SORRY FOR THE LATE UPDATE I'VE BEEN BUSY. JUST A REMINDER INFINITE STRATOS IS NOT MY STORY BUT MY OC AND TWEAKS TO THE ORIGINAL ARE ALL MINE. SO READ AND ENJOY
Houki's POV
After I hit him into the wall and he didn't respond I got worried and walked cautiously over to his still form. Seeing that he was unconscious (after a few taps with my bokken) I checked to make sure he was still breathing and didn't have a concussion.
"I may have overreacted," I said to him.
He didn't reply so I lifted him up onto his bed as a form of apology. He was heavy probably over one hundred kilograms. His face slightly pale and his broad jaw showed his heritage.
Wait, what am I doing? Am I checking him out? No that's not possible, I mean I have a crush on Ichika. No what I was doing was studying him for weaknesses. Yes that's what I'm doing.
Seeing that he was fine I changed into my sleepwear and prepared for bed. I set the alarm and the laid down ready to fall asleep from a long first day of school.
Ivan's POV
Waking up to a pounding headache is bad but when there is the alarm from hell ringing it was much worse. Groaning I sat up and light poured into the room.
"It is 7:30 and breakfast starts at 8 now get up and get ready," her voice was not gentle and her mouth was set in a hard line.
"I know, I just think a little sympathy is needed I was beaten to unconsciousness," I mumbled out still trying to stay awake.
"I may have hit you, but that is no excuse."
"Fine I'm up."
After that we got dressed and I made sure to take a few ibuprofens. As we walked down to the mess hall I was getting stares and a few winks. Houki still had what looked to be an angry expression, I guess she held grudges.
We walked into the canteen and there were still a few table still open on the other side of the large room. Waiting in line I got some eggs, three pieces of toast, and a tall glass of water. She got a traditional Japanese breakfast of grilled fish, miso, and rice. Sitting down was easy because no matter how much Houki was upset with me I was still one of the few people that she could interact with.
"So are you still angry," I asked already knowing the answer.
"..."
"I'm not angry at all," so she was in denial.
"But your face seems to be unhappy," I slightly teased her.
"This is the face that I was born with."
"I highly doubt that I mean who doesn't have cute baby photos," I pressed a little harder.
"Humph," and with that she continued her meal.
As I was finishing up the meal when a few girls that had been watching me walked up and started talking.
"Do you mind if we sit here," a girl wear a standard uniform asked.
Nodding my head I then noticed that Houki was gripping her chopsticks tighter and tighter.
"The more the merrier as my friend always said," I gave a small smile.
"Wow, you sure do eat a lot Iv-kun," a girl wearing what looked to be a customized sweeper like arms uniform.
Iv-kun? That's a new one.
"Well I believe that high protein in the morning is good," I explained. "While in the evenings carbs are needed."
"Well I think it's because your a big boy," her sleepy voice said.
"I'm surprised that that is all you're eating," gesturing to her roll with a few berries.
Two of the girls looked at each other nervously before the custom sleeves replied happily.
"That's because we eat lots of snacks!"
That doesn't sound healthy, so I began lecturing the girl whom I learned name was Honne Nohotoke.
After a minute I heard some clapping and saw Orimura-sensei standing at attention.
"IS pilots must be quick and efficient when having a meal," looking at me with a stern glare. "And who ever is not down is 2 minutes will be doing ten laps around the school."
That's no joke the school is about 12 km.
"And as dorm supervisor for first years I have that authority."
After that I rushed to complete and stack the tray with the others will running to my class. She can a sadistic teacher from hell that much was for certain. The class started and Yamada-sensei was teaching admirably, but she did have to pause every once and a while because I (and nearly everybody else) could tell she was nervous.
"In other words, the IS was originally created for space work, so the pilot is covered in a special armor. Also, the armor has the ability to increase body functions and keep the pilots in a stable state. This increases the heart rate, pulse, lung capacity, amount of sweat lost, endorphins (amino acids that the brain releases during times of pain, exercise, excitement and other exciting things)—" her voice was cheerful.
"That is scary that it is controlling you like that," I heard a girl say out loud.
"It's not dangerous it's just like a bra. It supports you and helps you have a normal da-" her eyes met mine and instantly her face went red.
What an innocent girl, after an awkward silence of ten or so seconds I finally broke the silence.
"I understand what you were going for so please continue," I tried to be gentle and helpful.
After that she nodded and continued the lesson and right as she was nearly the end the bell rang,
DING-DONG-DING-DING
Getting up before the girls could crowd my desk as I saw them starting to do, I made my way over to Yamada-sensei.
"Yamada-sensei could I speak to you in private," my words drew whispers for the girls around me.
"How forward!"
"Don't tell me I've lost already."
"B-b-b-but a student and a teacher shouldn't do these things," Yamada's voice was a whimper.
"I think you have a misunderstanding. I would like to speak to you about my sleeping arrangements," I said as her mind was drifting into La-La land.
Immediately Orimura-sensei came over and dragged me out of the class and into the hallway.
"What is wrong with your arrangements," she questioned.
"Houki-san is uncomfortable sharing a room with me," I replied.
"Well she will have to deal with that because we don't currently have any rooms that have available space," Orimura-sensei stated bluntly.
"Understood, I will have to inform Miss Shinonono," I was slightly afraid of her temper.
After that I walked back into the class and sat back in my desk. I saw Orimura-sensei walk back into the room and address me,
"Mr. Wallen-san, your IS needs more time before it can be prepared."
"What?"
"There was no available unit. So wait and the school will be providing a person unit for you."
Her statement immediately brought whispers and murmurs to my fellow classmates.
"A personal IS!"
"And he's only a first year."
"The government must be supporting him..."
"Ahh, I want my own person unit."
I don't get it, it sounds important but is it really something to be envious about.
Seeing my expression Orimura-sensei put a hand to her forehead and ordered,
"Page 6 of the textbook. Read it out."
"Mn, mm... 'Today, even though we have links to many countries and enterprises that provide IS technology, all the information related to the manufacturing of the core is never revealed. The cores of the 467 IS that exist in today's society are all created by Professor Shinonono. This core has been completely transformed into a black box, and none have achieved the success that Professor Shinonono has. However, the Professor has declined to continue creating more after a certain amount, and all countries, organizations and enterprises have started research, development and training of their own cores. The dealings of cores are against Title 7 of the Alaska Treaty, that these are forbidden no matter the circumstances'..."
"Do you understand now why my victory is assured," Cecilia's voice rang out.
"With only 467 cores personal IS users are the elite of the worlds population of seven billion."
"And I as the representative candidate of England have my own personal unit," her voice still self righteous.
"Wow, that's incredible," she nodded her head at my words. "The population is already over seven billion."
"Are you mocking me," she angrily called out.
"Excuse me is the Shinonono in our class related the Professor Shinonono mentioned," a girl interrupted.
Great off one land mine and right into a minefield.
"Yes, in fact she is her little sister," Orimura-sensei said.
After lots of questions she finally exploded,
"DON'T EVER COMPARE ME TO HER," taking a breath to calm herself. "I have no relationship to that person."
What did you do you mischievous rabbit?
"Now let's continue the lesson," she said giving a glare to Yamada-sensei.
*Timeskip Two hours*
DING-DING-DING
And that was the lunch bell, after hours of education (torture) I was hungry. Glancing over at Houki I saw that she was looking slightly longingly at a few of the girls that were clustered together talking and laughing.
"Excuse me Miss Shinonono-san would you like to come to lunch with me," I invited.
"No, I'm good," her response was almost mechanical.
I don't usually do this but I saw how lonely she was,
"Come on, I heard they have some amazing grilled cod for the special," I said taking her hand.
She looked like she was going to speak but instead she decided to try and flip me. When I held firm on my legs she looked slightly shocked not expecting me to be able to stop her.
"Don't be rude, if you didn't want to come just speak. Don't let violence be your first response," I leaned into her ear and whispered.
"Next time I won't be so forgiving. I am not a person who will be pushed around."
That culled her temper enough that I could drag her out of the room and down the hall to the cafeteria. As we lined up to get our meals Houki's eyes were slightly downcast.
"Yes I'd like two lunch specials," I asked the lady behind the counter. "Thank you these look delicious."
"Shinonono-san, do you see any place where we can sit," I asked politely and I heard a mumble in response.
"What was that?"
"There is a table over there," she pointed across the room.
"Thank you. Shinonono-san."
After sitting down and beginning own meals, I was starting to enjoy the Asian foods.
"Could you not call me that," Houki asked out of nowhere.
"Excuse me."
"Shinonono-san, I don't like it," ah so that was the problem.
"Understood but what do you want me to call you," I asked.
"You can call me Houki-san."
"Ok but in return you have to call me by my first name," I 'bargained'.
After that she nodded, and we continued eating in peaceful silence that was nice, but I did have to break it.
"I have a proposal for you. You see I am strong no doubt but I have never operated an IS and I was wondering if you could coach me because at this rate I will lose," I bowed my head slightly.
"What do I get in return," she tried to sound uninterested.
"One favor that isn't illegal."
After a few seconds she was about to answer when I heard a girl behind me start talking,
"So it is true the only male pilot challenging England's representative candidate."
"Yeah, I was a little rash but she wounded my pride."
"You do know that as a candidate she has to have a minimum of ten hours of operation time," I guess that makes sense.
"If you want I could coach you," she tried to look innocent fooling nobody.
Before I even had a chance to reply Houki cut into the conversation,
"You have come to late I have just agreed to coach him."
"Not to be impolite, but you are just a first year and I'm a third year," she said pulling on her colored ribbon.
"I am the sister of Tabane Shinonono," her eyes were closed in slight shame.
After that the senior left in silence no doubt leavening to talk to her friends.
"So you agree to teach me?" I asked.
Getting a slight glare in response and then she finished her meal and stormed off to class. Her anger was going to blind her one day, and I hope when that day comes I can help her.
The rest of the day was peaceful with no practicals yet. Houki didn't so much as look in my direction all day. After getting back to the room I saw Houki sitting on her bed wearing her kendo kimono.
"I'm going to be testing your reflexes, come with me to the dojo."
"Ok but I will need time to get the gear on," I tried to reason.
"Be there in five minutes or I won't help you anymore," her voice was hard.
After changing into the training Gi I put on my helmet and grabbed the bokken loosely in my hands uncertain of what to do.
"Ready?" She asked.
Giving her a nod in return, she started the match.
She charged straight at me with a overhead slash, I deflected it badly and in turn the bokken flew from my hand. She then struck my shoulder and counted a point. I picked up my sword and got into a firm stance that gave me defense. She got into position and nodded at me, I decided to make the first move so I charged with a slash across the chest. She blocked but buckled slightly under the weight of my strike. Pushing my advantage I pushed her back and hit her in the stomach guard.
If I could see her angry expression I would have run from the dojo then and there. But I didn't so when she hit my helmet I fell onto my tailbone in a huff. This was going to be a very very long year I felt it in my gut.
Houki's POV
I took for the final piece of gear and started wiping the sweat from my forehead in slight frustration. After losing my temper at his first point we sparred back and forth without any regard to rules or observers.
Changing my shirt I couldn't help but look at my hand that was slightly numb from the sparring. He had power but he didn't have the greatest strategy. He did learn fast though and gave me a slight challenge.
"He isn't what I first thought he was," I said out loud.
"He can be beaten by me so I have to train him to perfection."
That means just us, after school, every day, all alone, and fiercely training. I blushed slightly remembering the look in his deep blue eyes. The look of determination and will to win.
"Stop that you have to train him and then he will own you," that thought made me blush even more.
Shaking my head to clear those thoughts I got dressed and walked back to our room. He had said that there was something that he had to tell me when I got back to the room.
"Good to see that you didn't get lost," he teased as I entered the room.
I felt myself getting angry at him and his stupid calmness.
"What did you have to speak so urgently with me about?" I asked trying to remain calm.
For some reason just being around him made all my self control go right out the window. Sighing he sat heavily at the desk,
"I spoke with Orimura-sensei about the rooming," he paused. "They said that with no available space that you have to remain with me till a spot opens up or next year sorry."
His apology was heartfelt and he seemed remorseful.
"It's ok if even the teachers can't do anything then I will have to bear with it."
He seemed to relax after that and he climbed into bed after taking off his shoes and jacket. He murmured a good night and I heard his start to snore slightly.
I quickly changed and climbed in bed to murmur my own good night to him. My final thought as I drifted into sleep was that maybe being his roommate wouldn't be so bad after all.
AGAIN SORRY FOR THE LATE UPDATE I HAVE HAD SCHOOLWORK AND EXAMS ARE ANNOYING ME BUT NEVER FEAR I AN PROBABLY GOING TO BE PUTTING THIS STORY ALONG WITH THE MONSTER ON THE BACK BURNER. THE REASON IS THAT THE FIGHTER'S FLOCK IS GETTING A LOT OF GOOD REVIEWS. SO COMMENT ON WHAT YOU THINK I SHOULD DO.
Ghost Operation Systems