Ichika slowly opened his eyes. First thing he noticed was the ceiling, which he'd seen quite a few times already, perhaps too much for his liking, because it was the infirmary. He was here again? Oh yeah, now he remembered. It was because of what happened earlier.

The only difference he felt was that single bandage over his forehead. It was a little itchy he just had to scratch it. He still didn't understand why Rin hit him. But he did understand that this was already like the hundredth time she hit him. Actually, this is the 50th time. Did she unleash her full power this time, that I had to get knocked out? Maybe fifty's her favorite number. At least it doesn't hurt that much anymore…

He recalled those lapses in his mind. It was really strange. No, it wasn't really because of how it stung, it was because of those abrupt images that appeared. That's because he saw the girls. He doesn't hate them, of course not, but the fact that he was getting beaten up by them in those little dreamscapes troubled him. Even in his dreams, he was still being punished! He just had to sigh at the miserable realization.

He raised his head from the pillow and sat down instead. He was feeling much better now, and decided to not stay in the room any longer and head out to resume class, or whatever's left for the day.

Ichika was already in his room. It was already the end of the day, missing training and class. But it's not like he was allowed. Chifuyu had told him as soon as he got back on foot to refrain from participating in training and other physical activities to speed up the recovery.

He didn't know why, but there was something about that incident that made him feel uneasy. To get knocked out that easily, was his body getting weaker? He shook his head. He didn't think it was possible with all the training they do. Or maybe that was the reason, he thought. Maybe it was because of too much training that his body was already getting drained. He recalled that shoulder pain that bothered him earlier. Perhaps that was an evidence of his claim. But the more he thought about it, the more everything was proving to be false. They haven't had extreme training in a week already because even Chifuyu saw just how tired they were getting. It was a mystery indeed. With all these numerous thoughts in his head, he suddenly heard a knock on his door.

That's weird, they usually don't knock and just barge in…

He opened the door, and there he saw his (second) childhood friend. "Hey, Rin."

Rin was looking down, hands held together, afraid to look at him directly. She felt ashamed. After what she had done, she already had doubts if he was gonna forgive her. And even if he does, she didn't know if that will be enough. "I-Ichika…"

He invited her to come inside the room instead of standing by the door.

She still felt terrible. She kept some distance between her and Ichika, who sat down on the chair by the computer. After mustering enough courage to look at him, she finally said, "Ichika! I'm so sorry!" She begged on her knees with her hands together, as if she was praying. "I-I didn't mean to hurt you!"

Ichika chuckled nervously. He didn't like seeing her this way. "R-Rin, it's okay really…" Suddenly, a sharp pain went through his head, making him jerk his head back, and he instantly came upon a realization. "But it's kinda strange though," he followed with a chuckle, "how you only said sorry now."

Rin paused her crying and snuffled before saying, "I-I didn't want to bother you, and I-I wasn't so sure if you wanted to s-see me that time…"

"But I'm not talking about that."

"Huh?" W-what is he talking about?

"I'm talking about the many times you've smacked me with that IS of yours." But Ichika didn't look mad. In actuality, he was smiling like it was nothing.

"W-what?"

Ichika chuckled. "Well, you've smacked my head fifty times throughout our time here in the academy already, so I'm not really sure why you're only saying sorry now after all those painful moments…" And that warm smile never left his face.

Rin just had her mouth agape. Did I really hit him that many times? But that's impossible! She lowered her head, realizing what he was trying to do. "I'm sorry, okay?" She said in a rather weak tone. "But you didn't have to take it that far…"

Eh? Was the only thing he could think of. Confusion filled up his mind.

Rin stood up, on the verge of letting her tears out. She screamed, "I can't believe you would make up such a lie! I've never hit you that much! If I did, I would've noticed! I-I already said sorry… but why?!" She ran out of the room, closing the door with a bang.

She dived onto her bed and cried her eyes out on her pillow. This was it, it was the end. She can't show herself in front of him anymore. She went too far, and he didn't forgive her. The fact that he had to make up such a blatant lie was solid proof already how much he hated her, and with the way he spoke, he didn't hesitate. Not to mention the face he displayed during their little conversation. He was smiling all the while, but she knew underneath that, he was hurting so much, and he was really angry.

Ichika was left speechless. Why was she mad now? Maybe it was… that's it! He mentally facepalmed. That's why she was mad. He had the exact number wrong! Maybe it was 49 times? Or was it 51? Ugh! I need to remember to make it up to her.

But now wasn't a good time. It was already late at night and he was also tired; even if he didn't do much today. He decided to call it a day and headed to bed.

As he opened his eyes, his vision was greeted with his usual uninvited guest.

"Well, at least you're wearing something, Laura." He sighed.

"Good morning, Ichika! A-are you feeling alright?" She was really worried about him. She had never seen him get knocked out personally before.

"I'm not exactly sure. I got beaten up on the head pretty badly by Rin yesterday, my head still hurts a little, and not to mention that you keep sneaking up in my bed which is getting pretty annoying," he said rather casually without any hint of sarcasm like it was an everyday thing, which probably was. Oh, right.

Laura had her mouth open in shock. She had never heard him talk so sincerely about these things before. And the last thing he mentioned caught her breath. "A-am I really annoying?" She frowned.

The usual smile was on his face. "You're not, but your two habits are."

"Two habits?"

"Beating me up after some certain event and sneaking up in my bed like I mentioned."

She was at a loss for words. She was at least relieved that he didn't actually find her annoying, but the fact that he mentioned it bothered her. She had to admit, she had beaten him up certain times before, but it was only because of her embarrassment with his out of the blue compliments and kindness, making her blurt out something she didn't mean to. Now the other reason, it made her cheeks blush just thinking about it.

Maybe he was okay with it before, but now, he was probably past his breaking point that he just had to blurt the truth out. It made her feel terrible. Perhaps now was the time to redeem herself. Yeah, and maybe she could get an incentive, maybe a warm hug from him. Right, she was definitely liking this idea.

Speaking of getting beaten up, Ichika had to apologize to his (second) childhood friend. He didn't want any of this misunderstanding to last longer, otherwise, he might just lose her. And there's no way he's going to let that happen.

"Ichika, I-"

Before Laura could even initiate her plan, Ichika said, "Sorry Laura, I have to go, I need to apologize to Rin." But first, he had to take a bath and change.

What? Isn't she the one who should apologize? She just sat there on his bed, completely still, feeling even more confused about the situation.

Classes just ended, it was currently break time, and all the members of the group of friends met in front of where his classroom was, except for a certain someone.

Ichika said rather urgently, "Have you guys seen Rin? I need to talk to her."

They all knew this was about what happened yesterday. "She said she needed some time alone…" Cecilia said. And they also knew how guilty she felt.

Ichika clenched his fists. Idiot! If I don't do anything soon… I need to find her! But if he were to think about it, there was one place that they always go to. He set that as his target destination, and ran as quickly as he can.

It wasn't until a few minutes later that he arrived. He opened the door and there he saw who he was looking for. She was leaning on the rails, staring at the horizon. The way she looked, with her hair swaying in the wind, he thought she looked really beautiful. They were at the rooftop of the academy after all.

There were many thoughts running in her head. She finally realized what he was trying to say last night. He was really telling the truth. There was no way he would lie to her, right? She can actually call this the dumbest thing she has done, for forgetting how much she hurt him. She hated it, the feeling of guilt. Fear was the only barrier stopping her, but it was too strong. She thought it was better to just avoid him from now on, but… It's only the first day and I already feel like giving up!

"Rin!" That voice...

"Ichika?" They ran towards each other, meeting in the middle of the rooftop.

"Rin, I have to tell you something."

She gulped. That serious stare he currently had, she didn't have a good feeling about it. But she knew it was her fault, and she only deserved the coming inevitable punishment.

"I'm sorry!" Those words. She did not expect them at all. It only left her dumbfounded.

"What…?"

"Rin, what I said yesterday was wrong!"

So what he said yesterday, she believed it to be the truth. But now, he just said that this truth was a lie. Wait, what?

"It wasn't fifty times!"

She gasped. It's like someone stabbed her through her heart. She clutched her chest, and had her mouth agape. There clearly was a look of disbelief on her face.

"It was fifty-one times!"

Her expression instantly changed to a poker face. "Eh?"

"I'm so sorry for getting it wrong!" Ichika begged. He was really nervous right now; he was even sweating. While he expected to get hit, it still bothered him because he really was at fault this time. Who knows, she might use all her might and knock him out again.

An ominous glare appeared on her face, and Ichika was afraid. She slowly walked towards him, yet that scary expression she had was making him walk back. "You're lying to me again… why are you lying to me!" She swung her right fist towards his face. She knew he was still recovering from what she did to him, but she couldn't control herself. For her childhood friend to lie to her, it hurt her. But to her surprise, he actually caught her arm, and he had quite a grip on it. Now she was scared of him, because that stern stare was back on his face.

"I would never lie to you! I would never do that to my friends, especially you!" He eased up and that serious look changed to a faint smile. "You're my cute second childhood friend, Rin, and I know lying to you won't do anything good, so I'd rather not."

She felt her heart skip a beat. He just called her cute! And he said especially her! Wait, does that mean she's really special to him? She couldn't stop the blush from disappearing on her cheeks. But she had to control herself, as she still had one task to do. That barrier of fear was finally destroyed, and now, she finally had the courage. "Ichika!" She clenched her fists. It was now or never. "I'm sorry!"

Ichika chuckled nervously. "B-but you already said that yesterday-"

Stop ruining the moment! "No! I'm sorry, for all those times I hit you…" She took a glance down before looking at him again. "S-starting today, I won't hit you anymore." Even if seeing you with them gets on my nerves, I have to stop doing it…

He suddenly hugged her. "Thank you, Rin."

She did not expect that at all. The warmth from his hug, it made her feel so giddy. After he let go of the warm embrace, she was silent for a few moments, until she finally said, "I-I guess fifty-one times was too much huh?" She chuckled nervously.

Ichika laughed. "Yeah, I've already gotten used to it after the third time, when you almost killed me with your IS's blade."

She frowned. Her level of guilt just kept rising up. Well, he was pretty tough. But to get used to getting beaten up? She felt like a bully. And she felt so stupid for almost causing his death. If he had really died... No, she didn't even wanna think about it. A look of determination was on her face. I'm sure about it now. I WILL treat him better from now on! This is a promise, Ichika. And she hoped it will remain unbroken.

"So Rin, do you wanna head downstairs?"

Rin weakly shook her head. "Let's just enjoy the breeze here for a little while." She smiled. It was one of those rare moments where they were alone. She wanted it to last forever.

Meanwhile, some certain girls behind the door to the rooftop had ominous glares on their faces, all having the same thoughts.

What happened between those two?!

After all, this was only the beginning.