It's been almost a year already since the last chapter? I don't think I can redeem myself with this.

It's been several months since they started attending the IS Academy. It truly was an amazing place, with many ways to improve one's IS combat skills, and not to mention the awesome facilities. For Rin, she did find the academy a great place, and she wouldn't deny that, because her combat skills have definitely improved here. But the best thing about this, was when she finally saw him again, her childhood friend. It was a great reunion, really, and she couldn't stop smiling because of it. Everyday since then was like a blessing to her, because she would always see him.

But there were also those times. Oh, how she got so irritated seeing all those girls around him, and especially that girl! How dare she proclaims herself as his first childhood friend! As if that mattered anyway, she probably had a lot more firsts with him than her. The thought made her laugh mockingly. But in all these moments, she released her pent-up anger by hitting him. It felt like it was always his fault, getting flustered, denying that he did it, stuttering when he tries to defend himself – such an obvious liar. Aren't those what people normally do when they're actually at fault? Well, that's what she believed anyway.

After so many months, only now did she realize, how wrong she was. All it took was to spend some time with him alone – and it took this long to get that chance? Rin was disappointed in herself. But the question remains: when did he become so blunt about things? She didn't quite get it either.

Rin surely had a good night's sleep. With that smile on her face, it was no mistake. She couldn't stop, that moment alone with him at the rooftop was just so good. She realized it was morning already as she glanced at the clock, not to mention the blinding sunlight that seeped through her window curtain. She quickly got up and changed to her uniform after taking a shower and headed to class.

Break time surprisingly came quickly. Perhaps it was because Rin suddenly felt so motivated to listen in class. Her classmates even thought so; she looked really happy. As the class ended, some of her classmates approached her, asking things like "Did something good happen?" and all she could respond with was a blush and an embarrassed smile. She hurriedly walked away from them, giving them an excuse that she had to use the restroom. Finally, she thought. It was time she went to his class. But once she arrived, she didn't see him. She approached one of his classmates and asked, "Umm where's Ichika?"

The girl turned around. "Oh, I think they went to the rooftop."

They? And that's when she realized, they weren't here too. She frowned, knowing how this was gonna end up, then she heard the girl speak again.

"Ichika didn't look so okay though, actually, he looked quite scared… well, who wouldn't be scared of that…"

Rin heard her muttering. "W-what do you mean? What did they do to him?" She was worried. If it already happened, then she would have already failed her promise to him this early.

"They looked quite angry for some reason, maybe Ichika did something wrong?"

Rin was a little surprised. But the more she was taking this in, the more she was realizing things, and the faster her surprise turned to annoyance and anger, making her clench her fists.

Ichika's classmate, the girl she was talking to, had walked away with a nervous look on her face after noticing her dangerous glare.

THOSE. DAMN. STALKERS!

She ran out of the room very quickly, leaving behind a trail of smoke. It was the only possible answer she could think of; why would they get mad at Ichika? They were jealous of course! It was always the reason! It was so irritating. They ruined it, really ruined it. The next time she fantasizes about that event again, she can't unsee it – those four watching them behind the door, with the pits of rage obvious in their eyes. It just killed the once so blissful mood of them alone together so much.

Though how much she hated to admit, she would've felt the same, getting all angry and irritated, but she already realized from their little time together how blind she was, how much they, including herself, had hurt him, all just to win his affection. This is why… I have to protect him!

She reached the rooftop quickly, behind the door at least. She had to catch her breath. Sprinting wasn't exactly easy for her. She opened the door, thankful that they haven't heard her yet. Her eyes widened as she noticed them. Why did they activate their IS? No, of course. She was right all along. They really were watching them during that time. She then noticed him, kneeling on the floor, looking hurt. She gasped in horror. These girls obviously didn't notice, or maybe they did, but they didn't care. She had to take action, quickly. She materialized her IS legs, using the thrusters to boost herself. She also activated her arms, spawning her blade.

"RIN, how dare you and Ichika do unacceptable things!" Houki exclaimed. These four were clearly outrageous right now.

Rin scoffed and crossed her arms. "What are you saying? We didn't do anything wrong!"

Ichika gave Houki a rare menacing glare. "What are you trying to imply?! What's unacceptable about hugging Rin and calling her cute?!"

Rin couldn't help but blush at Ichika's words.

Houki didn't like seeing that glare on Ichika's eyes. It was rare for him to get angry like that. She lowered her weapon, the feeling of shame suddenly enveloping her. "I-Ichika…"

Rin looked concerned for Ichika as she saw him clutching his head. "Are you alright, Ichika?"

Ichika groaned. "My head's been hurting since they tried to hit me awhile ago…"

With a concerned look, Houki tried to go closer to him. "Ichika-" But she was interrupted by Rin.

"In case you girls haven't noticed, just before your weapons hit him, didn't you notice him kneeling down?! He was in pain!"

Houki gasped. "What…"

Rin replied sternly, "Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be guiding Ichika back to his room so he can rest…"

Houki groaned just seeing the two so close. Just when did they get to be like that?! Before they could even take a step further, she pulled on Rin's sleeves, making them stop. "I'll take him back to his room!"

Rin chuckled ominously, feeling a little irritated at this girl's advances. A weird ominous aura surrounded her, which frightened Ichika somehow. With a rather dark tone, she muttered, "I thought I made it clear…" She slowly turned around and as she looked at the girl's face, she gave her most serious look. "I'm guiding him back to his room!"

Yet another battle begun.

Rin hugged Ichika's left arm while Houki hugged his right arm as they battled with each other in the game of death glares.

"I should be the one helping him!" Houki exclaimed, and added her reason why, "I-I used to share rooms with him you know!"

Rin made her voice even louder. "So?! I bet you never even hugged each other like Ichika and I did yesterday!"

The other two girls trembled with anger and joined the fight.

Charlotte exclaimed, "Ichika and I took a bath together you know!" She tried pulling Rin away from Ichika but the twin-tailed girl fought back.

Meanwhile, Laura was on the other side of poor Ichika, fighting against Houki. "What weaklings you are. I don't think any of you slept on the same bed with Ichika." She suddenly looked at Houki and gave her a glare. "And sleeping in the same room but on different beds won't get you anywhere!"

Houki gasped loudly, feeling so intimated by this little silver-haired girl. "Don't you even dare!"

And there was Cecilia, watching the fight ensue. She trembled and crossed her arms, feeling jealous of the other girls' experiences with Ichika. Hmph! At least I got to cook with Ichika together…

And last but not the least, was the only guy in the scene, with his arms getting pulled apart rather violently by the four girls around him. He sighed as he felt his energy getting drained. Why does this always happen to me… Just then, the sharp pain was coming up in his head again, making him groan.

Rin noticed this and she quickly let go of his arm, getting pulled back a little as Charlotte reacted a second later. She desperately called to the other two, "S-Stop! Let go of him right now!" However, the two seemed too serious about this and didn't hear her. Rin quickly went to their side and pulled their hands off Ichika's sleeve. "Enough!"

The twin-tailed girl glared at the girls, but her features quickly softened as she looked at Ichika. She wrapped her arm around his, speaking softly, "Let's go Ichika."

Laura, Houki, and Cecilia frowned as the two disappeared into the building.

Charlotte, however, stared blankly at the rooftop door where the two headed off to as if she was in deep thought. There was just something off about Rin, well, she was not like her usual self. The concerned look the twin-tailed girl had as she saw Ichika in pain; she couldn't take that image off her mind. Now, it was normal to be concerned, but for her to take initiative and be the one to stop the little fight? Wasn't Rin the aggressive one? It was her who hit him in his room for crying out loud! Yet, that question she feared kept appearing in her mind – did something else happen when they were alone here in the rooftop? Besides a simple apology and hug?

So when's the next chapter?

Umm...

March 25, 2021:

I ran out of ideas. Sorry.

Also removed the alternative scene.