Chifuyu waited impatiently for Liu to respond to her text message. Minutes passed, and Liu did not read. Chifuyu got off her seat, hoping that Liu did not wander off.
Opening song: Leo Imai – Bite
(Camera pans downwards at the highway at excess speeds before it slowly moves up towards the dark)
ID wa mottenai wasureru kanrakugai (A closeup of Liu's shoulders and black tousle hair)
Kouya wo mezashite dorojiai (Liu does a pose to show off his muscular body at downtown streets)
Watashi wa houkai ashita wa mou nai (Liu walks on the sidewalk, admiring the lights shining from the signs above him)
Ikitemo shindemo kamawanai (Various IS blueprints and tattoos fall in slow motion)
Yukisaki mo nai yume nante kanchigai (From right to left, Three Dragons' weapons are on the table as Liu's clothes hang on the racks, flowing from the wind)
Guuguu naru hara no soko shika nai (Three Dragons walks with her arms in her pocket, being stoic)
Eriito no kaoiro touttara niramiai (Three Dragons and Liu's IS are covered in shadows)
Taimatsu no hi wo tada nomihoshitai (Liu stares in the night as it zooms closer to his face)
Kamitsukasero kamitsukasero! (A closeup of a speeding silver Porsche 911 on an empty road and IS flying in the sky that switches back-to-back every second)
Ishi wo kuichigiru (The IS booster ignites fuel before it bursts)
Kamitsukasero kamitsukasero! (Front closeup of a 911 traveling excess speed and IS expanding its wings)
Suna to tsuba wo haku (Scrap metal and blood littered the concrete)
Doa wo akero doa wo akero! (The IS dives down as the car drifts on a sharp right turn)
Gomi wa moyashi tsudzuketeru (A junkyard filled with worn out metal as Three Dragons' back is turned, showing off her tattoos)
Kamitsukasero kamitsukasero! (From the IS pilot's point of view, it's diving towards the light)
Makeinu wo kuruwashita wirusu (The driver gets out of the car, revealing to be Liu before he smirks)
Liu roamed everywhere to find a lead on Three Dragons' associates, or her exoskeletons stashed. For painstakingly two hours, his blood itched for a beatdown to vent his stress. The news did not give Liu sufficient information because unlike his former best friend that lays low, Liu had a problem adapting to it. Just as Liu was about to throw in the towel to head back, he heard an earshot of a dark-haired man mentioning Three Dragons on the phone. Liu thought he heard voices in his head, but it was an unmistakable sound of her name. The young man talked on the phone about keeping the IS safe until Three Dragons returned from her trip. Either luck came to Liu, or he had a penchant for eavesdropping on conversations.
Liu tailed Three Dragons' henchman at 30 ft as he followed him to his red Honda sports hatchback. Liu will not let this once in an opportunity slip past his fingers. Liu hid behind a dumpster while his opponent opened the driver door. Liu waited for the right time to catch him off guard. The moment the man started his engine, Liu sprang to life by kicking him to the passenger seat.
"Move over or I'll move you over," said Liu.
"Who the hell are you?" The goon yelped.
"You better tell me what Three Dragons is up to."
Liu floored it in the 20mph zone twice over the speed limit. The man was too petrified to fight back with Liu driving like he forgot driver's ed. All he could do was hold on to the door handle, praying that they didn't crash. But that was Liu's intention, driving like a madman. Approaching at a red-light intersection, Liu stomped the brakes, yanked the steering wheel hard to the side as the hatchback skidded sideways down the road.
"You drive like a fucking asshole!"
That caused them to slow down a bit, but Liu mashed the gas pedal and started speeding back up. A passing truck very nearly flattened them, but the hatchback accelerated just in time. Liu threaded the needle by driving past not one, but four cars.
"You're about to kill both of us," said the man. "Stop the car, stop the car!"
"Don't be shy, talk to me." Liu was totally calm.
Liu gambled at the next intersection, but the right of way car was too slow from the red-light runner and clipped the rear bumper. The sports hatchback fishtailed as it mowed down a crosswalk sign. Liu wrestled the steering wheel to straighten the car. Three Dragons' henchman yelled in sheer terror at the out-of-control dragon.
"I can't tell you shit if I'm dead!"
"Your time is running out."
Fueled by the henchman's doubt, Liu turned to the wrong side of the road, weaving oncoming traffic. They plowed right through a plethora of cars and were greeted by a rattle of honks. They were one tiny misstep away from getting into a pileup, but Liu did not look the least bit afraid.
If anything, he seemed to be enjoying himself.
"You barely missed that car!"
"Talk or this will go bad for you."
If speeding cannot make Three Dragons' goon surrender, then being more reckless could do the trick. They dodged more traffic and parked cars dangerously close to each other. Liu upped the danger by snaking around buses and large trucks in a slalom fashion.
"Fine! Fuck it! Kill me! What do I care?"
"This only ends one way," Liu warned. "Now give it up, cocksucker!"
Liu aimed at the cargo truck with his foot pinned in a brazen attempt to hit top speed. The henchman turned to Liu like he encountered the devil in the flesh. Try as he could to bluff, Liu was almost dead serious of turning into a huge crash. He sweated bullets, waving his hands manically. The pathetic man pissed his pants at the thought of getting creamed, and eventually, he cracked.
"Three Dragons stashed two IS at her safehouse 40 clicks north," said the man. "Here's the address. I swear it's the truth!"
Liu stopped the car in time, jolting his passenger before his forehead smacked on the dashboard. The hell ride was over, though Liu had other plans for the soiled man.
"Find a new line of work," said Liu, pushing him out. "Next time I see you, it's your ass on the ground."
Three Dragons' man nodded his head frantically before he ran away. Liu typed the address to the GPS and sets the destination. Liu believed that he made more progress than Chifuyu sitting behind her desk doing nothing. Liu was not the one to wait for results. He would rather get them directly to keep him on track. Liu did not care about the damage he had done to the car since it was not his. The address led him to a bustling downtown district with people going through their businesses.
Liu parked the car at the parking garage to make his way to Three Dragons' safehouse. Liu stared at his former best friend's stash house, giving her credit for not sticking out like a sore thumb. Unlike some bad guys that get drunk over money and splurged expensive items that attracts heat. Liu looked up and down for mooks guarding the house. No one in sight, Liu reached under the carpet to find a key.
You never leave a key under the carpet. Didn't your elders teach you that?
Liu shook his head as he opened the door. He scanned the modest living room and kitchen. There was nothing that was said expensive, and Liu went upstairs to the room. Liu was not scared of bobby traps or surveillance systems because he knows that Three Dragons does not shit where she eats. Her safe house was temporary, where she could rent anywhere to do business. The dragon rummaged through desk drawers and shelves. Like last time, the room had nothing of interest, angering Liu.
He went to the garage, hoping to find something related to IS. Liu frowned in displeasure that it had nothing but useless boxes full of crap. Liu kicked it until he found his IS in default setting form. It was undeniable proof of the exoskeleton sitting in full view that was rightfully his. Liu took a deep breath to see how to fit. Liu has no experience piloting an exoskeleton, so he touched from top to bottom. Again, nothing happened. Liu contemplated hopping in to sort it out, but he knew better than flying out of control. Liu tapped the chest before it engulfed in a bright light. The whiteout lasted briefly before it took the form of a wrist bead in his right wrist.
Liu was shocked of how one touch manifested into closed form, recognizing the rightful owner. Tabani kept true to her words, but it was hardly worth praising because her dubious nature made her untrustworthy.
"I'm not done yet," Liu muttered. "Let's see what else I can get."
Liu returned to the first room to sweep thoroughly. He flipped through several books and binders. They were nothing but useless gang activities showing off. So much for keeping a low profile. Liu turned on the computer, but it was nothing of interest. Liu found a green notebook squeezed between two thick photobooks. Liu opened the notebook to find Three Dragons' markets and clienteles to sell his IS through backdoor dealings.
Liu highlighted important figures and locations for him and Chifuyu to hit. Every operation has a weakness, where they will draw Three Dragons out by hurting her income. Liu did not use his sidearm, which was a blessing. If he can wrap up his raid, it'll be a story worth telling for Chifuyu. Or even show her that his style is preferable to being subtle behind closed doors.
Liu was about to leave until he heard a metallic click behind his head. Liu recognized the sound too familiar of a hammer cocked ready to blow his head off. The suppressor jammed the back of his head. Rather than risking a gunfight, Liu did not reach his P2000. Even if he fought back, he would lose. Instead, Liu stood still to admit defeat.
"You let him break into my house?" Three Dragons keelhauled her henchman, the same one he was interrogated by Liu.
"Look," said the man, sweating bullets. "I brought the intruder to you, isn't that what you want?"
Three Dragons clicked her tongue in annoyance for his repeated failures. "I paid you to guard my house, not invite unwanted guests. You were careless and can't be trusted, I'm done with you."
"No, wait-!"
Three Dragons shot her useless mook in the head. Liu flinched at the sound of a body dropped to the hardwood floor. His heart rate spiked, fearing that he would be next.
"Well!" Three Dragons said pointing her Browning BDA at Liu. "I can't help but think either you made my man talk through force or he did not know how to shut his big mouth."
"Why don't you ask him?" Liu snarked. "He should be alive still. Oh, wait, his brain is on the floor. A dead man can't say a word."
Three Dragons chuckled at the dragon. "Your smart mouth has never changed, Liu. That's what I like about you."
Liu had no idea what Three Dragons was talking about, other than gloating about her victory.
"Look at me," said Three Dragons.
Liu turned around. "You're going to drop me or talking my ear out?"
Three Dragons smirked. "Want a smoke?"
Liu shook his head. "I rather drink than being with you."
"Don't be so uptight," Three Dragons smoked her cigarette, holstering her suppressed pistol. "I want to salvage our ruined friendship."
Liu tightened his fist at her mockery. "Friendship my ass for leaving me to die. I ought to kill you right here, right now."
Three Dragons took a deep breath of air. "Relax, I don't want to fight. How about you return the property you stole from me, and I'll let you walk away."
"You mean my IS that you snatched from me? Pry it over my dead hands."
Three Dragons took a drag from her cigarette. "I knew you would say something like that."
"What are you going on about?"
"You made two extraordinary sacrifices to stop me. One was teaming up with Brunhilde. The other...you made that decision of your own accord."
"Give me your bribe money while you're at it digging my background and Chifuyu. I could find something out of you."
"You're a damn hero, you know that Liu?"
"Eavesdropper is better than being a hero killing those that they love. I can't say the same for you trying too hard to be a pilot."
Three Dragons tossed her cigarette away, taking one step away from Liu. "I must make sacrifices. That's why when I asked you for one request to not make it public, I hope you understand…it's not personal."
Three Dragons' lecture was to made Liu drop his guard to make him an easy kill. Liu won't fall for that as he and Three Dragons quickly draw their pistols, aiming at each other. Suddenly, a gigantic blade pointed at Three Dragons' left cheek. She tried to resist, only for the katana to claw her cheekbone. Three Dragons winced from the tip of the katana threatening to pierce her skin, and she turned around to see Chifuyu in the flesh. Her face was in kill-mode, frightening both Three Dragons and Liu.
"Shit," Three Dragons cursed under her breath. "How unlucky…"
"Let go of Liu, or your head rolls."
Three Dragons was smart enough not to challenge a fearsome opponent like the Brunhilde. Three Dragons tossed her pistol away in frustration with her hands above her head.
"Go ahead and kill me," Three Dragons snarled. "The Brunhilde saves the day from evildoers, and everyone lives happily after."
"I won't," Chifuyu replied. "We're just getting started with our pleasantries. Killing you won't make a difference when you'll be replaced by another scum."
"You have no idea who you're fucking with."
"I just did."
To make her point, Chifuyu sliced Three Dragons' cheek at inhumane speed. Three Dragons' eyes widened in shock witnessing Chifuyu's raw strength, leaving her a superficial scar. Three Dragons touched her papercut wound to see blood on her fingertip. Anger boiled as if she wanted to curse her.
"This is a message to you and your idiots serving under your umbrella. I will tear your little empire piece by piece until you're left hanging in the wind."
Without a word, Liu followed Chifuyu to the exit, leaving Three Dragons gritting her teeth. She was humiliated by the Brunhilde. Because Liu and Three Dragons had not used their exoskeletons, they could not use full power.
"I will kill you if it's the last thing I do!" Three Dragons shouted. "I'll kill your dense brother first, then I'm coming after you."
Chifuyu ignored Three Dragons' tantrum as she walked and gave Liu the riot act. "I swear, you need to get your shit together!"
Chifuyu punched Liu in the gut, making him fall to his knee. "Is this a thank you I get for doing my part?"
"By diving headfirst into the lion's den? You're insane!"
"Let me do the heavy lifting while you sit behind me like a slacker you are."
Chifuyu won't be insulted by Liu again, and she slammed Liu to the wall, grabbing his collar.
"You left a trail with your fingerprints by carjacking, creating traffic accidents and breaking into Three Dragons' house. What accomplishments did you get out of that? Give me a reason of not turning your sorry ass in!"
Chifuyu strangled Liu in anger for his recklessness like he broke her contract. Liu was not afraid of Chifuyu's bark because he faced way worse than her.
"…Flip me over, you'll fail to bring Three Dragons down when I got her list of clienteles and bidders to sell my IS."
Chifuyu let go of Liu. "You what?"
"Not to mention, I just activated my IS that's on my right wrist. That's right, I'm a male pilot yet to use the weapon."
Chifuyu looked away in disgust. "Tabane kept true to her words. Don't think you redeemed yourself. In fact, you backpedaled with your stupidity. I'll overlook this because you provided me something on Three Dragons."
"How about it, Chifuyu? Train me how to use an IS."
"This was not supposed to happen, but you leave me with no choice."
Chifuyu hated the outcome, but it was better to have Liu alive than dead with valuable intel. The Brunhilde begrudgingly teaches Liu to pilot IS to accomplish their goal. Chifuyu dropped Liu to his apartment before she went to the Academy.
Two IS engaged in a sparring session with Rin firing her Ryuhou at Ichika. He dodged the compressed air bullets to counterattack with his Yukihara. Rin used her Souten Gagetsu to block the horizontal strike. The fight continued with Rin letting a barrage of fire. Not once has Rin's firepower hit Ichika, much to her irritation.
Ichika aimed his particle cannon to fire back. Rin frantically dodged from being shot at before she raised her scimitars for an overhead strike. Ichika's particle cannon landed a direct hit, and Rin recoiled.
"I can do this!" said Ichika.
Rin pulled herself together from wiping out, and she went full speed at her foe. They squared off, flying from corner to corner in many directions. Rin and Ichika traded blows; neither gave up.
"The first practical training of the 2nd semester," said Maya. "These two seem very enthusiastic."
"Yeah," said Chifuyu sarcastically.
"Once again Ichika is the dominant one in this battle."
"No, Maya, that idiot has no strategy, and he is being too reckless."
Rin and Ichika breathed heavily, ready to attack again. Ichika, in kamae stance was ready to strike. "Rin, the next one will end it."
He charged at Rin, which she struck back. He attacked her with full power as sparks flied from his sword. However, his energy shield depleted to 0, which made his Yukihara out of power, and Ichika could not comprehend. Rin threw her scimitars that struck his shoulders.
"You're using your shield too much!" said Rin, aiming her Impact Cannons at Ichika, and shot him.
Locker Room
"I was so close to winning," said Ichika. "I guess I need to work on fuel consumption..."
Ichika watched his battle footages, thinking how the sweet taste of victory slipped from his hands. Ichika's pride did not accept losses and embarrassments because he lost to Rin over his basic mistake.
He was about to leave until a pair of hands covered his eyes.
"Guess who~!" said a female voice.
The voice sounded more mature than the rest of his classmates, but her cheeky tone was like a kid that likes pranks. The fingers were cold and delicate, yet comfortable that could put Ichika in a trance.
"Ahhh! Who the heck is that?"
"Times up!"
He turned around and saw a girl with short blue hair and red eyes.
Ichika questioned the girl he had never seen before. "Umm, who are you?"
The girl wore a yellow tie that she is in her second year. Her enigmatic smile was hard to read. Ichika could not understand her carefree persona when she grinned and walked away.
"Goodbye! You'll be in trouble if you don't show up in Orimura-sensei's class on time!"
Ichika saw the clock, it's already past lesson time. Ichika quickly got dressed to make a mad dash to class. Unfortunately, Ichika did not arrive to Chifuyu's class on time with her arms folded.
"So...is that your excuse for being late?" Chifuyu questioned.
Ichika made an excuse to Chifuyu, clearly not in a mood. "Well, so basically, this unknown female student, and she-"
Chifuyu had enough hearing Ichika's excuse. "Your reason of being late is because you prioritized a conversation with some girl you had never met?"
"N-no, that's not it!"
Chifuyu reached her limit and turned to the French Representative.
"Dunois! Show the class the Rapid Switch."
"What?!" Ichika was bewildered at Charlotte obeying her orders. Charlotte was in Rafale Revive less than one second. Ichika couldn't comprehend the sudden change.
"C-Charlotte?"
"Is there something wrong? Let us begin!" Charlotte opened fire on Ichika as punishment for being late to class.
"AAAAAAHHHHH!"
School Assembly
Ichika was worn out from his punishment. Ichika could not blame Chifuyu for being late, yet suffering at the hands of Charlotte was the worst.
Students gathered as the intercom voiced over the hall. "Ladies and gentlemen of the IS Academy, please standby for an address from your student council."
The blue-haired girl walked towards the stage to make her announcement. "Well! Things have been hectic this year, so I haven't been able to properly introduce myself yet. I'm Tatenashi Sarashiki, the head of all students."
Ichika's eyes widened when Tatenashi winked at him.
"So, as the school festival coming up this month, I wish you all good luck, deciding what you want to do as a class." She folded her fan that says, "Deadline Coming Soon."
The students chatted about ideas they wanted for the school festival. After debating back and forth, Maya chose four ideas on the board, which were:
1. Ichika Orimura's Host Club
2. Twister with Ichika Orimura
3. Pocky Play with Ichika Orimura
4. The King Game with Ichika Orimura
Ichika looked at the ideas, which he clearly does not like. "All the suggestions for our class entertainment are...rejected!"
"WHAT!?" The students roared in unison.
"Did you guys drop your head for these ridiculous ideas?" Ichika protested. "Who would want to do stuff like that anyway?"
"I would! I'm sure I would!" said Honne.
"W-what?!"
"She's right! It's your duty to please us!" Yuzu replied.
"But-but..."
"Ichika is our common property!" replied Sayuka.
The classmates agreed with the comments, demanded Ichika to overturn his rejection. Ichika stammered, looking at Maya for suggestions.
"Miss Yamada, you can't be serious to approve these outrageous ideas, would you?"
Maya laughed sheepishly. "Well...I'd like the one with the Pocky. I wanted to see you eat Pocky."
Ichika almost snapped, but he knew better to not get in trouble again. Ichika sighed, turning to his classmates to salvage the sinking ship.
"What I mean is I need something more normal."
"How about maid cafe?" Laura suggested.
The classmates listened to the German's proposal.
"I'm sure it's going to be received well. Besides, an eatery will let you earn back the money you spend on it."
Charlotte thought for a while and agreed to the proposal. "Good idea. Why don't we have Ichika to be either a butler or a chef?"
"Ichika? As a butler? That sounds great!" Shizune replied.
Ichika's jaws dropped in aghast because his ray of hope shattered into pieces. Ichika's idea of normal was pin the donkey's tail or archery contest. Although it'll be dropped for being bland and uncreative. The classmates chanted for maid café with burst of energy as they blabbed about contributions.
"It's decided we'll have the maid cafe!" said Honne.
The classmates clapped, and Ichika sighed.
Ichika reluctantly turned in Class 1-1's maid café proposal to the principal's office. Ichika nearly forgot that he has additional training at four at the arena. Ichika made his way to the locker room to change, but Tatenashi blocked the entrance with her fan.
"Yo!"
"President? Can you please move? I have training to do."
"No can do," Tatenashi replied. "You can drop the formalities. I prefer that you call me Tatenashi. From now on, I'm your IS coach."
"I don't need another coach," said Ichika. "I have plenty of people teaching me."
"That's great and all, but have you made improvement, or are you still weak? To be honest, you hit your ceiling."
Ichika gritted his teeth at her harsh insult as if she pushed his buttons intentionally. Called out weak angered him but calling him out for hitting his ceiling or plateaued was another low blow. His pride would not let him sit down quietly.
"I'm not weak," Ichika snapped with a click of the tongue.
Tatenashi let out a haughty laugh. "Admit that you're weak. Oh, the mighty has hit his ceiling."
Ichika stomped the floor angrily to make his statement, but Tatenashi pointed her fan to his mouth.
"I will help you become stronger, so you won't stay weak forever."
"What makes you think you can make me your coach?" Ichika grumbled. "You'll have to beat me in a duel first. If I concede, I'll do whatever you ask."
Tatenashi cradled her head. "I accept your challenge."
The challengers were at the tatami gym wearing white judogi and navy blue hakama. Tatenashi laid out the rules. "Knock me to the ground once, you win. However, if you can't continue, then I win. Deal?"
"Tatenashi, you are underestimating me a lot."
The blue cat taunted. "Don't worry, the president will win."
Ichika's anger got the best of him as he got into defense stance. Aside from kendo, Ichika also learned judo to add to his close combat skills. Weapons or not, Ichika must know to how to defend himself with his limbs.
Tatenashi charged at Ichika with great speed. He slid his left foot to grab Tatenashi's arms.
"Too slow!" Tatenashi used his momentum against him, tossing Ichika over her shoulders, and his back slammed to the tatami.
Tatenashi folded her arms proudly, mimicking Liquid Ocelot. "Ichika!"
Ichika got up to his feet, not shaken from her counter throw.
I can't let Tatenashi beat me, Chifuyu-nee will not forgive me. I must prove them wrong.
Tatenashi anticipated his next move as they eyeballed their body movements. The blue boy went for one arm shoulder throw. Ichika held her right arm, stepping forward and turned inward. Ichika tried to break her balance, but Tatenashi broke free, grabbed his left heel and arm, throwing him backwards.
"Win number two for me."
Ichika was not down for the count because he still has plenty of fuel. Tatenashi acknowledged his persistency, but how long can he keep up? Two of his attacks failed to throw her out. Ichika shook his head in displeasure at the thought of losing.
"Give it up!" Tatenashi tilted her head.
"I'm not throwing in the towel."
Ichika grabbed her sleeve collar grip, stepping forward diagonally to place her weight on the foot to reap to deliver minor outer hook. Ichika believed he secured his victory, but Tatenashi smirked by planting her foot low on his waist and rolling her back with Ichika above her. Once again, Tatenashi broke his momentum the third time, and Ichika landed on his back, hard.
"Ichika, the title of student council president means one certain thing. It means that the head of all students is the strongest of all! Get it?"
Ichika breathed hard with sweat rolling down his face while Tatenashi did not.
"I've won three times," Tatenashi said. "Are you sure you want to continue?"
"It will take more than that to tap me out," Ichika muttered.
"Boys that are hardworking are awesome just like you and Raiden."
"Save the compliments for last when I defeat you," Ichika replied, taking a deep breath. "Here I come!"
Ichika hastened to grab her sleeve collar to execute side body drop. Instead, the way his hands were positioned ended up exposing her breasts.
"…"
Her bare upper body was in front of his eyes with her bra flung to the ground.
Tatenashi covered her breasts. "AAH! Ichika, you pervert!"
Ichika landed himself in hot water, stiff frozen from his actions. Try as he could to throw excuses, it was his fault regardless.
"Ichika-kun…!"
"Urgh!" Ichika feared for the worst.
Tatenashi began loudly popping her knuckles. "A girl in her underwear would cost you a lot!"
"AAAAAHHHH!"
Ichika earned himself a knuckle drop by the wrathful student council president.
Meanwhile, Laura searched for her husband to no end. Laura frowned because she suspected that Ichika was not being faithful.
"Where did Ichika go?" Laura asked herself. "He could not have gone that far."
Laura stopped to reflect on her actions, fearing that Ichika avoided her. To her, it's nonsense before she looked in the mirror. Laura became more conscious of her appearance when she freaked out over bed hair. Laura feared Ichika ignoring her for negligence on looking feminine. The German bought a stack of fashion magazines, courtesy of Clarissa so she does not feel out of place. Laura looked intently at a sexy black lingerie on sale.
"Oh? When did you start caring about looking pretty?" Chifuyu asked, smiling. "How bold of you picking black."
"Instructor! It's not what you think! I'm just interested of how they look-!"
"That's Orimura-sensei to you," said Chifuyu, tapping Laura's head with her clipboard.
"Sorry, Orimura-sensei."
"Are you looking for my kid brother? He was last seen at the arena."
"What is he doing at the arena?"
"I haven't the slightest idea."
Laura thought of pursuing Ichika, but this time, she retreated to her room to study fashion and girls product.
Ichika walked at the plain hills with the sun shining. He covered his forehead against the sunlight, wondering if it was a dream or not. Regardless, it did not matter when Ichika saw a familiar woman in her IS. It's the same figure he encountered from his previous dream. Ichika approached cautiously as he did not want another episode. The pilot turned around with her sword in her left hand. Ichika tried to draw his Yukihara, but she was too fast, and sliced his torso. Ichika saw his legs stand briefly before they fell as the darkness closed in.
Why does it always happen to me?
"Ichika? Ichika?" Charlotte raised her voice repeatedly. "Ichika!" Charlotte shouted. Her hand grasped the male pilot's wrist.
Ichika shook his head, turning attention as he forced himself a smile. "Sorry about that, Charlotte."
Charlotte groaned at Ichika's sudden lapse of attention. "Jeezus! You're sweating like you finished a triathlon. Are you okay?"
Ichika paused momentarily. "I had a dream of a pilot that looked like Chifuyu. I know that's not her, it's like a manifestation of evil thoughts messing me to look weak…I'm sorry. I can't describe the rest; it all ends up coming out sort of abstract."
Ichika could not think of a way to succinctly sum up who he'd been, and he cursed his inability to elaborate properly.
"I'm here for you," Charlotte said, gripping his shoulder. "After all, the world does not want the first male pilot looking like a defeated champion."
Cecilia hugged Ichika from behind, worried for his wellbeing. "Don't scare me like that! I thought you were thinking deeply until I saw you sweating."
"It's all right," Ichika replied. "It won't happen ever again."
"If you need first aid, I can treat you."
The Brit showed off her medical supplies proudly.
"Can you blame me for giving all my effort?" Cecilia sensed Ichika's confusion and laughed. "I was better than dead weight for decades, so I must catch up. After all…"
"Hmm?"
Cecilia answered Ichika's question with a smile. "How can I be your partner if I don't improve?"
This was the role Cecilia wanted to maintain-his partner. Her skills were still lacking in some areas, but she was on the right track. The trio were at the arena warming up for Ichika's training. The sunset had a colorful orange sky. Before they had the chance to begin, Tatenashi showed up at the last minute.
"Tatenashi?" Charlotte asked.
"I thought you were training Raiden," said Cecilia.
"Ichika-kun is my personal trainer," Tatenashi declared proudly. "So, we will have to get to know each other. Nice to meet you."
Cecilia gave Ichika a suspicious frown. "Ichika-san! What's the meaning of this?"
"We had a little match…and this was the result of losing to her."
There was a dark gloom in Ichika's eyes that the girls had never seen before.
"Don't get the wrong idea of me taking Ichika away from you," Tatenashi replied. "I'm doing this for Ichika's sake to be stronger. There is something I need your help with."
"You need our…"
"Help?"
Cecilia and Charlotte scratched their heads in confusion as Tatenashi closed her fan. "Time is running out, so let's get started. Charlotte-chan, Cecilia-chan, begin the shooter flow to spin around in a circle rondo formation for him to see."
"Would watching shooting-style be helpful to Ichika?" Cecilia questioned.
Ichika sighed, unsure if watching would help him. Both realized it, and Ichika was the only one who got left aside.
"Is it because his Second Shift has a long-ranged attack?" Charlotte asked.
"You catch on quick, but that's not all," Tatenashi replied. "At a shootout, control is important. A particle cannon is a hybrid of sniper rifle and pistol that can kill with one shot. Ichika is not good with shooting."
"So, he always…"
"Defeat his opponents at close range," Cecilia finished.
Tatenashi winked at the Brit. "You're on point."
The conversation was over, and Cecilia and Charlotte rose to the sky with Ichika and Tatenashi on the stands.
"Please watch Charlotte-chan and Cecilia-chan."
Revive Customs II and Blue Tears spun in circles. They did not move close to each other while they kept the tempo. Cecilia and Charlotte raised their weapons and fired while they continued their circle formation.
Ichika watched in amazement. "This is…"
"Aerial combat 101. The pilot must shoot and control their airframes simultaneously. Also, the pilot must pay attention to both targeting and evading. Do you understand?"
Tatenashi blew Ichika in the ear seductively, making the blue boy leap out of his seat. Cecilia and Charlotte should have focused on their training. Instead, the girls were distracted by Tatenashi on their channels.
"Ichika!?" Charlotte cried.
"I can't believe it!" Cecilia yelped.
It took one error for them to crash mid-air and fall to the ground. Thankfully, the girls weren't seriously hurt thanks to the energy shields absorbing the impact.
"Are you okay?" Ichika asked.
"Show me what you got, Ichika," said Tatenashi, unfazed at the accident.
Ichika materialized Byakushiki, standing face to face at Cecilia.
"Good grief!" said Cecilia. "Let's do this!"
Once they got in circle rondo formation, Tatenashi ordered Ichika to shoot. Easier said than done with Ichika struggling to aim. His shots missed by a mile length, hitting the protective walls. Cecilia delivered a one-shot knockout at Ichika, and down he goes.
"Ichika, are you okay?" Cecilia grabbed his arms.
Ichika caught his breath. "I'm fine, let's continue."
"I don't agree, but since you insist…"
Tatenashi agreed. "You heard Ichika, start over!"
Charlotte observed Ichika once again not hitting his marks. She wondered if Tatenashi did this to improve his marksmanship skills.
"You did this because long-distance was included to Byakushiki?" Charlotte pondered.
"That's right," Tatenashi replied. "The crucial factor of determining shooting skills is the ability to destroy armor, correct? Ichika's particle cannon is like a sniper rifle. One shot, one kill destroys armor, but it's obvious how poor Ichika's marksmanship skills are, so…"
"You make him fight close-range."
"Bingo," Tatenashi replied. "You're on fire, Charlotte!"
"Can you explain Raiden's ion blasters? Are they the opposite?"
"Correct. Raiden's ion blasters can fire like an assault rifle. He's good at ground warfare, but terrible at aerial combat. Ichika and Cecilia have the advantage over him."
Ichika lost control of his airframe the second time, and he crashed headfirst into the wall. This was just the beginning when Tatenashi trained Ichika personally. Ichika spun around the red sphere to practice circle rondo formation.
"Correct your center of gravity," Tatenashi said.
I see you wield to a person older than you, don't you?
Houki's remark made Ichika lose focus. Frustrated with his losing streak, Ichika picked up speed and used Ignition Boost to prove her wrong. Ichika shifted to a straight-line maneuver from the circular orbit of his shooter flow to break his target with his particle cannon. Ichika found his groove momentarily, but he suspended shooter flow, and flopped.
The training was over, and Ichika went to the public bath to cool off. Ichika was so worn out that he didn't have the energy to tell Tatenashi he was not interested bathing with her. The blue cat, on the other hand, basked in the warm water.
"Aaahhh…" Tatenashi declared. "This is a real bath!"
Raiden folded his arms, annoyed by Tatenashi enjoying herself too loud because he had to guard the bath. Raiden felt that he did not get his fair share of the work he did. Raiden wanted to join, but he did not out of respect for the student council president.
"Ichika, do something about her," Raiden said.
Ichika muttered, "…Sorry, I can't do anything about it."
Tatenashi stood proudly, showing off her naked body. "Hey now, I like you being diligent but take a break for once."
"I'll wait when you two are done, that I can."
"You're too stiff. Looks like Houki is joining in."
Houki had her towel around her breasts, glaring at Tatenashi. Apparently, it's supposed to be girls only, but Tatenashi invited Ichika for the hell of it. Either Tatenashi annoyed Houki deliberately or she was being herself.
"Tatenashi," Houki said dispassionately. "I'm only here to monitor you so don't get funny ideas with Ichika and Raiden."
Houki dipped her right toe into the bath. "I don't forget my…responsibilities."
The soothing water turned Houki from rigid to relax the moment she submerged. Houki saw Ichika staring at the ceiling while she blew bubbles. Houki was exhausted to the point where she couldn't resist. The fox hoped that both Ichika and Tatenashi would behave.
At a scrapyard, Chifuyu stood in front of Liu for his IS training. Given the stakes in hand, Chifuyu won't go soft on the dragon.
"Partial deploy your IS," said Chifuyu.
Liu extended his right arm, but it didn't do anything, except a small gust of wind. Chifuyu knew it was bound to happen, so she tried a different approach.
"Imagine drawing your weapon to kill Three Dragons in sight."
Liu's imagined Three Dragons with her arrogant smug, looking down at him. Using hate to fuel his drive, Liu tried again, and this time, he materialized Heavenly Emperor with bits of obsidian black and midnight purple metal. Liu gave it a few swings to get a feel for it. Then he tightened his grip to slice downwards, unintentionally releasing a large crescent blade. Liu was amazed by the power while Chifuyu remained stoic.
"Finish the rest."
Putting his mind again, a light emerged from his body before he was in his exoskeleton. The power surged through his mind and body, feeling like superhuman. Liu swung horizontally, destroying a small scrap of junk. Chifuyu let him play around to get the idea of what Infinite Stratos is. Liu leaped off the ground to see how far he jumped. To his amazement, Liu's distance was twice the average human. Next, Liu dashed to the excavator at tremendous speed.
"This can't be real," Liu said to Chifuyu. "An Infinite Stratos is that powerful. Yet only women can use it? Your brother proved them wrong."
Chifuyu did not tell her little brother's backstory as it's not his business to know. Liu levitated, but he accidentally activated his thrusters when he wanted to go higher. Liu lost control, and he crashed into the excavator. The metal jarring crunch was loud and painful, but the energy shield protected Liu from physical damage. It was like a baseball bat whacking his chest, leaving him out of breath.
"That hurt!" Liu groaned.
Chifuyu sighed at the mishap Liu caused. Luckily for them, the scrapyard was abandoned decades ago, so they won't disturb nearby residents. Chifuyu noted that while Liu was a natural brawler, he lacks the fundamentals of Infinite Stratos.
At Akabeko, Liu finished his lunch as he paid for his tabs. Liu likes sukiyaki beef the most, and he planned to go back again next month or so. Liu noticed a group, but what caught his attention was a girl he knew. Rin saw him, and she widened her eyes in disbelief.
"Ah! Liu? You used to eat at my family restaurant!"
"Never though I see you, Lingyin Huang. Better known as Rin. You're friends with Ichika, am I right?"
"I don't think we met before," said Ichika.
"We went to the same middle school," Liu replied. "I did not stand out so much, unlike you and Rin."
"What brings you here? You went off the radar for over a year."
"It'll be too long if I told you the story. I'll make it short. I had to help my family business to stay afloat. It seems that you four are students from Chifuyu's Academy."
"Yes, we are," said Houki.
Liu looked at his watch. "Aren't you supposed to be in school, not playing hooky?"
Realizing that Chifuyu will grill them, they make a hastily retreat. Not before Rin turned around to her classmate.
"Where do you live?"
Liu tore up a piece of paper, writing something before he gave it to Rin. "That's the address to my apartment."
As Liu left, Rin became more curious of Liu appearing out of the blue. Little did she know that her classmate had something that would blow her mind. At sunset, Rin went to Liu's apartment, which was not too far from the Academy. Rin knocked the door, and Liu said, "Go inside."
Liu unlocked the door electronically, and Rin entered his apartment. The dragon's residence was plain, considering that he can't attract heat like last time. Rin went to his room, and to her surprise, she saw his back covered in tattoos in the form of Acala. The enflamed wide eyes and facial grimace exposing teeth pierced Rin's chest as if the deity manifested. Rin saw Liu's tattoos before from his skirmish with Raiden at the arena. At first, Rin thought Liu was embellishing his affiliation with Righteousness Union. Even after he told the truth, Rin found it hard to believe.
Rin choked from her words. "No way, this can't be…"
"I am Righteousness Union, Rin. These tattoos say it all."
"I thought you were not serious to scare us."
"Take a good look at me, and let it burn in your head."
Seeing the present Liu in the flesh embedded in her memory, unlike the quiet kid he used to be in the past. Rin did not dare to touch his flesh because she got the hint that Liu is not a pretender. She did not back away, nor did she run.
"Liu," said Rin. "Out of all the choices offered for you, why did you become a gangster?"
"I could have cut my ties with them, but what is the cost if I don't have anyone taking care of me? Or worse, killing me for not being grateful for their hospitality?"
"You had many chances to break the cycle and live an honest life!"
"It's complicated if I tell you."
"What do you mean?"
"I spent time with the wrong crowd, went too deep to get out. No, I'm not romanticizing my lifestyle. In truth, I wish my parents weren't mobsters."
Rin frowned at the dragon. "I can't call you a bad guy or a good guy. You stand between black and white. Please tell me who you really are. I can't accept you like this!"
"You see Righteousness Union as an organized crime, which is correct. To me, Righteousness Union is my family that took me in when I had nowhere to go."
Liu pointed to a picture of a younger version of him and his parents. Rin opened a photobook showing several pictures of Liu's parents and their cohorts. Liu appeared in some pictures, which Rin found heartwarming, yet disturbing with his criminal background.
"What happened to your parents?"
"Shot by a rival faction to settle a housing dispute."
Rin did not dare to ask for details, fearing that Liu would turn her away. Rin could not believe at her classmate turned into a Triad. Liu did not join out of fear from bullies, he joined because it ran in his family. Like Liu had no other choice, he could not turn his back on them. Liu fell in love with Rin when they were in middle school. However, Liu was too much of a chicken, and Ichika beat her to it when he protected her from bullies.
"Rin, why did your restaurant close?"
Rin looked down. "My parents divorced, and I was chosen to be China's Representative."
"What a shame. This is what I get for my unrequited love."
Rin tilted her head. "Are you in love with me?"
"I still do," Liu lamented. "But it'll be harder because we have different backgrounds. I'm not talking about Romeo and Juliet."
Rin saw Liu's sadness in his eyes of losing his chance to confess. She could not blame his upbringing that molded him, yet Rin wished that bad guys did not raise Liu.
Liu exhaled. "Go on, continue your friendship with Ichika and the others. You do not want me in your circle."
"No," Rin replied. "Your status doesn't define who you really are."
Liu looked at her unkempt. "Did you not hear what I just said?"
"I get that you are a crook, but that does not really define who you are. Gangster or not, you're still a friend to me."
"A gangster and China's Representative at this room. I never thought that I live to see the day."
"Remember when you helped me and Ichika for the math finals?"
"What about it?"
"My classmates treated us like we didn't exist!"
Rin started to get slightly emotional, relieving her memories she did not enjoy. Her ethnicity marked her a target for bullying.
"If it weren't for you, I don't know how I would keep up with school that failed to stop bullies."
"Ichika drove them out before. Did they not learn their lesson?"
"They kept harassing me because of Ichika. You, on the other hand, not only fought them, but you talked back at their parents when they accused you of being the bully."
"Oh yeah, their parents complained to my mom and dad for raising a bad kid. My parents smacked them instead for talking shit."
Liu felt it was badass for his parents confronting their problem directly, not running away. He relieved the happier times of him and his friends doing 'errands' for Righteousness Union every time they get off school. Liu never neglected his schoolwork while he earned pocket money for Righteousness Union. Liu stopped to not get the wrong idea for Rin. They gathered in the living room, paying respects to his deceased parents with incenses.
"Sorry for the loss," Rin offered condolences. "They raised you right to be a fine young man."
"It is what it is," Liu replied. "I can't go back to change the past, but I can start fresh with a clean slate."
Liu was firm to solve his resolve by trying again to rekindle his friendship with Rin. She sees his sincerity as genuine, and the representative pilot agreed to try again. Liu was given a second chance to make things right by not backing down like last time. He took a deep breath, and stared Rin in the eye.
"I'm Liu King-sang, will you be my friend?"
Rin shook hands. "Lingyin Huang. You may call me Rin."
Liu could no longer hide his smile at Rin grinning at his expression. Darkness washed away his heart, making Liu feel refreshed. He thought it would be the end of it, but all it took was not to run away. Liu and Rin relaxed on the couch as the former told the rest of his story. Rin slowly grabbed his rough hand before she held them tightly.
An introduction to Tatenashi Sarashiki, the head of all students at the Academy. As said before, Liu can't attend the Academy due to his background. He will receive training from Chifuyu like she did to Laura. Liu will have to learn the basics of Infinite Stratos if he wants to keep up. Who knows what Three Dragons will do next.