Openings song: The walking dead of the Dropkick Murphy's.
Got some time to write and I decided to put some work on it. I made this, but it was up to you guys before I would update this.
I decided to post this for two reasons. One, because I wanted you guys to have this idea.
Two. Because some fucking coward threw a few rude and I'm just using that word, it was more than rude, reviews on this.
Look, I write, what I want to write, at this, I write to express myself and because I like to share my ideas with you guys. I know that what I write isn't what all people like.
I understand that some people want to say that to me. If that's the case, fine. But don't be a coward to not leave your name behind. If you want to say my stories are bad, please, by all means, tell me, but don't hide behind a mask. That's my idea.
Sorry for my late update, but my pride had the better of me. I wouldn't update this story until I got, at least, forty reviews. Now, that hasn't happened, it still didn't happen. I have updated the story and this will be just a tip for the monthly updates. I have few more ideas, but something needs to get of my chest.
It seems stupid, but it's really annoying you guys are reading, but not reviewing. I got 7600 views, the highest on my entire chapter list, but I got only thirty nine reviews.
Do you have any idea how depressing that is? Not to know what people are thinking of it or how it's stupid to see that my story just has that few reviews? It's stupid, but it is the way how writers work. If you have favorited or follow this, please be so kind to leave your thoughts. That's all I'm asking.
Even if you're a Guest, leave a review behind. I wouldn't like nothing more. The reason I have thrown the reviews mentioned above of the site, was because they were just rude. I don't think you guys would read the this, make a rude review and leave it behind. I what to hear some ideas from you.
This is the promise I made to you guys, so for now, we're going to the real beginning of the Dark Past arc. I hope you guys like this.
Every hacker got a deal from his past and that will begin to focus on them. There might be some suggestive scenes and the road to lemons is open. This is something I better say. If you want me to make a lemon, just ask.
It will be highly romantic and I hope I can I can improve.
Some of you guys are going to kill me for this, because not alone, I got a bit inspired by imherepresent, but I also broke the most favorite pairing in the canons series and got an OC paired up with Charlotte. Sorry for this, but I'm just not that interested with an IchXChar pairing, so that's why I made my own OC.
It's my personal thing. Don't kill me for this.
Well, get on the story.
I have reuploaded this chapter, because I have made some change in the song. I have a tip for the ones who are reading this. Read the latest chapter of The Graduated Student and the Irish Street punk. I have hidden a few messages in it and I'll think you'll like it.
Raton woke up after a nightmare. They have been coming back more recently, certainly now. This time of year, the Tenth of May, things were just bringing him back. Sweat mixed with tears came down. It got their mix with the yellow eyes. Due to the absence of the two most important teachers, the pilots and hackers currently got a necessary break. Extra lessons were given and most students took days to get their huge amount of homework done. Raton's breath finally calmed down.
He was safe, his breath was coming at a normal pace, his heart stopped pounding super hard. He looked around and saw Kashal, his best friend sleeping, peacefully. Raton sighed on the rest Kashal was bringing in the room. Raton smiled but then looked down at his hands. His smile got off his face and his thought got back to years ago. When pilots didn't exist and where hackers were far way. He took his necklace and clicked it open. Inside was a picture. A girl with short blond hair and a hat. She wore a simple white dress and she had a huge smile. Her purple eyes were shining.
From her age judging, she was around five or six years. Next to her stood a boy. He had brown hair and yellow eyes. His attire existed of a short and sleeveless shirt. Raton began to ponder on the conversation. His eyes closing ,the sole mid-range fighter of the Hellhounds thought back to that day, now exactly, ten years ago.
FLASHBACK.
A river flowing clear, cold water from the springs in the mountains down in the village. A girl was sitting down, looking at it. The girl was thinking of her mother's warning. "Be careful with strangers and look out." Why was her mother so afraid of other persons? She heard a splashing and saw a boy who got the same age. He carried his shoes in his hands and seemed to enjoy the cool water.
Raton looked up and he saw the young girl looking at him. He responded with a smile and waved at her. She gestured to come sit next to her. The young boy had no idea if it was a good idea to come to her, but shrugged on it and walked to her. His parents told him to make friends. His younger sister was still not old enough to come with him. Bored of staying at home, he went to explore the place. While walking in the river, he found the girl sitting.
With a grin, he came to sit next to her. She looked at him. "Hello." She spoke to him. "Hel… Hello." Raton brought out. It was hard for the young boy to speak with her, as he wasn't used to girls. "Are you new in this town? I haven't seen you before." Raton nodded. "Yeah, just moved. I lived in Flanders." She looked surprised. "I'm Raton. What's your name?"
"Eh, Charlotte, Charlotte Dunois." Raton looked surprised on the name. "Chajlotte? Eh, that's too difficult. Are you fine with Lotte?" Charlotte got a blush on the nickname. "Eh, that's a good name."
Raton went to sit next to Charlotte. The two spent the whole day talking about their lives, friends and where else do children talk about? Charlotte later took Raton home with her. Her mother was surprised but glad that her little girl made a friend. She made a picture and later gave a copy to Raton who placed in a necklace.
FLASHBACK ENDS
That same day, Raton made a girl as a friend and his family was killed. They were done in at night. Luckily, he was sent away to Kashal's father. Still, that girl never really left his mind. Years later, when he could return, he only found Charlotte gone. He asked around the entire town, but he couldn't find one trace, but a gravestone where the mother was resting. Also, of his father's killers were gone.
His tears ran down on his face. His heart was almost killed twice that day he got back. Raton went out the room. His friends knew well enough to leave him alone at this point. He didn't have breakfast and was gone before the rest was awake. Raton walked around the campus aimlessly. His earplugs on, he was thinking back to that day. He sat against a tree, enjoying a soft drink he bought and went to look at the sun coming out of the ocean.
The soft drink went down his throat and judging on the stand of the sun, it was around seven o' clock. His mind thought back. Why, why was his mind drifting back to Charlotte? Okay, her name was the same, but what kind of evidence was that? There could be thousands Charlotte, he had no real prove that Charlotte Dunois was the same Charlotte he met as the little girl in Ardèche.
The young man emptied his soft drink and threw in a litter bin. He stood up and walked to the arena. There was one thing Raton was sure of. His heart never felt such peace after he and Charlotte were sleeping in the same bed. Why did she have the same effect as his memories of the girl? Raton stood up and began to run. He knew which arena Charlotte would use to practice for shooting. He went inside and found her easily. Just knowing where the shots came from.
He saw the girl firing in her orange unit. A fine sharpshooter. Maybe, there was something they shared. A love or at the very least a knack for guns. Raton smiled and got down. charlotte saw him coming on his skateboard. She was still torn between her love for Ichika and her growing feelings for Raton. The young boy smiled as he saw the girl. "Wow." He said. "Forgot to take a shower."
Charlotte smiled at him, but her eyes were down. "Shut up." She playfully got at him. "Ready for some completion?" Raton grinned and from his hands, Fire Breather was created. "Shooting or fighting?" He asked. They turned at the firing range. Raton leveled the rifle at his arms. "Bring it on." Charlotte leveled her shotguns and aimed for the same thing as well. The countdown started and when the timer reached zero, the firing began. Charlotte was very fast and had the advantage of being stable, so she was better on aiming.
Raton had pulled Fire Breather on bolt action fire modus, so he had to pull the bullet out and got a new one in. While the logic didn't make sense on a Hacker Firearm, Raton used it and he was not the only one. The reason why he did that, was to give his rifle a higher fire output and that he had to be sure of his bullets.
While reloading would take a few seconds, Raton was trained so hard in it, that it took one movement which didn't last one second. Raton's advantage over Charlotte was his mobility, he had no problem to switch easily. The gunshots of both users fired the air. Charlotte's shotguns were firing nonetheless, where Raton's gun made a huge bang every time whenever he fired. At the end, charlotte ranged up an impressive 2589 points while Raton got the full 3000. Charlotte couldn't feel jealous, but she was impressed by what Raton did. Speaking of the boy, he was not catching his breath and laid on the ground.
Charlotte deactivated her unit as she was giving Raton something to like. Her suit was orange on the lines and she was smiling while looking down on him. "Feeling a bit tired?" Charlotte asked teasingly. "Piss…. (paint)… off. I won." Charlotte went to sit next to him. "That's something I can't deny." Charlotte got her knees together and smiled at him. Raton was still laying on his back and turned his head to her.
They both enjoyed the silence with each other's company. "Sorry, Charlotte."
Raton said, causing the French candidate to look at him. Raton closed his eyes and he took a heavy breath. "Have you thought about my question?" charlotte looked away. She still felt it as betraying Ichika, but the male pilot made it very clear he had enough of the way the girls were treating him.
She tensed up as she felt Raton's hand squeezing her own. "Never mind. Hey, Charlotte. I have another question for you." Charlotte looked at him in anticipation. "Charlotte, you levied years ago on the countryside of France, right?" Charlotte nodded. "Yeah."
"Where exactly?" Raton looked at her.
"Raton, stop." Charlotte stood up. "I don't care what you want, but you and your friends caused so many things at this school. I'm in love with Ichika, not with you." Raton's eyes were closed painfully. "Charlotte, I." She left with tears in her eyes. "It's just that."
Raton sighed and walked to the place to take a shower. Luckily, the guys had a bathroom in the arena's. he went to take a shower. The sweat got off his body. He looked at his arms and saw the scar. It was a large, cut right over his underarms past his heart and went on to his other arm. Raton went to sit. "Why? Why does it hurt so much?" He wondered. He thought back the day where his life was different. He wanted to make something clear.
After his shower, he went to the dorms. His mind was still wanting to figure out if he met Charlotte before. He walked around the dorms, avoiding the other girls. He found Charlotte's room soon enough, but his heart weight too much on him to knock.
With a heavy sigh, he took off his necklace. For the last time, he opened it. There were too many things not to add up. He left the necklace there. After that, he left the necklace hanging at the door and texted Charlotte, hoping she would look. After that, he left the place.
Charlotte was currently wandering around the empty school until he mobile phone rang. She was thinking of deleting it when she saw it was from Raton. Still, she opened it. And the moment, she read the opening, it intrigued her. "Lotte. Check out your doorknob Keep the possession is yours. If not, give it back."
Charlotte raised an eyebrow on the cryptic message but went to check her room. Laura would be training at the time, so nobody would be there. At her door, the necklace was a clear sight. She took it, opened it and her eyes went wide open and her mind went in a rush. Why did Raton have a picture of her from years ago?
Later that day.
Raton spent hours of walking around and only got at the dorm house to eat. Kashal pressed on his shoulder and reassured him that the hackers were there for him, but he wanted to think of his parents, alone. After all those years, he still didn't know why his parents were dead or who killed them? His father was an IS designer. As far Raton knew and was part of the hackers, they didn't kill men who were just doing their job.
After Raton was done eating, he activated his skateboard and flew at the highest point of the arena. He looked down on the battleground. It was the first time where he and Charlotte traded shots at the time they fought. Raton's drive to become stronger and use guns were nothing more than the desire to gun down those responsible for killing his father. He pressed his eyes closed, seeing his parents and imagining the way they were killed.
He heard the bullets raining in his house. His father screams filled his ears. The second after that, he saw Charlotte arriving down on the ground. Her well-trained eyes had no problems finding him despite the darkness filling the place at school. It didn't take long for her to find herself flying to him. She deactivated her unit and it changed back to her normal clothing. Raton had his blue hoodie pulled up and even his mouth was unseen for her.
Wordlessly, he pulled out his left hand. Charlotte understood and took the necklace of her own and her eyes began to tear. She couldn't believe the hacker sitting was the boy who she met in her hometown.
"I take you're going to keep it."
Raton said, surprising Charlotte. With a heavy sigh, she nodded. "Raton, I'm so sorry for what I did and said to you. I haven't forgotten you, but you are so different from that time."
"So are you. Lotte." Raton paussed the girl. "You've changed as well." He paused, opened his mouth and began anew. "I can't believe the girl I met and that helped me through I went is the same girl that I got down as my opponent using an Infinite Stratos. Ironic enough, you're the reason I became a hacker." Charlotte was surprised on that. "If I didn't meet you, I didn't have the goal of seeing you again. So that's why I trained so hard." Raton looked away and stood up. " I went back to the town. To find you. But I didn't find you." Charlotte thought back. She must have been gone, taken by her father. Raton walked past her. "Never mind."
She looked at him with tears and saw him crying as well. "The girl I fell in love with doesn't exist anymore. The boy who hoped to see her again. Well, he is gone as well. It doesn't matter anymore." Charlotte looked down on his hard words. He want to get down but felt her hand stopping him. Charlotte turned to him and gave him a hug. It surprised Raton and he calmed down. he couldn't help, but forget all his hatred, pain and misery. "I'm sorry, Raton. I should have known when you talked about it. Still, Ichika."
"Ichika made his choice, right? He has the right to choose as well. And I'm sorry for you that you aren't his." Raton asked her. charlotte looked up to him. "You just want him to be happy, but you want that with you. And that isn't the same as the other girls. If you wanted that, you should have let him kiss Houki. Instead of trying to kill him." Charlotte looked down, embarrassed and teased on it.
"I just want."
"Charlotte, I'm not asking you to switch your heart, because you can't do that so fast. But you can't ask the same thing of Ichika. Besides. Sorry if go logic. What will you do when you graduate and Ichika stays in Japan?" charlotte looked up him. She sighed and tugged in his chest. "And with my growing feelings for you and you're replying to them?"
Charlotte brought her lips to Raton. He was surprised and slowly got down, bringing her to sit. "So that means you've made your choice?" Raton asked. "I made my decision years ago."
Charlotte smiled at him. "I'm sorry for taking so long for my answer. Still, when did you talk about it?" Raton sat up, bringing her to a sitting position so they faced each other.
"It's ten years ago. I lost my heart. But it was good I lost it. Lotte, it was ten years ago I lost my parents alongside with my little sister." Charlotte's hand covered her mouth. "The same day I met you was the day my parents were killed. Till this day, I don't know why or who, but I want to find an answer. I just. What I said about you being the one I wanted to see again, it was the truth. Your smile, your kindness. The hours we spent talking, those are the reasons for me to keep growing. That's what I told you. Still, the boy that was one the town doesn't exist anymore."
Charlotte messed with his brown hair. "Raton, that might be true, but the girl you met that day is also gone. We both lost what's important to us." Raton nodded on that. Charlotte also lost every connection to that town. The young man found it even unreasonable as Charlotte suffered more. Only by Kerlongsj's actions, she was now finally safe.
Raton patted her on the head. "Hey, Charlotte." The girl looked at him. "Ichika told me you called him a pervert, but deep down there, you are one yourself." Her blush was adorable as Raton felt his blood rising on his cheeks. "What do you mean?" He smiled as she saw Charlotte fidgeting. "I'm talking about the World Purge. What was it again? Oh yeah." He feigned the question in such a way that Charlotte's head was a tomato. "You were dreaming of being." Raton found his mouth shut by one fuming girl. Charlotte never looked so cute by Raton's opinion. "Don't say that."
"What? That you actually are a closet pervert who wants to be Ichika's maid?"
Again, Charlotte's head was buried in his sweater while fuming. Raton smiled at the girl who gave him a hug. "Say, Raton?" Charlotte was now enough composed not to let her thoughts bother her. "Do you have something for maids?" She got the young man in a position. "N…. No." He uttered. "Don't be stupid. Besides." He and charlotte were back facing each other. "I think I like your cat pajama's more combined with you blushing is cuter than you in a maid outfit. I've seen you in both." Charlotte raised an eyebrow.
"When did you see me in a maid outfit? You haven't visited my part-time job." She covered her mouth. "Okay, that's something I surely need to find out where you're working. I'd love to embarrass you." Charlotte felt her defense crumbling away. "Oh, and when did I saw you in a maid outfit? On our concert, when you were dressed up as a maid. Charlotte thought back on it.
"Oh, yeah. You're right. Hey, why did you appoint Anaton as the singer for your group?" Raton seemed to think about it but shrugged it off. "Why are you asking?"
"Well, the time you and I were sleeping, you lulled me into sleep." Raton began to think back. "Oh, yeah. Well, I'm not good with punk or rock like Anaton. And Tourist LeMC is my favorite group."
Charlotte found it a weird name. "Hey, what does he sing about?"
"Life in all its beauty and horror. Do you want to hear another one." Charlotte nodded. Raton took his mp3 player and searched for it. "Here, this is a good one."
Lyrics and song text belong to Tourist LeMC, look it up.
It's called Bilal. It's really good. I first wanted to use something else, but judging the situation, this was better.
Zie mij goan in troep of alleen
(Look at me going on, in gang or alone.)
De toekomst tegemoet
(Looking at the future)
Ik wist niks oep dat moment
(I didn't know anything on that moment)
Snotaap doe maar wat oep, yeah
(Little punk, do what you want.)
He made a smile, thinking back.
Erken het uur van de waarheid
(Acknowledge the hour of the truth)
En doe wat moet, eenvoudig
(And do what has to be done, simple.)
Toch meer gene dan trots en knaagt de spijt
(More shame than pride and my regret is nagging)
Heb ik dan meer gekregen dan verdiend
(Did I get more than I deserved)
Charlotte got closer to him.
Als ik toen wist wat ik na weet
(If I knew than what I do now.)
Had ik dan beter gedoan of niet
(Have I done better or not?)
Had ik de kansen gegrepen die ik kreeg
(Would I have taken the chances I got?)
Had ik gezeten waar ik na zit
(Would I be sitting where I'm now?)
He looked to Charlotte and she figured his sentence out.
Voorbestemd of een speling van 't lot
(Destined of fate that plays?)
Hoe zijn kik terecht gekomen bij a
(How did I end up at you?)
Raton's placed a finger on her heart.
Mensen krijgen wat hun toekomt
(People get what they deserve)
Yeah (zeg, zeg, zeg, zeg)
(Yeah, say, say, say, say)
Ik wil alleen maar a
(I only want you.)
He patted her head.
Mensen krijgen wat hun toekomt
(People get what they deserve)
Yeah (zeg, zeg, zeg, zeg)
(Yeah, say, say, say, say)
Ik wil alleen maar a
(I only want you.)
(a, a, a)
(You, you, you)
Dat duveltje dat op m'n schouwer zit
(That little devil that's been sitting on my shoulder)
En mij van tijd overmand
(And takes control over me)
Charlotte sighed. She had some idea what he sang
't Gebeurd minder na dat 'k ouder zen
(It happens less now I'm older.)
Moar hij heeft die grote bek nog altijd
(Still got that big mouth.)
't Is de chance die mij gered had
(It's luck that have been saving me.)
Oek dat klein bitje verstand
(Just a little bit using my head)
Just genoeg, ter verkoming van die stommiteit
(Just enough, to avoid stupidity)
En zij…
(And she)
Raton looked her.
Hield me dikwijls op m'n kamer vast
(Kept me locked in my room)
En voor haar, zit, blijf, schrijf ik midden meer van dat
(And for her, I'll stay and write more of this.)
Is voor het leven
(It's for the life)
Drie minuten melodie die mij identiteit geven
(Three minutes of melody that gives me identity)
Oh muziek, hoe groot 't ook zal wezen
(Oh, music. How great it will be.)
Toch zal ik blijven kleine flodder in z'n eigen wereld
(I'll remain that little boy in his own world)
Lig het vast of zen 't keuzes die ge moakt
(Is it destiny or are the choices you make.)
Raton looked at her. He placed her hand on his head.
Hoe zedde gij terecht gekomen bij mij
(How did you end up with me?)
Charlotte sang along. She tried her best and her accent was adorable.
Mensen krijgen wat hun toekomt
(People get what they deserve)
Yeah (zeg, zeg, zeg, zeg)
(Yeah, say, say, say, say)
Ik wil alleen maar a
(I only want you.)
Mensen krijgen wat hun toekomt
(People get what they deserve)
Yeah (zeg, zeg, zeg, zeg)
(Yeah, say, say, say, say)
Ik wil alleen maar a
(I only want you.)
Zie mij gaan in troep of alleen
(Look at me going on, in gang or alone.)
Onbekende toekomst tegemoet
(Looking at the unknown future)
Ik weet niet wat de morgenstond brengt
(I don't know what the morning will bring.)
Voor de zekerheid stoan ik vroeg oep
(For all measures, I'll be an early riser.)
Urbanus, oh karma
(Urbanus, oh karma)
Moar ge oogst wa ge zaait
(But you reap what you sow)
Dus ik ploeg de grond om, plant wa meer kwaliteit
(So I plow the ground to plant, some more quality)
Volg de route en ontwijk het noodlot
(Follow my route and avoid the end.)
Waarvan de vruchten genieten
(Enjoy the fruits.)
Alvorens ik bezwijk
(Before I go down)
Charlotte fell asleep with a large smile on her face.
Mensen krijgen wat hun toekomt
(People get what they deserve)
Yeah (zeg, zeg, zeg, zeg)
(Yeah, say, say, say, say)
Ik wil alleen maar a
(I only want you.)
Mensen krijgen wat hun toekomt
(People get what they deserve)
Yeah (zeg, zeg, zeg, zeg)
(Yeah, say, say, say, say)
Ik wil alleen maar a
(I only want you.)
After Charlotte fell asleep, Raton took her up in bridal style and carried her to her room. He knocked at the door and saw Laura opening it. "Evening, Laura." Raton greeted her cheerfully, despite Laura being tired. "Raton. What's up? Raton took Charlotte back up and carried her into the room. He placed her on the bed. After that, he got back out.
"Could you take care of her please?" He asked friendly to Laura. She nodded. After that, he left. As soon, he passed the wall, he felt someone standing there. He turned around. "Kashal?" Surprised, his best friend was standing there. "Are you okay, Raton?" The young guy used it to greet his brother. Raton nodded. "Confused, still. A bit down yeah, but happier. Still hurt, but less than before. I still can't believe Charlotte is the girl I met in Ardèche." Kashal grinned. "Oh, how many times did you tell about her? well, I'm still amazed that you found her back here of all places." Raton looked amazed as well.
"The riddles of life." Raton looked to the moon. "I still have one question." Kashal crossed his arms but remained quiet. "Who is responsible for this?" Kashal shrugged and placed a hand on the boys shoulder. "I don't know. But you need to know this. The women we faced. I don't know. Something seems weird about them." Raton looked at the moon. I know. I agree and I fear we'll face sooner than we want the person orchestrating this ugly symphony." Kashal nodded on that.
Things would get messy. He knew that, but he didn't care. Things would get funny as well.
After Raton got back, he was greeted by his friends. That included Ichika who had a breakdown day with Anaton. Ichika felt like he got the shit beat out of him. Actually, that was a very accurate way to describe how the training went.
If the male pilot would actually listen to the advice, Ichika wouldn't be dead every evening. Luckily, the weekend came soon enough and Ichika was free. He would visit Houki secretly and both childhood friends would spend their holiday in Anaton's room talking. Houki was really love-struck after his sudden confession. Raton also would go over to visit Charlotte.
Ichika thought back on the time he went to Cirluk. He and Madoka talked a lot about the family. He couldn't get names, details or anything else, but he had a picture.
When Chifuyu would come back, Ichika would force her to tell him everything about her family.
The next day.
Raton woke up in time and went over to visit the academy. Charlotte had been thinking over the whole time and called him over. Raton was glad to see her and that she made her decision. Raton found her sitting in the cafeteria. He softly tapped her on the shoulder, startling her. "Hey, Lotte." Raton used her new discovered nickname. "What's up?" Charlotte asked the yellow-eyed gun user. Charlotte gave him a nod. "I want to speak with you about something." Charlotte stood up and dragged him along.
Quickly followed by five girls. "Hey, is this really okay?" Kanzashi asked. "I mean, it's not Ichika."
"Indeed, we're talking about Charlotte-san losing interest for Ichika-san, but we need to find out how much of this is true."
Cecilia commented. Rin looked to the brit. "That may all be true, but isn't that Erzof after you?"
"Excuse me." Cecilia reacted in refusal. "Don't you have Thazalof running for you." Rin got a maniacal glint in her eyes. Both get whacked by Tatenashi.
"Stop you two. Remind why we're following Raton?"
"Well, since my wife didn't show up in our classes since a week and none of us could contact him. That's why we." They looked in the hallway and saw Raton and Charlotte gone. "Where did they go?"
Charlotte and Raton were down on the ground. His never dying instincts told him to go down on the ground. Charlotte looked weird to the boy's request. "Open the window, Charlotte." He whispered. "What?" The girls asked and Raton pointed at the bickering girls. "What do they want?" The man rolled his eyes. "You can guess. Open it now." Charlotte nodded and Raton made his way out. He made his skateboard outside and offered Charlotte a hand. The French girl nodded and climbed out. Luckily, Raton was strong enough to hold her on. She blushed furiously but understood. She was laying in his arms.
She closed the window and Raton got down with Charlotte in his arms. Charlotte felt the wind rushing through her face. Of course, she was used to flying. She was one of the academy's best pilots despite using a second generation model.
Still, the internal airco she had on Raphael was lacking from Schrootverbouwer. She had more ways of seeing it but found it rather hard to imagine such a name was chosen for Raton. Schrootverbouwer literally translated was Scrap renovator. It was more a name given to machines who destroyed cars like monster Trucks, not the name of a program that was intelligent and crafty with some fine pieces of work like Fire Breather.
It surely didn't fit the boy. Charlotte found it weird. Don't get her wrong, it was fitting for a guy who loved a good fight and was great with guns. It was just that she found it a weird name for such a guy who was usually calm, composed and friendly. He loved to use guns, no doubt, but this wasn't bloodthirsty lunatic. He was one of the more mature hackers.
Except for the one time, he used Fire Breather. Charlotte never saw the gun user lose control. He would always be holding himself back and would never let his weapons take control over him. Charlotte saw a difference between him and Ichika. She reminded herself off. Ichika was more a samurai or knight like you wanted. Raton was more soldier like. Like he told Charlotte once. He wasn't a hero.
The French girl found that an accurate description of him. His thinking was like a soldier in a war, you have two rules. There are none and watch your friends back. Pray they do the same. that was something very clear with Raton's and Kashal's teamwork. She had seen matches and found it breath-taking how they fought together.
She saw how Kashal used a full out assault attack destroying soldiers who were deployed as instructors while Raton was providing him with cover fire. She never imagined him to fight like that. Kashal wasn't like a gymnastic, but he was agile and his reflexes were deadly. Kashal wasn't like sneaky, but his attacks were so fast you wouldn't see him coming and there was another thing that differed to two from persons who used martial arts. They were using guns in Raton's or fist like in Kashal's case, but they were both fighting as soldiers.
It was clear those two were soldiers despite their young age. In their mind, in their behavior, in nearly everything. Those guys would sacrifice themselves happily for their comrades, but they would think very hard about that. Raton smiled at her. "Hello, Lotte. Are you awake?" Charlotte snapped out of her daze. "Yeah, I'm up." She said startled and blushing.
"Raton, there is something I want to tell you. It's not a nice object." Raton landed at the threes. He placed her down and raised an eyebrow. "Sure what's it?"
"My father." Raton was now more interested. Charlotte never spoke so much of her father. Not that it actually mattered now. Kerlongsj whipped him from the face from the earth and let her newly discovered brother take over the company. She didn't know a lot of Mireau, but from how he acted, he was a good and kind guy. He promised to protect his little sister and leave a seat open for her.
Still, Raton was somewhat surprised that Charlotte would come to him to talk. He would have guessed she'd go to Laura as her best friend despite the huge differences or to Ichika as her most trusted person. Why would she go to him?
"Eh, no problem, but why would go you to me? Isn't Laura better for this?" The girl shook her head. "No, it's just… despite the fact I'm safe, I still got nightmares about it. And the reason I got to you is because you can relate." Raton crossed is arms. "What do you mean?"
"Your mindset is that of a soldier, but unlike Laura, you're more used to normal life. Not that I have an offense to soldiers." It was like something became clear to Raton. "I get it. I have seen dark parts, but because I'm not a full soldier or I didn't grow up like Laura, you can say, I'm the best for this. actually, I see myself more as conscription, but I'll listen."
Raton and Charlotte walked around aimlessly around the school for hours enjoying the peace, despite the subject. Raton was horrified. How could someone treat his own child for the purpose Charlotte's father did. He was really sorry when she told him of her mother. Raton reminded himself of the woman and Charlotte was glad that someone understood the horrors she experienced. They were sitting under a tree, comfortable on the shoulder. Charlotte had been leaning on one knee of Raton and leaned against him. Raton had no problem with the physical contact.
Before they had something else to talk about, her phone lightened up. Charlotte was surprised by the caller. "Mireau?" She wondered. "Bonjour, Charlotte." The voice of her brother spoke up. "Hey, Mireau. It's nice to hear from you. Raton smiled, seeing her raising up. "Charlotte. Yes, it's been a while. The company is expanding, thanks to the hackers. It took my sudden takeover rather well and the ones beside him who were responsible for your treatment are punished. Say, Charlotte. I have a question. Are you currently sticking around with a hacker?" Charlotte looked to Raton who raised an eyebrow. "Eh?"
If Mireau saw them, he'd be smiling "Well, it seems one of the programs made updates for your program, but because they're meant for a [Unique] program. I suppose you'd be surprised of the name of it. the programmer labeled it Schrootverbouwer. Weird name if you consider if it's meant for a gun program."
Raton had his hand covering his mouth. He asked Charlotte to pass him the phone with a hand movement. Charlotte gave it to him and with a confident he began. "Hello?"
"Who is this?" Raton grinned. "My name is Raton. I'm the runner of Schrootverbouwer. What's Jozek's mess?" Raton could swear that he heard Mireau smirk. "So you're my future brother-in-law. Sorry to say, but I'm more comfortable with another hacker in the company than with Ichika. Jozek was right about you. No tact at all. Well, you can help me."
Both Charlotte and Raton turned bright red after the comment. The blond girl had no response left and was trying to find out how her brother made the link with Raton. The brown haired guy answered the phone. "What's the rest of what Jozek told you?"
"That you never had a girlfriend and that you have a soldier like a mindset. Raton, you use guns right?" Raton looked to Charlotte who was still fuming. He was so glad that his brother and mentor Sander wasn't like that. "Yes, indeed. Those are both true. But what has that old shitbag of a bastard told you?"
Jozek was more like Raton's older brother and the instructor who taught him how to use the program. He was good at his job. It was his love, but he had a shitty personality. He could act rude, even toward towards Kerlongsj and even if Raton had to believe Sander, he raised his voice against Azalof.
"He told me that your program is similar to Char's Infinite Stratos. So I hope you could help me. Can you use your link?" Raton looked surprised but had no problem with that. He took a light from his head, made of energy and tapped it to the phone. Afterward, he went to his arm. It lightened up and he saw a man standing.
Raton knew immediately it was Mireau. He had a similar hairstyle as Charlotte and the eyes had the same sparkle. He looked up and down, examining the boy. "Well, Jozek wasn't lying about you. You look like a good guy, though a bit young. Of what he told me, there is something you should know, Raton. Only you and Charlotte. It concerns her machine." The candidate nestled next to Raton. She was waiting in anticipation on what her brother could tell her.
"Charlotte, Jozek told me that used the guns of Raton and that the capsule I gave you was similar to his program. That explains how you could use them. Raton, can I ask you a request as a fellow hacker?" Raton nodded. "Despite I took over father's company, there are still elements resisting the changes I brought and they blame Charlotte for that. Can I ask you to protect her? And also, to help her grow with her capsules and power? I have nothing left except her." Charlotte looked to Raton and both made a stern look. They gave each other a nod.
"You can count on us. In return, can I ask you something?" Mireau looked up, surprised. Jozek described the boy as humble. "Mireau, can I ask you to look up the details of my father's death? My old man was an IS developer and he was killed in the very same village Lotte lived once." Mireau nodded. "Of course, I'll do what I can."
"It's all I ask. Oh, this reminds me. Of your request, to protect."
Mireau crossed his arms. "Kerlongsj and Chifuyu aren't at school and we have no idea where they are and how long that will be the case. Do you advise us to stay on the school ground till the situation somehow clears up?" Mireau covered his mouth and seemed to think. "Yes, that'll be the best. The funds of our mutual enemies are rather deep and while you can protect her, I'm afraid that diplomatic things will avoid it." Mireau looked to Raton who spit on the ground.
"Of course. That isn't my strongest point. Please keep me up to date at moments?" Mireau closed down the link and went back to the phone. "No problem. I have one last request." Raton looked surprised and he as Charlotte were puzzled. "What's that?"
"Could you start calling me brother?" Raton and Charlotte turned much redder than they originally thought and it seemed like steam came out their ears.
They could only look at each other in awkwardness and then looked away. They had to admit, eventually, it would turn that way. After that, the tension stopped and both looked at each other. The same look in their eyes. They were determined, strong, genuine. Burning with some passion.
The two got back closer and closer. Eventually, they kissed and enjoyed their together time. Raton felt at peace now he finally had the girl that kept him going for so long and Charlotte maybe didn't find happiness, but she surely found peace.
Okay, shorter than usual, but I'm happy with this. Still, this is just the beginning of the chapters. I got a few more ready and I hope I can get the other ones done. But I got time and if those remain short like the one you just read, so be it. I enjoyed it.
What did you think of the stunt I pulled off making Raton and Charlotte childhood friends? Good, cliché, not good? But I wanted to do something like that, so I could do it.
Coming one will be something special.
Stick around.
If you want me to translate the song, let me know.
Saluut.