Another chapter by a shitty writer who can't write half-decent story even while trying.
Let's get it out
Infinite Stratos
-The Mirror Universe-
Disclaimer:
Izuru Yumizuru
And everyone else!
Chapter 01: Summer and Hilarity Part 1
*CRASH*
Pain crept into his nerve, reminded him about what happened more than two weeks ago. Struggling himself to stay awake, he slammed his hand to the floor and dashed forward with blinding velocity.
"[Use your head.]" Chifuyu's voice blared inside the shielded underground arena, "[Fighting instinct is not enough.]"
Blade clashed, and yet, Icchan is visibly calm when he explicitly overpowered her.
She corkscrewed his blade away and now she had him on her mercy.
"Goddamnit, I lost again." he shouted, "The difference is way, way too big."
It's like THAT day again; facing his female counterpart is, frankly, not much easier than to face Chifuyu.
They might be equal outside I.S., but inside, the difference of capabilities between them is staggering. She is so much stronger than Rin, hell; she's probably a better pilot than Charlotte, up there with Laura. Had female Ichika been serious, he will be thrashed in ten minutes.
Think hard, Ichika, your style and her style is similar… if that's the case, you won't be able to do anything because she can read each and every move. You can do that, but her superior skill means she'll handle it much better.
"[Are you seriously saying you almost defeated Alcott with THAT skill?]" Chifuyu raised her eyebrow.
"It's true... well; the blunder with Yukihira and my lack of knowledge is the main cause of my defeat…"
"Cecilia is very lacking in CQC defense, compared to the rest of us." Icchan noted, relaxed her stance as she continued. "The first time I fought her, it's barely took five minutes"
Ikkun clenched his hand, "When I have to fight Lingyin, things are vastly different. She had superior tactic and knowledge in CQC, superior experience in swordsmanship really means nothing in that fight. I really have to resort to machine power and one-shot trick like Ignition Boost, and that only works because her judgment had been clouded."
"[…so what do you think?]" Chifuyu sighed.
"I really don't know…" Orino Ichika shook his head.
Chifuyu never directly hear it, but in his version, he always been spoon fed ever since he started. Combat technique, personal machine, even path progression, all had been decided form the ground up.
By Chifuyu.
His Chifuyu want him to be her successor, which walks on the same path, rather than seeking his own. And his cadet rep friends haven't been much a great help due to their penchant for mixed messages. If her sister had been in the same position, would Chifuyu do that?
Her Ichika, unlike the boy, had been trained and voluntarily active in this field as cadet rep for two years. In fact, to say that Ichika is THE strongest Cadet Rep by this point is not a boastful joke.
That's why Chifuyu haven't been involved with her progression much, beyond what Ichika actively asked.
"[Don't be a wuss, what do you think?]"
"I don't know, whenever I said anything they violently thwart it without telling me the reason."
"[Then argue! Find a good reason to refute their decision.]" Chifuyu scowled, "[Find your own strength, your own path; walk on your own legs!]"
"…Heh" For whatever reason, he smiled the moment he get himself up again, "Orimura-sensei, can I request something?"
"What?"
"Can I get my old sword back? Just the sword is enough,"
"[Well, we made analysis and made a copy for it, it's just a hardened slab of metal, it's neither a vibroblade nor high frequency sword]" one of the engineer watching the fight said, "[I can fetch it for you, but it's useless.]"
There are no such thing as useless sword when you know how to use it, Chifuyu mentally shrugged, "[Go for it.]"
Five minutes later, three women gave it to Chifuyu to inspect. Chifuyu took a moment until realization hit her…
Chifuyu smiled, and then laughed.
"What, what's strange, Chifuyu-nee?" Icchan tilted her head in response.
When both Ichika faced each other again for the final bout, Chifuyu can feel something changed in him… something good that made Chifuyu sure that he's really have that kind of potential himself.
"I have faith in my sister" he wielded the massive blade like he had before, "There's more into a sword, more than raw spec and technology."
Icchan knew she will need to go all out for this one, so she began to sing…
…
And then, the fourteen day trial is finished.
"Congratulations: you passed the test, Ichika." Icchan swung around his neck out of happiness, her work as senior is complete and now they're become equal.
"Alright." he clenched his fist in excitement, "Time to hit the school again".
"You have press conference to attend."
"What should I say?"
"Things that don't make sense." Chifuyu pat his shoulder and smiled, "You're a bad liar, but decent actor. So just pull anything out of your posterior will work"
Needless to say it end with hilarity, there's at least half a dozen story origin 'concluded' from his unreliable interview, with two of them being highlighted.
The first one is male Ichika is secretly a long lost brother, except the official family document disprove it. The variant is that he's born of a mistress, which made Chifuyu laughed her ass off.
The second cover story is that Ikkun is an anonymous boy accidentally retrieved under a classified government operation. It doesn't help that he use a hoodie and mask to cover himself.
When asked if his presence can –somehow- return the balance of the world he gave two cold hard answers
The first one is that "Such balance never exists in the first place."
The second one is that "One man can only do so much."
This caused a simultaneous murmur amongst the older Japanese people, who know exactly what exactly he's talking about.
All in all, he's really, really quiet and only answer as dictated, giving a mysterious serene vibe. With his presence unveiled, the wall that kept the status quo began to crumble apart.
~333~
*BLIP* Dan pinched the remote and yawned.
"Dude, you still have time to watch Tv?"
"Nah, just a little bit. It's time for night stretching, Senpai." he replied rather respectfully.
"Oh, I thought so. I guess it's not always good to boast around, but what you lack in experience, cover it with intensive training and fighting spirit." his senior smiled.
Dan went to the pavilion and began to tap his foot, creating his own rhythm and began to dance slowly. Dynamic footwork and movement of the arms, coupled with serene expression. He's an idol. He dance, dance like the world is all about him.
And he stopped.
"Off beat by one half." he sighed, "Guess I need to calm myself first."
He dashed outside and took a small jog around the city, even though it's nighttime, people still running around.
Arrived in a park, he took time to relax. At night, he knew that he had to compete with the plants for oxygen. But even then, he decided to sit there and practice his vocal.
*BEEP BEEP* *BEEP BEEP*
"Yo, Rin, what it is?"
"Huh, a visit to Orimura's? I don't know, it's really busy over here."
"Huh? Alright, I'll tell you when I have the time."
Dan sighed.
He really liked being an idol; everyone recognize him, he can meet high class people, being close with beautiful actress yadda yadda. From outside view, being an idol is awesome.
But it cost him a LOT, he can't hang out with random pal from outside world, can't date random girl he fancied, has a lot of enemies, rivals, as well as extremely dedicated -if small- fandom (who's maybe even more dangerous than these two).
It's easy to say that being an idol needs dedication and require physical mental fortitude not unlike that of a warrior.
All those beautiful 'romance on the set' or 'Cinderella story' portrayed in manga or dorama is nothing but big bullshit.
To add insult to injury, his paycheck is nowhere as high as people may estimate. If not for the fact that agency giving actual budget for his expenses, he might actually starving! Then again, it's sort of justified considering by his experience and age, he's still considered a trainee, not even a rookie.
"Ah screw it; let's use that annual leave notes, I might as well visit my family too"
~333~
*TAP* *TAP* *TAP*
"One two one two three four, STOP!"
*BLUGH* Both Ichika stumbled on the floor, limbs entangled.
"…what are you two doing…?" the small statured, teal haired girl accompanying their effort asked in disbelief, "I know you're reckless and all but…"
"My fault." Icchan sheepishly noted, whilst removing herself from the human knot.
He deadpanned, "Outside of arena you're really unlucky huh?"
"What about you, Pot?" she lightheartedly retorted, pot don't call kettle black indeed.
Realizing his hypocritical snarky comment, he sighed. "Only when there are girls around, I'm easily nervous. Sorry."
Oh? I think maybe they do it on purpose. Icchan mentally laughed at his misfortune. Well, at any rate he's still twice as lucky as she is.
"Can we continue? Or maybe you two should get a room instead."
Sarashiki Kanzashi, 15, Japanese Cadet Representative and Class Representative of 1-4 ticked off. One, she don't like to waste her time with 'outsider'. Two, she don't waste her time being left out. Three, see the first and second point.
Her red eyes (noticeably paler than the Orimuras) sharply leered at them.
"I'm sorry, let's go back to where we left..." he sheepishly nodded.
Ikku don't know how much important music is in this world, now he knew, he had to learn.
"Tactics, strategy, everything is the same. It's all about rhythm, tone, and tempo. Song, music, dance… even such menial things are essential to training as I.S. pilot, don't you forget it."
"One two, seven eight, go!"
Upbeat music played and all three of them do a synchronized dance, Ikkun began to understand now, Dan probably beat himself over in such training, being an Idol and all.
Dancing is not easy, theory and skill alone is not enough, betting one's heart in each and every move to create a beautiful and poetic display is important.
Icchan and Kanzashi began to sing along the music, already memorizing each and every part of the lyric. Ikkun even get a glimpse that Kanzashi is doing everything with her eyes closed!
There's a long story to this… traced way back to the First Mondo Grosso. The First grand scale Infinite Stratos world tournament where country representatives duke it out, being the vanguard carrying the weight national pride.
Until the final, the fight had always been easy, Chifuyu, the mother of infinite stratus combat doctrine, and the strongest I.S. pilot bar none, moped each and every opponent she faced.
Until the final, that is.
Italian representative fought her, undisturbed by the sheer difference in skill, gracefully dance around the field as she sing.
Yes, she actually sung a classic to the tune of sword fight.
When the fight ended, Chifuyu had admitted something is strange; it's not even about skill.
"What happened just now is not a fight, it's a dialogue"
The key is not the song itself, but the component of the song, and its effect on the pilot-machine interface system. Further research into this field gave birth into new trend.
Music arts actually made pilot and I.S. grow closer, and thus perform much better.
In fact, Chifuyu's legendary feat happened because she survived Mondo Grosso II without relying on power of Symphony herself, despite admitting their existence.
"There are plenty of ways to communicate with your machine; music is only one of them"
And he can feel it too
The moment he got the half-melting I.S. grade sword, the performance gap between them become narrower… not enough for him to win, but enough for his female counterpart to take seriously.
ByakuShiki had answered his whim. Chifuyu even commented that he probably could go toe to toe with Rin if he can use his G3 weapon right, not an easy feat.
"Good job, Ichika."
"Eh?" he blinked, "What do you mean, Ichika?"
"You completed it successfully this time, with zero blunders!" she tapped his fist as response, which became their special codeword and congratulatory sign.
"Huh, good then." He smiled in response, even though feeling a little embarrassed that he done it without paying much attention, "I suppose I should prepare the lunch… after a neat bath"
"Should I help? You cooked us today's breakfast after all."
"Nah, you owe me cool dinner." he replied lightly, picking the towel and leaving the two girls.
"You really like him, don't you?" Kanzashi asked softly when he left.
Ichika took a moment to answer, but rather than feel embarrassed, she seems confused, "Why shouldn't I like him? Even Chifuyu-nee approve him, so I don't see the need to put a wall between us."
So dense, Kanzashi thought. "Aren't Chifuyu-san the one who didn't trust him?"
"It was a rhetorical question." Ichika laughed, "He learn quickly, obedient, and hard working, not to mention really kind. It's easy to see why everyone took a liking on him, me included. That's also the reason why Chifuyu-nee allow him to stay with us, something in him probably triggered her instinct as a big sister."
Kanzashi can't help but rub her temple in response, really-really dense. Well, it can't be helped considering their complex circumstances.
She decided to switch the topic instead, "Any plans for the Summer Mangafest?"
Ichika shook her head. "Hmm, I don't know… cosplay doesn't seems to interest me, how about short doujin?"
"Same here, let's continue with what we left."
"Deal."
And they went upstairs; Ichika pulled a plastic bag from her drawer and remove it, revealing a doujinshi. An original doujinshi she wrote with Kanzashi in the winter and spring festival.
"You know, our fans in the blog actually asked if we ever include more male characters and fanservice."
"If you mean attractive male character in highly sensual situation that would be problematic." the petite girl leered away, skin became even paler than normally.
"Yeah, can't say I like it either..." Ichika shrugged.
Kanzashi crossed her hand with a cold expression, "Then don't"
Thinking about compromise Ichika came into nice conclusion... "What about drawing them as cool as possible, handsome men in sensible clothes with fitting atmosphere."
Kanzashi nodded, expression still cold. "That I can agree!"
They made a high five, this can't possibly go wrong.
"But we run out of material, let's go for a shopping trip."
Both girls descend down and hear the noise in the bathroom. "Ichika, we have something to buy, do you mind? Or maybe you want to me buy anything for you?"
His distant voice become clearer when he turned off the water for a while. "Oh, I think we're almost running out of miso for dinner"
"Miso it is"
…
The bell failed to ring as Gotanda pushed the button, waiting rather impatiently for any sort of response.
He chided.
"What the hell is wrong with this bell?"
He pushed it again three times, still no ring.
"?"
Although he felt like a little bit intrusive, it's better to knock. For some reason he failed to connect with Ichika's cell.
So he barged in to the front yard and knock.
"Excuse me, this is Gotanda coming."
"Hello?"
"What are you doing?" an unfamiliar voice asked, rather sternly too.
Dan flipped 180 degrees and saw five girls looked at him funny.
"Well I'm sorry that the bell is malfunctioning." He shrugged, offering his thumb "So how you're doing, Rin?"
The Chinese girl with ponytail smirked, showcasing her slightly elongated fang. She pointed her thumb as response-
"THUMB WAAAAR!" they screamed while trying to subdue each other in a self explanatory game. The other girls can only laugh, ranging from incredulous to genuine amusement. The tall, lanky idol and petite Chinese girl, look absolutely mismatched side by side. Nevertheless, it does look quite refreshing.
"Dude I win." Huang Ling Yin flapped her twin tail away proudly, "Where is my reward?"
Dan sighed, and deliver the wink as requested no matter how embarrassing. "You're awesome and you should feel awesome"
The only Japanese girl in the group can't feel but curious, she twirled her ponytail before she gathered enough guts to ask. "By any chance is this…"
"Yes, this is Dan Gotanda, old friend and an idol."
The boy raised her hand gracefully, being trained to milk his charm for all his worth.
"Oh, I see." the girl with blond, curly hair responded –in a demeaning way. As if his presence is unwanted. What the hell? "You should be honored then; my name is Cecilia Alcott, Cadet Representative of Great Britain and their Personal Unit Operator."
Ah, no wonder she responded so smugly. The Japanese girl with ponytail bowed politely, "Shinonono Houki", however, something about her told him that she doesn't seems to be friendly either.
"Major Laura Bodewig from German Army, also a Cadet Rep and Personal Unit Operator."
Dan took some time to accept that ridiculous statement until he saw her eyes, the depth of which will easily paralyze most people. He respectfully smiled and nodded. She seems to appreciate it, and if he didn't, he'll pay rather dearly.
"Charlotte Dunois, I'm from France, nice too meet you."
Ah, diamond within the pile of worthless ro-Nope O'clock, he can actually saw shinigami trailing behind her, somehow. She's just as bad, if not worse.
Ichika surely has penchant for attracting freaks of nature, even if they're beautiful, they're each scary and deadly on their own.
"Well Ichika's phone is out so..."
The door clacked open, greeting them is a man wearing shrouded vest, mask, and glasses. This of course doesn't get a light response.
"Hey you're that guy." Dan instinctively guessed.
"Ichika is going out somewhere, you can stay inside."
Cecilia twitched, her emotion and prejudice get the best of her. "Excuse me, who gave you the right to say so? That's overstepping her rights you know."
"Oh, I though because you're all her best friend it's okay, I apologize for the inconvenience." the man neutrally answered without fear.
"Ah, whatever, pardon for intrusion." Lingyin practically jumped in, carefully placed her shoes on the rack while at it.
"Pardon for the intrusion." everyone followed.
But not before Houki and Laura deliver a sharp gaze to him. OF COURSE they'll feel suspicious. The shrouded man, who is none other than Ichika, smiled behind his mask "Just like when I first meet them" he mentally laughed upon his imminent misery.
"Yo dude, pardon me to ask but..." Dan coughed, "You're living here?"
"For the time being at least." Ichika said, "You can call me Ikkun, by the way."
"Wait a minute." Cecilia raised her hand in protest, "Does that mean… you and Ichika-san is… just two of you?"
The boy in disguise waved his hand. "Huh? Of course not, Orimura-sensei is here too."
"He got a point." Laura took a sip as he served them iced tea, "Instructor will never let him touch her sister that way"
Did Laura and Cecilia just implying illicit relationship between me and- Ikkun shrudder at the thought and retorted. "I still want to stay alive and intact y'now."
"Good, because if something happens to her…" Houki's face darkened. Charlotte smiled at him and waved her hand, but all he could see is black, threatening aura. Yeah, they're exactly as scary as he know it, and while this made him unease, Ichika also somewhat glad. It'll be easier to familiarize himself with them since he knows them more than they think he did.
"Man that's rough... Ichika sure as hell have scary friends." Dan whispered, before normalizing his volume, "Hey, you're cooking?"
"I figure all of you haven't gotten your lunch."
"Well we intend to bring Ichika out but..." Lingyin mumbled, "Wait why the hell a guy is cooking?"
"Something wrong with that?"
A lot of professional chefs are men, of course. It's and indisputable fact that if they try hard enough, males can be as good or even superior to females in household skill and vice versa.
"Yes, no, I mean what?"
Okay Lingyin might just be in denial, that doesn't help her case.
"Just let him be, it suit him better, it's not like he's doing anything important. All guys are like that, right? Won't be surprised if it's the time for them to stay in the kitchen." Cecilia scoffed.
Ahh, Cecilia. Still arrogant as ever, perhaps he should speak to her as proper...
"Well better than someone who made sweet-flavored egg bacon." he sniped back casually.
"Wait a minute..." clenching her fist Cecilia barreled herself toward him. "What did you just say?"
"Ichika tell me about lunch incident, no offense meant."
"I'm outta here." Dan blitzed back to the couch, he knew full well when two active pilot meet, shit is going to hit the fan and breka the roof. All the way to the stratosphere. Situation was already tense the moment this mysterious guy appear, now he's only making things worse. Dan would like to praise his courage, but Dan also wanted to punch him for being terminally stupid.
"OF COURSE I TAKE THAT AS OFFENSE!" multiple drone weapons materialized around her.
With a flick of a wrist Ichika materialized his sword and cut the BITs apart, , their pieces fell and disappear into thin air. Cecilia's eyes widened in shock, even with such close proximity, only those that are truly skilled can do such move smoothly.
He… he has battle experience…
"Ichika will not be happy if you destroyed her house." he warned, rather gently too. Hell, he actually sounds afraid. Judging by how awkward his grip looks.
And yet, he still resist.
"Stop digging yourself deeper, Cecilia." Charlotte pulled the British girl with all her might, her smile disappear and had been replaced by subtle anger, "Ichika won't be pleased if you hurt her housemate, get a grip."
"Hey, you!"
Ichika looked at the direction of Houki, but unable to read her expression.
"That attack just now… it's Shinonono-style ittouryu, there's no mistake." Houki muttered, "Where did you learn it."
"Orimura-sensei." Ichika carefully answered, unwilling to lie or telling her the absurd truth. Technically, he was taught by HIS Orimura-sensei. "I see…"
"I'm home!"
"Welcome."
"Ah, everyone is here?" female Ichika blinked in confusion as she could feel the lingering tension within the atmosphere of her house, her male counterpart (still in disguise) shrugged and store his sword.
"We're trying to contact you but can't get a confirmation." Cecilia huffed.
"Ah, my cellphone is out for the moment." Ichika just realized that, feeling embarrassed. "My I.S. is not much better."
"What a ditz." Everyone thought.
"Ah, Kanzashi-san is here too." Charlotte waved, the petite teal haired girl nodded silently.
"I'll help you with the lunch, Ichika." Ichika said, after a bath, she meant. He nodded, because he surely need help preparing stuff for eight people.
Not taking too long, Icchan returned back dressed in camisole and hot pants, of course this caused Dan and Lingyin to choke at first, because she looks like invoking naked apron when you see her from an angle.
The girls are confused, EXCEPTIONALLY confused seeing how Ichika is really comfortable around the mysterious man (who shared the same name, to boot). Of course, outside Lingyin and Dan, these girls never know how much a Tomboy Ichika was during her puberty.
This only feed Cecilia's annoyance, and Laura's curiosity.
In Laura's case, whoever this man, he's probably strong.
She had learned the hard way when she fought Ichika in the individual tournament and got stomped for her trouble. To be fair, Laura is certifiably insane during that battle due to the presence of illegal system in her I.S.
At any rate, anyone caught Chifuyu's interest is not someone to be seen lightly.
~333~
When Icchan served the lunch she asked, "So Dan… how was the situation at studio?"
"Same thing, same deal. The fact that it's summer made it even worse, my schedule is full and even getting an one day leave is hard as hell." He laughed, while quickly took his share, "Itadakimasu"
"Ah I know, last time I saw the Wolfes having a surprise road show."
Dan's grin stretched even wider than usual, unable to hold his feelings. "He, you saw us?"
"Yes, with Ichika... I mean, Ikkun." Icchan said innocently.
When Dan's expression changed into disappointment, Lingyin coughed a little, knowing that her male friend is jealous she decided to avoid saying unnecessary things.
"Oh."
"What's this awkward situation?" Houki thought deeply, "This playboy has a feeling for Ichika?"
Even at first glance, Houki could tell the boy's feelings are genuine. Even though she can't help but annoyed and suspicious, she can't really meddle, this idol Gotanda is as much as a friend to Ichika as Houki is.
"Why are Ikkun not joining us?" Charlotte asked politely.
In realization Icchan left her seat toward her male counterpart "Huh? Right, hey Ichika where are you going?"
"Something to take care off-"
But Icchan didn't let him go, she KNOW he has problem.
"Stay." she said half-whispering, so no one else can hear, "I'll be with you, so please…"
Looking intently at him, she knew that he's in pain. Those are people close to him, or at least, as far as his memories can tell. And yet, they don't know him, not in the slightest.
He was afraid, afraid of creating a new bond only to lose it again.
Knowing why she held his vest tightly, he sighed in defeat. "Alright."
Removing his hood to reveal his hair, he also removed his glasses and mask, revealing his real face.
Laura and Houki reacted first and foremost; it would be easy to mistake him for Chifuyu. However, blue tinted hair and blood red eyes say otherwise.
He smiled.
"My name is Orino Ichika, you can call me Ikkun." He introduced himself once more.
Lingyin and Dan are, to put it simply, speechless.
"So, Ikkun isn't it?" Charlotte chose to be the one to defuse the tension. "Are you related to Orimura-sensei and Ichika?"
"Yes, or at least I was told that."
"Ah, so that's why you're look like them so much." Charlotte sheepishly nodded.
"But Ichika doesn't have a brother, or any other living relative, so who are you?"
The bluntness of Houki's question sounds a lot less hostile than they should be… the fact that she genuinely concerned helps. Charl put a palm on her temple though, for her effort rendered moot.
"…Do you know that I have a twin sister?" Icchan intervened.
Shook her head, the ponytailed girl said. "No, you never said so"
"I just know about that recently too, Chifuyu-nee said I have a non-identical twin sister, and her name is Madoka. The topic of our family is sensitive subject for her, so I don't like to bring it up. For her to mentioned it so suddenly means it's something important that I should know."
"Then what about you? Maybe you're long lost brother or something else."
Something else, only Laura has the courage to say that. Considering the circumstances of her birth, and the way she raised as soldier from very young age, that's a given. And Ikkun understood that well.
"Maybe?" he shrugged.
"What the…" unsatisfied, the child soldier growled, "Why are you loitering around the issue?"
"Classified information, sorry." He said calmly.
Laura blinked in response, and sighed. "I respect your decision then"
"Now, now, not the time to feel gloomy!" Dan tapped the table to get their attention, "How about we're going to the pool? It's summer, right?"
"That's a good idea!" Charlotte clapped her hands, hoping that the hostile air to disappear for real this time around. "Say, wasn't there a new water park that just got opened near here?"
"Yeah, that's true." Trying to ignore the heavy topic, Cecilia nodded. "I'd like to visit it, sometime."
"Well what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Lingyin encouraged it even further, the more they got distracted, the better.
"But Kanzashi, what about our doujin?" Icchan interrupted.
"I don't mind." the girl in question shrugged, "That can wait."
"Alright then, I'll contact Chifuyu-nee first."
*CLACK* the door open and reveal the woman in question, apparently there's no need for that either. Loosely dressed in a black camisole and open shirt, Chifuyu also carries a small briefcase with her.
"Ah, welcome home."
"Do you have lunch yet?"
"Or are you thirsty?"
"I'll get some iced tea!"
"I'll prepare her portion first."
Dan and Lingyin can't help but snorted, holding their laughter. The rest of the girls just tilted their head in confusion as both Ichika act like a newlywed wife… to Chifuyu. Female Ichika at least have the excuses, but the male one? Bizarre doesn't even begin to explain.
"Actually, I just come home to give you this." she gave them the briefcase, containing Icchan's I.S.
"Nice to meet you again, [Byakushiki]... no... [Fujin]"
"[Fujin]?" Houki stepped up off her Chair "It's no longer [ByakuShiki]?"
"[Fujin] and [Raijin] are built on the same frame and don't look much different on their base form. You can say that both Fujin and Raijin are the branch development of ByakuShiki frame, successor units. Fujin possess Fold Out Armor, while Raijin use Image Interface Weapon"
"Ah, that means." Charlotte muttered, "Ikkun is in the possession of [Raijin] right?"
"That's right." the boy raised his golden-plated gauntlet, matching Icchan's platinum-colored one.
Chifuyu purposefully not telling them that she doesn't want Tabane to interfere with Ichika's development anymore, and she managed to scratch-built ByakuShiki from the ground up with some colleagues she can trust.
"I won't be long, even during vacation there are occasional job that must be completed." Chifuyu told them.
Cecilia approached her, "Well, we're thinking of visiting the new waterpark, do you mind, sensei?"
"No, just don't go overboard."
...
The waterpark is stunningly beautiful, everyone seems to be pleased. The transparent decoration on the pillars and wall edges accentuated the cool sensation provided by the large indoor pool, everyone seems to regain their burned out spirit once again.
"Awesome!" Lingyin screamed excitedly.
"Damn, this is so worth it!" Dan laughed, "So many beautiful girls!"
"Hey!" Houki shouted "Don't you dare to perv around, idiot."
Ticked, Dan just grinned in response and turn his back. "Excuse me? Well in that case let me go around instead, my fans are everywhere!"
"Dude chill!" Icchan pouted, "Houki, we already go through this."
"Yeah, yeah... all men are just pervert." the girl in the ponytail grunted.
"Worthless monkeys..." Cecilia added.
Male Ichika sighed, they're waay too similar to people he knew, and by that, on their worst moment. Still, at least they ignore his presence for the most part, so at least he's physically safe. While Cecilia and Houki is overreacting, Dan being 'himself' don't help much.
Well, one of them actually pay attention and constantly stalked him. "Are you afraid?" the shortest girls in the clique, Laura Bodewig, asked.
"Shouldn't I?" he answered with rhetorical question, "No offense, but my presence is unwanted."
"I can't say that's really true." Laura, as always, earnestly said with the bluntness of sledgehammer. "However, we can't trust you."
Remembering Chifuyu's words he laughed, "Can't say I don't see the reason and accept it, doesn't meant I have to like it."
"You-" the girl pushed him to the wall, rather easily too considering their difference in size. "Don't mock us like that!"
Ichika tried not to show his fear and gently shoved her, "In other words I HAVE to like it, is that right, Bodewig?" he neutrally argued, trying to suppress his own annoyance.
Laura's eyes widened, then she realize she was being the strawman here, and fell right into his cone of fire. "My apologies."
"I know, earning someone's trust is not easy." He said, half-gruntled, "But it's painful when you aren't given a chance to do it in the first place."
Laura won't admit it but he got a point, so she decide not to bother him further.
"Like I said, don't get within 5 meter near us." the blond, British girl raised her fist, a very unladylike gesture.
"I am certain I'm beyond that distance, milady." Dan sarcastically retorted, putting down his thumb down. Seriously, though, Dan doesn't take this girl seriously at all. She's way too high up there in the sky, too disillusioned by her own prestige. And he know a lot of women like this so he simply brushed off her insults.
"Ara-ara... this is bad..." Charlotte moaned.
"You two, just get a room and fuck already!" Lingyin screamed, "Dan, weren't you the one who want to be surrounded by pretty girls?"
The young, rookie idol laughed in response. "My dear Rin, there are such things as consent, and I am certain your friends don't appreciate me around. That guy over there too."
The guy in question (male Ichika) just coughed, while calmly laying on a chair. Somehow he managed to share a table with one of the girls, the short one, at that (Laura). And Laura seems to be fairly content with him.
Swimming slowly toward her friend, Lingyin sighed heavily "Fueh... I'm sorry Ichika, this must be annoying for you".
The girl in question shook her head, still dressed in a very loose jacket. "In a way, releasing tension is good"
Rin blinked. "Really?"
"Well, Dan did at least... he's been a lot more relaxed."
*POW*
"I TOLD YOU I'M NOT INTERESTED, PERVERT." Houki's voice echoed within the dome the same moment she punched a man away, causing her friends to put a palm on her face.
"At least you shouldn't punch him like that." Kanzashi said in monotonic voice, "Someday, someone is going to sue you."
Houki pouted and huffed, not wanting to argue. He's LUCKY Houki won't going to use long, hard object as sword substitute.
"Well, they deserve it... men are stupid like that!" Cecilia cheerfully noted.
"And you should stop being a stuck up bitch."
Cecilia's vein popped, looked murderously at the direction of the voice.
All she saw is a solid mass of young boys looked at her disgustingly, and they left angrily afterwards. It's like one third of the park had been evacuated to the other sides.
"Cowards, all of them." Cecilia gritted her teeth, unable to admit that she's feeling humiliated by the treatment.
"You know what, Cecilia, I am really tired hearing you spouting all this inferiority nonsense, because it's pure, unadulterated BULLSHIT." Icchan frowned "I know you don't like men, but saying that in public is sexist."
"It's a fact, no matter what you say my view won't change."
Houki and Lingyin seems like they want to argue, but decided not to.
Well, all men are perverts. Houki mentally scowled, but I can't really say they're all pathetic...
I can say most of them are pathetic but seriously? Lingyin wordlessly huffed If all of them are, humanity will go extinct, fast.
But arguing with Cecilia is so hard they concluded.
"Then that means everything I know about my best friend over there-" Icchan pointed at Dan, "Is a lie, and every single moment I spent in junior high is made up, and I'm nothing but a DQN-obsessed chuunibyou. One mo insulting word and I'll take it VERY personally."
Lingyin really want to sink herself and stay on the bottom of the pool for hours, it's not like Ichika will uncover Lingyin's pathetic past self... right?
Cecilia is taken a back by the sudden outburst, and she climbed out of the pool. "Now, now Ichika-san I am sure there's something missing here... point A to B please?"
I don't even want to get involved Houki thought and swam away, but stopped, and return again to listen. Lingyin only chuckled by her indecisiveness, "Shut up" Houki rolled her eyes away.
"What I want to say is that you can't always judge everything from your own viewpoint. I am sure you have a valid reason for your distrust against men, but as someone who know him for more than three years, I am feeling insulted, and obligated to come at his defense telling you the truth as I perceive it. He's as precious to me as you are."
Ikkun can tell Icchan is really pissed, but at the same time, she care about Cecilia just like she care about everyone else.
"What you need to know is, Dan is not a coward, and respectful toward me and Lingyin." Icchan said desperately, "Ikkun too... he just want to be friends with everyone, and I really don't like how he's treated."
"What Ichika said, give them a chance." Charlotte brightly smiled, finally found a chance to come in the boys' defense, "It's not like we lack the means to punish them accordingly if they don't behave, but if you want to be appreciated by them, you need to appreciate them."
Meanwhile, Dan and Ikkun is having a thumb war, with Laura and Kanzashi doing it themselves.
"Dude you're good."
"I'm learning, Gotanda."
Cecilia frowned, apparently they don't care that much about it anyway.
"Alright, I'm giving up and won't insult him further... but I'm not going to apologize until I changed my mind, okay?" Cecilia offered her hand, Icchan grabbed it and nodded. "Deal."
"If you violate it don't forget to drink napalm." Charlotte cheerfully added, much to Cecilia's horror. Ichika's potential rage is already enough of a threat for her, adding Charlotte's dissonant smile won't help much.
Cecilia sighed.
How could possibly she made herself look like a complete fool in public is beyond her.
Though, she knew that it's because the male I.S. pilot is around that she feel on edge all the time.
Grumbled and tired, she rented the biggest float-bed as of yet and float around aimlessly, thinking.
"Oi, what's with that pathetic face? You should enjoy this." Huang Ling Yin grinned at her, OF COURSE she will tease her whenever she could.
"Leave me alone..."
"Baby, a blunder is a blunder and it's easier just to forget it!" the Chinese girl scowled and pointed at the two guys "Those idiots over there don't care about your constant nagging. Hell I think Dan likes you."
Cecilia frowned, "So what do you think I should do?"
"Doing this"
*KA-SPLASH* before she knew it, Cecilia is now underwater, no thanks to Rin flipped her floating bed.
"FUAH, Rin-san you jerk!"
"Chase me if you can! Nya-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha"
"As soon as I get my hand on you, I will-"
And that's how the two girls ended in a high speed pursuit game, interested, Kanzashi and Laura followed them too.
"Hey, Ichika, aren't you're going to swim?" Houki asked whilst stretching her arms and legs "It's such a waste"
"Nah, I'm okay, go ahead."
The way she's fidgeting around, obviously she's not okay.
So Dan took it into his own hands and pushed her to the floor.
"Really?"
Female Ichika turns red in response "W-what are you doing?"
Like a hungry wolf, Dan fiercely unzipped her jacket, tracing it alongside her (very modest) cleavage-
And threw her to the pool, with a resounding splash. What else, the distance achieved is rather massive too, meaning his lean body is rather deceptive.
"BRRRPPPP-ASSHOLE!" Icchan howled, "Just wait until I get you!"
"You NEED to swim first."
"Not really." Ikkun said as he kicked the red haired boy nonchalantly, much to Lingyin and his female counterpart's laugh.
"Bastard! Get in the water and fight like a man!"
"Fight like a man alright." Ikkun cracked his fist, and the two boys proceed to wrestle each other, much to some young girls delight (and embarrassment).
"Ho ho! Fanservice time!" Lingyin shouted, caught even more attention than it is necessarily. While Lingyin doesn't have particularly romantic crush on them, she can't help but appreciate the sight nonetheless.
Kanzashi just closed her eyes in embarrassment, while Laura tilted her head in confusion. "Fanservice time? So it does apply to men too"
Left outside the chaotic teenage antics are Houki, who is warming herself up to join soon, and Charlotte, who is resting. Both girls simply shared a glance and laughed.
"Ichika looks really comfortable with that guy" Houki muttered, "Even though he's just a pervert… if he did that to me I'd just punch him."
"Maybe that's just how they act together..." Charlotte giggled, "Around boys you can trust; you might feel somewhat safe to express yourself right?"
"Sort of, maybe…"
Houki can't really discount that thought, even if she don't have that sort of male friend. Even Cecilia can't hold the mood forever and having fun, the moment both Ichika double-teamed that pervert boy Gotanda is especially hilarious, and Cecilia laughed hard enough to drop from her float, again.
"BREAK! BREAK!"
…
"Dude, Gotanda is that you?"
"Senpai?"
Dan removed his goggles to get a clear view of three attractive-looking men on the side on the pool.
"Ah, so it's really you, hard to spot you without makeup." one of them said.
"Yeah, I'm just generic like that."
Dan of course didn't realize that from the moment he wrestled with Ikkun, his secret fans already get a watchful everything, not to mention pictures and footages, some of which already posted on the internet.
That was the reason his senpai found him in the first place.
"Summer harem time?"
"Not really." Dan laughed, "For the most part, I'm pretty much tagging along with old friends."
"High class girls, I can see why they're not infatuated… which is a good thing I suppose."
"Yeah, I know. Idols and all." Dan nodded; OF COURSE he knew that idols are supposed to be chaste.
If only so every girl can fawn around them without much problem, now they're lost in a sea of estrogen (and reporters).
"Damn it and it's supposed to be his day off." Lingyin clenched her teeth.
"But he's having fun; even though it's short." Icchan patted her head "I know he's really thankful to you"
"Least I can do for a childhood friend I suppose."
And now said reporters are surrounding both of them.
"Excuse me, but aren't you Japan's cadet representative, Orimura Ichika?"
"Yes, I am." she nodded, "And my friend here is cadet representative of China, Huang Ling Yin."
With a collective gasp the newshounds nodded toward each other, "We also saw Sarashiki Kanzashi and Shinonono Houki here."
Kanzashi shook her head and sighed, while Houki pay little attention to them.
Cecilia practically launched herself gracefully into the spotlight, much to her friends' laughter (and Kanzashi's gratitude)
"That's right; everyone here is top of the line student of Infinite Stratos Academy, rigorously selected from their respective country… Crème la crème! My name is Cecilia Alcott, cadet representative of Great Britain."
"They totally stole the show!" Dan nodded sagely.
"You have pretty interesting friends over there." his senpai also shared the opinion.
The moment the news people caught their attention, Ikkun bailed out as fast as possible. His real identity had yet to be publicized, so most people won't recognize him.
"One cup of milkshake please."
"One for me as well."
He looked aside, Icchan already there.
"Huh? I thought you're with them?"
"Just there to introduce our friends..." she brightly smiled, "I don't think I'll fit well in the picture."
He raised his eyebrow, "Really?"
"Just look at them..."
His attention is guided toward the I.S. girls, who smoothly fit in with male idols (even Cecilia, grudgingly) and chalk with the press. Cecilia virtually become their spokesperson, though everyone got their share of talking (Kanzashi doesn't seems to like the attention given to her though)
"Each of them is unique and pretty, my presence there is unneeded."
"You can't say that." he frowned.
"Nope, that's the truth." she smirked and disappear with the crowd.
What the…
"That part of her never change huh?" Dan ruefully said, "If anything, her self esteem issue can only get worse."
"Self esteem?"
Now that's interesting.
"While normally she's really outgoing and cheerful, when it comes to physical beauty her confidence will hit rock bottom." Dan explained, "You can see it too, right? From her own perspective, she's only generic girl within a group she considered heterogeneous."
"What do you think then?"
"I like her… and by that, I want her to be my girlfriend."
Ikkun stay silent and listen.
"Though, she already rejected me because she never saw me that way. I'm so stupid, I think everything would change forever but she still treated me like I did nothing."
"Is that a good thing or bad thing?" Ikkun asked, much to Dan's ire
"For you, I mean." he continued.
"Ah" Dan held his chin thoughtfully, "I can't say it's bad, just strange."
"Maybe because she held you as her precious friend." Ikkun smiled, "That's why she refused her own issue with that confession of yours… I think that's where her true strength lies."
"Yeah, and that was what made me fall for her in the first place." Dan laughed, "In a way, she's unique."
"You need to tell her that."
"I will!" Dan grinned naughtily, "But won't you feel jealous?"
Ikkun just look at him confused. This caused Dan to do a double take.
"Dude, you really like… what, genderbent Ichika. Both of you are so dense than people need to hit you hard with hints."
"I've heard that a lot." Ikkun laughed innocently, again, really ignorant of the main issue.
"Now what do you think about her? Her body, I mean..." the red haired idol whispered "Damn, that sounds really wrong… but I'm a liar if I say she's don't attractive."
"Indeed."
"Oooh?"
Dan gulped, Cecilia and Houki cracked their fist. Charlotte smiling behind them… smiling like an angel of death, of course.
"Leave it to boys when it comes to naughty talk, eh?" Cecilia laughed evilly.
"It's valid, it's not like YOU should be ashamed by your appearance." Dan said in defense, "Isn't that the point of wearing different swimsuit?"
"THEN DON'T SAY IT SO BLUNTLY!"
Dan ran away full speed from Cecilia and Houki's wrath.
"And what about you, Ikkun." Charlotte, still keeping her deadly smile, approached the only male I.S. pilot, "What do YOU think about Ichika's appearance?"
Damned if he do… damned if he don't.
"You want honest answer or a blunt one?"
Rhetorical game is a go!
"Honest answer please." Kanzashi raised her hand, coolly.
"If I may say, she's really pretty. As for her body, she has nothing to be ashamed. This is not Victorian age; a little bit of muscle here and there." He pointed his arm "Can be a charm point, instead of something considered intrusive."
"Vouch on that." Laura nodded, actually, she always been envious of Ichika's body. Laura's fast metabolism means it's hard for her to bulk up her body at all; the defect in her growth hormone production doesn't help.
"When you look at her, you saw a girl with equally strong physique and mentality, someone not to be taken lightly or underestimated. Each and every effort she spent in training is shown on every inch of her skin, and even with her issue with external appearance, she's always proud of her accomplishment and supportive toward her friends and rivals. To say she's not gorgeous is an unforgivable insult."
Charlotte widened her eyes in surprise, blinked, and then returned back to smiling.
Only this time, it wasn't mean to be threatening at all. It was genuine, angelic smile.
"That's true." Kanzashi pulled a drawing book out of nowhere, writing detailed explanation of Icchan's training schedule, "Even for a cadet rep, she trained herself extra hard. Most I.S. pilot don't show half as much bulk as she is, not even her own sister."
Most of them look like Hollywood-standard supermodel instead of humanoid WMD pilot. No wonder Ichika has self esteem issues.
"I know that." Ikkun winked and left as soon as he dried his cup.
Laura and Kanzashi looked at each other, and then slowly walk back.
They prodded the heavily embarrassed girl hiding behind the pillar, embarrassed enough that she unconsciously crushed the poor plastic cup in her hand, spilling the content on the floor.
I REGRET NOTHING!
