Yet another chapter on this silly badly written story.
EDIT: Thanks to Tempest35, he's now an official co-writer of this story, and with coresplinter offering himself as beta reader hopefully the quality of this story can be vastly improved.
Infinite Stratos
-The Mirror Universe-
Disclaimer:
IzuruYumizuru
And everyone else!
Chapter 02: Summer and Hilarity Part 2
*WHOOOSH*
The sound of the wind reverberated throughout the house, silence filled each and every corner despite the building itself far from empty. It's as if the sky itself howled in anger, the darkness and sudden rise in humidity didn't help either.
"I can't believe it, and it's such a good day too," Dan sighed, staring at the window as the rain began to batter uselessly against the glass.
Icchan crossed her arms across her chest as soon as she finished securing the windows. "Well, the weather is pretty unpredictable these past few got nonstop rain for 3 days straight, and another day we got snowfall. Freakin' Snowfall!"
"3 days?" Ikkun raised his eyebrows in surprise. He really didn't know it was that bad. How about that, the weather changed as much as some girls' moods. And he knew a few of them that really did.
"The deviation in the Earth's axis… Didn't you hear it on the news?" Bodewig was a hair-breath away from violating his personal space, her eye boring into his.
The young man found himself instinctively leaning slightly back away from her. "I don't watch TV that much, sorry," he shrugged.
"Alright, I'm going to contact my family and tell them to be careful," Dan nodded, climbing the stairs to the second floor for a bit of privacy.
"I should call Chifuyu-nee too, "Icchan murmured, automatically reaching for her phone, but since hers was absent, her 'brother' lent his phone instead. Giving him a grateful smile, she quickly dialed in the number.
"Hello, Chifuyu-nee…Yes, I'm home, but the girls are all here too…Well, unless you allow us to use I.S., we're practically trapped here. Okay, I got it. Take care, Chifuyu-nee."
After closing the call and giving the phone back, Icchan gathered everyone to make the announcement. "If the storm last as long as everyone expects, I think a sleepover is a go. Orimura-sensei gave me permission just now."
"Alright," Rin grinned from ear to ear. "We haven't had a sleep over in ages, Ichika!"
"A sleepover…mmmhn, sounds good," even Houki couldn't contain a bit of her excitement about having a sleepover with her childhood friend.
Both Dan and Ikkun glanced at each other and shared a knowing sigh – Dan because he had a younger sister and Ichika because he had the knowledge inherent to all males about a female-dominant sleepover. This fact was not lost on Cecilia, who also had the pleasure of participating in sleepovers before, but also stuck by the ironclad rule which governed the majority of such activities.
"But wait, what about them," the blonde protested quite noisily, pointing at the red-haired boy (again?) "You can't possibly allow him to stay here!"
Dan wisely held in his initial reaction to throw his hands in the air. Oh sure, I've known Ichika for longer than you and yet I get singled out? For Ikkun's part, he didn't know if he should feel grateful that he was left out of her statement.
"You know what, I'm going to kick you out, Cecilia," Icchan spoke in an eerily calm voice with a smile that spooked even Charlotte. "At least you have your Blue Tears to shield you from the rain."
For a few moments, no one dared to talk, each too stunned by her 'threat'. Even Laura, super child soldier that she was, knew to think twice before knowingly invoking the younger Orimura's wrath. To do so would be a very, very unwise move.
Cecilia cringed, searching Icchan's face for a hint that she was kidding but the Representative Candidate could find none. Not wanting to be thrown out in the rain, she grudgingly bowed to Dan as an apology. "Please forgive my behavior just now," she spoke in a subdued voice.
Dan just shrugged. Honestly, he didn't mind too much, especially after her hurried reaction to avoid being tossed out but the fact that Ichika defended him made him feel good too. Lingyin, however, was outright rolling on the floor laughing. Walking to the sofa, he plopped himself on the cushions, giving a small chuckle. "Apology accepted. And also, the sofa is mine."
"Huh?" Cecilia blinked. Why in the world was the idiot talking about sofas when she was showing him far more courtesy than she would even her own father! "What are you talking about now?"
"There are three bedrooms here but I don't think we have enough futons for everyone," Ikkun added, glancing at Icchan before turning to the girls. "If you don't mind, you guys can use my room also to sleep."
"Ah!" Icchan suddenly realized the problem and looked at her friends with an apologetic expression. Of course accommodations would be an issue, even in their house. Indeed, the Orimura residence was a very spacious building. The kitchen space was very extensive, and the living room was even more noteworthy in size and volume of space. And that's before the front yard was included. The problem lay with the bedrooms. Each bedroom could accommodate a queen-size bed easily, but then again there are only three of them in this house.
Both Ichikas knew that paying for its yearly tax was no small feat, even for Chifuyu on her exceptional salary from the I.S. Academy, and to relieve her of this financial burden is one of their motivations for seeking independent jobs as soon as possible.
"I can take the sofa too," Laura proposed, raising her hand. "A sofa is infinitely more comfortable than my old bed," was her reasoning. Being a soldier, she was trained to sleep practically whenever and wherever possible.
But both the males present crossed their arms and shook their heads as a gentle rebuke to Laura's proposal."Sorry Miss Laura, but us guys should be able to handle the less comfortable spots," Dan smiled disarmingly at her.
"How generous of you," Charlotte smiled at them, approving of their chivalrous attitudes. Even with the shift in the dynamics between men and women, it felt nice when she saw men treating women in a respectful manner. She was sure to do the same in return, even if some of her fellow women felt it their right to walk all over a man when they were merely being polite.
"I don't think the two of us will take much space," Kanzashi noted, glancing at Laura, "If you don't mind sharing, Bodewig-san?"
"N-not really," the small-statured soldier shook her head, caught off guard by the offer. At 148 and 145 cm respectively, Laura and Kanzashi are two of the shortest students in I.S.A., even by Japanese standards."You have a point; we can share a bunk easily."
"I can take the futon on the floor then," Lingyin nodded before sneering at Cecilia. "Now as for our princess here, I don't think she'd want to share even a single patch of a room for anyone," she teased.
"D-don't be ridiculous," The voluptuous blonde tried to deny. There was no way she'd show weakness again, especially in front of him. "Of course I can share that much. I am not without kindness."
"Tell that to your ex-roommate," Houki chipped in under her breath but loud enough to be overheard by the majority of the group, much to Cecilia's consternation.
It was well-known that Cecilia was so infuriatingly selfish that her roommate having a freak-out and left, mainly due to how Cecilia filled the room with her furniture, a literal violation of personal space.
Just how many times Cecilia has been humiliated so far? The answer is not even close to enough.
"B-but since I don't want to stay in a boy's room, I'll stay with you, I guess," Houki concluded, arms crossed beneath her chest in a classic display of tsundere.
"Who could have thought," Cecilia sarcastically laugh, causing spark to fly between them.
"Now now," Charlotte waved her hands, trying to defuse the situation. "That was the Cecilia from before, not as she is now," she missed Cecilia's flinching at her words. "We have entire night to ourselves, why don't we try to enjoy it, huh?"The best way to seek peace is through common interest, after all, right?
"Pajama party then?" Lingyin grinned, pumping a fist into the air full of spirit. "Awesome, let's do it!"
"Pajama party," Laura and Kanzashi both nodded. While Kanzashi was familiar with the particulars, Laura was still painfully unaware of what was truly meant.
"I-I suppose it's an acceptable solution," Houki turned her glance aside, unwilling to admit loud that she was excited herself.
"Well, since they are going to be occupied with that," Ichika smiled, turning to the other male who was stuck with him. "Bring out the cards?" Ikkun offered his fist to Dan, who tapped it with his own.
"Amen bro."
~333~
Gritting his teeth, Gotanda's eyes were strained, constantly shifting between the cards in his hand, on the table, and the deck. "Turn end," he sighed, unable to think of anything else to do.
"My turn, card draw," Ikkun picked a card off his own deck and gave a cursory glance. "I sacrifice three monsters and summon God of Osiris." Laying it down, he placed his hand on an upside down card as well. "Activate trap card - Backup Soldier!" With a dramatic pause, he gave a smirk. "Up to three monster cards with attack point of 1500 or less will return from my graveyard to my hand."
Dan's left eye began to twitch.
Now, Ikkun's hand is full of cards and the Red Dragon God on his field had become much, much stronger. Another pause as Ichika lifted his free hand and pointed right at Dan. "…Direct attack."
Cards flew into the air. "YOU GOTTA BE SHITTIN' ME!"
"What are they doing?" Laura raised her eyebrow, confused at how serious the two boys playing the collectible card game.
"Oh, I used to play that in junior high," Icchan explained, scratching the back of her head embarrassed "Those cards are mine."
Lingyin grinned. "Well, you were a card battle maniac back then. You stopped after you become Cadet Rep though, right?"
"Yep," she nodded in reply. It was one of the many things she had to give up in order to pursue her training. She never really told anyone how much she had missed doing those incredibly simple things. Chifuyu-nee had an idea but she never really connected with Ichika. Only until now could she share that very personal thought with someone who could understand it on a personal level and not think any less of her for it.
"Well what the hay, I mean they're in the same house as eight cute girls… HELLO! PRETTY GIRLS OVER HERE!"Lingyin hollered, arms waving in the air. The two boys merely glanced at her before going back to reshuffling their cards. Lingyin growled at their obvious lack of a response. "Now I sound like an attention whore."
Because you are one, both Orimuras and one Gotanda thought simultaneously.
"I don't think they actually ignore us in a mean way," Charlotte put a finger to her lip, thinking. "Maybe it's because they don't want to make things awkward? I mean, we did declare a 'pajama party' and all…" Normally when declaring a pajama party amongst girls, one would show off their taste in underwear. With the presence of young men in the house, they had to nix that idea really quick thanks to two very stalwart females…
Everyone looked at Houki and Cecilia with different levels of accusatory glances and glares.
"I… I don't actually have any problem with them," Houki tried to deny being far too self-conscious around them for whatever reason. It was painfully obvious in that she was.
Cecilia, for her part, didn't bother to refute the 'accusation' and took a sip of her tea instead. "Well, as much as I despise it, Charlotte-san has a point," Cecilia huffed. "I guess they're not that bad – for now."
Did Cecilia just praise them? Everyone thought.
"I'll invite them," Laura announced, pulling herself up and made her way towards the boys and explained the situation as well as she understood it. "You two – stop leaving yourselves out. Come join us," she all but commanded them. "You are making them feel uncomfortable."
"Th-That's not what I meant," Houki tried to retcon her words.
"Anyone else want to play Yugioh?" Dan asked boldly.
Cecilia and Houki crossed their hands defiantly, while Charlotte gave an apologetic shrug, "That game sounds a bit too complicated to learn in one night, I'll pass."
"Pussies, we can't possibly pass up a *real* challenge," the small Chinese girl grinned rather evilly.
Feeling a sense of imminent danger, her male friend muttered, "Lingyin, no."
Too late. "Anyone wants to play Twister?"
Dashing toward the girls again, Laura enthusiastically shouted, "I'M GAME!" How she knew about Twister was anyone's guess.
Charlotte raised her hand. "I'm in as well!"
"Sure, I'll bring the mat," Icchan strolled across the living room toward her storage bin, which contained all of her old games and toys from before.
"Now you shouldn't chicken out, boys," Rin pointed at them with a grin that spoke of much hell if they were to be refused.
Gotanda put a palm on his face, while Ikkun just sighed in defeat. "Hai, hai."
"Wait a minute," Houki protested, "You can't possibly mean-"
Lingyin was unyielding. "What's wrong, is a famous Kendo champion afraid of a little skin contact?"
When it came to baiting people, no one won against Lingyin – NO ONE.
"Don't mind her, Houki-san," Cecilia huffed, already put out by the smaller girl's teasing for the night.
The Chinese girl proceeded to taunt the both of them with clucking noises, much to their ire. It last for three minutes until Houki virtually exploded, "BRING IT ON!"
"At least it's not truth and dare," Dan thought, clapped his hands together and prayed to God that it'll not end with disaster. The last time they play Truth and Dare, the game ended with someone in self-exile (half serious).
"Alright, here are the rules," Lingyin began to explain, "We spin the bottle to find the first participant, and then spin it again to find the second one. The game should last for five sessions, unless someone is beaten already. Easy enough, right?"
Houki opened her mouth to protest yet again. "But there are seven girls and two boys, nine people is an odd combination for pairs." One could swear they heard a 'lightbulb' sound above Cecilia's head.
"Well," Lingyin made a show of thinking about the problem, counting the ones present silently. She then remembered that Kanzashi was sleeping already. Between her morning activities and spending much energy in the public pool, she was obviously exhausted. "Since Kanzashi is sleepin', the number is 6 girls, 2 boys so I don't think so," she replied back with a cat-like smirk, knowing that either Houki or Cecilia would have tried to back out of participating using 'uneven numbers' as excuse.
Houki clenched the carpet angrily, her plain foiled as Cecilia patted her on the back.
"Alright fine, Ichika... you spin first," Houki requested, holding out the bottle to her friend.
Icchan blinked, surprised by the sudden request. "Eh, it's okay?"
"Well you're the host," Ikkun commented, nudging her.
"O-okay then," she took the bottle. With slightly more strength than necessary, the bottle is spun fast enough to create a whining sound over the floor. Everyone involved felt their heartbeat increasing along with the tension.
A lightning strike lights up the sky as the bottle begins to slow down…
And first participant is… Cecilia.
"Why me?" Cecilia whined much to Lingyin's amusement and spun the bottle, hoping that it did not fall to one of the boys.
It was Dan Gotanda.
"WHY ME," both of them shouted in disbelief, then glared at each other in contempt.
This will end in disaster, both Ichikas nodded and braced for the subsequent impacts of butting egos.
"Alright, who's going to spin?" Lingyin offered the spinner board after she finished rolling on the floor laughing a second time.
"I choose Charlotte-san," Cecilia pointed the girl in question then looked down her nose at Dan, "I won't accept an objection."
"I won't object, Ojousan," Dan just shrugged uncaringly.
Cecilia's pride suffered even more with his uncaring attitude against a derisive response… she won't tolerate it!
"Alright," Charlotte took the spinner pad in her hand. "Let's begin!" And the arrow was spun…
"Left hand, yellow!"
*SLAP* in a split second, they crossed each other's arm.
"Go away," Cecilia hissed at him through a saccharine smile.
"Only if I lose, Princess, and I won't," Dan retorted with an equally smug smile.
"Right hand, red!"
*SLAP* Now their body positions were even closer than before, a fact that was not lost on them as well as their audience.
"Left leg, green!"
Everyone held their breath, expecting an incoming trainwreck but the British cadet representative and the idol managed to twist their body graceful enough that they landed on their respective spots perfectly, somehow synchronize their moves despite clearly hostile to each other.
"Nice one," Charlotte encouraged them as she continued to spin and call out the combinations.
"Left leg, blue!"
"Right leg, yellow!"
This went on for three more minutes until they reached thirty spins and the two contestants had yet to falter. Surprised by the showing, everyone else clapped their hands.
"I guess dance practice helps a lot," Ikkun commented with a nod. Somehow it ended rather well with no casualties.
"This is but child's play," Cecilia arrogantly tilted her head upward. "Such an unchallenging amusement cannot hope to undo Cecilia Allcot! Why even a peasant like him can do it."
"Of course, if a spoiled princess can do it why not an idol?" Dan retorted, earning him a glare from the angry blonde. They began their silent bickering again, and everyone else decided to finally ignore them. Lingyin's joke about sexual tension was responded by much spluttering and heavy denial on both their parts.
The games continued rather smoothly too, with only Houki failing hers. Everyone suspected the reason were her "monstrous boobs" but not that anyone wanted to waste their well-being in telling her.
Ikkun was paired with Laura and due to the great difference in stature; they had no problem fitting around the tight mat.
For Laura, activity like Twister was not just a simple game, but a balance between coordination and competition. To strike and occupy spot unoccupied by him was not an easy task.
"Alright, for the next game... Truth or Dare!"
"Nope," Dan already took the corner of sofa, sitting aside of the petite sleeping maiden. "There will be death and suffering, trust me."
"I shall retire as well," Cecilia hated to agree with Dan, but that would really be one hell of a risky game. She's not going to risk being humiliated again by Lingyin.
"It's not like I'll tell two of you to get off," Lingyin chided, caused every other girl except Laura, who's oblivious, and Kanzashi, as explained before, to turn red.
"Whoa, Rin that's going overboard!" Icchan yanked the shorter girls' collar and shook her hard, her skin burning so hot, she was practically steaming. "Come to your senses!"
"IT WAS AN EXAMPLE, DAMN IT," Lingyin tried in vain to loosen the bigger girl's grip on her but failed.
"Well then, let's set a guideline on it," Charlotte, again, the only one with both the patience and good perception, proposed a compromise."No vulgar challenges or questions."
"Sure thing, I'm joining," Icchan immediately accepted, hoping for a bandwagon effect.
Fortunately, everyone else agreed to participate.
"Since Houki-san failed in the previous game, she has to spin first," Charlotte said
Houki's hand was eager, and the bottle was spun.
The neck pointed straight at Charlotte as it stopped.
"Alright, truth or dare?" Houki questioned calmly.
"Dare," Charlotte confidently answer, earned a point of respect and 'Oooh's from everyone.
"Act like a chicken for ten seconds, "Houki told her, not wanting to give something too embarrassing.
Charlotte complied and began flapping her arms and clucking, like a hen. Again, her confidence and willingness earned her claps. Truthfully, she was highly embarrassed, but for her, her friend's happiness was more important. Having gone, Charlotte gave the bottle a spin.
"So it is my turn," the diminutive silver-haired warrior proclaimed almost proudly.
"Truth or Dare?"
"Dare."Laura, being a military person, OF COURSE doesn't want to spill any secret.
"Alright, Laura," Charlotte smiled "Act like a housewife."
After a moment of contemplation, Laura nodded, stood up and proceeded to begin removing her pajama top, much to everyone's horror. Thankfully she's stopped by a (furious) Houki and Cecilia.
"What the heck are you trying to do?" Houki shrieked.
"I was going to ask whether my husband want dinner, bath, or me," she replied back in all seriousness. The way she delivered it in a cold, monotone voice made even the resident pervert feel slightly disturbed out.
"THAT'S VULGAR!" Cecilia scowled.
"At least don't remove your clothes," Charlotte added, earning odd looks by everyone, she quickly continued, "But that's the proper way to do it right?"
No one can disagree with that, not even Houki.
"Alright, Laura, spin."
It landed on Ikkun.
"Dare," he preemptively answered, not wanting any kind of questions that would reveal his real identity.
"Seduce one of the girls here," Laura crossed her arm with a smirk, but looking at how tormented Cecilia looked, even Laura wasn't that cruel. "You can spare Cecilia though," she added.
Cecilia blessed the silver haired girl for her generosity.
"So who want to be seduced?" Dan asked, half laughing. This is gonna be good, he thought.
"Try me," Lingyin challenged, full of confidence that she'd be able to resist anything.
"Alright," Ikkun coughed and slide closer to the target of his seduction. "I haven't done this in a while so, please, be careful."
Lingyin just stared at him as he gave her what she decided was his 'smolder look'. " Excuse me, I think you have something in your eye. Oh wait, it's just a sparkle." he smiled, speaking in a soft voice. He leaned in closer to her, causing her to blush. "There must be something wrong with my eyes then because I can't take them off you," he took her hand gently. Needless to say, all the girls became extremely interested in the outcome and leaned forward towards the 'couple' with blushes on their faces. Oh, the overriding directive of maidens in their quest for love…
Lingyin, for her part, was stupefied. Wha-what!? What was with this!? Is he actually trying!? And why was it that her heart wouldn't slow down?! Th-This wasn't fair!
Dan, for his part, was just as shocked. Those were some… decent lines he was spouting! No way he was serious with this… He glanced at Icchan, who had an … interesting expression on her face, one that he couldn't place.
Taking her hand, the male Ichika prepared his final 'attack'. "If you were a Transformer, you'd be a HOT-obot, and your name would be Optimus Fine."
There was silence for a few moments before the entire house exploded in hilarity.
"DAMN IT, YOU REALLY SUCK," Lingyin all but shouted as she burst out laughing. Whether it was relief or not, she wasn't entirely sure but she was glad it was over.
Dan's fingers almost dug inside the sofa; Cecilia and Icchan hug each other to muffle their voice, while Lingyin held her abused stomach. Finally; Houki's cheeks probably close to pop like a balloon holding her snickers to herself.
Only Laura seems confused and just looked to her left and right at everyone.
Male Ichika purposely acted like that and feeling satisfied, he returned back to his place ready to spin the bottle again. It landed to Houki this time.
Houki got her share of challenge, "Dare."
"Pretend to be drunk," Ikkun told her, knowing her, she probably botched it.
"Tch, this is boring, no one want to say, 'Truth'", Lingyin complained.
"Oh really," Dan smirked. "How about this, 'Did you enjoy your little session just now?"
"Sh-shut up! And it's not my turn anyway!"
Houki lean on her side, pretending that her teacup is a sake bottle, she swung it wildly, "Ahhhhhn, one more bottle… HEY YOU, GIVE ME MOAARRR SAKE!"
Again the room became lively, especially when she dropped herself with a rather loud *THUMP* she sat down again, her face was beet red from embarrassment despite everyone congratulating her. Wordlessly, she took the bottle and spun it.
This time, the bottle pointed to Icchan. She looked at the bottle and closed her eyes for a moment before opening them again, her eyes determined as if to face down an opponent.
"…Truth," she announced, a small, collective gasp around the room.
"Alright," both Lingyin and Cecilia clenched their fist in anticipation.
Houki was a bit leery in asking Ichika anything too personal but she tried to go with it anyway. "Ermm… ne, Ichika… tell me the most embarrassing moment that happened in the last three months."
The ensuing silence made Houki want to punch herself for asking such a thing.
"I…"
Instantly, red seeped into her skin and female Ichika turned as red as ripe tomato. She managed to glance at her male counterpart for a moment, (who was oblivious) then closed her eyes, causing suspicions galore to surface in the gang's minds.
"I… I slipped in the bathroom hard enough that I slid across the entire stall and crashed into everyone, unwittingly kicked them outside the room."
What a klutz, everyone sweat-dropped.
"This happened during your training days?" Laura asked curiously and Icchan nodded, feeling slightly mortified. Of course, she didn't have to tell them that it happened with the male Ichika inside as well. The boy in question though understood that she had wisely left that part out and averted his eyes from hers.
The game continue until they all felt exhausted enough and they decided to call it a night, although someone proposed telling horror story, they decided not to go for it, especially with the storm still raging outside. Moments later, it proved to be a wise decision with the sudden blackout that happened, yet entirely expected considering the weather. The girls used the holographic displays of their respective IS to light the way while Icchan went to round up candles and flashlights.
As for the accommodations, Charlotte bunked with Icchan in male Ichika's room while Houki and Cecilia got her room instead. In Chifuyu's room, a futon was laid where Lingyin would sleep soundly, with Laura and Kanzashi sharing the bed (somehow fitting on it perfectly).
~333~
It was past midnight but Cecilia was wide awake. Despite being tired, a thirst burned her throat dry and forced her to get up. Rubbing her eyes, she groggily made her way down the stairs and headed to the kitchen.
A glass of fresh water can be such a blessing when you need it.
An unfamiliar sound startled her, making her cease her movements. Being in someone else's house, even the house of her good friend, somehow made every sound scarier. However…Putting more focus to her ears, she listened with all her might.
The living room? That's where the boys are sleeping right?
(Perhaps they're going to do something perverted, need to make sure)
When she arrived, she saw that Dan was awake himself, and wearing his jacket. His bag slung on his shoulder. He definitely intended to leave.
"Leaving already?"
It was strange for her of all people to care, but admittedly, she was curious just because he one of Icchan's friends.
"I'm worried about my family," he said seriously. "Our home is nowhere near as sturdy,"
"But you don't seem happy," Cecilia quipped, "Is this only out of an obligation of yours?"
Dan clenched his teeth, his back turned to her. "It's complex, let's leave it at that."
Cecilia had to hold her urge to laugh at the display he showed; Men sure are pathetic like that.
"Don't. Tempt. Me." Dan sighed. "Aren't you happy that a pest is going to disappear?"
"Tell me anyway, Noblesse Oblige." Truthfully, Cecilia ALWAYS been interested in family stories. It's just that her pride and this thing called privacy always get in the way; all she can tell is that no one in her circle of friends has half-decent childhood life.
So that's why she can relate with Ichika and others...
"Sure, you want to know," he asked, turning around to look at her. "I used to hate I.S. much."
That didn't come as a complete surprise to Cecilia. She knew of many men who resented the advent of the Infinite Stratos and the shift in the dynamic between men and women.
But for a childhood friend of one of the leading Representative Candidates of their class to feel this way about the very thing that got her fame…
"Why?"
"My dad is really biased toward this. My grandpa treated me even worse, and even my little sister became more disrespectful and spoiled. Then Infinite Stratos born and shit just became worse," he explained. "And that's about it, nothing major, they still alive and happy. As I grew, I realized that I have the power to shape my own life, and if they refuse to change or acknowledge me, then to hell with them."
"Oh." For a moment, Cecilia felt a bit bad for mocking his situation. Beating a dead horse is really disrespectful, and doing that against lowly men was below her.
"But when I became an Idol and detached myself, I began to understand how precious they are to me, no matter if they treated me like dirt scraped off the bottom of an old shoe." He smiled, brighter than he had ever shown to them. "And at least I have a kind mother who would always smile to me."
Kind mother... who always smile to you. The type of mother that if Cecilia had to be honestly admit, unfamiliar with.
And his family is alive, well, and happy.
How envious, indeed.
If she was offered a life like that would she trade it for all of her wealth and fame?
"Alcott, I thought you went to sleep?" Ikkun walked in, oblivious of the serene, almost melancholic mood filled the room.
"Dude, I'm going back, so please lock the door for me"
"You sure I shouldn't-"
Dan shrugged, knowing what the boy will offer "Nope"
The door lock clacked courtesy of Ikkun, the boy hummed and returned to the sofa, comfortably snuggle to the pillow his head resting on. It's been an exhausting day for him.
"Hey, you"
"Yes?"
"Don't ignore me!" Cecilia commanded, which he just ignored.
He sat down and turned his head, "What, can't sleep?"
"Hmmph," she leered aside. "Who are you really?" Before he can open his mouth, she intercepted "Tell me who are you? What is your intention toward Ichika-san's family?"
"I have nothing, except to repay their kindness," he icily told her. Cecilia unable to read his expression because of the lack of proper lightning, but she was sure he was rather upset with her accusation. "I have no living place to return, no family, no friends." That know about me, he added mentally. "Ichika saved me... and I owe her for that."
Cecilia blinked; of course Ichika would save him. She's both too kind and too ignorant for her own good. Her childhood friend she can tolerate, but a boy with no real history?
"Alright, I apologize for attacking you like that" Cecilia let go of her high strung accusation and let it go.
"Not sure if you should," He shook his head slightly. "You have no reason to trust me"
Trust, a word so simple, yet has a really deep meaning.
Back in Bristol, there's only one person she can trust: her Maid and Childhood friend, Chelsea.
Disaster domino is a good way to put it; one incident is enough to shatter her view on the world. Her parents are dead, her extended family cared more about her inheritance than her, and her... friends, if you can call them that, cared more about her status than Cecilia as person.
It wasn't until she met Ichika that she found another person other than Chelsea, and she also met her only true rival: Huang Lingyin. The brash, obnoxious tomboy always had been an enigma that rubs her the wrong way, and yet...
Like Ichika, Lingyin accepted her as her own person and treat her well.
Slowly, Cecilia is able to rebuild what's lost.
"I trust Ichika-san," Cecilia told him softly. "If Ichika-san trusted you… you have my word as well."
"...thank you," she heard him, a very sincere statement coming from the depths of his heart. Not that Cecilia will ever know.
…
Dawn had come and morning light just began to rise from the horizon. Houki was used to waking up early mainly so she can conduct her early morning training routine. She can feel that yesterday was quite exhausting though.
She preferred her usual training attire of hakama whenever possible but that would be asking too much for the host. So she settled with a spare tracksuit (Ichika really loved them for some reason) that she borrowed from her friend last night.
She went to the bathroom to wash her face. For once, she just noticed that there are two set of cleaning product: one of them geared for men. She didn't pay much attention when she took a bath last night but now she still couldn't believe it: Ichika was living with a male. Even if they shared names and had great physical resemblance, there's still that possibility that they're not closely related at all.
(He's not there on the sofa, Houki noted)
It just so… wrong, especially that Chifuyu-san actually didn't seem to mind it that much.
"That aside, did Ichika awake already?"
She's still a bit wary of even touching THAT boy's room, but she managed to knock.
No response.
"Ichika, I'm entering okay?"
When she walked inside, she only saw Charlotte, still fast asleep on the bed. The futon Ichika probably used to sleep on already folded neatly on the floor.
"She's not here…"
Even if Houki knew Icchan's usual shtick, she was still surprised nonetheless, considering how late everyone slept yesterday.
"She's not here?" Laura parroted from behind, startled the Japanese girl as bit.
"Yeah," Houki nodded. "That boy is not here either, maybe they went outside?"
"This early," Laura crossed her arms, the silver haired girl went into state of deep thought and she looked at her wristwatch. "It's barely dawn."
"Yeah, I'm surprised too." Houki took her bokken from her favorite duffle bag, the bag she always brought practically everywhere.
Meanwhile, Laura summoned a holo-screen from her I.S. (to be specific, her I.S. arm) and try to locate the missing duo. A beep alerted her that her targets had been found. "They seem to be close by," Laura said as her armor disappeared again.
"Let's give them a visit then."
Near the riverbank (which directly lead to Tokyo bay), a pair of boy and girl silently stood watching the light of the sun painted the eastern of them wore identical, albeit different sized, weighed vest, blue T-shirts and shorts latched onto their skin due to their sweat and moisture.
"When we were little, this river was disgustingly muddy right?" she muttered, looking into the water.
He nodded as a response. "Yeah, I think it was after the implementation of new sanitation and decontamination technology that the river suddenly looks much cleaner and fresher."
"But really," the boy grinned at her. "I didn't know even a simple thing like basic exercises could give such a profound result."
"What did you do usually," she brushed a strand of hair away from her face as she stretched her arms .
"The girls just told me this and that and then threw me into the field for a mock battle," he grimaced, remembering the pain and utter confusion that he felt at those times.
She could barely hold back her giggling at not only listening to him, but seeing his expression as well. "But still," she smiled at him, "I know they cared about you."
"Yeah, I know. That's why I want to surprise them with my improvement," he said, glancing at his fist with a look of quiet determination in his eyes.
Laura, Cecilia, and everyone were so protective of this Ichika. Sure, his own versions of them treated him differently because he's a man. But like what Chifuyu said, he's going to have to make changes for himself for the better.
Icchan found herself smiling at him, a feeling of pride swelling within her. He will get better, she just knew it. It had nothing to do with the fact that she was helping him…really.
"Ready?"
He nodded. "Hai."
Unlike her, he was definitely not much of a singer. Instead, he hummed, making an impression of a music instrument to invoke the same effect. His low, transitional tunes melded her mezzo-soprano voice in a surprisingly natural unison.
Even without the conscious mental command, their I.S. frames began to respond. First it was a faint hazy outline of their respective frames that steadily grew less and less transparent the longer that they sung. Feeling a slight change surrounding their bodies, the two Ichikas opened their eyes…
What the - !
We-We're doing it…!
Unfortunately those thoughts broke their concentration and the transparent, immaterial parts disappeared back into light and data as if a dream.
"What was that just now-?" He blinked, really confused about what had just transpired.
"Full synchro!"
Laughing with glee, she took the liberty of snatching him up in a bearhug, which of course made him feel very awkward when she somehow managed to lift him up and spin around with him in the air.
"O-oi, lemme down!"
"Wha-" she sweatdropped and put him back down, a slight blush on her cheeks. "S-sorry," she apologized, embarrassed that she did such a thing.
"I'm almost 140 kg, and you are still wearing your own vest. Know your own strength," he remarked, exasperated. Still, he ruffled her hair, and then flicked her forehead in a playful manner. "And stop being overexcited about my development."
"But still," she muttered, still feeling giddy about their accomplishment just a few moments ago. "You have so much potential; you just can't let it waste away."
"I know, because you and I are the same," he smiled back at her, stretching his arms a bit as well.
Both of them nodded and dropped their vests and accessories to give their tired bodies a break. Combined, the weight was almost as heavy as they were as proved by the loud thud and deep marks the training gear made on the wet patches of the ground. The duo sat next to each other, letting the morning breeze refresh them.
"Ne, Ichika, where are you going when you graduate?" she curiously asked, scooting closer towards him.
He was silent for a moment before he replied. "I'm not sure yet but I'm thinking of going for genetic engineering," he answered her, tilting his head back to lie down.
Icchan was slightly surprised at this. "No intention of becoming a professional pilot?"
"I used to think that it was futile, but now…" he smiled, "I'm tempted."
She slapped his shoulder gently. "Just don't get too cocky, there are much, much stronger people out there."
The both of them managed to think of Chifuyu at the same time, standing above them in a mental landscape. So tall was she that her form blocked the sun behind her. Unknown to each other, the same mental image caused the both of them to laugh merrily.
Meanwhile, Houki was twitching uncontrollably. She and Laura couldn't really just interrupt them because the atmosphere just REEKED of intimacy (no, not that kind).
"Huh? They seem to really be on good terms, yes?" Laura muttered, oblivious to Houki's distress as she continued to make her way towards the two.
"Wait, Laura," Houki said as she yanked the much smaller girl back suddenly. "Don't you think they're a bit too close?"
The silver-haired girl took a moment to regard the female Ichika, her face relaxed and her smile was easily one of the brightest she had ever seen on the taller girl. For some reason, she couldn't remember when was the last time Ichika had smiled that much since coming to the I.S. Academy. "Hmmm, now that you mention it," Laura nodded. "Ichika is a lot livelier when there are guys around."
"That too, but with this boy it's even stranger," Houki sighed. "Ichika has always been that hard to read, so I can't be sure whether she simply excited and curious or actually attracted to him."
"But if she is attracted to him, she can't be my wife," the albino German exclaimed, storming down the riverbank in a blitzkrieg and (for whatever reason) began to wrestle with the boy who was taken completely by surprise.
It was obvious that she was winning if him tapping the ground frantically was any indication. That was short-lived as the other Ichika joined in and they double-teamed Laura into submission quickly.
"What the hell is your problem?" Icchan complained, seated atop the small German pilot in a classic mount position with Ikkun pinning her arms above her head.
"I won't let him steal my wife," Laura proclaimed, a little putout that the two of them had managed to subdue her so easily. Then again, the two teenagers are over 120 kg combined.
Both Ichikas sighed.
"Laura, I am straight and you have to accept that as a fact," Icchan softly told her. "Yes, you can force me to be your wife, but my feelings won't be there, and I might resent you for the rest of my YOU like that?"
Laura just replied with a hard Hmmph, her cheeks stained with color as she averted her eyes away.
"Meh, that scared me," he muttered, flashbacks running rampant in his brain. "She's really insistent about it, isn't she?"
"Like you wouldn't believe," Icchan murmured. The two of them glanced at each other and his eyes seemed to convey, "It's the same for me too". Icchan understood that feeling perfectly.
"I wish I could hammer knowledge to someone's head, it'll be so much easier," Houki galloped towards them after recovering from the initial shock."Orimura-sensei seems to think so." She kept that random thought to herself though. "I see you're still training hard as always…"
"More or less because I'm bored when I'm doing nothing," Icchan nodded.
"You'll burn out sooner or later," Houki crossed her arms, slightly concerned for her friend's health.
"Well, I have had enough rest for the rest of summer," Icchan delivered a catlike smile and released Laura from under her weight. "Speaking of which, aren't you going to visit home for some time?"
"Y-Yeah, I was thinking about that…" Houki seems to be slightly bothered by that question. Ikkun knew it's because the absence of her parents, for sure.
"Alright… today I'm going to relax at home, but I'll go visit somewhere first," Icchan raised her fist as if she want to declare something.
"Ah, then come during the festival," Houki nodded with a smile. "The rest of the girls will return to academy, I think."
"Hmm… as for breakfast… hee hee hee," the taller girl smirked, much to her companion's confusion.
"Woman, you're the vilest thing in the world," Ikkun lamented.
"DRAG EVERYONE TO GOTANDA'S!" Icchan screamed.
~333~
At 07:00 Chifuyu returned with a rental car (unusual of her, Icchan noted) and brought everyone to their destination: a humble eatery of the Gotanda family. Dropping the whole group of teenagers at the curb, she said she'll eat somewhere else and was going to spend some time at home sleeping (Much to Laura's disbelief).
"There's still some tea in the fridge if you want it," Icchan told her.
"And there are leftovers too, just in case," Ikkun added.
Really, if you gave as much care to your Chifuyu as Ichika does to me, I wonder how she is managing without you, the eldest Orimura thought ruefully. It wasn't as though she couldn't take care of herself but living without Ichika meant giving up a few luxuries that she wasn't ready to just yet. "I'll be fine, 'Mother'", her voice was low but the slight teasing lift in it was unmistakable to her sibling(s), causing them to go red in the face in front of everybody.
It was a traditional Japanese restaurant, certainly not the most prestigious or infamous, but it's very large, and had a steady stream of customers. The reason was simple: while its menus were uncomplicated, the food was of very good quality for the price.
Cecilia, however, was one hand she didn't want to eat in such 'lowly' place, on the other hand she don't want to be left alone either (at least, not with Chifuyu-sensei for sure), so she decided to tag along."Ichika-san, are you sure we're going to eat here?"
"Yes, why?" Everyone turned to Ceclia, who cringed slightly from the stares.
"You know Cecilia is only fond of high class provisions," Lingyin taunted, mercilessly laying out the root of the problem.
"… How could YOU survive at the academy?" Ikkun asked in mock disbelief. He did that so he would appear as ignorant about Academy's condition, despite knowing the truth.
"Hey, I can eat anything when I have no choice! Besides, academy foods ARE made by high class chef gathered from the every corner of the world," Cecilia wailed in defense.
"Well, if you don't want to we can always walk a little further, there's a big hotel with class-III restaurant, I think that would be sufficient for Cecilia's taste," Icchan muttered, clearly not fond of the idea. "We can even rent 120,000 yen dresses to wear just for the occasion."
"N-no, it's okay Ichika-san," Cecilia lowered her head in guilt."Noblesse Oblige, y'know?"
"Welcome to Gotanda Eatery~" a young girl with dark red hair bowed at them, dressed in light dress and apron with the restaurant logo printed across the chest. "Ah, Good morning, Ichika-san! I see you brought a lot of friends here with you."
"Yeah, they're from my school, they'll be your senpai soon," Ichika replied with a smile.
The girl gazed at Laura and Kanzashi, then at Lingyin. She snorted, unimpressed.
"Something on my face?" Laura asked coldly, implicitly disturbed by the unwanted attention.
"Sumimasen, please take a seat" the girl hurriedly corrected herself, while preparing obligatory serving of tea "What would you like to eat?"
"Anything is fine," Laura said, putting the girl's behavior out of her mind already.
"Alright, today's special is Mushimono, would you mind having that?"
"We'd like to have some as well," Kanzashi and Charlotte both nodded.
"Hmm, may I ask something?" Cecilia raised her eyebrow; very bothered by the girl's obvious resemblance to a certain man she was acquainted with. "Are you Dan Gotanda's little sister?"
The girl was silent for a while, her face a virtual mask. "Yes, my name is Ran Gotanda, nice to meet you," she spoke in a crisp tone.
"Hmm, a little bit more and perfect," Cecilia smiled. "You look much more reliable than your brother, Ran-chan."
The girl blushed in response, "Well my brother can't be dependent on."
Lingyin, who has been silent from the beginning, snickered in amusement. "Don't mind me, the fact that this brat looks more reliable than him," Lingyin chuckled. "The irony is strong here."
Ran, of course, felt insulted, but first of all, the small girl was a guest and a guest had to be treated respectfully. If it was any other situation, she was sure that they would have exploded in mutual antagonism.
"Alright, our position is not equal and I won't antagonize you further," Lingyin's expression had changed. It's serene, almost sad even. "I'd like a bowl of soba please, Ran"
Ran was even more confused than before, but didn't say anything. Instead, her attention turned to Cecilia for her order. "What would you like to eat Senpai?"
"I'd like to try the Mushimono as well, please," Cecila smiled. "Seems interesting to try"
Reflexively, Ikkun picked up a small detail. "Ne Alcott, can you even use chopsticks?"
He instantly regretted it for the blonde British just tilted her head at the question. "Huh?"
"Like most things Japanese, it's served with chopsticks," Houki told her. "If I remember clearly Ichika had to feed you during the last summer school."
"What about you Charlotte-san? Laura-san?" Ichika asked the two of them as well.
"I've learned it over the course of first month, trial and error," Charlotte smiled in remembering all the times she dropped rice. Laura meanwhile tapped her chest, "Instructor taught me," she puffed up with pride, hiding the fact that she had asked for it herself like a girl asking for an autograph.
"Uwa, so I'm the only one who can't use it," Cecilia had visibly wilted. They'll be damned to say it outright, but Cecilia was overwhelmingly cute when embarrassed (considering how haughty she was, it was most of the time. Same can apply to Laura). Then again, yesterday's breakdown of much of her pride might be heavy enough that none of her dignity left...
"May I recommend Donburi?" Ikkun quickly made a safe choice for her. "It should be alright when eaten with a spoon."
Cecilia considered it, silently thanking the boy for being so thoughtful for her sake. "Sure, I shall try it."
"Unagi Donburi, two of them, each," both Ichikas told Ran in stereo, surprising her. They were so synchronized that Houki nearly coughed up her tea, making Ran wince in reaction.
That aside, two FREAKING bowls each, that alone caught everyone's attention.
"Unagi," the Briton posed the question to the smartest girl in their group.
"[Eel]" Kanzashi said in English for her benefit. "It's a traditional dish in Japan when it comes to summer. It is said to reduce dehydration as well as improving stamina." She adjusted her glasses slightly, giving off the air of a librarian.
"Hmmm," Cecilia flinched at the thought of even looking at such a creature, and quickly took a peek on the menu again. "I'd like to have [Oyako Donburi] then."
"But Ichika-san, are you alright with it?" Ran asked."Two portions?" Even if it was Ichika-san, two bowls were a lot!
"When you consume over six thousand calories per day you're going to starve if eat like normal person," Dan interjected before the Ichika duo could reply. "Take the order back, I'll bring it out for them... meanwhile, many guest are started to come."
"Oh alright," Ran huffed, although she still has a lot of questions for the group, specifically Ichika's appetite and the boy that sat beside her… of course she's upset at her brother intruding. As if he doesn't have anything else to do.
She half-glared at her brother while he CHEERFULLY greeted the female customers at the other table, too cheerfully for her taste. The unsuspecting girls took a full minute till they realized just who was serving them; this, of course, caused mayhem.
"Ladies, I appreciate your enthusiasm but, please mind the other customers so I can serve you as professionally as possible," Dan gave them a dazzling wink, caused them to turn into mush. Ran was sure the girls were seeing hearts and sparkles.
"Dan-kun, do you do this often?" one of those girls asked.
"In my day off from idol activities, I find simply doing chores for my family ENLIGHTENING" he said in a most exaggerated manner. "I like to entertain people, but looking at my customers smile made me smile as well"
"OI, Dan! Get your ass back here now," a gruff, old male voice called out. Dan twitched and waved a hand apologetically to them. "Sorry, work to do."
"Oniichan even has time to flirt huh? Really now," Ran scowled at him, which he ignored.
"Yeah yeah," he walked around the counter to the back.
"What are you doing, slacking off-"
"Nope."
"Dan, don't make a mess when I leave for work-" a man in the thirties said as he left, dressed in light brown formal suit and carrying a small suitcase.
"Yes, father," came the rather automated reply.
"Oniichan, here's the first serving, quick!"
"Hai~"
"This is why you're so spoiled. your sister is so much more-"
"DAMN IT, WILL YOU CUT IT OUT ALREADY!?"
"WHY ARE YOU CURSING AT YOUR ELDERS, BOY?!" The two stared each other down, both seeming not to give an inch. Suddenly Dan lowered his head and grumbled out an apology before turning back to work.
Cecilia and Lingyin both sighed; this of course caught the Chinese girl's attention and she glanced at her. "What are you sighing for?"
"Ah, it's nothing, don't mind me," Cecilia could JUST imagine it - if she was treated like this on daily basis, she would be appalled too.
Not that she actually felt sorry for the man, heavens no – he must have deserved it… maybe. Either way, she still wished that her parents are alive. And even if she knew they aren't, she hoped they can sort things out up there in heaven. Where there no deception and repressed feelings…
"Cecilia, here's your share," Dan delivered her order.
Released from her deep thought, Cecilia nodded and glanced down at a bowl of rice with chicken and egg topping…
"'Mother and child' indeed" she smiled.
Haha, Cecilia stole so many spotlight moments. Honestly, bar her obsession for Ichika in canon, she's my favorite character.
The next chapter will focus on Houki and male Ichika (dood)
