I noticed now that I actually published the non betaed version of ch9. I just republished this. I am sorry for the low quality.
Ch9 Encounter of the One Eyes!
I stared at the wooden board. It had net of black lines and several black and white rocks. There is an opening that I can exploit. I lift a smooth black stone and placed on the board.
"So?" a voice asked me. The voice was a male and he too placed a smooth stone on the board. His finger holding a white stone, intercepted my retreat.
"So? So...what?" I asked while placing a black stone to his flank.
"Please, of course I'm talking about the all-girls school. There should be many good things over there, right?"
"It is a school, it's where I study and where I fight."
"Stop lying. I can tell that you're lying from those messages! What, don't you have a ticket to that kind of Heaven?" said my old friend, Gotanda Dan.
Gotanda Dan, here, is a friend of mine from middle school. Since I got my eye patch, many other kids avoided me, but he and Rin always stood by my side. He knows all about my gangs and knows few of them personally. His has natural long red hair and wears a bandana to tie them neatly together.
"Don't be foolish. My life has not changed. I still dream to conquest and I have Kojuro to watch my back. I ran into Yukihana in my school, she is a student in class 1-2. Speaking of class 1-2, Rin is there as well."
"What? You're talking about Rin? Rin...huh" said Dan as he turned and sneered at me.
"You are distracted." I told him as I managed to trap his advancement to open a path for a decisive move. I placed the final piece down, I won.
"Ahhhh? How the hell!" exclaimed Dan as he lost the third game of Go in a roll.
"Your own fault for not paying attention."
"Then, let's get back on topic. As for Rin-"
Just as Dan, for whatever reason, brought Rin up again, someone interrupted him.
"Onii, hurry up and come eat already. Lunch is ready-"
Kicking the door down and walking in is Dan's little sister-Gotanda Ran. She's a year younger than him, and is now in her senior year of middle school. She's said to be an honor student in a prestigious private girls' school.
"Hoo…Ran! I haven't seen you in a while. Sorry for disturbing you here." I said to her.
"I-Ichika...san!"
Ran's shoulder-length red hair is tied back with only a hair clip holding it from behind, and she's wearing shorts and a sleeveless vest. It's really a get-up that focuses on functionality. Truly girls dress loosely and easily when they are home. I know for fact, because Chifuyu-Nee dress rather loosely at home as well.
I met Ran when I was twelve. I came to help out Dan for few days and there I met Ran. Honestly they weren't exactly good friends. Ran didn't have a good impression on a kid with an eye patch and thought I was a bad influence for her stupid brother. However, they did become close after that incident.
"I-It's not that, well, you were here...? I heard that you went to a boarding school..." she asked while mumbling.
"You are correct…I was asked to check on few things in the house and the gang, so on my way back I decided to visit."
"I, I see..." answered the red haired girl as she tried to control her beating heart.
(Ran POV)
Ichika-san came and he saw me in such an improper dress! That moment I wished the ground will open up and swallow me.
I hide behind the wall and tried to make my attire look more proper. I stick my head out to see Ichika-san. It seems, Ichika-san still looked in good health. I haven't had a chance to properly speak with him, but he seems fine.
"Ran, you could at least knock, right? You'll be considered a shameless woman-"
I glared at my baka-onii.
"...Why didn't you tell me that he would be here..." I whispered.
"Oh, wait, I didn't tell you? Sorry, my bad. Ah hahahaha..."
I shot him a glare…I will speak with him later, he could have warned me about this!
"If, well, if it's alright, please join us for lunch, Ichika-san! You aren't leaving yet, right?"
"Hmmm…it has been sometime since I ate here. Thanks Ran."
"It, it's alright..."
I quickly slammed the door and left the room. I need to prepare myself. I reached my room and took out a nice white dress to change into. I stared at my mirror and changed.
"…Ichika-san…he is in a school full of girls. There seems to be Rin-san and another childhood friend. Not only that, Yukihana-san is there…Three high profile rival characters; one is a fighting buddy, who is extremely blunt, but busty, another is chibi, but has childhood friend card under her. Not only that, Rin-san has cuteness factor on her side." I muttered out loud. I dressed myself as I tugged the dress down.
"I have never met this samurai like Houki-san, but she is a childhood friend who is a warrior too. I know from experience that Ichika focuses a lot on fighting skill. Waaaa! What do I do? Wait! Wait ! Calm down, I still got cute imouto card and if I play my hand right, next year I can have Kawai no Kouhai route for me! That's it! Never gave up!"
I met Ichika-san around 3 years ago when Onii brought him to work. I have to admit that my baka-onii done a good thing that day; he introduced Ichika-san to my life.
(Flash back)
I was in the middle of work in my family's eatery as I was serving the dishes. I heard from my baka-onii that he will bring a friend from school to help out. At first I didn't considered him as much, he is my brother's friend so he must be a total idiot too. However…when she met him in person, it was different.
"Hey Ichika, thanks for coming to help."
I turned to the door to see a guy old as my stupid brother. He had a wild black, hair and a single brown eye. On my right side, he had a black eye-patch. I heard from Onii that this guy lost his eye in an accident, but I didn't believe him. Whoaa!
"It's ok, I couldn't refuse a friend. So Dan, what should I do?"
"Well…knowing your luck with girls, we will be having a lot of female customers." Said my baka-onii.
Dan turned to me ans smiled.
"Hey Ichika! This is mt baby sister Ran, Ran this is my friend in middle school, Orimura Ichika."
I stepped over to him and stomped his foot. "I am not a baby!"
That sent my Baka-Onii hopping like a rabbit. I chuckled and turned to see Ichika-san had a smile on his face too. At that moment he looked…very handsome. I was a kid at the time, so I wrote it off as nothing.
"Just make sure you don't mess up! I have enough problems watching out for my Baka-Onii." I warned the one eyed boy.
He smiled toward me. "It is nice to meet you, Gotanda Ran-chan. My name is Orimura. Orimura Ichika."
That was my first time meeting Ichika-san.
On side note, after Ichika-san worked in our place for some reason we had a lot of middle school and high school girls eating here with this friends or family. The rate of our sale skyrocketed and my brother and I were worked to the ground.
However, Ichika-san never complained and worked diligently. His honest and straight forward attitude that was confident and assuring was different from my wimpy brother. He was calm as he dealt with customers and he was respectful to my parents and grandpa.
I heard from my brother that Ichika-san was a shindou, a child genius in martial art and kendo. I heard how he is the toughest kid in school and in his age group too. I heard how much of a troublemaker with fights, but he was nothing like those macho headed, stupid boys in her age. He was no delinquent, no matter what he says and acts.
(Flash back end)
Maybe I started to have developed a crush on him over his mysterious and cool appearance and maturely…it may have been a pitiful crush, however…
Ran looked at herself over the mirror and looked up into the ceiling. She sighs like a true maiden in love as she remembered the incident that made her truly fall for him.
The deciding factor that made her fall for him for real…it must be that incident, a year and a half ago.
(Flash Back II)
It was afterschool and my spit up from my student council friends. I was walking home, but it rained. I remember running for cover, but there I met trouble.
"Hey! You need to pay a toll to pass here girly!" said an older boy. The boy was Matou Shinji, a highschool delinquent s and a troublesome thorn in the student's side. He was expelled for stealing and vandalizing school property. Now he was here to cause more trouble.
'Hey…I know you. You are that guy Dan's little sister. Oh man this is perfect. You are all chummy with that bastard Orimura aren't you?" said the threatening by. He grabbed me and pushed me into the back alley and slammed me against the wall.
"Hey! Let go of me you jerk!" I yelled, but I was reward with a slap to my cheek. "Owww!" I held my cheek in pain.
I was scared to say at least. I was pushed against the wall again and the scary boy searched through my bag.
"Ah ther eis nothing interesting, but…you will do." He said as he took out a knife.
"That Orimura is a pain in my ass, so if I cut you up and send him back, let's see if he can rampage around." He threatened as he walked toward me.
I kneelt down and covered my face. I had tears swelling up in my eyes and my heartbeat felt like it was ripping through my chest.
"I-I am scared…I-Ichika-san!" I muttered.
"Ha! As if anyone will hear you here. I can't say that I am sorry Gotanda, but if you want to blame anyone, then blame that shit head, Orimu-" The creep was cut off as a hand pat him down on his shoulder.
"Who the-" he was cut off again as he stared in to a single black eye.
"Yo!" said a familiar voice.
A punch slammed into his cheek and he was sent to the floor, rolling.
I looked up. In the middle of drenching rain was Ichika-san. He was wearing a simple white shirt and black pants. He wore a black jacket and held an umbrella on one of his hand.
"Here I was going to buy some grossery, I found a trash the garbage men failed to pick up. It seems I need to write up a complaint." Said Ichika-san as he stood in front of me, like a protective defender. He turned to get a good look at me and saw me on my knees and terrified. His single left eye examined me for injury and saw a small red mark on my cheek, scatched on my shoulder when Shinji pushed me, and my wet clothing. At the time I was too scared to cover myself.
Ichika-san turned to Shinji, I couldn't see his face, but Shinji's paling face told me it was frightening.
"O-Orimura!" choked out Shinji. The creep looks like he seen a ghost.
"Matou Shinji…a trash that has been stealing, molesting, and beating up kids around here. A simple trash who couldn't step up to fight guys your age and stuck to middle school kids…also you happened to target a sister of my old friend."
I saw Ichika-san clinch his fists.
"…I hope this hurt a lot Shinji." Said Ichika-san.
"W-What are you a white knight in shining armor? In these time and age!"\
I couldn't see Ichika-san face, but I imagoned he smirked.
"Not a white knight…A black knight." Said Ichika-san, and I suddenly blushed at how galent he was. He was like a hero in fictional tales come to life.
Strong, handsome, and protective. Perhaps my siliy crush became a love at that moment.
Ichika- san rushed at Shinji.
That creep didn't stand a chance.
(Few beatings later.)
Ichika-san came back to me and Shinji…Well he was out cold with some nasty beating. Ichika-san didn't hold back huh.
"Ran, are you ok?"
"A-Ah…I am fine…arogato, Ichika-san."
"Don't mention it."
He checked for any more serious injuries, but there was none. I was simply too scared and lost the strength in my legs.
Ichika-san's single brown eye was filled with concern, I looked up and saw his black hairs all soaking wet and his clothes were all wet too. He took off his jacket and put it over my shoulder.
"The jacket is water proofed. It will keep you warm. Ran, I will take you home ok?"
Ichika-san suddenly picked me up in a bridal carry. My body was held against him and I felt all the warmth from his chest. My body heat up as my blood rushed into my head.
"I-Ichika-san?"
"I am not a less of a man to let an injured and scared girl walk home alone. I will carry you to your home, Ok?"
"Hai…"
He picke dup his unmberria and covered us from the rain. I took the umberria from him and both of us were under it. Then I realized we were under the same umberrila.
I blushed red at the romantic thought.
"You ok?"
"I-I am fine. Thank you for your concern."
We walked home in a middle of a rain. I was assulted by a jerk and was save. Not only few minutes ago I was scared to death, but now only thing I can think of was being in his arm.
(Flash back end)
"Ichika-san…" I was on my bed as I redid my hair in to more smooth and lady like form. I finished with the final touch and jumpped off my bed.
Since that day, I swore to become someone closer to Ichika-san, more than a little sister of his friend. Of course that led to meeting Rin-san and Yukihana-san. After them, I met Chifuyu-san and many other admirers Ichika-san has from middle school to high school.
"Haaa…So much rivals and enemies." I muttered in remorse. Ichika-san's reputation spread out far and wide. Even girls from her school heard of a manly guy in our town. His mysterious look and sheer breathtaking presence made him very noticeable.
"But I can't gave up!" I shouted with my fist in the air.
That's right! I want to be carried in a bride carry again, but this time…in a beautiful wedding dress with ringing bell in the background.
I suddenly blushed at the bold thought.
"I-Ichika-san as m-my h-h-husband? O-Orim-ura…O-Orimu-ra…R-Ran. Orimura Ran. Orimura Ran? HHHAAAAAAA!" I screamed out in embarrassment.
It seems it is still a long way to go, but however…she has a method to get closer like Rin-san. If Rin-san has Childhood friend card, than…I have two trump cards over her!
I quickly ran outside to help with the lunch. A wife needs to be a good cook after all.
(Ichika POV)
"Eiyah!"
Dan and I were going down stair talking about nonsense, but suddenly Dan let out a disgusted sound stopped walking. As expected, I ran into him.
"Dan, what is it?"
"..."
Dan said nothing, and I peered over from behind him to look.
Our lunch's already prepared and laid out on the table, and someone's already sitting there.
"What? You have some complain? If you want to, onii can go eat alone outside." Said Ran as she hold her arms across her chest and glared at Dan.
"Did you hear that, Ichika? Those super gentle words make me wanna cry!" cried Dan, as he kneeled down and cried on my leg. Dan, it's not manly to cry, because your sister scolded you. Act your age.
I decided to ignore my friend and kicked off my leg, but he is very clingy.
"Dan, we came down to eat and customers may come in soon, so let's eat already." I told my friend as he wiped the tears off his face.
"That's right, baka nii, hurry up and sit down."
"Okay okay..."
And thus, me, Dan and Ran sat down in order at the table. I turned to Ran, looking over her new clothing.
"Ran."
"Wh-what is it?"
"You changed clothes? Are you going out later?" I asked her as wiped my hands with a hot towel provided by the Gotanda Eatery to eat with clean hands. Good service huh.
"Ah, it's nothing. That's because...well, this, that..."
Ran let her hair down, giving off an impressive shine. She's wearing a red ribbon on her head and a white short-sleeved dress. The body that's covered by a thin clothing gives off the radiance of a teenager's youthful legs underneath the dress. As for the black stockings that look like some decorative. Ran looked very pretty; I wonder, what's the reason.
"Hoo…Are you going on a date?"
*BAM!*
"That's not it!" shouted Ran as she stood up in denial.
"Gomen, gomen."
"Ah, it's nothing...an-anyway, it's not a date."
"And you say that you're not. As your older brother, that's the last thing I want to hear from you. Besides, it's only once in a few months that you would dress up like that-"
*PA!*
Ran suddenly got Dan in a headlock…impressive Ran, but you are missing the artery in the neck.
And then, both of them exchange looks. Dan's giving a painful look of a criminal begging for forgiveness, nodding away at Ran, who's glaring at him with an ice queen glare. It seems Gotanda siblings too have the sibling mental communication skill my sister and I share. They even have the same superior and inferior relationship, my sister is the superior too, so don't feel bad Dan…even if she is your younger sister.
"Even so, I am sorry Ran, if I misunderstood you. I though a pretty girl like you will have a date or two during your break time." I said to her honesty.
"HUH!" shouted Ran as she shutter and panicked. It seems I said something rude. Oh dear, what do I do now?
"N-No,no,no! I don't have any dates, because…" Huh? She stopped her explanation.
"You are a blockhead master." whispered Masurao.
"What I do?" I asked her though our bond.
"Nothing. It's better for me if you remain clueless." said my loyal servant. It seems all my loyal retainers know what I am doing wrong, but refuse to tell me! I call mutiny! You have turned against me!
Before Ran can continue a loud shout interrupted us.
"You brats, if you don't want to eat, hurry up and get out."
We were scolded by the head of the Gotanda family that runs the Gotanda eatery, Gotanda Gen, who's still in great shape despite being over 80. For an old timer, he was healthiest of all of us there.
"Oh yeah, Ichika. You said you and Rin...eh, and who else? The first childhood friend? So you reunited with her?" asked Dan as he changed the subject.
"Ah, Houki? Yeah, I met her."
"Houki...? Who's that?" asked Ran as she calmed down.
"Hmmm? She's my first childhood friend."
And so Rin's the second childhood friend.
"Ah, that..."
For some reason, Ran's expression just got somehow stiff. I wonder if she is tired.
"She is another rival with the 'Childhood Friend' card under her belt. She is going to be a tough one!" thought the young maiden in love.
"Oh yeah, Houki and I once lived in the same room, but we are no longer-"
Ran felt her thought shatter like glass. "In the same room…as in…as in…"
"IN, IN THE SAME ROOM?" shouted the young girl as she stood up without a warning, causing the chair behind her collapses backwards. Bad table manner Ran-chan.
"What, what's going on? Calm down."
"Yeah, you should calm down there."
*Klang!*
With another sharp glance, Dan seems to have grown a pair of dog ears and started whimper like a kicked puppy. Poor Dan.
"I-Ichika-san? Living in the same room...that means, you ate and slept together?"
"Hm, maybe. Ah, but that was until the end of last month. We aren't staying in the same room now, and that's to be expected."
It's true. After my match with Rin came to a close, Yamada sensei visited us and told Houki, that a room has been open for her. I was sad to let her go, but she complied after I told her I'll be ok…I just want to know, why she seemed angry.
At least she came back later to ask me to take her out if she won the upcoming tournament. Strangle, because she could have ask me anytime to help her shop. After she asked and I accepted, it seems Masurao was upset as well. She kept kicking me and just leaned on me all the time. Whenever I took a shower, she peeked constantly to show how upset she was and she is making me uncomfortable on purpose. Only after I told her, Houki only asked me to shop with her, did she looked at me like I had grown a second head and laughed. I didn't care long as she wasn't upset any more.
"You, you two stay-stayed together for more than one and a half months?" asked Ran again.
"Ah…we did."
(CHANK!)
I heard a sound of glass window shattering, I wonder why?
"I thought I told Dan about my life in the IS Gakuen in my letters? Didn't you read it with Ran, Dan? I left few words of greeting for Ran too you know." I asked my friend as I ate a piece of a fried fish.
Speaking of which, Dan-kun, can you please tell me why are you sweating crazily? Your face is getting pale.
"...Onii, we'll talk later..."
"Well, I-I'm going out with Ichika later, so...hahaha..."
"Then, tonight."
A tone that doesn't allow any refusals. I remember that Ran's the student council chairman in the school of ojous, so she got affected by them? Anyway, for some reason, I find her intent really sharp. It is very familiar…like Chifuyu-nee.
"...I decided."
"Hummm… what did you decide on?" I asked the red hair girl. Her head was low so her hairs covered her eyes, but by the battle aura around her, her eyes must be filled with conviction.
"I'm taking the IS Academy entrance exam next year."
*Gakunk!*
"What, what are you saying-"
*SMACK! *
Wow! Ran's elbow hit Dan directly on the face, and the floor trembles due to the chair falling backwards.
"Hoo…? Why do you want to go there? Isn't Ran's school a direct path to university? Can't you get into some super good university?" I asked her.
"No problem. I can get in with just my grades."
"But IS Academy doesn't accept school recommendations..." said Dan as he stood up. As usual Dan's 'Battle Continuation' skill is top notch, too bad his basic status sucks like hell.
"Unlike my onii, I just need a notebook." She Ran with such confident voice. Good, to have confident in your skill is important.
"No, but...that, that's right, Ichika! They have a practical test right?"
"That's right. There's a 'IS initiation test', and it seems like those who aren't suited at all will be rejected."
"..."
Ran silently takes a piece of paper from her pocket, and Dan receives it and opens it.
"Gack!" exclaimed my red haired friend as he stared into the paper.
"What does it say, Dan." I commanded him.
"IS suitability test...result-A..."
"!" I raised my eye brow. That is better than my own test, of course after I got Masurao, my suitability test became A.
"Problem solved."
"That seems to be some test for those interested, right? I remember the government used it to gather IS pilots." I asked her with my hand on my chin.
"That's right! It's free."
It's free. It doesn't matter whether there's too much of it as long as it's free. Grandpa Gen continues to nod away.
This person really dotes on Ran... Poor Dan-kun.
"So, so then,"
Ahem. Ran clears her throat and gently returns back to her seat.
"So, so Ichika-san, please guide me through as my senpai." Asked Ran with a small nervous blush.
I smiled and reached my hand over her head and pat her. I rubbed my hands on top of her head gently and felt her hair.
(Ran POV)
"I-Ichika-san's hand! H-he is patting me! Like a kitten! Oh my god! What do I do? Ichika-san no baka! How can you be so forward with girls…and he isn't even noticing what he is doing. WAAAHHH! I am so happy to be alive, but I don't know what to do!" though Ran as she panicked in her mind. Unknown to her she let off a small purr and Ichika only smiled as he pat her.
"I can die happily now…" thought the maiden is bless.
(Ichika POV)
"No problem, I am sure you can be enrolled. With such talent, IS Gakuen will have no problem. But be warned. If you become my Kohai, then I will be strict when I must." I warned her. By the way, was she purring? Nah, it can't be.
"H-hai!" was her reply.
I smirked and let my hand off her head.
The moment I agreed heartily, Ran happily stood up.
"Then, it's a promise. You must, definitely, definitely abide by it!"
"Hai, hai. This Dokugan Ryu never takes back his words. You can count on it.?"
"Hey, Ran! How can you just choose to transfer schools like that! Isn't that right, mom?"
"It's okay, there's no problem. Ichika-kun, I'll leave Ran to you then. Now, and forever."
"Hai?" I was confused. Sure I can take care of her in school, but she will have to live her own life right?
Speaking of which, Gotanda Ren-san's the self-proclaimed mascot of the Gotanda eatery. Her age's a mystery, and it's said that 'my age won't increase after 16'. She still maintains a smiling face-people would say that a smile can make them prettier than their actual looks, and that's true. She's really a huge beauty today.
"WHAT'S WITH THAT!"
For some reason, Dan was getting agitated alone. What is wrong with you now?
"ARGH! I CAN'T TAKE IT! DAD'S NOT EVEN AT HOME AT THIS TIME! IS THIS REALLY ALRIGHT, GRAMPS!"
"Ran made the decision herself. Nobody else has the right to argue."
"No, but-"
"What, Dan, you have any comments about it?"
"Nothing-"
Ahh, this guy's really weak. If it was me, even if the other person's a relative, I would viciously argue back when I have something to say.
"Dan…as a older brother, you are too weak willed. At least argue back properly." I scold him.
"Do you really think that you can beat your own sister?"
Before I could reply I suddenly had a short flashabck.
"Call me orimura sensei you fool! PANG!"
"Oh? I guess you want more work huh?"
"You are late Orimura!"
"Pang!"
"Pang!"
"Pan…!"
"…"
"Yes, yes, I do remember how my only relative is like. Pardon me, please allow me to take that back." I told my friend.
"Well, that's decided. I'm done."
Unknowingly, Ran finished her meal, stacks the chopsticks neatly, place her hands together to say grace, and stands up from the seat. Of course, you have to clear your own dishes. Such is proper table manner of Japan!
Ohh, Ran may become a good wife in the future. Anyone who becomes her husband in the future should have a good life.
"Ichika."
Dan cautiously brings his face over, and for some reason, whispers to me,
"You better get a girlfriend now, immediately!"
"Huh?"
"What do you mean by that, hurry up and get one! This year-no, in this month!"
"I have no interest on dating right now, Dan."
"You haven't changed at all...you're a withered old man! Because of you, Rin-"
"What's with Rin?" I asked him with a eye brow raised.
"No, never mind, Anyway, no matter who it is, hurry up and get a girlfriend! Got it? You hear me?"
What's this guy planning to do? Speaking of which, how did this conversation begin in the first place?
"Speaking of which. Since when were you interested in girls? I know, you're the kind that finds yourself cool and popular, right? Stop messing around, you bastard!"
"What are you getting so angry for?" I asked my crazy red monkey that I call friend.
"I'm not!"
"Doesn't sound convincing." I deadpanned as I finished the last bits of my dish.
"Onii."
That's strange, Ran came back. For some reason, I feel the air temperature drops. I can feel the subtle, bur steady killing intent coming from her. It seems Ran has great deal of talent for combat. I might have fun teaching her as her senpai later on.
"Oh, ooooooo, I'm here, whhhhhaaaattt's up?"
Dan's trembling, that's what happens if you are the focus of the killing intent of one with stronger will, than you.
I better save my friend.
"Ran." I called her.
She turned to me.
"Hai?'
I pat her again and smiled.
"A girl shouldn't scowl like that. I personally think girls are at their most beautiful form when they smile. So smile Ran. Ok?"
Her killing intent vanished. She stared down at her toe and bowed toward me.
"I-I understand, I-Ichika-san," Now, now, there is no need to bow like that.
"We-well, I'm leaving then." Said Ran as she walked away.
"You get to live for now. Huh Dan?...Dan?"
He turned to me.
"WHY ARE YOU SO POPULAR! IS IT THAT FACE? IS THAT FACE THE COOL AND POPULAR KIND? OR MAYBE THE EYE-PATCH? THE COOL AND DANGEROUS LOOK THAT ATTRACTS WOMAN LIKE MOTH TO FIRE? DO I HAVE TO POKE OUT MY EYE? I HAVE THE COOLNESS, SHARE SOME OF THE POPULARITY WITH ME!"
"That's enough! Stop uttering rubbish." I scold him with a poke to his forehead.
"YOU'RE TOO NOISY, DAN!"
"Yes, I'm sorry."
With grandpa Gen shouting, Dan quickly kneeled down on the chair and greets. That's a product of good teaching, or rather, training? He is like a puppy, who has been broken in to use the restroom correctly. Dan! Sit! Lay down and…roll over! Good boy!
"Ichika…I envy you." Said my friend as he cried a river of tears.
I only stood up to place the dished in the sink. I got to return to school soon.
(IS Gakuen Next day)
"Master, if you don't wake up, then Masurao will do bad things to you." Said a sing song vpice of my IS. I slowly got up to see Masurao, thsi time in her teenager mode, smiling at me.
"Onii-chan! You're going to be late for school! If you don't hurry, you won't have time for breakfast!" said my IS with her finger on her left cheek and winked at me. I simply rubbed my eyes to wake up.
"Masurao…what are you doing?"
Masurao did a little spin that younger girls do and sat down on my bed.
"Well, since Ran has 'imouto' card under her belt and soon a 'kohai' card under her, so I thought I can try kawai no imouto route as well."
I blinked at her.
"What?"
Masurai simply shock her head. "Never mind master, you are going to be late. The class will start in 10 minutes."
"NANI!"
I forgot to clarify with Masurao as I hurry to get ready.
(Outside the dorm building.)
I was running fast as I could, I still got 3 minuts left and that is enough. I took a deep breath to run as fast as I could.
"MATTE!"
I stopped to dodge a flying kick from a familiar brown haired girl.
"Damn it Yukihana! What are you doing! We are going to be late!"
"Ichika-dono! To a warrior, an honorable duel, prioritize all!" Shouted the airhead as she rushed at me with punches and kicks. I countered and parried most blows, but she took the offensive from me.
I was ticked off.
Two of us followed each other's movement like a reflection of a mirror. We both clashed at the same time. She tried to elbow be rib, but I blocked with my palm. I raised my knee for a body blow, but Yukihana raised her knee for a counter. We didn't even flinch as I throw a left jab to her face, but instead to dodging it like he expected, she…allow the punch to land. Her face turned along with the punch to reduce its force and at same time, she turned her body along with her spin to nail my stomach with a body blow.
"Khh!" I exclaimed at sudden blow to the stomach. I took a step back, but recovered as I dug into her open guard to perform a combination of punch, palm, and elbow, however Yukihana countered a blow for blow. She never blocked any of the blows, but instead returned a punch for punch.
We let out a battle cry as we clashed out fists at same time. Our knuckles clashed as a small shockwave exploded as we slammed our fists together. We separated as we jump away from each other.
I stared at my fist. I exchanged at least 10 blows…each were returned with a salvage sacrificial blow. I felt small swelling on my stomach and my fists ached, but I didn't show it on my face.
"Sacrificial blows? That isn't your style, Kai no Waka Tora."
She turned her weaken body toward me and smiled.
"You are correct, however this is the first time I managed to exchange a decent blow on you."
She took a deep breath as she bent down to stretch. "Little improvements at a time, Ichika-dono. Little by little, I will reach up to you. I will try many styles Ichika-dono and I will…reach you."
She stared into my single eye. Her dark eye laid into my brown eye. Her eyes were filled with resolve…a similar resolve I hold in order to reach Nee-chan.
"To reach my height huh…Then you better triple the effort Waka Tora, because I am chasing someone as well, so I can't wait for you to catch up!" I yelled as I rash at the grinning battle maniac.
We performed a spin kick at the same time. Our legs clashed in a bone shaking crash. When bone met bone, leg met leg neither is safe.
"Tsh!" we exclaimed as we separated. Out legs ached like madly, however my bone is thicker than Yukihana's. By ignoring the pain I dashed at the Tiger Club. My stance was low and my posture was on the ground. I was aiming for a low angle blows on an immobile opponent.
"God damn it Yukihana! At this rate, Nee-chan will have my hide!"
"Die with honor!" shouted Yukihana as she tried to balance herself with an injured leg. As I dashed at her, Yukihana's eye was filled with resolve as she too took a solid stance, ignoring the pain.
She thrown a chopping right punch toward my head, however I dodged with a turn to the head.
"Die? I can't die yet you Baka Tora!" I roared as saw a perfect opportunity.
I grabbed her extended punch and managed to nail her with a palm strike to her chest, then I followed up with a swipe kick and an uppercut, but Yukihana managed to dodge. She tried to counter with a spin kick, but I blocked her kick with my right should block and spin into her guard.
"Shimata!" exclaimed the girl as she saw my fist approaching her.
"That's right." I said to her as I lift my palms close and performed a powerful chinese kenpo technique.
(YUKIHANA POV)
"That stance… he can't be…" muttered Yukihana as he raised his two palms closer together.
"Soutenshuu!(Double Wired Palms)!"he exclaimed as he nailed her chest with a double palm strike. My breath was cut off by that blow, I as dizzy and suffering from lack of breath. However I managed to look at my opponent and saw him take step backward with his right hand on his hip. He spun around toward her again with his right palm rotating in a circular motion to make a spiral spin along with his prepare punch. I saw his chest pushed outward and took a sharp breath, which is a special breathing technique known as…
"Raisei!(Thunder Sound)!" thought Yukihana was she recognized what Ichika was planning. 'That guy! After Soutenshuu, he plans to nail me with a Raisei infused strike!" thought Yukihana.
"Raisei is a darker style within ancient Chinese Taichi, a breathing technique that caused vibration in the body and adding a strike with it, it is a sharp and drilling blow!" though Yukihana as she only had one move to counter it.
She saw the blow approaching and…instead of resisting it, she allowed it to hit her. She nullified a great deal of the blow with her body in relaxed state, which made her body bent forward, which made her hard head slam into Ichika's.
This technique Yukihana used…is a desperate last move, when a taichi users are taught to use when they are in a state where they can't even move a finger, let alone…to fight. The Sha Gi Shou Jin(Using the Strength of Another) a powerful and dangerous Taichi-chun that relies completely on the enemy's superior power.
"AAHHHH!" the two teen exclaimed as they shared another duo exchange blows.
(ICHIKA POV)
My mind was fuzzy as I faintly recall a head butt, I slowly took a stance stance as I struggled to put up a fighting pose. "The fight…it isn't over yet."
"HAAA!" exclaimed Yukihana as she fell on to the floor. As she tried to get back up in order to continue to fight again. I quickly grabbed her arms to put her in a lock as best on my ability.
"Ha-ha….I-I intend to reach c-certain someone's shado-w…and intend to cover her in m-my own…S-So to… reach up to m-my goal, yo…u need to reach…the same level as…Her!" I whispered into her ear, not knowing what such act will result.
Yukihana's hair stood up as Ichika's breath got into her ear. Her breaths quicken and her body tensed.
"Ha…ha…ha…T-Then those goals…I-I shall reach Ichika-d-dono, b-but…let me go!" She yelled as she struggled, honesty this guy is unbelievable. He can make a girl feel like this without even trying!
As Yukihana tried to reach my face with her elbow, I managed to knock her out with a swift chop.
"She improved..." I muttered as I gentle let her down.
"Ha, ha, ha...This is tiring." I muttered as I finally managed to restrain the brown haired Waka Tora as I carried her on my back. I was walking through the hallway as I was carrying the brown haired girl on my shoulder. My injuries sored as I forced myself to not to react on it. My head hurt the most, because of her last high level technique…the Sha Gi Shou Jin(Using the Strength of Another).
"Ichika-sama, please don't fight every day like this. While it is true that you were attacked, Chifuyu-sama, will not be merciful." Said Katakura Kojuro, who was walking next to me. I ran into my loyal samurai guard on my way to class. It seems he was on his way to report to me about Masurao's latest checkup. He got me some ice pack for our burses and I couldn't be more thanksful.
"I didn't do anything wrong, Kojuro. This girl is nut! She came at me with blow exchange, no blocks! Full contact!" I only defended myself."
"I understand, but I will not shield you from Chifuyu-sama. I swore to protect you from all your enemies, not your angry sister that is too strong."
I didn't argue with him. Even I wouldn't get in Chifuyu-Nee's way on purpose…sometimes.
"Better drop her off at Rin's class." I told him as I kept walking.
Kojuro only sighed as he followed me. He was wearing a lab coat, to show his job as a mechanic for me. Katakura family is one of my major supporters. Many well-known families in more…dangerous business, supports me. Kojuro was holding several files on his arm and was holding a sheathed katana in another. The katana was sheathed in a blue sheath with tiger fur coated handle. The guard was sliver and the guard's shape was that of a 5 petal flower.
"Nice sword, Kojuro. What are you doing with it in school?"
"Oh! Ichika-sama, this is for you sir."
"For me?"
"Hai! My father asked me to send it to you for you two successful victories."
"…But I didn't win any. Both matches were nulled and draw."
"My father seen the recording and disagrees. He prepared this to be sent to you my lord." Said Kojuro as he handed me the beautiful katana. I humbly received it.
I used my thumb to push the blade out slowly. The steel blade reflected the light. It was sharp…very sharp. The side of the blade had several small tomo, like marks.
"A true worthy sword, Kojuro. A weapon worthy of Katakura family. The name?"
"It is named, Shigure."
"Hoo…Late Rain. Very impressive."
I handed back to sword to carry Yukihana more property and walked on. I dropped her off to Rin, who by the way kicked me in the shin for making a big commotion. Kojuro didn't even bother to help me from my angry childhood friend. He must have learned from the past, when Rin will go violent on me.
"Matauku…so troublesome." I muttered as I walked back toward the class 1-1. I was late, and Chifuyu-Nee will kill me. Kojuro was behind me as always, prepared to protect me. As I approached the classroom saw a strange sight. There was two girls standing outside my classroom.
One was a blonde haired girl…wait she had a boys uniform like myself. Was that a guy? She…not wait, he was a blonde haired guy that had an aura of a nervous kid. He didn't seem dangerous, however one next to him was different. The one next to her a silver haired girl. She had long hair, a black and red eye-patch on her left eye. Her school uniform seemed like a military uniform. Her stance was firm and rigid. This one had an aura of a solider. An aura that was cold and felt like a sharpen knife.
Two of them noticed me and turned to me. The blonde one seems to recognize me and the sliver haired one...focused her killing intent at me. Kojuro's stance turned rigged as he tried to get in front of me, however I stopped him.
I simply smirked at the threat and walked foward.
I heard some voices from the classroom.
"…."
"….From today onwards, we'll be having practical training. As there are training suits, we'll be using ISs, so everyone must pay attention! Don't forget to put on the school regulated attire before you get your own IS suits. Anyone who forgets will have to wear the school swimsuit and truit! And as for that person, well, if he leaves through my private talk, then he can wear a bikini for all I care."
That sound like Chifuyu-nee. As for her tone, it sound like I am a dead man. As for the Bikini, HELL NO!
"Then, Yamada-sensei, please begin the homeroom."
"O-okay."
It seems that Chifuyu-nee was going over an announcement. If I live through her tough love, then I will ask Houki for details.
"Well, today, I'll be introducing some transfer students, and there are two of them."
"WHAAAAAT...!"
On hearing the introduction of transfer students, everyone in the class exploded. Can't be helped, to the class that feeds on gossip even during their meals, it's to be expected that they would be shocked now that a transfer student slipped past their information network, and there are two of them.
I too heard her announcement and nodded, so these two here is the transferee. I should have known. "Kojuro, have you heard of this before?"
"No, my lord." Answered Kojuro with a deep bow as if he committed a great offense. I waved him off.
"It doesn't matter, don't trouble yourself Kojuro."
"Thousand thanks my lord." Was his reply.
It seems that the blonde transfer student was startled at Kojuro's respect for me and the sliver haired one just stared at me with hidden anger.
I stepped forward and open the door.
"Ohaiyo, Nee-chin! Yama-pi!" I greeted. I was going to die, so I will go down in blaze of glory.
"You are late! Orimura do you have a death wish?" yelled my sister. It seems her piss-off meter when to overload.
"I couldn't help it, Yukihana went berserk on me and I was delayed. I had to subdue her and bring her to class." I tried to pea my case, however Chifuyu-Nee's hand blurred for an attendance chart combo attack.
I too blurred to counter.
Her overhead smash was blocked by my left hand in a carry-off block and my right hand tried to grab her remaining left hand. However, my sister moved at the same time for a left karate chop so our legs got cross in our step in move. Our limbs got locked and actually tangled. My body was still sore and my head still hurt so the sudden loss of the balance made me a dead weight as I drag my sister to the floor with me.
"Huh?"
"Oh shit!"
We both accidently fell down with me on the top. My hand was still on her hands and my legs got in the way of her leg to prevent any underhanded kicks. My face was on top of her face and her noticeable chest on mine.
"Owww! Son of a...that hurt." I muttered as I picked myself up...my hand felt something soft and bouncy.
I opened my eyes and saw what I was holding.
We laid there like time stopped for us. I could only stare blankly into her eye.
"...This is...bad. And yet this is good. Why do I feel like I will die soon?" I asked her.
"Orimura...you got five seconds to get off."
I removed my hands, but didn't get off as she tried to punch with her free hand. I blocked that with my free hand.
"Now, now Nee-chan, don't be hasty...I don't want to die yet, so don't kill me."
"Orimura...get off." Her voice was so cold...I am so dead, but she had a small blush on her face. It seems she was so angry her face was turning red.
"Think of your happy place Nee-chan! How about the time when I was young you throw me in the bathtub for a bath and you joined me to wash my hair. I played with your hair then and I think I touch yo-" I was cut off my a sudden attack from behind me. I reacted.
"ICHIKA-SAMA!" Shouted Kojuro as Houki and Cecilia shouted out their warning too late.
I jumped off of Nee-chan as that sliver haired girl attacked me with an army knife. The sharp steel glisten in the light as it aimed at my neck.
I was under attacked by a soldier. This is a first.
She came at me with a stab, but I seen many stab attacks before. I moved to the side to avoid the thrust and grabbed her offending hand to disarm her. However she actually caught the falling combats knife with her other hand for a side slash. Luckily I noticed her rather flawless move and raised my right knee and brought down my right elbow at the same time to catch her knife between them.
The girl's single eye widen at my sudden, high skill move. She better be surprised, because this is a move, he don't use regularly because how dangerous it is.
"Not bad! But it's far from being a threat!" I yelled to her as I nailed her chest with my left palm in a thrusting stab, hand technique. I added a little spin into the drilling hand and shout out the name of the technique.
"Jineikwn-Nejiri Nukite!(God's fist, Spinning hand!)
My spinning hand attack dug into her stomach, her body shock as my piercing impact buried into her stomach like a real drill. I brought my knee and elbow off the knife and took a deep stance that brings out a lot of power with a twist of my hips. I released a powerful right straight punch at her, which she somehow managed to block with a cross arms block. She was sent flying toward my seat and smashed herself against the floor.
Surprisingly she didn't release any sound of pain as she picked herself up and draw another knife. Her body was panting in pain, but her machine like expression didn't change. She looked more wary actually. After seeing my deadly killing intent and skills to back up the threat.
"A weapon huh...KOJURO!" I yelled to my friend as he nodded. He wordlessly thrown the 'Shigure' toward I and I caught my newly acquired sword. I took an Iado stance for a high speed sword drawing.
She ran toward me yelling. "How you shame the Instructor!"
"Instructor? She is Chifuyu-nee's student, by the look of her uniform...Germany." I concluded as she came closer. Time to test this new steel. Our blades about to meet, but something got in our way.
(Slank!)
A third sword got in the way and knocked the two of us away in a single overhead strike. As dust settled it revealed Chifuyu-Nee with a Katana in her hands. I noticed her sword looked familiar...it was GokuRyu, Kojuro's blade.
"Nee-chan..."I muttered. My sister's pose was not that of her teacher self, but her champion self from her middle school days. I froze in fear...Nee-chan was exceptionally scary during those time.
"Instructor..." muttered out the girl. It seems either of us wishes to fight my sister over anything.
My sister pointed her sword to the ground, but her aura didn't fade. I snorted at this, my sister is ever the warrior. I slowly sheathed Shigure in to her sheath and waited.
The Blonde boy walked in.
"IS everyone ok?" he asked in worry tone. Yamada sensei was shaking at the sudden unexplained violence and all the class was quiet. I didn't even turn to the guy by the way.
"Kojuro...retrieve your sword."
"Hai!" said Kojuro was he walked up to my sister. He extended her hand to take back his GokuRyu, and he did.
"Sorry for taking your sword, but these two idiots made a huge mess in my classroom." said Chifuyu-nee as she seems to calm down.
Kojuro only nodded as he put his sword away. He walked behind me to intervene at any time.
Kojuro was serious now, a girl just attacked his lord and he was too slow to react. "If Ichika-sama was hurt under my watch...then how will I ever wash way such shame?" though Kojuro was he scold at himself for his lack of focus.
Chifuyu-nee turned to the class.
"These two are the new transfer students. You two introduce yourself."
The blonde boy stepped forward. He has a face that's easily approachable, courteous, a fine and proper body, bright blond hair on his head-that's neatly tied behind. His body is also so thin that one may feel that it's too skinny. He smiled shyly at everyone and at the violence before and bowed.
"I-I am Charles Dunois from France. I'm not too familiar with this country, so please take care of me."
Everyone in the class is stunned. Only one who was not stunned was the two teachers, Kojuro, the army girl, and myself. However my instincts told me that Charles here is more than meets the eye.
"A, a guy...?"
Someone muttered.
"Yes. I heard that there's someone in the same situation as me here. So I transferred here from my country-" he was cut off by the squeal if the class 1-1. These girls managed to undo the tense atmosphere the fight brought here before.
"NO WAY-!"
Is this the so-called supersonic? Nope, I'm not kidding, a squeal started in the middle of the classroom and spread out just like that.
"A MALE STUDENT! A SECOND MALE STUDENT AT THAT!"
"AND HE'S IN OUR CLASS!"
"AND HE'S HANDSOME! THE TYPE THAT YOU WANT TO PROTECT!"
"I'M SO GRATEFUL TO BE ABLE TO LIVE IN THIS WORLD~!"
I sighed as I rubbed my eye-patch. These girls are too much. It seems they completely forgotten about the violence that just occur not even a few minutes ago. Well… I better act as a class president.
"THAT'S ENOUGH, SETTLE DOWN AND PAT ATTENTION! THE INTRODUCTION ISN'T OVER YET!" I shouted over them. My experience in leading large group of hot headed gangsters came in handy as my voice managed to focus the girls' attention back to reality.
I turned to Dunois.
"Anything else to add, Dunois?" I said to him with my hands behind my back and my sword on my grip.
"N-No...sir." It seems I scared him. I must have look intimating after all. I am an Orimura after all. I was holding a sword, fought like a mad man, has someone like Kojuro bowing down next to me, and an eye-patch doesn't show 'good boy' feeling like Charles' vibe have. I nodded to him. I walked toward my seat that was thanks fully intact. I sat on the desk and faced the second transfer student.
"Next one! You! The one who is copying me. You got your cosplay eye-patch on the wrong eye, but who cares! Introduce yourself!" I commanded.
The person involved still hasn't said anything as she maintains her folded arm stance, looking uninterested as she stares at the girls in the class. She ignored my command and she stared into my single left eye with her right. Our eye like a reflection of each other.
"...Listen to the Class Representative, Laura. Hurry up and greet them." Said my sister in a tired voice.
"Yes, instructor."
She at least greeted Nee-chan property.
"Don't call me that here, I'm no longer an instructor. And you're an ordinary student here, so you must call me Orimura-sensei."
"Roger that."
Having answered that, Laura puts her straightened arms to the side and stands straight with her ankles put together-no matter how I look at it, even if she's not related to the military, she did call Chifuyu-nee 'instructor', so she's definitely a German.
Chifuyu-nee was an Army instructor in Germany for one year, around the time I was hospitalized for the eye injury and was taken care temporary by Tabane-nee and later by Rin's family.
"I'm Laura Bodewig."
"..."
The students remain silent, waiting for her to continue, but after she said her name, she shut her mouth up like a clam.
"Is that all?" I asked her.
"That's all."
I sighed at this. This girl...is she really serious about coming to school?
"My name is Orimura Ichika and I am the class 1-1's class representative, I guess I got to say pleased to meet you, Dunoios, Bodewig." I turned to the teacher. "That is my sister Orimura Chifuyu and her vice-homeroom teacher, Yamada Maya, so be respectful."
For some reason, Laura and I exchanged looks.
"So it's you-"
She walked toward me without hesitation. She raised her hands to slap me.
I caught her hand.
"What you want now?"
"I won't accept it. You're actually that person's little brother. Who would accept it!"
"...Nani?" I asked her again in a softer tone. My grip on her hands tightened, but she showed no reaction. Truly a child solider, she is trained well, or is she augmented well. Some of the blows I dealt can knock any normal trained fights down. Only few like Yukihana or Chifuyu-nee can stand as if nothing was wrong.
"I want to inquire more about what you meant by what you said. Please note that your answer may determine your future." I asked again.
"Exactly what I meant. You are not worthy of being her siblings. Your existence as an Orimura is unforgiveable." She told me in front of my face.
My single eye narrowed in rage.
"Ok, that is it. It has been some time that anyone manage to disgust me like this. You have a death wish? Huh? Answer me Bodewig!" I sneered at her. There had been many who insulted me in the past and many who insulted my beloved sister, but never has anyone insulted me like this! My left eye was narrowed and sharp. My grip on 'Shigure' tightened and my teeth were grinding.
Kojuro sensing my rage prepared to stop me. Even Houki and Cecilia seemed ready to stop me. Yamada sensei was shaking like a leaf at what me and Bodewig was about to do. I released a vast killing intent in the room which caught many girls unguarded. My thrust for blood was visible by my expression as I slowly held my sword higher for a sideway draw. The German Representative got into a stance to retaliate.
"Conquer and trample! Masu-" I was cut off before I irrationally summon Masurao, who by the way is pissed beyond anything right now, Nee-chan stopped me.
"ORIMURA! BODEWIG!" shouted my sister as we both turned to her.
"Homeroom lesson will end now. Everyone has to change up, as we'll be doing IS practice together with Class 2. Dismissed!"
Chifuyu-nee clapped her hands to prompt everyone into action. As for me, I'm was interested in slicing Bodewig to pieces to obey, however part of me that is absolutely dedicated to Nee-chan urged me to sheath my sword...for now.
"Hey, Orimura. Take care of Dunois. You're both guys, right?"
Oh yeah, almost forgot about him. So it ended up like this. I put my sword down to my side and walked outside, with Kojuro and Dunois following right behind me.
"Ah, Orimura-kun. We've met for the first time, I'm-" He was cut off as Kojuro stopped him as he shocked his head side to side. Dunois looked confused and suddenly turn to see why.
"BAAANNGGGG!"
A sound of fist smashing the wall was heard as I punched the wall next to me. Normally I will feel a lot of pain doing something so reckless, however...my sense for anything is dulled by my enhanced rage.
"That brat...who does she thinks she is messing with? How dare she...stomp on my pride like this! Does she think she can get away with this!" I grind out as I settled my anger. I can feel the stares behind my back as students watched. I ignored their stares and focused on a familiar feeling...my sister's stare. I suddenly felt sense of shame as my shoulder lost its strength.
I took a deep breath as I turned to face the boys behind me.
"Kojuro, take this to my room, as for you Dunois, let's go. The girls are starting to change clothes."
Kojuro bowed as he walked away. Dunois stood there rather scared, but I smiled at him weakly.
"Don't mind me...I am not angry at you anyway."
I comforted best I could at the moment and marched toward the changing room. The journey there will be troublesome alone, so being pissed at the marching doll from German is not going to make me feel better.
"To step on my pride is like stabbing a sleeping dragon, Laura Bodewig...you better be strong or you will be torn apart by my claws. One way or another."
This war is on!