A New Cage

Wednesday morning came and class 2a was as energetic as always.

As usual, Laura, Houki, Rin, and 7 other girls crowded around Ichika who sat behind desk waiting for homeroom to begin.

The door opened, with a voice saying, "Alright everyone, we're getting ready to begin homeroom."

Yamada sensei, class 2a's assistant homeroom teacher, entered, starting class.

As everyone settled into their seats, a girl cried out.

In unison, the class looked towards to the girl. Her face was one of utter disbelief, as she pointed with a trembling her finger saying, "Uahhh, ueeeeee."

As the class followed the finger's trajectory, gasps could be heard. Even Yamada sensei was affected.

"E-excuse me! W-wh-who are you and why a-are you here?" she flusteredly asked an unknown male.

Responding in an uninterested and bored tone, the boy stated, "Student, assigned to class 2a."

"When did this guy enter?" many girls questioned on the side.

"Wo-would you like to in-introduce yourself?" Yamada sensei stuttered.

"Not in particular." the boy replied, his tone unchanging.

The class grew silent at the remark. They were unsure of how to evaluate this male.

Yamada sensei recovered and said, "Please, introduce yourself so that we may know who you are."

With a sigh, the male rose and faced his classmates. "My name is Adrian." he said with a bow before re-seating himself.

Many girls began to whisper, "Is that all?"

"He doesn't say much..."

"Maybe he's one of those cool, silent types?"

"""Hwaaaaaaa!""" dreamy voices sighed

"Adrian... your name is just, Adrian?" Yamada sensei inquired still regaining her composure.

"Yes, there is nothing more."

"Well A-Adrian-san, thank you for introducing yourself, but I'm sorry, you can't sit there. That seat belongs to another student named Adriana."

"There is no need for concern." Adrian flatly responded.

"There isn't?"

"I am her."

"""EHHHHH!""" the class responded in shock.

"This personality is completely opposite from before."

"They do look similar."

"So Adriana was really a boy."

"This is just like Charlotte last year, only the opposite."

The students began conversing among themselves upon Adrian's reply.

"Hey, hey, so, are you really a boy?" a girl beside Adrian asked.

Adrian paused for a moment and then took the girl's hand. Unhesitatingly, he pressed her palm upon his chest for a few moments before letting go.

Shocked and embarrassed, the girl was reduced to speaking syllables. "Aaaa, ohh, uuuu, ehhh"

A smile crept upon her face and then, slowly, she pulled her hand away confirming Adrian was indeed, a male.

Another girl then asked, "What about your hair? Was it fake? It was so pretty."

"I cut it yesterday."

"""What a waste.""" some girls sighed imagining the male Adrian with long hair.

So began another day at the I.S. Academy.

…

"You enrolled?" Ichika asked Adrian, in the hall, during the break between classes.

"Yes." Adrian responded.

"I...I want... I want to enroll." Adrian answered.

Thuak Adrian's head was again hit by a textbook.

"While a student of this academy, you will refer to me as Orimura Sensei! Do you understand."

"Yes, Orimura Sensei." Adrian quickly replied baffled the events transpired.

"So what are you going to do now?" Ichika continued asking.

"Not sure. Class is starting, let's talk later." Adrian replied entering the classroom.

….

Ichika led Adrian to the boy's locker room. Once there, the two began changing.

"Although they're both black, your outfit is different from mine." Ichika commented.

"They were designed by different scientists." Adrian replied.

"I kind like yours better."

"Really?"

"Yours is a tank-top, and doesn't show your stomach."

"That bothers you?"

"A bit." Ichika replied embarrassed.

"But, your I.S. functions better the more your skin comes into direct contact with it. Even if the I.S. suits eliminate the hindrance of clothes by ninety-nine percent, it still creates interference by one percent. Hence, we both have small shorts."

"Then why does yours come with ankle socks?"

"To protect my feet."

Ichika blinked and said, "You got ready pretty fast." changing the topic as they began for the field.

"I always were my I.S. suit. Even when I sleep."

"To always be ready?"

"Correct."

"You sound a bit like Laura..."

"..."

….

Adrian stood to the side and watched his new classmates battle each other. Yawning, he quickly grew bored.

"Adrian, it's your turn." Yamada sensei called out.

"Please don't ask me to do the impossible." Adrian responded.

"Adrian, are you saying you can't pilot I.S.s. We've seen you do so before as Adriana."

"These circumstances and those are different" A new voice declared.

Adrian turned and saw Orimura sensei walk onto the field as she continued saying, "Continue with your training. I'll be taking over now Yamada sensei."

…

With training finished, Adrian and Ichika were changing.

Suddenly, Ichika asked, "How did you pass as a girl?"

"Hologram projector."

"And how did you pilot I.S.s?"

"I'll explain when everyone is together."

…..

Adrian sat with Ichika at the dinner table.

"Ok you, talk!" Rin demanded reaching the table.

"What connection do you have with my bride?" Laura inquired taking a seat.

"Where did you come from?" Cecilia shrieked setting her tray down.

"You've been lying to us this whole time." Houki stated staring Adrian down before seating herself.

"You even pretended to be our friend." Charlotte cried in disappointment.

"""Wait, you got changed with us!""" The girls exclaimed realizing a new truth.

To their accusations, Adrian replied with the same monotone voice he had been using all day, "Those were my mission objectives." However, slightly, unnoticeable by anyone, Adrian had slightly glanced downward during his response.

"So, are you going to explain yourself?" Cecilia demanded to know.

"I will but, not here. Somewhere more private.

An uncomfortable silence befell the table as dinner was consumed.

….

"Currently, the I.S. Academy is providing me with protection due to my former connections with a hostile nongovernmental organization and for having knowledge comparable to national level I.S. technology." Adrian explained to Ichika and the girls who gathered into Ichika's room. Currently, he and Ichika were seated on guest bed. The others sat on Ichika's bed.

"Is any of that true?" Laura asked sitting on Ichika's bed.

"As far as I am aware, none of that information is false."

Adrian proceeded to explain everything he could while answering everyone's questions.

"So then, the only I.S. you can pilot is GX-07?" Houki questioned.

"Yes."

"What happened to it?" Charlotte asked?

"My stratos was confiscated by Orimura sensei. It's probably being examined by academy scientists.

"What about those other pilots you mentioned. Will they be infiltrating the academy?" Cecilia questioned.

"It's possible, but unlikely. A transfer would be too suspicious this late in the year."

"Couldn't one already be in the school?" Charlotte realized.

"Hologram projectors are difficult to develop. Even mine was a prototype. I don't think they made more. Some sort of assault is more likely."

"Targeting who, Ichika or you?" Houki questioned.

"Their main target is Ichika. Most likely, they now regard me as an obstacle like the rest of you."

"So, what are you going to do?" Ichika inquired.

"Attend class like a student."

"A student who can't pilot an I.S." Rin mocked Adrian.

"Even with out a stratos, I can do plenty."

Adrian rose to his feet, "I'm going to bed." he said approaching the door.

"Wait!" Ichika called, "Where is your room?"

"I tried to kill you, remember? My room is located closer to the academy security team." Adrian responded and left.

'Closer to the security team...' Adrian mused on his words during his walk.

Eventually, Adrian came upon a steel door in one of the academy's basements. Passing threw, Adrian proceeded to his assigned room. Looking around, it was different from Ichika's room. Hanging from the wall was a modest bed. Being underground, the room had no windows, only bare cement walls. In the corner, a desk, chair, and dresser could be found. Only his bare necessities had been provided for along with most of his belongings. Anything considered remotely dangers had been confiscated. Finally, unlike the other rooms, a camera could be found hanging from the ceiling.

'I was even given a full bathroom to keep me from wandering.' Adrian mentally noted as he washed himself.

'I've a lot of work to do.' Adrian thought getting into his bed. 'If anything, I will be considered the biggest threat to their existence.'

Soon after, Adrian drifted to sleep.

Second chapter complete. Not much happening here, just getting some back ground set. The story should start moving along a little faster now. Let me know what you think, thanks.