Infinite Stratos belongs to Izuru Yumizuru.
I admit this take way too long to post! I'm so busy with school and assignments so I almost have no time to type. But here's another chapter finally.
Saturday evening, IS academy
At Laura's room, Laura is trying to her best to understand on what have she had been taught by Chifuyu, her homeroom teacher.
'Start from zero huh?'
Laura was walking around in her room all night long trying to think what her instructor meant during that special lesson.
'What shall I do?'
For a life long soldier like Laura, love is something new and unusual for her.
Pipipipipipi!
Laura reacted and picked up her phone, which made that beep and answered it.
'Lieutenant Clarissa...? Why would she called me for?'
"Lieutenant Bodewig speaking."
"Ah, I've finally get in contact with you. You owe me an explanation Lieutenant Bodewig, Victoria explained it to me! I'm talking about the [VT System]!"
"Ah, about that...the White Rabbit somehow obtained it from my IS herself."
"'Herself'? I see that the White Rabbit has reached you then.."
"Hm..?"
"The White Rabbit was after the [VT System], that's why he's after you. Speaking of which, why do you input the [VT System] into your IS in the first place?"
"I wanted to be like instructor...but I gave up on that."
"I see...But I'm calling you not to explain about the [VT System], but I would like you to guide Victoria and Sieglinde because they're expected to arrive in Japan tomorrow to investigate about the White Rabbit."
"Anything else?"
"Ah yes, while you're meeting them at the airport make sure you keep an eye on them, and since tomorrow will be Sunday there, you might as well accompany them."
"Roger!"
Laura ended the call.
'Hm...they're looking for the White Rabbit...It's true that the White Rabbit is here in Japan but...'
Charles
…...
…..
…..
The night is serene tonight.
I feel at peace here...just to be alone at my room.
But I felt something strange though ever since I lay eyes on her...Charlotte Dunois..
She looks almost the same as me, like a little sister.
…...
Why do I have this feeling around her?
I can't ignore this feeling as soon as it hits me. I need to know about this girl...
Charlotte Dunois...
A little flower...
Somehow every passing day, I saw her more like a little sister. But I had to hide it as I had doubts about this idea.
Hm...maybe I should confirm it first, then if I were in fact her older brother, I would tell her, that I'm her lost older brother.
But that means I would most likely meet my real parents...If they were alive that is.
I reached my luggage, and took a cane from inside it, which belonged to my mother.
My mother said that this cane belonged to her father, I've never met my grandfather before though, but my mother told me that he was a good father to her and passed on his cane to my mother and then to me from my mother.
If I could meet with my grandfather...
If Charlotte had this same feeling as I'm feeling right now...
As of now, I'm the first male IS pilot in the world...but...
During the meeting with the White Rabbit and the Genius herself, I thought the White Rabbit as the first male pilot of the IS. But he's not really an IS pilot, but an IS himself, probably the first human IS in the world.
Ever since the news about the rampage in China, France had become restless, especially when France was omitted from the European Union's 'Ignition Plan'. They wanted to produce a 3rd generation IS that badly it seems. At least they produced at least one 3rd generation IS,which is my personal IS [Bloody Rose], but I don't think it will be solved right there immediately.
Charlotte
…..
Why am I having this feeling around him...?
Ever since he came to the IS academy, I felt terrified at first because he reminds me of him.
The fact that he almost looked like him really scares me and yet I want to find out about him...
His name was Charles Sorel...The name Sorel if I remember, is the last name of a famous fencer long time ago.
So by the last name alone, Charles is a tres bien fencer. At least, that's what I expect...
His mother, Margaret Sorel, was a champion fencer but she was never interested of becoming an IS pilot for no known reason.
Day by day, whenever I saw him, I felt less terrified of him because I slowly realized he is not my father, but a fellow representative...
Representative...it doesn't sound right, maybe..a big brother...
No no no no no, I must be going crazy thinking that Charles is my brother!
Sigh...now that I think about it, the less terrified I become of him, the more envious I am of him. Because of his family, even though he only has his mother, at least he was treated as a child unlike father.
Since I am here, at least I here to do what I am suppose to do...
To get closer to Byaku Shiki, and steal her data back to France and to my father.
But what will she think of me then, what will Byaku Shiki do if she knows what I'm doing?
If I were to complete my mission, Byaku Shiki will definitely do something about it.
Ugh..the guilt and the pressure, it's unbearable to hold it inside of me.
Unknown, on the roof of a building.
Somehow the night is very serene...
Down below are pedestrians walking about...such puny people.
There's nothing happening that's exciting these days...
Then again I don't like to dirtying my hands on doing something that involves hard work.
I am the 'Black Cat', a girl who wanders around the night. The reason I am called the Black Cat is because I'm wearing a black cat hoodie. Whenever people saw me, the first thing they said to me was the Black Cat, honestly it's not a bad nickname.
I have no one on my side, I'm always alone. And I enjoyed the solitude, especially at night.
Sigh...Where in the hell are you Ichika-nii? I know you're alive, and I wanted to know where you are.
Currently I'm looking for my older twin brother, who has been missing for three years. I saw missing posters of him in certain locations ever since his disappearance. In fact everyone in the family were looking for him, but they have something else in mind for him.
I also have learned that Chifuyu-nee was also saddened when he was considered missing, but for some reason she never even bother trying to search for him. Looks like the situation has become slowly but surely critical.
Damn that niece of mine. Suddenly took over after that incident, the one which almost took over Ichika-nii's life. Ryouko-nee-san must have been pretty guilty after that.
I'm the last born after Ichika-nii, my older twin brother. Chifuyu-nee was born before us by six years, Ichirou-nii and Ichijou-nii which were my other older twin brothers was born another six years before Chifuyu-nee. Ryouko-nee which was the oldest in our generation was born six years before my older twin brothers.
And then there's my niece...Setsuka, Ryouko-nee's daughter. She was born three years after us.
My name is Orimura Madoka, Setsuka's youngest aunt. Somehow having a niece that is only three years younger than me has that awkward feeling.
Setsuka was born three years after us and it somehow baffles me how Setsuka somehow become my niece. Though to an extent it makes sense since Ryouko-nee is eighteen years older than me and she might have been having a relationship with someone in the family...
From our family tradition, incest is not actually a taboo, rather it's normal. Let me rephrase that, our families case it's a custom for family members to marry each other. And our family had done carried this tradition since the first generation. But enough of that, Ichika-nii has got to be somewhere, and aside from all the brides from the family, I'm going to find him before them because who knows what would happened to Ichika-nii if he were to be proposed by his female cousins.
But where to start?
The Next Day, Sunday, Tabane's Laboratory, 9 AM
A wonderful Sunday at Tabane's laboratory, where Ichika, Tabane and the rest are enjoying their morning breakfast.
"Ah, that day is getting near huh?" Tabane was talking to herself.
"..." Ichika minded his own business and continues with his task, which is making breakfast.
"Ii-kun." Tabane called out his name. Ichika responded.
"Do you time for me this afternoon?"
Since it's Sunday, he had planned to go shopping to buy something special.
"I was wondering if I could accompany you this time during your shopping trip?"
"..."
"Hold on a minute Ichika." Ichika's alter ego's voice can be heard from his mind.
"If Tabane wants to come with you on this special shopping trip, that means she knows it too. Then again who wouldn't forget her imouto's special day."
"..."
"I know you're cautious about this. If you're really that worried about Tabane, then add some more bodyguards into your arsenal. That way, the level of security would be the same as protecting a president."
Currently there are three Uchiganes(including the two from the rampage) and a Raphael Revive on his team. Should it be already enough or will he need more to increase security for Tabane?
Then there's Akatsubaki, the latest IS. It should be noted that Akatsubaki has no battle experience of her own and it will not help much if Tabane was really in danger.
"What are you looking at me for Onii-sama, are you worried that I'm not capable to be her protector?"
"..."
"Even if I don't have any battle experience, I have [Amatsuki] and [Karaware] with me. It should be enough if problems were arise."
"Onii-sama, we are prepared to risk our lives protecting Tabane-sama from any danger up close." The Uchigane trio said at the same time.
"While I'm be watching Tabane-sama's back from afar, I think that should be fair enough." Raphael said as she deploys her firearms.
"Yay, we're going shopping~!" Moppy jumps with joy.
"Sorry Moppy, you have to stay here." Ichika's alter ego went beside her.
"Awww, I wanna go, I wanna go!" Moppy let out a tantrum.
Ichika instantly grabbed her and shut her up.
[Just shut up and hold still when we're in the shopping mall.] Moppy just nodded in agreement.
Somehow this seemingly normal shopping trip has become a presidential trip later at the afternoon.
Phantom Task, 10 AM
The day has come for them...to go shopping. Squall takes a stand and announce to the members about their task.
"Today we will be going on a shopping for the special occasion. It has been three years since this special occasion, and it has been very special for our leader and the previous leader, Setuka-sama and Ryouko-sama. So we must not mess this special occasion or we all face the consequences from Setsuka-sama!"
"HAI!"
"Now let's go on with the list: one group will go buy food supply, and one group will buy the party related items for the special occasion. Let's not fail this!"
"HAI!"
"Alright, form into two groups and let's start the operation within an hour."
"Yes, ma'am."
And from the surveillance camera that covers the assembly, Setsuka was watching the surveillance with a bored face.
"Hmm...Those members are not going to fool around under my watch. This celebration must be taken seriously, or else it will be an insult for my uncle..."
Although a she is a young fifteen year old girl, she was raised within the organization throughout her life. As a result, she is not your typical fifteen year old girl, and her mother Ryouko raised her to be the next successor after her. Although she did spent a few of her life outside the organization, so she is more or less aware of the society outside of the organization.
Setsuka has not known of her uncle until eight years ago, where she have met a boy passing by. At that time, she along with her mother were taking a stroll in a crowded area which was a shopping mall, and at one point Setsuka was separated from her mother. Setsuka waited for her mother to arrive but she never came. Setsuka was on a verge to tears until she had heard a voice. It was a male voice.
"...Are you lost?"
"Huh? I'm looking for Okaa-san, have you seen her?"
"...Sorry, don't know."
"..."
"...Want me to help?"
"Eh?"
"..."
Setsuka nodded. And the boy was holding her hand. For Setsuka, it was the first time a male would hold her hand like that and she blushed on the spot.
"..I'm Ichika."
"...Ah, I'm Setsuka."
"...Nice name."
"..."
'He looks like Otou-san...'
The two keep holding their hands as they find Setsuka's mother.
A few minutes later...
"Setsuka!"
"Okaa-san!"
The mother and daughter were reunited, and Ichika was happy to see them together.
"Okaa-san, this boy helped me find you."
"Ehh, is that so?"
Ryouko looks at Ichika in the face as she was looking at him intently. After looking at Ichika, Ryouko let a gentle smile on her face. And this surprises Ichika.
"Ah, I see...you are a very good boy. My name is Ryouko, you can call me Ryouko-nee if you want."
"...?"
'So this is him...my youngest brother. The family has been splitting apart lately I can't even see all of them.'
"You're Ichika correct?"
"Yes...?" Ichika was dumbfounded that she knew his name despite they have never met.
"Was that your name? I was just guessing." Ryouko let out a gentle laugh.
'So he doesn't know, then again why would she bother telling him.'
"Anyways thanks for the help Ichika, Now if you excuse me..." And just like that, Ryouko left with Setsuka and leaving Ichika in deep thought.
"Okaa-san, do you know him?"
"...Yes Setsuka dear, he's your uncle."
"EH?!"
Then three years ago, when she was about to be in charge of the Phantom Task, her mother issued a mission of the kidnapping of Sarashiki Kanzashi as her last command. However, the mission failed miserably when the government intervened and a near death experience to a certain little brother made Ryouko resigned as leader due to that she had almost killed her youngest brother even if she didn't know that he was involved. And she passed her supreme power to her daughter, who was only twelve then but she saw Setsuka as a perfect candidate as her successor. For Ryouko, her daughter has the potential to carry out the organization, aside from her youngest brother.
"Okaa-san, I will finished what you and the family had started a long time ago...I will swear vengeance upon the Sarashiki Group."
To the Phantom Task, the Sarashiki Group was their enemy and there were history that they have been enemies even before the IS were introduced.
Setsuka is a refined young lady, much like her mother. A young lady with multiple persona, from a gentle snow to a raging blizzard. Cold and refined, that is her character. A beauty with a dark side, under that beauty lies a spirit of vengeance that has been blessed to the Orimura family. For Setsuka and possibly most of the Orimura family, vengeance is their way and policy, especially when against their opponents.
Even so, Setsuka has a gentle side towards certain individuals, like her mother and a certain uncle of hers that has been missing for three years. And as his anniversary comes near this year, something that she would never expect will happen today.
Airport, 11 AM
Laura Bodewig was in the airport front gate; waiting for Victoria and Sieglinde to arrive. She should expecting them to arrive within a few minutes. And in the next few minutes,
"Bodewig!"
Victoria and Sieglinde approaches Laura.
"I received the orders from Lieutenant Clarissa that you two will be coming."
"Ah Laura Bodewig, I see you are feeling fine. By the way, what happened to the [VT System]?"
"He took it..."
"What? Then that means that I won't be able to continue my research!" Victoria practically yelled and becomes an attention to the bystanders nearby.
"Calm down Victoria, we are not here to worry about [VT System]. We are here so that you can study about the White Rabbit." Sieglinde tried her best to calm her down.
"...Ah, my mistake. It seems that I have been worked up lately."
"Ah, and I am suppose to accompany you today." Laura said to them as they divert their attention to her.
"We have known that, Lieutenant Clarissa made it clear for both us and you Lieutenant Laura." Sieglinde replied.
"By the way Lieutenant Laura, where do you recommend us to go?"
"Please Sieglinde, just call me Laura. And I do not know where would I recommend to go." Laura awkwardly admits.
"I see...If you don't mind that we're going to a shopping mall for a while?"
"Ah, I don't really mind. In fact, I was actually going to this shopping mall to check on my wife."
""Wife?""
"Well, not officially my wife, but she will be."
"I have no idea what you are talking about Laura, but the word wife that escaped from your mouth, are you marrying someone?" Sieglinde's curious face is evident.
"Ah, about that, I'm currently working on how to make Byaku Shiki accept me as her husband."
"I see, who is this 'Byaku Shiki' you're referring to?"
"She's an IS, that looks similar to Instructor and-"
"An IS you say? Then what generation of IS is she?" Victoria interrupts by her sudden outburst.
"-Ah, she's a 4th generation IS, and most recently built, or born to say the least."
"Well then, if you don't mind Bodewig, would you show me this 'Byaku Shiki' you're talking about?" Victoria continued.
"Ah sure, she should be there at the shopping mall by now." Laura said as she leads them to their next destination, which is where Byaku Shiki and certain other customers will come in one place.
At a certain shopping mall, 11.30 AM
"Whoa, there's lots of people here." Byaku Shiki was amazed by her new surrounding.
"Byaku Shiki, you've never been here?" Accompanying her was Rin.
"I've never been outside of the IS academy before." Byaku Shiki confessed.
"Seriously?!" Rin was taken aback.
"EVEN THOUGH GOLEM HAD BEEN OUTSIDE FOR A WHILE, ME NEVER BEEN HERE." Golem was with them as well.
"You too!? You two really need to go out more often.."
"Hey Byaku Shiki!" By that voice, Byaku Shiki looks around and finds the source of the voice. It was Kanzashi.
"Kanzashi, you've made it."
"Yeah, apparently I have some things to do at the academy before getting here. It was rather urgent..."
"I see..."
"Eh, Is Rin-san coming with you?"
"Well she did asked me yesterday."
"I see, where's Houki?"
"I think she's with Charles and Charlotte."
"Oh yeah, I overheard the conversation yesterday."
"WHAT YOU TWO WAITING FOR? LET'S SHOP FOR SWIMSUIT!"
Golem said as she grabbed both Kanzashi and Rin's arm, and lifting them, started running about and wandering around the shopping mall, leaving Byaku Shiki behind.
"Hey Golem-nee wait!"
Golem continues to run about the current floor like a berserker doing an errand. (Remind you of anything from Carnival Phantasm?) And Kanzashi and Rin are at the mercy of Golem's powerful arms as they were being dragged by her.
"Gyaa, Golem slow down!"
"And put us down!"
And in an instant Golem stopped. And Byaku Shiki ended up catching up with Golem.
"Golem-nee, where were you going?"
"...GOLEM DO NOT KNOW. WHERE IS THE SWIMSUIT SHOP?"
""YOU MEAN YOU HAVE BEEN RUNNING AROUND WITHOUT KNOWING WHERE YOU WERE GOING?!""
"THIS IS MY FIRST TIME AND GOLEM IS EXCITED TO BE HERE."
"Sigh, it's okay Golem. Just..."
"...Put us down."
As they said that, Golem let them go and they fell with a thud.
"Oww..."
"And please be a little gentler next time..."
"..."
"Golem?"
While ignoring the two Golem saw portraits of Ichika with the rabbit helm at the shopping mall. The portraits were a decorations, and the portraits were made differently by different people.
"BYAKU-NII...WHY IS THERE BYAKU-NII PICTURES HERE?"
As Golem said that, Byaku Shiki also was in amazed by Ichika's portrait.
"Amazing~"
"WHY IS THERE PICTURES OF BYAKU-NII HERE?"
"Hmm..why is Onii-chan's portrait here?"
"I believe it's that time where the shopping mall made some decorations, and they're using his image to do so in order to attract more customers." Kanzashi said while pondering around Ichika's image.
"And aside from that, I heard a rumor that he comes here occasionally..." Kanzashi continued.
"Huh, really?!" Rin was shocked to have heard that.
"It's just a rumor, though people who came here often occasionally saw him shopping here before his big debut."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Ah, what are we waiting for? Let's go to the swimsuit shop."
"The swimsuit shop should be at the 5th floor, so let's take the-"
"GOLEM HAS BETTER IDEA!"
"Golem-!" Rin was being grabbed on Golem's right arm.
"What are you doing-?!" And Kanzashi was on her left.
Golem immediately grabs both Rin and Kanzashi yet again and started to leap or rather fly to the swimsuit shop.
"Golem-nee, wait!" Byaku Shiki followed her by flying as well to the swimsuit shop.
Meanwhile at Charles's group
Charles, Charlotte and Houki were wandering about as Charles were looking around the shops there.
"Hm..."
"Excuse me Charles-san?" Houki looks at Charles with curiosity.
"Yes?"
"You seemed to be carrying that cane, is it yours?"
"Yes, it was passed down from my mother."
"I see...since you've asked me to come with you, what do you shop for?"
"Well, I was wondering if they sell canes here, do you have any idea where they sell them?"
"You want me to come with you just so that you wanted to buy your own cane?"
"Is there a problem with that Houki-san?"
"Nothing, it's just that no one at your age would buy something that is used by middle aged men."
"I see...somehow I expected of you to say that."
"Anyways, why would a young man like you would want to buy a cane?...On second thought, don't bother answering that question. It's not really my concern anyways."
"Oh, and if you don't mind lead us to a swimsuit shop. Charlotte wants to buy swimsuits actually."
"Swimsuit? What a coincidence, I was about to go buy some swimsuits as well."
"I see..."
And as they were on their way to the swimsuit shop, Houki, Charles and Charlotte saw Golem made a leap to the floor they are in.
"Golem-nee, wait!" And Byaku Shiki followed, also leap to the floor Golem went.
"...Isn't that Golem?"
"And also Rin-san and Kanzashi...?"
"...And Byaku Shiki...flying over the fifth floor...?"
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Maybe we should check up on them..."
"Good idea..."
Meanwhile
The Gotanda siblings Dan and Ran and also Uchigane are also in the mood for shopping.
"Oi Ran, does it have to be this much?" Dan uttered as he had both of his hands occupied with shopping bags filled with their purchase.
"Of course Onii. It's not just about me, it's about Uchigane. I am not letting Uchigane stuck on wearing her armor alone, especially in public."
"Sigh, even so. Why are you spending a lot?"
"I've told you already Baka-nii, we're going to buy some clothes for Uchigane and swimsuits for the both of us for summer."
"Is this even necessary-?"
"Of course it's necessary, Uchigane should be dressed properly in public, or else she'll stand out."
"Excuse me Dan-sama, may I ask you a question?"
"Yeah?"
"Do I stand out that much?"
As Uchigane said that, lots of passerby started to look at them.
"..At this situation, yes we do."
"...I see, then how about that?" Uchigane points out to the scene where Golem made a giant leap, carrying two girls and Byaku Shiki followed.
"Er...that was quite unexpected..."
Everyone who was watching the three also looks at the Golem.
"Isn't that a Golem...?"
"Yes, the one who made it at the academy during the rampage apparently?"
"What's she doing there though?"
"Dan-sama, aren't we suppose to buy some clothing?"
"Oh yeah, I suppose eventually this is going to be a normal event anyways. Where to next Ran?"
"Hmm…How about check out that store, the clothes looked cute."
"But I thought you were looking for something more 'functional'?"
"That's for me, unless I would include Uchigane as well."
"M-me?"
"Well, if you insist, I shall try these 'cute clothes', if it doesn't bother Dan-sama of course."
"Onii? He wouldn't bother at all, right Onii?"
"A-ah, no worries Uchigane."
Ran approaches her brother closely and whisper at his ear,
"You actually wanted to see Uchigane in cute clothes don't you Onii?"
"Hey, not so loud."
"Fine then Onii, I'll pick out Uchigane's clothes for you."
"Sigh...Ichika has been a lot popular lately in the last few months." Dan observes the portraits of Ichika being hung around the shopping mall.
"Yeah...I wonder if it's going to be harder for Ichika-san?"
"Onii-sama had been rather famous lately...No doubt that Onii-sama will definitely having a hard time..."
And Uchigane then noticed a missing notice hung about the walls of the shopping mall. Uchigane reads the missing person poster carefully.
Missing:
Name: Orimura Ichika
Age: 15
Sex: Male
If you've seen this individual, contact the police immediately.
Date: 16.01.20XX (Three years ago)
"Onii-sama...why is this poster claimed that he was missing?"
"Well...no one really knows him under the helmet..."
"Well, it's rather true. No one has seen him without that helmet these days, not even us."
"...I see...I guess that helmet Onii-sama wore does conceal his identity very well, not just from humans but ISes as well. That is of course some exceptions if one had recognized him before."
"..."
"..."
Laura's group
Laura, Sieglinde and Victoria arrived at the shopping mall where the events are already happened.
"What the-?" Sieglinde was the one who noticed Golem and then Byaku Shiki.
"Byaku Shiki?!" Laura was in for quite a shock to see Byaku Shiki flying to the fifth floor, letting people see her.
"So that white one is Byaku Shiki..."
"Let's follow them." Sieglinde suggested.
"Alright let's go-" As soon as the three went after Byaku Shiki. Victoria stopped and sees the Gotandas and their Uchigane.
"Is that boy having conversation with the IS?" Victoria approaches Dan in a rather surprising way. All three was surprised when Victoria approached them.
"Excuse me boy, but you seemed to be having a conversation with an IS."
"Uh..yeah, who are you?"
"Victoria, wait!" Sieglinde arrived as soon as Victoria was about to introduced herself.
"Victoria, must you let your curiosity get over you?"
"Ah, I can't help it Sieglinde, whenever I see The White Rabbit's work, it is simply fascinating."
"Onii, why is this woman looking at us strangely?" Ran was rather lost as to Victoria's entrance and the fact that she approached them so suddenly.
"Ah, excuse me for my intrusion, but is this IS belonged to you?" Victoria asked Ran.
"Well...it's his." Ran pointed to her brother.
"Oh, it's yours." Victoria takes a closer look at Uchigane, which gaining attention from the people nearby to them.
"That shape, that armor...You must be an Uchigane, Japan's 2nd generation machine."
"Who is this woman?" Dan asked Sieglinde.
"That is Dr. Victoria Klug, an IS researcher in Germany. If you wouldn't mind where do you get Uchigane as your companion?"
"..Well..."
"Do you have connection with the White Rabbit, because I heard rumors about that he had friends."
"Oi Ran, should we tell them?" Dan was whispering to his sister.
"Why should we tell them, do they even met him before?" Ran replied in a low tone to prevent the others to hear her too much.
"Excuse me; have you two even met with 'him'?" Ran was now asking the question.
"By your tone, you both have made acquaintances with the White Rabbit. We have also met with the White Rabbit when he was on a mission on behalf of the Schwarzer Hase."
"Schwarzer Hase...Oh yeah, that was the German base that he mentioned on the message he sent me recently."
"So you two are friends, is my assumption correct?"
"Yeah...um.."
"Sieglinde Stchauffen. We are on the investigation of the White Rabbit."
"Sieglinde, you just reveal what we are doing, you are rather too trusting."
"While you are too nosy Victoria."
A hint of embarrassment were on Victoria's face.
"Well then, now that I'm done looking at her, Laura, take me to Byaku Shiki!"
"Y-Yes ma'am!"
As the three Germans left, the Gotandas and their or his Uchigane let out a sigh.
"Strange guys...So where were going again Ran?"
"Ah-! That's right, there." Ran take the lead and Dan and Uchigane followed.
Phantom Task
A group of women enters the shopping mall, and they seemed to be organized.
"Alright, we'll be divided in two groups. One group will go to the food market to purchase the ingredients to make the food for the anniversary. The other will buy decoration to the hall for the planning of the anniversary. If we were to fail to impress Setsuka-sama, she will punish us all."
The woman who was in front, Squall was in charge of the shopping spree.
"""HAI!""
The pedestrians looked at them strangely and stay away from them.
"Let's group up and let's go!"
""Hai!""
The two groups formed, and went to their destination. And not surprisingly, both groups were witnessing a scene.
"What in the world?"
"Is that an IS?"
"Seems so, and judging by the two girls in that big IS, they're IS academy students."
"Look, it's her!"
One member pointed at a familiar face in one of Golem's arms.
"That Sarashiki girl!" Squall's eyes widened. "This is a great opportunity."
Squall then take out an earpiece, puts it behind her ears and switched it on.
"Setsuka-sama, Sarahiki Kanzashi detected within our perimeters. What's our action?"
[I see, take her. She might give the information we need. But don't forget what you're supposed to do before that.]
"Roger. Autumn, come with me. We've got a girl to re-kidnap." Squall called out a woman that was right next to her.
"Tch, that girl already caused much trouble few years ago. She's going to pay for that!" A rather rash woman next to Squall replied.
"Alright, everyone else go do your task, we'll take care of Sarashiki." Squall gave her order and left to go after Kanzashi with a woman named Autumn. The group raised no objection and do as they told.
"Which way did she go?"
"Let's see…the fifth floor!" The two rushed to the elevator and pressed the button to their next destination.
"Let's go!"
Ichika
Ichika had just arrived at the entrance few minutes after the Phantom Task group. He waited at the entrance to wait for Tabane and the others to arrive for a few minutes. Even just standing at the entrance, he has caught so many attentions to himself, especially to younger customers.
"Wah, it's him!"
"Eh, it is him!"
"So the rumors were true. He shops here."
"He seemed to be waiting for someone."
"I hope he's not waiting for his girlfriend."
The gossip continued as Ichika ignored those who talked about him and continued waiting until a giant carrot pod landed unexpectedy in front of him.
Kiiiiiii~!
The giant carrot pod landed upright and splits in half revealing Tabane holding the IS in their standby mode (In which Tabane instructed Ichika to do so.)
"Sorry, I'm late Usagi-kun, shall we go now?" Tabane addresses to Ichika. In public she would just call him Usagi to conceal his true identity. No one knows the reason why though, even Chifuyu. That is just to show how eccentric Tabane is.
Tabane gives Ichika the IS and he summoned them to life.
""Ah Onii-sama, is it time for us to protect Tabane-sama?""
"Hey Onii-sama, so where do I positioned in?"
"Onii-sama, so this is the outside world…it's completely different from the laboratory."
After seeing that everyone is present, they went into their positions and proceeded to enter the shopping mall.
As they went inside the mall, Ichika spotted some group of women shopping for groceries and they seemed to be working together to find certain items, which is rather strange. He was supposed to go to that store to buy some groceries but since he felt something wrong about that group of women, he decided to go shop there later.
Right now, he would go with Tabane who seemed to shop for something as she went to an accessory shop.
"Ah welcome…" The saleslady who runs the shop was sweat dropped as 6 unusual individuals entered the shop.
Tabane wander around to see the selection of the store with the company of the IS bodyguards while Ichika slowly browse the other side. Though he doesn't really know what Tabane would buy in an accessory shop, especially he knew that Tabane rarely accessorize.
After much browsing, he decided to go to the counter and looked at the selection to see if he sees something to give his kouhai for her birthday. He doesn't really know what to give Houki for her birthday and has having trouble deciding.
"Nene Usagi-kun, let's go somewhere else." Tabane approached Ichika in a bored expression, in which the group decided to leave the shop. But before they left Ichika decided to buy a silver bracelet.
"Thank you for your purchase." As the saleslady thanked Ichika for the purchase, he bowed thanks and left with Tabane.
Ichika, who had bought the silver bracelet, followed Tabane as she went to the shopping mall without direction with the IS bodyguards to the upper floors.
Meanwhile at the swimsuit shop, 5th floor
"WE MADE IT!" Golem declared as she's on the front of the swimsuit shop.
"Golem…let us down.."
"Ughh…Let us go already.."
"OKAY…" As Golem heard them, she lets both Rin and Kanzashi immediately.
Thud!
""It hurts.""
"Wait for me!" Byaku Shiki landed on her feet as she also reached the swimsuit with Golem.
"Oi, Byaku Shiki, Golem!" Out of nowhere, a voice of authority rings out to them.
"Ah, Orimura-sensei, Yamada-sensei."
"Seriously, causing a scene at the first time of being outside of the IS academy…" Chifuyu rubbed her temples due to annoyance.
"Um, please don't fly about or do anything that might cause attention towards you." Maya warns about them. "Um, are those two alright?" She said as she saw both Rin and Kanzashi were both in pain.
"Yeah, although my ass…."
"It hurts…"
"What were you two doing?" Chifuyu refers to the two IS.
"Well, we were going to this swimsuit to buy swimsuits."
"GOLEM WENT UP QUICKLY!"
Chifuyu once again rubbed her temple out of annoyance as to hear what Golem said.
"Of course…." Chifuyu said with a hint of sarcasm.
"Orimura-sensei, what are you doing here?"
"Same thing as you are, buying swimsuits for the trip."
"I see."
"Byaku Shiki!" Houki arrives at the scene with Charles and Charlotte.
"Ah Houki, Charles and Charlotte."
"What's going on Byaku Shiki?" Houki was also curious of the events happened.
"Oh about that, Golem was very excited and I don't know what to do."
"*sigh* Byaku Shiki…" Almost similar to Chifuyu, Houki puts her hand in her hand doing a face palm instead.
"Um, if you don't mind accompany Charlotte to go shop for some swimsuit for her-" As Charles was about to finish, Charlotte interrupts.
"Um Charles, could you accompany me on buying some swimsuits."
"Charlotte…" Charles looks at Charlotte face to face. And this made Houki flushed madly.
"Um, could you two gain some distance from each other, it's just feels wrong just to see you that close."
"Oh, what's wrong Houki-san?"
"I-It's just that you two are rather too close to each other right?!"
"Is that so? Well Charlotte, let's go." Charlotte merely nodded at Charles' suggestion and went inside.
"So Byaku Shiki, shall we go buy some swimsuits already?"
"Yes, everyone let's go." Byaku Shiki said as she tried to lead Golem inside.
"GOLEM GOING IN."
"Oi Golem, be careful." Rin said as both her and Kanzashi went inside the swimsuit shop after Golem went in.
"Honestly…can't they act more normally?" Chifuyu had becoming more annoyed.
"Um, it can't be helped since this is their first time in a human environment." Maya said to Chifuyu.
"Let's go inside, we don't want them to cause a scene without our surveillance." Chifuyu ordered.
"Yes Chifuyu-san." Both teachers went inside the swimsuit shop as well.
Laura's group
Laura, Sieglinde and Victoria made it to fifth floor, but they haven't found Byaku Shiki yet.
"Which way they go?" Sieglinde asked.
"Hm, according to where they leap, it's nearby here." Laura thought.
"We know what Byaku Shiki looked like, since her white hair is very striking. So let's look inside that swimsuit shop since that is the nearest to where they leap." Victoria suggested.
Laura and Sieglinde nodded and the three went inside.
As they went inside, Laura browse through the selection.
"There're many types of swimsuits…"
"Yes they are, I haven't had a chance to try these swimsuits."
"Sieglinde, Bodewig, You may browse those swimsuits, even buying them WITH your own money but don't forget what we're actually doing here!"
"Yes Victoria, just stop yelling at the store; everyone is looking at you." The other customers nearby are looking at Victoria rather strangely but decided to ignore her at the next second.
Both Sieglinde and Laura browse the swimsuits while looking for Byaku Shiki.
"…! That white hair, that's Byaku Shiki." Sieglinde spotted Byaku Shiki and the group. The three approached Byaku Shiki and the group.
"Hm, who are you?" Byaku Shiki noticed both Sieglinde and Victoria before Laura.
"I am Sieglinde, this is Dr. Victoria and Laura is our escort. You're Byaku Shiki correct?" Sieglinde briefly explained to Byaku Shiki.
"Um, yeah…." Byaku Shiki merely replied.
"Laura told us about you." Sieglinde said to her.
"I see…"
"Enough with the introduction, now let's have a look at you." Victoria went towards Byaku Shiki, looking at her intently.
"Um..this is rather disturbing.."
"...I see…you looked a lot more advanced compared to the IS I have examined before. I guess you do deserve to be called as a 4th generation IS."
"Excuse me Dr. Victoria, you are harassing my student so cut it out." Chifuyu stopped Victoria before she can go even further.
"Ah, my apologies. It's just that Byaku Shiki is a very fine machine."
"Hm…Bodewig, explain the situation for me." Chifuyu turned towards Laura.
"Sure Instructor, Dr. Victoria and her bodyguard Sieglinde are trying to investigate about the 'White Rabbit'. The fact that the 'White Rabbit' was in Japan led them to come here and I'm assigned to be their escort."
"I see…."
"And while we're on the way to find Byaku Shiki, we found siblings with an Uchigane as their companion."
'Siblings? Must be the Gotandas.'
"There is nothing else to report."
"I see.."
"Instructor?" Laura asked.
"Yes Bodewig?" Chifuyu replied as the question was directed at her.
"I have been wondering lately, you are seemingly very close with the 'White Rabbit'. What is your relationship between you and him?"
"We're…very close. That's all I can tell you."
"…" Laura can't help but being suspicious towards Chifuyu but won't tell her directly. 'Why is Instructor won't tell me?'
Now that there are no more questions to ask Laura went along the other students to browse some swimsuits along with Sieglinde surprisingly.
Phantom Task
"Where did she go?!" Autumn impatiently asked.
"There!" Squall saw Kanzashi within the group of IS academy students.
"Hm..This will definitely complicate things, we need to wait until she's alone, but we still need to be careful."
"Got it." Autumn replied.
Both of them inside casually to prevent suspicion and try to get close to Kanzashi.
"Ah, I'll be just checking out this section." The chances are getting close to success as Kanzashi are approaching to their spot.
"Setsuka-sama, we are closing in on her. But there are IS and the Brunhilde is here too." Squall called her superior.
[Brunhild? I see. Make it quick and don't make any notice to anyone.]
"Roger. Autumn, move in closer." Squall disconnect Setsuka as she ordered Autumn. Fortunately for them, the shop is crowded enough for them to blend in quietly.
Autumn moves in closer towards the oblivious Kanzashi by pretending to browsing for swimsuits near to her. As Autumn is closing in, it was Squall's turn to close in as well.
"…!" Kanzashi sences something was wrong, however it was too late for her. Her mouth was held by a cloth with chemicals added to knock her unconscious. Autumn grabs her and leaves along with Squall quietly.
"Come on, they should be done shopping."
As they were about to exit the shop, someone in front of them blocked their way.
"Well now, I wouldn't allow you two to kidnap my little sister and gets away with it." Tatenashi mysteriously appears.
"You..! Try to stop us again!" Autumn angrily spat.
"It will be wise that you back off and leave your little sister to us. We both have our IS and it will be two against one, you don't stand against us." Squall tries to threaten Tatenashi but it somehow failed.
"Two against one? You must be mistaken. Look behind you."
"GRWWARRR!" Golem burst out from the swimsuit store along with Byaku Shiki.
"…What's going on here?" Byaku Shiki asked as she deployed her Yukihira Nigata.
"Now it's two against three, better?" Tataneshi smiled mysteriously as she said that.
"Even so, once we eliminate you those two won't be a threat."
"I'll squish your smiling face you-! Come out [Arachne]!" Autumn summoned her IS, which has extra two pairs of extra arm parts compared to other IS on the back.
"Such confidence, and I'm sure I'll be more than happy then to destroy it to pieces. [Unknown]!"
Squall summoned her IS, which as it names implies it is unknown by its appearance. Two pair of wing BITS shaped of a moth's wing with a bladed edge. Her arm parts are in a shape of gauntlets which doubles as a shield and the hands has energy claws on both arm parts, which is its unique characteristic of the IS.
"GOLEM FIGHT!" Golem readies herself as she prepares to battle.
"I don't know what is going on, but I will fight." Byaku Shiki readies her stance to fight as well.
The others would participate to fight as well, but Chifuyu has other plans.
"Wait a minute; I have other things planned for you guys. Evacuate everyone outside; this will be a long battle. NOW!"
"Yes, Orimura-sensei!"
As the rest of the group including Sieglinde summoned their IS, they move out and warned the people in the shopping mall.
"Everyone, you need to evacuate now. Your life is in danger if you continue to stay!"
As they try to warn the customers, a big bang can be seen at the scene where Tatenashi had already engaged in a fight against Autumn and Squall. The customers run immediately to the exit except a few.
The Gotanda's
"W-what's going on?!" Dan was unable to cover up his shocked face as he saw crowds of customers running for the exit.
"Onii, look upstairs!" The fight continues upstairs, causing damage to the structure of the mall.
"What the hell?!" Dan along with his little sister are disbelieving at the fight above them.
"Uchigane, cover us!"
"I'm on it!" Uchigane positioned in front of them as she slashed away the rubbles that were coming towards them with her katana.
"Dan-sama, it's too dangerous here, leave here with her now!" Uchigane gave her warning to her master.
"No way Uchigane, you're coming with us. I have spent so much time with Ran picking clothes for you."
"Dan-sama…"
"Besides, there are other few that failed to evacuate. So cover us while we're going to help them."
"Will do." The Gotanda's started rushing to the trapped customers to aid them, while Uchigane kept them save.
As the fight progressed, the more destruction spread through the mall. And one of the pillars felled after Autumn bumped into it.
The falling pillar was falling towards the Gotanda's Uchigane.
""Uchigane!""
Uchigane gasped as the pillar approaches her and tries to slash it down but…
Instead of a slash, a beam was fired destroying the falling pillars.
"Are you alright?" A noble voice can be heard.
"Uchigane, are you alright?" Dan asked his servant.
"I'm fine, although if it wasn't for that beam, you two would have been crushed and it will be my fault for failing to protect you…"
Dan, Ran and Uchigane looked at the source of the noble voice and it belonged to Cecilia.
"Hey, thank you." Ran expresses her gratitude.
"You're welcome, but what's going on?"
"A fight has been started…" Uchigane said. "And it's not over yet."
"Is everyone had been evacuated?" Charles and his IS [Bloody Rose] appears.
"Oh Charles, apparently, this two are still her along with a few other people." Cecilia replied. "What are you doing?"
"Making sure that everyone has been evacuated, the others are checking out other floors for more trapped people."
"I see…."
"What is an Uchigane doing here?"
"Good question, hey you what are you doing here?"
"I'm here as Dan-sama's servant, and I'm here to protect him and his little sister."
"Servant? I've never heard an IS being a servant…" Cecilia looks over at Dan, who is a complete stranger to her.
"Tell me, where did you get an Uchigane as a servant?"
"Um..A friend gave it to me.." He replied.
"A friend…"
'No ordinary friend would give an IS to somebody unless it's…' Cecilia's thought were interrupted as Charles called to her.
"Um, Cecilia could you lend us a hand? There are others who are still trapped here."
"Ah, yes of course. You should leave now; we'll take care of this."
Uchigane took a few seconds to regain her composure and the Gotandas agreed to Cecilia's explanation, at least for now.
Ichika
Somewhere on the 2nd floor lie two unusually large rubbles that are not that far from each other. One is bigger than the other and the bigger one started to shake. While the other one remain motionless for a few seconds until a light coming from inside the rubble and an explosion rips off the rubble to little pieces.
And from the recently destroyed rubble, Ichika held [Great Kohryu] on his left hand while the shield is on his back. The spark of lightning formed from the Dragon's mouth is plain to see.
The bigger rubble lets out a red light from inside and just like last time, an explosion rips off the rubble and revealed Akatsubaki with her two katanas each in one hand, [Amatsuki] and [Karaware].
"That was close…but what's going on?!"
Underneath Akatsubaki lies two Uchiganes in an embrace as if they were covering someone inside. Tabane was successfully protected by the turmoil.
"What a relief, Tabane-sama is unharmed."
"Where is Revy?"
"I'm here; I can't believe something like this is happening."
The shopping mall is now a small battlefield; people are trapped in the second floor.
"Onii-sama, we need to do something."
"Onii-san, there are someone still trapped here, what should we do?"
"Onii-sama, what shall we do about the commotion upstairs?"
"Ii-kun…."
"…." Ichika looks into the situation for a brief moment and finally gives them their command.
[I'll escort Tabane out, you Uchiganes rescue the others with Revy and Akatsubaki…investigate the commotion and report to me.]
"""I'm on it!"""
The two Uchiganes gave Tabane to him and begin their tasks along with Revy and Akatsubaki.
"Ii-kun…" Tabane was laid into Ichika's arms as he escorts her to safety in a princess carry, flies downstairs and into the entrance.
And in the entrance, he saw lots of people in a form of a huge crowd in panic and causing a commotion. Most of the crowds were students and a quarter of those are IS academy students. Houki was also in the group due to that she was the first to be evacuated along with Yamada Maya.
"Oi, over here!" Ichika saw a familiar face within the crowds. Chifuyu was alone within the crowds and was calling out to him.
"You came at the wrong time Ichika, and why is Tabane with you?"
"Hi Chi-chan~" Tabane do her casual greeting to her old friend.
"Tabane, you still have time to greet me don't you..?"
Ichika handed Tabane to Chifuyu and went back inside.
"Where are you going?"
[To check out on Akatsubaki.] But before he went there…
"Over here!" Someone called him nearby. It was Dan.
"The situation here isn't any different as of the inside. Do you have any IS to keep this crowd calm?" Dan asked him. "Uchigane is already got her hands full trying to keep an eye on us…"
Just then two Uchiganes and Revy emerged from the entrance.
""Onii-sama, the people have been successfully evacuated!""
"Onii-san! There are others trapped inside but some pilots said they will evacuate them and will be here once they're done."
Few seconds later and the personal IS users finally evacuated every last one of the shoppers trapped inside.
"Everyone's here, but they seemed to be distressed."
"Everyone!" Chifuyu called them, and they come to her.
"This is a dire situation, split up and calm down these people and keep them from harm. How's the situation inside?"
"The battle continues on, and I saw a red IS emerged to enter the fight." Cecilia reported.
"A red IS…?"
As she was about to ask Ichika, he already went inside.
Inside the battlefield
The fight rages on, Squall manages to led Tataenashi in a bind as the skill difference between them is great.
"Hm…a lot more skilled than I thought." Tatenashi deploys her [Rusty nail] and whips at her opponent. But Squall merely grabbed the edge and pulled it to lessen the distance between them.
"I got you!" Squall prepares her claws at Tatenashi as she was being pulled in. Tatenashi deploys her Gatling lance [Heavy Rain] and uses her Nano machines to turn water into spearheads and launches them directly to Squall.
"Tch!" Squall had to focus herself and avoid the water spears by slashing at them but to no avail. Tatenashi almost score a direct hit as Squall's evasive movement avoids Tatenashi's strikes.
"You're good, but know your differences between our skills." The wings of Squall's IS was glowing as the blades of the wings expands.
The wings separated from the IS and started to go after Tatenashi.
"Hm..wing BITs, now this will complicate things." Tatenashi prepares her lance and prepares the worst.
As the wing BITs are approaching her, a crescent red beam slashed the wing BITs also blown Tatenashi over.
"What the-!"
""Who's there?!"" Both Squall and Tatenashi asked simultaneously.
"I am Akatsubaki, and I'm here to investigate the commotion, and possibly to stop this."
"Another IS…but you don't seemed to exist on the IS database."
"I am another 4th generation IS, I'm recently created."
Meanwhile, the red crescent beam reached Byaku Shiki, Golem and Autumn. All three managed to dodge it due to warnings.
"What the hell is that?!" Autumn asked Squall from a private channel.
"It's another IS, but I'm not sure who she side on since she appears out of nowhere."
"Another one?!"
"I shall end this with battle, even though onii-sama didn't order me to do so." Akatsubaki readied her two katanas.
"You're with Byaku Usagi?!"
"Hahh!" Akatsubaki approaches them with a battle cry.
"GOLEM SMASH!" Golem tries to approach Autumn but her four arms prevent that. Autumn countered with her extra arm to knock down Golem, giving Byaku Shiki a chance to strike.
"Not a chance kid!" Autumn said as she throws Golem towards Byaku Shiki.
[Autumn, we've successfully taken Sarashiki and buy all the necessary items.] One of the minions called out from the communicator.
"Good, we will follow as soon as we're done with the other one."
[Understood.]
Since Akatsubaki has no idea who to attack except Byaku Shiki and Golem, she would just attack Tatenashi, Autumn and Squall since they're total strangers to her.
"Whose side are you on?!"
"I side with no one in this battle."
And from downstairs, Ichika witness the fight and from the first floor he deployed [Cadenza Noir] and releases a barrage of bullets as he's flying and closes in into the battle.
"Air bullets? He's here!"
"We don't have time for this, Autumn let's go, our business is finished anyway!"
"I'm on it!" Autun blasted an exit for both of them near Byaku Shiki and Golem.
The two IS pilots fled and leaving the trails of destruction inside while they've vanished.
Tatenashi was utterly disappointed unsurprisingly since Squall is somehow very skilled than her.
"Where are they going?" Akatsubaki was first to ask.
"Don't know. But they have certainly one step ahead, now that they have Kanzashi…" Tatenashi replied. "You're late Byaku Usagi, you could have lend a hand."
Ichika stood there silently, not knowing the current situation that just happened. His priority is to defend rather than involve in a fight, unless he had no choice. In this case, protect the other customers from harm before he would engage in the battle.
Byaku Shiki and Golem get up from the wreckage caused by Autumn and Squall. Byaku Shiki was in confusion of what is going on.
"Where they'd gone?"
"They're long gone…" Akatsubaki replied.
"And you're Akatsubaki, if I heard correctly?"
"Yes I am, I don't have a human pilot, at least for now. Tabane-sama has assigned me a human pilot and I should be hers soon."
"I see…"
"You're a non-pilot IS like Byaku Shiki and Golem aren't you?" Tatenashi asked.
"I just said that didn't I?"
"Who is this pilot you're assigned to?"
"I…I'm not going to talk. Let's go Onii-sama." Akatsubaki let out her hostility towards Tataenashi.
Akatusbaki turned her back towards Ichika and walks away leap down to the ground floor.
Ichika took one last look at Byaku Shiki, who is injured in battle but not severe since the battle wasn't that long for Byaku Shiki to sustain injuries along with Golem.
"Byaku Usagi, have you made up your mind, you know about joining the group?" Tatenashi tried to get Ichika's attention.
"….."
[I do not wish to get involved in this.]
"Is that so? If you change your mind you know where to go then~."
After a mere conversation, Tatenashi left the scene as if nothing has happened.
"Onii-chan…"
"BYAKU-NII, LET'S GO!"
Ichika nodded and all three leaped down like Akatsubaki.
At the entrance, Chifuyu was in front of them.
"What's the situation?" That was the first she asked them.
"THEY ARE GONE."
"I see…"
"Where's Kanzashi?"
"She's not here."
"THEY HAVE HER."
"It seemed so, I can tell by Sarashiki's face." Chifuyu refers to Tatenashi.
"II-KUN, LET'S GO HOME!" Tabane suddenly appeared out of nowhere in front of them.
BANG!
"Tababne, don't do such things in front of me." Chifuyu was smacking Tabane in the head.
"Oww, Chi-chan always hit me in the head, why not hit me somewhere else?"
"Because, that won't get into your head."
"Mou, you're just making an excuse to hit me there."
"Ugh, get her out of here, if the crowds found out that she's here there will be another chaos. Better hurry up!"
Ichika grabs Tabane princess style and proceeds to the carrot pod where Tabane have 'parked' where people surround the carrot pot.
Akatusubaki fend off the surrounding crowd along with the two Uchiganes and Revy for Tabane to enter the carrot pod.
"Out of the way!"
""Please move over.""
"Hey, VIP coming through."
The crowds form a path for Ichika, making it easier for him to go through. Tabane entered the pod first, then turn the three IS into standby form to fit inside. Once they're inside, Ichika closes it and rides it. The carrot pod lifts itself and Ichika has no trouble handling it since he's the one who coordinates the carrot pod. As the carrot pod is in great distance in the sky, it goes at supersonic speed.
It took a while for the crowd outside to die down and went on. During the unexpected battle, many people were scared and although there are injuries within the customers, there were no deaths during the battle thanks to Chifuyu's orders and the personal IS users.
This is the 6'o clock news.
There has been an IS battle inside a shopping mall this afternoon and the aftermath takes a toll on the people inside. During one of the interviews, one claimed that the elusive 'White Rabbit' appeared during the fight and helped the people outside escape from the event safely. It is still a mystery on the topic of the 'White Rabbit' but it is already confirmed that he is definitely related to the IS creator Shinonono Tabane as this photo reveals that he is carrying her in a 'princess style' after the event. As for the details of the battle, a total of five IS are involved if excluding Byaku Usagi, who stops the battle. It is difficult to determine which ones are the non-piloted IS but according to witnesses there are at least three of them. One of the pilots revealed to be the name of Sarashiki Tatenashi refuses to reveal the detail of the event and speculation is already arise-
The news was cut off as the screen was turned off.
Tatenashi is now meeting with her personal maids.
"The situation has become critical, they have her."
"Oh no…Kan-chan…" Honne was obviously worried.
"So, what should we do now?"
"Try to prevent him from joining Phantom Task, since he doesn't really want to be involved in us, at least for now. And what's more concerning is that there are new IS, like Akatsubaki."
"Akatsubaki?"
"It's a brand new IS like Byaku Shiki and she doesn't exist on record, but she'll have a pilot assigned to her according to her. But she refuses to tell who it is, which left us at a dead end."
"But what about the Phantom Task?"
"They must have been in the same situation as us to say the least as they run away as soon as he arrives."
"But still, what were they doing in a shopping mall in the first place?"
Tatenashi's group continues to discuss about the event.
Phantom Task
Kanzashi woke up in an unknown location. Obviously she doesn't know what to do since she has no idea where to go.
"Where…..am I?"
Kanzashi stood up and finds that she is in a small room. There was nothing on the room except a small mat to at least lay down on it.
"Oh, you're awake." A teenage voice rings out to her. The door opens and a teenage girl in a similar age appears.
"Who are you?" Kanzashi asked the girl.
The girl smiled in a mischievous and evil way. "I'm Setsuka, and I'm here to exact my revenge on you."
Setsuka took out a small katana and pointed it at Kanzashi. Kanzashi's fear is obvious as her face become pale.
"Of course, that was I supposed to say but I have other plans for you." As Setsuka said that, he puts her katana back.
"Now then, what are they up to?"
"….."
"Not going to talk?"
"…I….I don't know."
"What…?"
"I don't know…."
"Don't they try to recruit him?!"
"….."
"You really don't know don't you…?"
"….."
"I only want to know this; are they try to recruit him?"
'Even though I don't know much, it's obvious than Nee-san wants to recruit him.'
"Hm..From your mind I'm obviously know what the answer is."
"…."
"So Sarashiki, what are you going to do now? Obviously, you're in the Phantom Task base and you can't do anything to save yourself."
"….."
"…Sigh; you're a hopeless one are you? I can tell by your silence."
"…."
"Hmph…I would have killed you right now but fortunately for you tomorrow are a special day for the Phantom Task and I'm inviting you."
"…What? I thought we are enemies."
"Of course we are, so I will kill you whenever I want but not today till tomorrow. Unless you want to join us…"
"….."
"But just a warning, if you try to double cross us I swear you will never get away with it." Setsuka's glare pierced through Kanzashi,, sending her chills on her spine.
"….What's going on tomorrow?"
"You will see for yourself tomorrow. Good night." Setsuka turned around and leaving Kanzashi on the small room.
"…"
"…"
"….What's so special about tomorrow?" Kanzashi wonders in that small room and since she has nothing to do but think about it, it will take a long while.
Madoka
Those Phantom Task…and that Sarashiki group…it seems they have taken action.
I'm at the same building as last night, where I'm near the shopping mall where they had an IS battle this afternoon. I would expect that renovation will be completed for at least a month.
What were they doing anyway, trying to kidnap Sarashiki again?
Don't they know they have bigger things to worry about?!
Well, screw them. I'm not going back. I don't any reason to go back anyway.
There is no time to lose, Ichika-nii I will find you.
Ichika
Ichika was practicing with his lances at the training hall. And he has been thinking of the event few hours ago. He has met with the two people who approached him around weeks ago. It has been bothering him for quite a while and his expression is plain to see.
"What's up?" Ichika's alter ego appeared from the ceiling standing upside down.
"Something on your mind, of course you do, I know that."
"….."
"So seen those two together that afternoon, but it's obvious they're not best of friends. So just by that, you need to stay away from those people. Who knows, maybe they want something from you obviously."
"By the way, what are you going to do with that silver bracelet you bought? I doubt that you'll give it to Houki. Maybe Tabane perhaps, I'm pretty sure she'll like it."
Ichika looks up to his alter ego in a dissatisfying look.
[It's just an accessory..]
"So what, she'll love any kind of gift you give to her."
"Ii-kun, where's Moppy? She's nowhere to be found." Tabane was in the entrance of the training hall. The training hall was built as soon as Ichika set foot in the laboratory. The building only takes a day to complete.
"Here I am, I was seeing Ichika-san practice with his lances." Moppy mysteriously appear out of nowhere.
"Oh Moppy…"
"Oh, and Ii-kun I want rice."
[I'll start cooking right now.]
Ichika left at a blinding speed in the kitchen and started cooking, which took Tabane by surprise.
"Ii-kun, you could have warned me before doing that~!"
Chifuyu
As if today couldn't get any rougher, someone had to pick an IS battle a place with many people inside. I tried to get Sarashiki to explain what was going that afternoon but she won't tell me much. But at least she's doing it for self-defense, at least that's what she thinks.
Byaku Shiki and Golem were injured from that battle but not severely, what a relief. Honestly, I'm actually worried about Byaku Shiki, who is not my blood relative but I cared about her anyway. It probably shows that I wanted Ichika back so badly that I can't help but think that Tabane is going to do something to him every day, but I shouldn't probably worry about that since he volunteered to look over her.
But that does mean that I would never see Ichika very often, it's rather depressing. I was planning to let Byaku Shiki stay at our house during the summer break, and maybe try to teach Byaku Shiki something as I would teach Ichika a long time ago. Then again I'm very busy at the IS academy already as the homeroom teacher so I can't spend much time at home either.
I guess I should leave Byaku Shiki to the class instead but I'm not 100% certain if I should leave Byaku Shiki to my students. I've already came up with various possible scenarios of Byaku Shiki with my students.
Dammit Ichika, I want you back badly! I want someone to cook me dinner whenever I actually went home, I want someone to clean up the laundry whenever I'm at work and it's very lonely at home!
Monday, Phantom Task Ballroom
Kanzashi was nervous to what celebration the Phantom Task will have. Seeing that many women were present including Setsuka, Ryouko, Squall and Autumn, Kanzashi continues to wonder. The ballroom was decorated and was filled with fare which looks like a celebration to a special person. There, Kanzashi looked at the pictures of that person and she was surprised.
'It can't be…that's-!' Pictures of Ichika from three years ago were everywhere and all of them were decorated in flowers.
'Why is there pictures of him, is he related to this organization?'
As Kanzashi thougt about it, Setsuka made an announcement.
"Everyone's here? Well then, it has been three years that my uncle went missing after that failed mission in which almost took his life." Setsuka spoke as she looks at Kanzashi which made her feel uneasy.
"We have searched for him ever since and so far we have failed to find him. But we will not stop till we find him, it is a matter of utmost importance that he should be found."
The crowds were silent as to listen to Setsuka's speech.
'Uncle? What is so important about him?' Kanzashi thought as she too listened to her speech.
"And to this day we will continue to celebrate his 3rd anniversary. I will end my speech, let us celebrate in hopes we can find him."
'What is going on is he this organization's goal?'
"And we would invite Sarashiki Kanzashi to celebrate with us today, for it will be her first and last." Setsuka pointed Kanzashi for everyone to see her.
"Wait!" Everyone was surprised by Kanzashi's sudden outburst.
"I want to know what that man has to do with this organization."
"Hm…you're curious? But I'm not going to tell you, you're going to die anyway."
"Is there anything I can do to keep myself alive?"
"You're interested in joining us? Because I know you're not active in that organization and also your sister…"
"…."
"You're in your pathetic state, you're her shadow, there is no way to avoid that no matter what you do. Even if you return to them what will you do then?"
"…"
"She's always perfect in every way don't you think that?"
"…Yes."
"What are you going to do then, make your choice?"
"…I…..I want to join but…."
"Really….then you must be prepared to face your sister one day."
"….."
"Or is there another reason that you joined this organization?"
Kanzashi looked at Ichika's picture and it does not take long for Setsuka to notice that.
"Are you curious who he is? I believed you met with him."
"..!"
"Very well, you will be our new member but you will be put under surveillance. Please understand your situation."
"…Yes."
The anniversary party continues on…
Sigh, I'm afraid I just can't pull off the action scenes enough. Well at least I got the chance to update this chapter. As of now until 'A' level exams are over, I will not update any new chapter of any fanfics just to let you know. But I will try to update if I can squeeze my time.
Here is what I would hope be the preview of the next chapter of the Orimura Detective Agency:
"Ichika, what are you doing?!" Dan shouted to him as Ichika came face to face with the out of control Uchigane.
"Get away, you'll get hurt!" The pilot warned Ichika.
"No, I'm not worried about me. I'm worried about the others.."
The students run away to certain distance away from the Uchigane.
"Orimura, get away from the IS!"
The Uchigane focused to Ichika and ready to strike.
"Don't!" The pilot closed her eyes and prepares for the worst.
In an instant, Ichika felt something calling out to him.
"Orimura Ichika, the time to fight is….NOW!"
Ichika stood stoically and take a deep breath. His right hand formed a great sword in an instant, similar to the White Knight. His eyes are focused on the rampaging Uchigane and in that moment he does what surprises everyone in the scene.
"Come forth….SHIRO KISHI(WHITE KNIGHT)!"
As Ichika shouted that sentence, symbols that look like screens of status appeared and shattered to crystalized pieces. Then another voice rings out the hallway.
"I am thou. Thou art I. From the sea of thou soul, thy hath come forth. I am Shiro Kishi, the original one!"
The White Knight appears from Ichika and coordinates herself with Ichika.
"What the hell?!" Dan was in disbelieving, and so does everyone to the sudden turns of events.
Ichika readies his sword by holding his sword with his two hands to his right and the White Knight follows him but instead to her left.
"Hang in there." Ichika and the White Knight raised his sword in their own direction and lunges forward.
"Hahhhh!" Ichika and the White Knight slashed the Uchigane at the centre in a form of an X, putting the Uchigane into a halt.
Well hopefully I would actually put that into the next chapter of the Orimura Detective Agency. Well until then…