.
"...No. I don't get it." Ichika drifted off. Alex could only twitch his eye as a nerve struck him. He knows that Ichika is already too dense to realize the girls' affections, but that very fact happening at moments like these is what annoyed Alex in a way.
"You dense Motherf-"
He sighed in response before speaking his mind. "Look man. To put it simply, Charlotte here wants to hang out with you. Besides, she could help with some things with the coming tournament. Right, Charlotte?" He spoke, putting Charlotte on the spot.
"E-Eh?" Charlotte sputtered.
"Charl, why didn't you say so! I could use some help now that he mentioned it." Ichika exclaimed.
"Ah! Y-Yes! You could use some help later on!" Charlotte muttered.
"All right, I guess I'll be heading out first. Where to, by the way?" Ichika asked.
Charlotte pointed up. "The rooftops. I could use some air." She spoke as Ichika nods and heads there. She looked at Alex in a panic because of what he did.
"Alex, what are you doing?!" She whispered as she panicked.
Alex could only stay calm and showed a re-assuring look on his face, causing her to calm down.
"Charlotte... It's okay... Just go..." He gestured to her.
The only thing she could do was to smile a bit and followed suit.
-12:17 HRS. Rooftops-
"Here, Ichika!" Charlotte called as she offered one of her bento to him. The latter consisted of White rice with a plum on top, Omelet and Shrimp tempura, and various vegetables.
"Thank you!" He said as he took his lunch and took a bite of the tempura first. "Wow... this is good! Charl, I think you've gotten better on making Japanese food. The batter on this is really crispy!" He complimented.
"R-Really? Thank you, Ichika! I've really worked hard for this." She chirped and smiled as she looked at him enjoying the fruits of her labor. Charlotte had that very moment to enjoy such and wanted this to last long.
Unfortunately, it was short-lived.
"There you are, Ichika!" Rin spoke as she saw them having lunch. What she saw mostly is Charlotte offering a taste of her cooking. Now it was her turn to the spotlight.
"Here! I want you to try my Chinese Stir-fried Beef with peppers too!" Rin said as she offered her cooking, showing an eye-catching glimpse of her food, causing their love interest to be amazed.
"Whoa... that looks delicious!" He swooned over as he takes a bite off of Rin's food.
"Mmm. It's good! It's really good, Rin!" He said as the flavor rushed his taste buds once he took a bite. Rin could only beam up and giggle at his praises.
On the other hand, love rivalries did spark against Charlotte and Rin.
"You know... you two are going to be great wives because you two are good cooks." He complimented, causing the rivalry to stop after lasting a few seconds. After hearing such compliments from Ichika, the two girls could only glow with happiness. This caused them to offer some of their food more.
"Here, Ichika! Try the omelet that I made!"
"And have some tea too!"
Ichika could only blink at the girls' kindness as they were happy to offer and spoon-feed him if needed to.
"Um... Why are you girls being so nice to me today?" He asked, causing the girls to smile a tad awkwardly.
"Well... because..." Charlotte tries to speak up.
"Aren't we always nice to you?" Rin asked, stammering.
"Yeah... We are always nice to you!" Charlotte agreed with her.
"I see... you think so?" Ichika spoke up. The three were silent for a few moments afterward.
"...she could help with some things with the coming tournament. Right, Charlotte?"
Thanks to Alex, Charlotte came up with an idea to keep the ball rolling. "Alex, you're a lifesaver!" She thanked.
"Say, Ichika... Um... Is it okay to ask something?"
Ichika could only tilt his head. "What is it?"
"Tell me... What kind of partner you think is easy to fight alongside with?" She asked.
That alone made Ichika's gears in his head running for a bit. "Oh... Well, let's see... I still need some improvement on my sniping skills... or Ranged combat... I guess it would be nice if my partner could cover me with that specific area."
Charlotte and Rin nodded.
"Well... the bottomline with the partner is Mutual compatibility... understanding and working alongside with the partner really adds well to the list."
"Uh-huh... Wait! Compatibility?!" They asked in unison.
"Something like that... What do you guys think? And... what kind of partner do you guys have in mind?" He asked in return.
"Eh? Well... My partner would be... Someone who would help me when I'm Being Cornered... and that someone would fight for me with his life on the line..." Rin started to answer first, while fidgeting and smiling in the process.
"Oh..."
"Same with Rin... I wanted my partner to be that too as well... and someone who's brave to do it. Oh! And someone who puts his head in the game!" Charlotte added, smiling along the way.
"I see... so that's your type, huh?" Ichika noted.
The girls could only nod solemnly.
"I'm sure whoever is going to be your partners... They are lucky to have you two with them."
"You really think so?" They asked with glassy eyes.
"I'm sure." Ichika smiled, beaming up the girls once more as they enjoyed their lunch.
Meanwhile... Faint and Distant gunshots were being heard once more as they eat.
"Was that Alex?" Rin asked.
"Is he at the arena again?" Ichika guessed.
Charlotte on the other hand, had her smile fade slowly to a worrying frown once more. After that serious chatter with Chifuyu, she had a reason to worry.
She sighed once more. "Yes... He's been doing that since he recovered from last time. During lunch or after class."
"You've seen him doing that?" Rin asked further.
"Oui. I'm afraid so..." She said.
On her right side, the pink cloth that wrapped the bento that she made showed one more tray of food...
-12:18 HRS. Arena 3-
*Gunshots*
Alex was at it again. Practicing and sharpening his aim and coordination. Using an M4 that was equipped with a foregrip and an EOTech sight, was switched to Semi-automatic to make his shots more efficient. With the help of a certain Green-haired teacher, Hologram silhouettes around his height were used as target practice to sharpen his skill.
For a week, he was doing this. Back in Los Angeles, He was permitted to add a shotgun and a rifle with him and carried enough ammo before coming back to Japan and he spent his ammo wisely even the case. He had to sharpen his skill on every platform and every possible firearm that he uses back in SWAT.
It was already put to mind that he's not in Los Angeles and with the fact that he's an IS Pilot, he had more to carry. He had to be at the top of his game, he had keep his skills sharpened.
After quickly changing magazines, He aimed and fire at the holograms, taking the first wave of ten targets down with the M4, The second wave of ten more showed up, prompting Alex to switch from Rifle to Pistol and fired at the targets, changing mag in the middle of it.
"Clear." Alex muttered as he switches his guns on safe and holsters them.
"Maya, how was that?"
Yamada checked the time on the screen, as she records another run. "One minute and thirty-seven seconds, and all ten targets are hit center mass, Alex." She said through his comms.
"Six seconds faster, huh?" Alex muttered.
"Yeah. Alex, you're doing a good job. I understand that you need to train... but does it need to be almost every day?" Maya asked.
"It's only for fifteen or twenty minutes, yeah. A quick run will keep things sharp." Alex reasoned.
"Do you do this back home, usually?" She asks.
"Yeah... But not this much. Maya, when will the tournament happen?" He asked back.
"In a couple of months time. Why?"
"...Figures I could use the extra training." Alex said.
"Is that so, Fields?" Another voice spoke. Alex turned around to see Chifuyu walking towards her, showing the same stoic expression. "I think there's more than just needing the extra training."
"Expected to see me here, Sensei?" Alex asked as he places the magazines in his vest.
"As always. What are you getting at here, Fields?" She asked, scrutinizing the Officer's Recent actions.
"What do you mean?"
"I meant raising concern about the security of the academy. I understand your concern about such but this... The constant training, the observations... I appreciate you raising concern for everyone's safety, but a part of me thinks that you may be pushing yourself to the limits on this. You're only human." Chifuyu criticized.
"A human that faced whatever hell threw at him. And I'm Human, all right. Human enough to care for the safety and the lives of others by risking my own, even if it means paying the price for it." Alex spoke, only to receive a frown from her.
"Have you forgotten what I've told you before? Do not treat yourself as if you're expendable, Fields."
"Sensei... I'm not just concerned about the academy's security. I'm also concerned of the safety and the lives of the ones in it. I'm even concerned that the same attack may happen on this tournament. I can just lower my gun and walk away, but no way in hell I'm doing that. It's a fat chance that this will be called off, but at least tell me what I need to know... Were there any histories of attacks before? Any Motives, Any reasons?" Alex spoke.
Chifuyu could only sigh at his questions. In her mind, he's pushing himself. But another reason is that She could only agree that they may strike once more. And with the Tournament coming soon, it will be open season for the Phantom Task once more.
"A part of me wanted to say no, Fields. But if it will help you to end this threat to the academy, and to Ichika, then so be it. The only attacks that happened were the unidentified IS Several months ago. That IS unit was Unmarked. Core was not registered. That was the first attack, and it was when Shinonono, Alcott, and Huang were the representatives here. Next one will be the Silver Gospel Incident..."
"Silver Gospel... Natasha Fairs... Her IS Unit?" Alex asked to confirm, only to get a nod from Chifuyu.
"The rest of the attacks will be explained by someone else."
"What do you mean?"
"Fields, did anyone spoke to you about owing an explanation?" She asked.
Alex blinked for a second and raised a thought... "Now that you mentioned it..."
"I have a lot of explaining to do... No... We have a lot of explaining to do..."
Alex recalled Houki telling that she wanted to explain something to him. What he wonders now is why. "Shinonono... You're telling me that they have something to do with this?"
Chifuyu could only nod. "All you need to do... is ask them. I'll provide the necessary files and security access for you on your computer. If it needs to be done to end this threat, it's fine by me."
"Thank you, Sensei."
"And one more thing, Fields..." She said before walking closer to him. She placed her hand on his shoulder and showed a small, yet caring smile.
"Do loosen up for a while. I know and admire your dedication to your duties, but please... you're only human... and a young one too. Try to ease up every once in a while. It's not everyday you should be like... this. You've done it before several weeks ago, right? Even with Dunois?" She asked. During those weeks where Alex was recovering from his wounds, and nothing was to be done on the weekends, she had seen as well the calmer side of him. It was already proof to her that even someone as steel-willed and headstrong as Alex can be human too.
Alex sighed out in defeat. He pulled out his sidearm and looks at it for a few moments. Almost everyone he knew said the same thing ever since God knows how long: It was for him to calm down every once in a while... His Uncle, cousin, colleagues... now his friends and teacher in the academy is now saying the same thing. The only thing he did was to tighten his grip on it.
Chifuyu gently placed on hand on top of his pistol. "Come on, Alex..."
"All right, Sensei. I'll... I'll try." He sighed as she gently takes it off his hand.
"Good man. Now go out there and get something to eat. Let's pack your stuff first." Chifuyu calmly said as she returns his sidearm. Next us that they unload and pack his weapons and ammo before storing them in the lockers for now. As she helped him pack his equipment, she took note of another sidearm that was different from his gear.
"This isn't the same gun that I saw at your equipment when I first saw you... What happened?" She asked, examining the gun... an HK USP-45.
"Requested a replacement. From Kimber to HK. I still keep my other pistol with me."
"The one that I saw with during your first day here?"
"The Beretta 8045F. Never left my side since the first day of the force." He answered.
-12:25 HRS, Cafeteria-
Meanwhile, among the rest of the students that ate in the cafeteria, Houki, Cecilia, and Laura were the only ones there, while the rest were at the rooftops. The two were still keeping their mood upbeat, but Houki's started to fade slowly. What made it faster was when her phone beeped as it received a text message.
"Shinonono. I'm all ears if you're ready to talk.
-Fields"
She remembers that she still owed Alex something. Explanations. Houki could only stare for a few moments as she was not smiling anymore. Cecilia was the one to notice Houki's mood fading.
"Houki, Are you all right?" Cecilia asked. Laura followed suit to notice.
"Hm? Oh... I'm fine... I just have some things on my mind." Houki assured.
"Such as?" Laura added up.
"Well... Um... ah... How should I say this...?" Houki muttered.
"Houki... Compose yourself first, dear. And take a bite. You haven't touched your food yet." Cecilia said as she held her shoulder. Houki could only nod and took a bite of her food-Consisting of Rice and Pork Katsudon with Gyoza on the side, added with a bowl of Miso soup with tea.
"There you go... Better?"
"Better. Thanks, Cecilia." Houki said as she calmed down a bit.
"Now... What's on your Mind?" Laura asked this time.
Houki paused for a bit and took a deep breath. "What if Alex's right?" She asked them.
"About what?" Cecilia asked.
"What if the same thing happens again? The attacks... Just like last time-or the ones before. What if it happens again?" She asks them once more, with a pang of dread completely evident on her voice.
"Houki... You know we'll all be ready if it happens." Cecilia assured. Laura, on the other hand understood what she meant.
"Hold that thought, Cecilia... Houki's onto something. We need to take Extra caution on this. These attacks on the academy are bad enough as is. What's worse is that these attacks are focused on Ichika. Heck, one lone attack was the worst so far and it was fortunate that Fields and I were there to thwart it. What if it happens again and we're not there? " Laura supported. Cecilia could only grimace at the thought of it.
"Cecilia, do you still remember the unidentified IS that attacked us months ago?" Houki asked.
"Haven't forgotten it ever since. I'm sorry if I wasn't able to help during the time." Cecilia apologized.
"It's all right. Anyway, besides you, Rin was also there when the attack happened."
"Yes. But still... I don't see where you're getting at here." Cecilia pointed out.
"If it will help all of us stop this, we could tell Alex what we know about the attacks or at least what we encountered." Houki reasoned.
Cecilia and Laura were alarmed about this. "Shinonono, are you sure about this? This may be risky." Laura said.
"I want to, at least! But I'm not sure about you... and the others if they will say the same. It's okay if you say no... I can do this on my own." Houki pushed further. For her, she can tell what she faced before to Alex at anytime.
Cecila and Laura contemplated through this at first. She wasn't wrong about the attacks that had happened to the academy. What they have encountered in the past were critical encounters and concerns for the security of it. It was all on them to make a choice to tell Alex or not.
"No... Houki, we're not letting you do this alone." Laura said, making her choice.
"Same with me, Houki. If you're going to do this, we go together. All of us." Cecilia decided and agreed.
Houki smiled once more as her friends made the choice to help her. Now that she wasn't alone, it will be easier for her to tell Alex.
"Thank you, you two... Now let's tell the others after this."
"Agreed." Cecilia and Laura spoke before finishing up their Lunch.
-12:32 HRS. Rooftops-
"Remember, Alex... Loosen up. Even every once in a while..."
Those were Chifuyu's words that echoed in Alex's mind as he sat down under a tree to have the rest of the break period for his downtime. What he had in hand was just half of ham and cream cheese on a bagel and a themos filled with coffee. His stomach growled once he had food on his hand.
"I know, I know..." He sighed once more about the meager amount of food while admiring the scene before him on his own as he starts to take a bite of his food. Just all in his lonesome, with the tree under him and the scene of the academy at his sights as he finishes his food and washes it down his throat with coffee.
"Like old times... Right, dad?" He muttered as he admires the scene while enjoying the bittersweet taste of coffee.
Unfortunately, His stomach still growled. Still unsatisfied of what Alex had left of his lunch.
"Sorry, bud. You're gonna have to wait later." He muttered disdainfully as he closes his eyes for a few seconds to relax, as his teacher advised. Letting the gentle winds course to him as he rested his eyes and mind, even for just a few minutes.
"Loosen Up... Relax..."
It was only for a few minutes later... Footsteps on the grass were heard faintly and they became louder as the time passed. Alex gently opened his eyes to see a hand offering a tray of food to him. He slowly turned to the person who offered it to him. Blonde, Fair complexion, a gentle curve on her lip that showed concern and worry, and a hint of the pink ribbon that tied her hair.
"Mmmmngh... Charlotte...?" He slurred out.
"Are... you all right?" She asked.
He blinked further and rubbed his eyes until it becomes clear. "Ah! Charlotte! How long were you've been here?" He asked.
"It's okay, Alex. I've been here since start of the break." She spoke.
"How long was I out?"
"Only for several minutes, Alex."
Alex gave a sigh of relief for a moment there. "Oh, thank God... for a second there I thought I was out like a light."
"You were snoring for a bit though." She said as she giggled at the matter.
"Damn it... was I loud?"
"Nope. It's really mellow. Oh! Um... here. I still have some to spare." She said as she offered him the food that she cooked.
Alex blinked for a few good seconds for it to sink in. "You... were supposed to have some moments to spare with Ichika. Are you...sure about this?" He asked her, hesitant to take the food that she was supposed to share with Ichika.
Charlotte pouted for a bit when he mentioned such. "Well... I was supposedly, but Rin followed us."
"R-Right. How'd It go? Before that happened?" He asked.
"It was all right. I did get something off of it." Charlotte started.
"What's that?"
"Well, he wanted to have someone who can cover ranged combat... and he wanted someone to get along with. Compatibilities and such." She told.
"Compatibility, huh?"
"Something that he would get along with and fight alongside with." Charlotte explained.
Alex thought of the skills Charlotte had with her so far... Looking at her while on training and on sparring, He makes a conclusion. "I see. Surely you can fit the bill." He assured.
"You really think so?" She asked.
Alex nodded as he takes another cup full of coffee from the thermos. "You seem to get along with him very well... and mostly Ranged combat, you're pretty good at it. Cecilia's gonna be on par for a bit, since she's Sniper-type. But all in all, the one that can fit the bill on his list will be you, mostly."
Charlotte beamed up for a bit when Alex analyzed through her skills. "Mmmh. What about you? What's your Ideal Partner in this case?" She asked this time.
Alex paused for a few moments to think about such. "Partner...? Let's see... I could use some support in ranged combat whenever I'm fighting Close-quarters... or if it's the other way around..."
"Okay..." Charlotte nodded.
"And kind of Like Ichika as well. I'd like my partner for us to get along with and fight alongside with efficiently."
"I see."
"Another thing that I would like to add though, Charlotte."
"What's that?"
"Whoever's my partner, I'd like to point out that I'd like my partner to be someone that I can fight with my life on the line... just like what I did in the force." Alex finished.
Charlotte smiled a bit on the last part. "I see."
"All in all, that's what I'd pretty much look for in a partner. If I can participate in the tournament, that is." He said.
"The tournament's in a few months. We still have enough time. You could even join still!" She encouraged.
"True. But joining the tournament is a small possibility, Charlotte. A lot can happen during that few months time. Only God knows what's gonna happen."
She sighed at the last part. One thought is that the fact that a lot can happen during a period of time is true. Another fact that came to mind is that the man beside her carries such burden, it cause him to be this way. Another is that she want to help this man. But those thoughts came to a halt when she heard his stomach growling.
"I had already ate with Ichika, Alex. Please... will you take it for me?" She pleaded as she offered the food once more to him. With her puppy eyes staring at him, the only thing Alex could do is blush and smile for a bit as he takes the food. He can't say no to a face like that.
"Thanks, Charlotte..." He said before getting some chopsticks for him to take a bite, starting with rice and tempura first. "Hey... It's pretty good! Haven't had good food like this for a while now!" He chirped as the flavor rushed throughout his taste buds when he took the first bite.
She could only giggle and smile at the compliment. "Thank you so much, Alex!" She said as they enjoyed some time that was completely filling. The only thing she did was to stay with him until he finished lunch.
In the middle of it, she checked her phone as it beeped to show a message. She reads it and it made the smile on her face fade for abit.
"Houki..." She muttered before looking at Alex. She could only nod as she replies.
-17:27 HRS. Dormitories-
Class ends. Alex could only walk towards his room and check equipment, freshen and load up. As he walks down the hallway, the only person he took note was Tatenashi, leaning over beside Room 1025. From afar, he observed the way she acted- Arms crossed, her fingers fidgeting, her foot tapping on the floor and a small, concerned frown on her face. Her eyes could only look down along the way.
"Something bothering you, Tatenashi?" Alex asked.
She looked up to see the officer with his head cocked to the side with his eyebrow raised. "Ah, Alex. It's... It's nothing." She spoke.
"It's not just nothing if you're waiting for Ichika." He deadpanned.
"Alex... Really. It's nothing." She spoke once more.
"Tatenashi..."
Seeing the officer was not convinced at all, she could only sigh in frustration as the gig was up. Until she remembered something the last time he spoke to him. "Alex... do you still have the hairpins that you showed me weeks ago?" She asked.
"It's still at my desk at my room. It never left there since we spoke. Why?"
"Can you give it to me?" She asked.
"Um... sure. I'll be right back." He said as he walks down his room. A few minutes later, he walks out of the room and hands her the hairpins. Along with a cold can of coffee."
"Here. You looked like you could also use a drink." He offered.
She smiled at the gesture. "Thank you, Alex. Matter of fact, I needed a drink." She said as she opened and takes small gulps. "Aahhh... that hit the spot."
"So um... you were saying?" Alex asked.
"Ah... I needed help with something. But I needed Ichika for this. He's the only one who could help me the most on this. I... may need yours as well." Tatenashi explained.
"What for?"
"I think it's best if we wait for Ichika for this."
"Why not now?"
"We can't. Ichika has to hear what I have to say."
Alex turned his head to side to check and confim that the person that she needs to speak to is behind him. "Well... Now's your chance for him to hear what you have in mind..." He said as he steps aside to see Ichika in front of her this time.
"So um... Kaichou... What do you want to talk about?"
-17:30, Room 1025, Orimura's Room-
"You want us to do what?!" The two boys asked in unison.
"Take care of my sister. I'm asking the two of you to take care of my sister!" Tatenashi pleaded. It was the first time that they saw her plead for help like this. It wasn't the usual Tatenashi Sarashiki would do. The only thing they could do for now is listen. She tapped something on her phone to project a hologram to show a photo of her sister.
"Anyway... this is her."
It showed a young girl. Looked around 17 years of age. Blue hair and dark red eyes like her older sister. In oppose to Tatenashi's hair style-which was short, the girl's hair was longer and its curls were inwards. What's more distinguishing is the look on her face; Calm and well-reserved unlike her sister who was piercing and more confident.
At least Alex now knows who owns the hairpins.
"Her name is Kanzashi Sarashiki. She's much quiet... and moody. But she's much skilled." She introduced.
"Right..."
"Also, she's a representative of Japan, but..."
"But what?" Ichika asked.
"Unfortunately, she doesn't have her personal IS."
Alex was intrigued at the scene unfolding. the only thing he could do is to ask questions. "Odd. Representatives have personal IS to pilot with. Why's that she doesn't have one of her own?"
Tatenashi sighed in saddness and in little disdain about what she will answer. "Very true on this, Alex... but I know the reason why. It's because of you, Ichika..." She answered as she turned her eyes on him. In return, he was surprised as his eyes widen at the answer
"Does him being the first male to pilot an IS have to do with it?" Alex asked.
Tatenashi nodded. "It was the very reason behind it, yes. Kanzashi's personal IS was made by the same company that developed and made Byakushiki. So when they've heard about Ichika piloting an IS, The workers were all sent to develop and work on Byakushiki while hers got put on the back burner."
Ichika could only feel a pang of guilt as she heard the story. Being the first male pilot was something. But like everything else, someone had to pay the price. Whether the person to pay for it was aware or not. "Oh... I see. I'm sorry, Tatenashi. I didn't know."
"So that IS that I saw in the hangar..."
"Was hers. She's been developing it on her own ever since." Tatenashi completed Alex's sentence. Everytime that she saw her out of that hangar, she felt sadness and pity as she had to watch her toil around her IS. Alex could only feel a bit of pity to the girl and a bit of anger to the company.
"Why didn't they spare some of the workers to finish hers? It could've made everything easier rather than her to torture herself on doing this!" He asked.
"I never knew the reason why. Even I asked this and they couldn't give me the answer, or they'd just turn away. I even asked for help to finish her IS but that help never came." She answered, with the same hint of anger seethed off her.
"So this is why I'm asking Ichika for help. Ichika, I want you to pair up with Kanzashi in the upcoming tag-team tournament. Please, Ichika!" She said as she pleaded to him, lowering her head and raising her fan.
"Tatenashi, p-please raise your head..." Ichika stammered.
Tatenashi raised it with a smile of hope on her face. "So, will you do it?"
"Alex, what should I do?" He asked, turning to the officer.
"Ichika, you decide. I was only placed in the bandwagon, but she intends to ask for your help... and yours alone. Whether you help her or not, it's up to you to make the choice." Alex answered.
Ichika could only pause and think for a few moments and looked at Tatenashi in the process. Looking at her, she is asking for help.
"Um... so do you want me to go and ask your sister, Kanzashi, to be my partner?" He clarified.
"Yes, but please don't mention my name to her." She requested.
"Why not?"
She was silent for a bit and looked away. "It's a little delicate, you see..."
The two boys could make wild guesses. "You're... not that close to your sister?" Ichika guessed first.
"...Some sort of Sibling rivalry between the two of you?" Alex guessed next.
The only thing that she could do is sigh as she closes her eyes and show a small frown. "I don't want to talk about it." She said. The tone of her voice showed that it was something very personal between the two of them.
"Sorry, Tatenashi... I'm asking too much." Alex apologized.
"It's all right."
"Well, Ichika. What's it gonna be?" He asked Ichika once more.
"I understand now. I'll approach her as casually as possible." Ichika said, making his choice as to who's going to be his partner.
Tatenashi's smile returned as Ichika makes his decision. "Great! Thank you so much, Ichika! I owe you one."
"You uh... might want to give those hairpins to Ichika, though. He could tell her that he found it in the hallway." Alex suggested.
"Good idea, Alex." She said as she pulled the hairpins out of her pocket and gives them to Ichika.
"Again, thank you so much... the two of you. I owe you one." She thanked the two boys once more.
"I'm just helping out a friend, Tatenashi. You don't owe me anything." Alex pointed out, making her smile at him. His phone beeped for a bit to show a message.
"Alex... I'm ready. Let's meet at the classroom.
-Houki"
"Guys, I'd better take this. Catch the two of you later, all right?" He said as he walked outside of the room.
"Got it. See you later, Alex." The two said as they were left alone.
-17:45 HRS. Room 1-1-
Houki was all alone. Sitting on the front row center of the room. The only lighting that illuminated the room was the sunset as she was waiting for Alex to come inside.
"You can do this, Houki... You can do this..." She spoke to herself. It wasn't long until Alex came into scene, holding a cup and a medium-sized bottle of iced tea.
"Houki."
"Alex."
"I've received your text..." Alex spoke.
"Yes." She spoke. Alex then grabbed a chair and placed it at the other side of the desk.
"So um... how are you?" He asked first.
"I- I'm fine, Alex." Houki stammered, trying to compose herself. Alex was not convinced as he looks at her. She was looking away, avoiding eye contact, Shaking, fidgeting. He sighed as he pulls out a cup and fills it with iced tea.
"Here... you looked parched." He spoke as he offers her a drink. She took it and proceeds to take a gulp.
"Better?"
"A bit."
"Houki, do breathe for a bit." Alex told as she followed suit, calming her down more before he spoke.
"Listen, Houki. I know you're nervous about speaking to me about what you had in mind. Now Chifuyu told me bits and pieces but told me to ask you about the rest of it. I don't want you to look at me as just a policeman trying to interrogate and scare someone. I don't want you to think that I'm scaring you. You're my friend."
Houki calmed down as she looked at the officer in front of her. "I know, Alex. We're friends. And I know that you're only doing this for good reasons. You're a police officer... and you wanted to protect everyone."
Alex could only nod in response.
"Alex... I'm not doing this alone." She spoke. Cold hard conviction was evident in tone. As if it was on cue, the rest of the representatives entered the room from behind. Rin, Cecilia, Charlotte and Laura shared the same reasons.
"Alex... We'll help Houki about this..." Cecilia spoke while the rest nodded.
"If telling what we've faced will help all of us, then we'll do it." Rin supported.
Alex could only show a small smile with the support that Houki has got.
"All right... Tell me what I need to Know."