Three Dragons did pull-ups across her forest green IS as a reminder that Chifuyu and Liu are her enemies. The small scar was a wake-up call for Three Dragons that it's not a game. Her headphones played Alright by Nardo Wick to get motivated. Three Dragons will not lose to Chifuyu again while her cohorts typed away on their holographic tablets. Three Dragons should have killed Liu on the spot if it weren't for her pointless gloating. She landed after three sets of 13 reps, working up a sweat.
Three Dragons gestured at her assistant. "How's my IS coming along?"
"We just finished downloading the data," said the assistant. "Reports show that there's no signs of bugs."
"Good, hand me the weighted vest."
The man tossed her the weighted vest before Three Dragons wore it to increase her upper body strength. Three Dragons thought of many ways killing Chifuyu because she will go down first before saving Liu for last.
"Show Three Dragons the preset armaments, she needs to know what it has before she gets in."
"First shift has full-auto pistol, Active Inertia Canceller, vibro-blade, turret mount particle beam, and radar."
"Is there One-Off Ability?"
"Nope, but once Three Dragons gained combat experience, then she will earn it."
"Should we thank Tabane for letting Three Dragons off Chifuyu's two promising students?"
"Three Dragons would have done it from the beginning, even without Tabane's intervention. She wanted to be a pilot, so she did what's right for her."
"Who will fight Three Dragons? Mondo Grosso is out of the question, although we could find underground matches. It's a great way for her to be familiar with IS."
It may have sounded like a gathering of fans worshipping Three Dragons, but that wasn't it. They were a dedicated support team Three Dragons created to train her to become a pilot and keep her airframe error free. Because Liu reclaimed Alastor, Three Dragons had to take it seriously lest she becomes prey to her vengeful former friend and Chifuyu.
Three Dragons summed up the team's thoughts. "What I'm hearing is pick a fight either with Chifuyu's students or find any pilot to make bones."
She gave the others a cheeky smile, then tilted her head slightly. "What are the names and abilities of their IS?"
"Houki Shinonono is Tabane's little sister," her assistant suggested. "Pilots Akatsubaki with high tech, defeated Charlotte with nothing but a training IS and her One-Off Ability, Kenran Buto lets her recover energy limitlessly."
Three Dragons' face went bright red. "I want to get my hands on Tabane's baby sister. There are so many things I want to do with her. The Orimura siblings will come out of their hiding holes by going after Houki. What else do you guys know about the gang?"
"Ichika Orimura and Raiden Hataru are male pilots with above average skills. I'd be careful with Raiden as he used to be Hitokiri for Phantom Task. I can't confirm whether he's still the same or washed out."
"I've heard of the silver lion that butchered his enemies. Hell, his name makes my spine shiver. How about their ISs?"
"No dice, it's encrypted."
Three Dragons crossed her arms. "Do whatever it takes to get the data, along with the rest. If you need to break some asshole's nose or throw them into the grinder, do it."
An unspoken agreement was reached, and the support team took their seats at the computer lab, typing on the keyboards to breach the Academy's firewalls. Three Dragons' henchmen and women left the facility to carry out her orders. The technicians fired up Three Dragons' IS, which she named Belial. Three Dragons went inside her exoskeleton, powering up the weapon with green HUDs. She felt more than ready to begin her training as she moved her fingers.
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)
School anniversary came full swinging with students exploring fun and games, food stands, and watching IS demonstrations by top performers. There were no fireworks since it's not a public event, but the excitement of students skyrocketed for entertainment and getting to know one another. Out of all the events, one stood out the most was Class 1-1 Maid Café starring Ichika and Raiden the butlers.
"No way! You get to have Orimura-kun and Raiden-kun serve you?"
"There's more, they are wearing a swallowed-tailed coat!"
"You get a picture with them if you are impressive enough to catch their attention!"
Class 1-1 students worked around the clock to be outstanding, notably Ichika. Because he was popular, Ichika served classmates left and right. Raiden was also popular as he shared Ichika's workload. Charlotte enjoyed being a host in her maid outfit she yearned for ever since she lost her chance from Café Cruise. Charlotte smiled nonstop greeting customers while Houki had a professional approach. Some say Houki can't look fragile, but Houki was sour at her boyfriend being "friendly" with the girls thanks to his charm.
Ichika saw Houki trying her best to be cheerful when she invited customers to their tables. Ichika deduced that Houki did not want the girls to snatch her beloved lion away. The fox snarled lowly every time Raiden answered customers' questions about the menu and services. Ichika felt moved watching maids hard at work thanks to his friend Dan that once said, 'Guys are turned on by girls in swimsuits, bloomers, and maids!'
Class 1-1 fired all cylinders, ranging from kitchen to crowd control to prevent stampedes. Chefs barked nonstop to fulfill customers' orders no matter what while the others tightened queuing the moment it multiplied.
Ichika's words spilled from his lips. "The money is coming in nicely, but is it worth having a long line in the morning?"
Nobody was supposed to have heard-but Raiden spoke up from behind him. "Your health is important over money."
"Raiden!?" Ichika looked in the direction the voice came from.
Raiden gripped Ichika's shoulder. "I did not mean to scare you, Ichika. I don't want to see you burned out from working too hard. You may take a break, that you may."
Ichika stared at him in confusion. "Are you sure? I don't want to look like I did the least contribution. I can keep going, Raiden."
Ichika respectfully declined to take a break when he had plenty of fuel in the tank. Raiden wanted him to slow down, but when he saw the steel resolve in his eyes, he smiled for not quitting.
"Hey, you, butler over there! Aren't you going to take me to my table?"
The rude comment came from Rin in a red cheongsam. Her frown was as unyielding as they came.
"Oro? Rin-dono? You look beautiful with your cheongsam and chignon."
Rin's eyes went wide. "Shut up! I'm doing a Chinese café for Class 2."
"If Liu was here to see you, he'll like it no doubt. Have you and Liu started dating?"
"D-don't say that in front of people!" Rin yelped.
"My apologies," Raiden replied. "Hiding your feelings won't do you good. Your emotions will leak from your heart, that it will."
"I mean, you say that, but…" Rin pursed her lips discontentedly. "Yes, we are dating. Liu and I have different backgrounds from him being a Triad. I accepted him of who he is, but I don't want a spotlight on me."
"Fair enough, that it is. But I'm sure Liu would want to be looked after by someone who knows him more than all of us here," Raiden said with a gentle look on his face.
"Hmm…"
Rin crossed her arms and let out a quiet grunt. "Easier said than done, but you're right. Liu is caught up with work, so he can't make it…never mind! Take me to my table!"
"As you wish, milady."
Once Rin took her seat, Raiden gave her the menu. "What would you like to order?"
"Hmm…what is 'Treat Your Butler' set?"
"Milady, that's an exclusive set for me and Ichika, that it is," said Raiden. "Simply put, the customer feeds the butler with Pocky sticks. Perhaps you would like our most popular green tea cake."
"Don't try to pull a fast one on me," Rin said, sounding utterly fed up.
"Not at all," Raiden asked Rin.
"I want the 'Treat Your Butler' set."
When the Butler Special kicked in, the name of the customer was announced by Charlotte with Raiden and Ichika in tow holding a tray of chocolate Pocky and a glass of iced tea.
"Thank you for the wait, milady."
Surrounded by ogling customers, Raiden and Ichika kept their cool while Rin's face turned bright red. Rin did not expect the Butler Special to be that over the top. The blue boy was not sure how they would proceed.
"""….."""
Instead, the trio sat in silence for a terribly long time. Rin fidgeted with her hands as she stared at the butlers. Ichika sat vacantly with an awkward smile plastered on his face.
"…"
"…"
After another long silence, Rin finally broke the ice. "I don't mind sitting between you and Raiden."
The customers took pictures of the supposedly intense scene like it came from a romantic comedy flick.
"Can you explain the set again?"
"You get to feed me and Ichika, that you do," Raiden replied.
"Come again?"
Ichika shook his head in vague annoyance. "This is why I didn't want you to order it."
"You don't have to do it if you don't want to," said Raiden.
"I mean, it'll be a waste for not using the set. Let me treat you and Raiden for once!"
Rin took some Pocky to feed Ichika first, followed by Raiden. The way the butlers eat elegantly made the girls fall in love, much to Houki's ire.
"I fed you, so now it's your turn."
Before Ichika and Raiden could return the favor, a serving tray stopped in front of Rin's face.
Houki reached her limit. "Milady, I'm sorry, but I'm afraid that's not part of our services."
Rin pouted, grumbling at Houki for ruining the moment. Houki let it slide one too many times letting Raiden off the hook. Feeding Rin drew the last straw for the fox. Rin ate her Pocky begrudgingly. She undoubtedly broke the Butler Service rules, which she thought was part of the service. Raiden chuckled the way Rin ate her snack cutely while Ichika smiled sheepishly.
"You eat like a chipmunk," said Ichika.
Rin spewed in disgust before she chugged iced tea. "Where the hell did that come from!?"
"Nothing, just the way you eat is adorable."
Rin froze up, unable to comprehend how to reply to Ichika's blunt compliment. Rin's cheek went bright red. Raiden thought it would be appropriate to put the cherry on the icing.
"I'm sure Liu has seen you eat like that."
"You idiot!" Rin shouted, chopping Raiden's head.
"ORO!?"
Raiden fell face first on the table with a steamy lump, and Ichika cringed from the karate chop. Ichika was glad for once to not be the butt monkey from her wrath before he grabbed a bag of ice for Raiden.
Rin pointed at Raiden and Ichika. "D-don't you ever tell Liu about this, or I will not be happy!"
"I hate to break it to you," Ichika replied with a bemused smile. "Aren't you supposed to help out your Chinese Café?"
Rin gave Ichika a cold glance from his position beside her. "I'll get you next time."
Raiden nursed his bruised head, thanking Ichika for the bag of ice. Raiden was not mad. In fact, he was happy at Rin being herself. While the café became busier thanks to word of mouth, the line stretched all the way to the corner. Houki slowly became one of the main attractions with her cool persona. She handled everything they threw at her and did not break under pressure.
Ichika was approached by a young woman with long orange hair and red-brawn eyes in a formal business suit. She introduced herself as Reiko Makigami. The woman appeared cordial at Ichika to the invisible eye. On the inside, she was despicable scum. Raiden heard Reiko's voice he was familiar with.
I've seen this woman before. Could this be her? If so, then how did she get in?
Ichika was unaware of the saleswoman's ill intention. Raiden approached them before he was in trouble.
"I'm sorry, miss, but there's a customer waiting for him," Raiden said.
Ichika bowed. "I have to get back to work now."
The saleswoman gripped her fist in annoyance not just at Ichika, but Raiden for ruining her scheme. Apparently, they have history back in Phantom Task days, but they don't see eye to eye. Raiden pretended to not know her, but now, it'll be Reiko making her next move.
Class 1-1 earned some down time for their hard work. Ichika and Raiden drank water, breathing in and out from the peak rush.
"Thanks, Raiden," said Ichika. "Salespeople were after me nonstop for trying out expanded equipment for my Byakushiki."
Raiden gave him a pointed look. "The saleswoman is not what you think she is. That woman is a scammer. You should take a break to explore the school. The rest of us can handle it from here, that we will."
Ichika got up from his seat before his right arm was forcibly grabbed by Cecilia.
"Ichika-san! I shall accompany you," said Cecilia.
Charlotte hugged his left arm in response to the Brit. "Hey, you don't get to hog him again!"
Having two girls by his sides made Ichika flutter. Ichika could not decide between the two, so he let them tag along. At first, Cecilia and Charlotte were against it, but they decided to share to not fight. Raiden was the sole butler to serve the next wave of customers. Raiden did not mind the additional workload, although his girlfriend glared at him interacting with girls.
At the music ensemble exhibition, Ichika pumped his chest one handed to get fired up. Charlotte thought that he was a gorilla. Cecilia saw a microphone, dreading the bad memories of her singing that made everyone's ears bleed.
Charlotte glanced over Ichika with an electric guitar, then smiled proudly. "Cecilia, you look like you can sing with me and Ichika!"
"N-N-Not happening!" Cecilia gasped.
"But…"
"N-N-N-N-N-N-N-N-N…" Cecilia exasperated, shaking her head repeatedly trying to say no.
"I'm sorry," Charlotte said. "Was that your unpleasant thought you had?"
One may think that Cecilia invented a new guitar showmanship move or a new headbang, but Cecilia's singing was bad with a case of stage fright. Cecilia feared driving Ichika away with her horrid singing, and she wanted to run away.
Once Ichika was ready, he played Seisyun Complex by Kessoku Band on an electric guitar. Cecilia recognized the j-rock song, tapping her feet ever so slightly. Charlotte urged her to sing, much to her resistance. But Charlotte's smile was so strong that she instinctively grabbed the microphone and sang to face her fear. Charlotte played the drums. Cecilia's fears were replaced by sheer confidence as she raised her pitch. The impromptu band caught nearby students' attention to gather. Cecilia did not need to see the lyrics while Charlotte had no trouble keeping up. Despite having butterflies in their stomachs, the reception was generally positive. Cecilia was in bliss for not making the same mistake.
"I can't believe we played it flawlessly!"
"Orimura-kun," classmate 1 said. "You're talented with a guitar. Have you consider joining our music club?"
"No, I don't think so, but thanks for the offer. Perhaps Cecilia would be interested."
Cecilia played with her fingers. "I would love to, but I can't neglect Class 1-1's Maid Café."
Class 1-1 finally wrapped up their maid café with everyone taking a big breather. Few complained of the soles of their shoes ruined. On the other hand, Raiden and the girls were fine. He could not get the mind off Reiko thanks to his senses telling him she is bad news.
Tatenashi hugged Raiden from behind. "Tada!"
"Tatenashi-dono?"
"I need you and Ichika-kun's help for the action-packed interactive play!"
"What's the play?"
"Don't fuss over the fine details!"
Tatenashi grabbed his hands backstage. Houki crushed her glass of orange juice in anger towards Tatenashi for snatching Raiden. At the locker room, Ichika and Raiden were given outfits for the play. Ichika wore a typical prince outfit while Raiden dressed up as a sokutai.
"Where's the script?" Ichika questioned.
"There's no need," Tatenashi replied. "It's improvised anyway. I'll give you the directions when it's necessary. You two just do your thing, boys."
The blue cat left, leaving both Ichika and Raiden dumbfounded at her shenanigans. They hoped that it would not involve explosives. The time has come for the main attraction, a play performed by students of the Academy. Guests gathered at the arena, including Reiko with her arms folded.
"Let's get the show on the road!" Tatenashi announced.
The dome closed as spotlights came to life towards the boys. They watched the montage before Tatenashi started the play.
"Once upon a time, there were two girls by the name of Cinderella. No, it's not just a name. Those who valiantly brought down swarms of enemies across countless balls. The most powerful warriors of the world…those revel in utter destruction."
"What?" Ichika said.
"This is a rather interesting tale, that it is," Raiden mumbled.
"Together, those girls held the fitting title of…Cinderella!"
Ichika stood there with his mouth agape of the story warped into senseless fighters.
"The girls danced around to get the confidential data hidden inside the princes' crowns!"
The girls squealed in joy before the lights revealed a gigantic castle. Tatenashi must have had a large budget to construct a castle instead of cardboard boxes or holograms. Either way, Ichika gave credit for dedication.
"Tonight, the time of the bloodthirsty Cinderellas has come once again!"
Ichika and Raiden did not have time to admire the castle when Raiden sensed a ravaging Cinderella above him.
"Give me the crown!"
Rin's voice echoed out, jumping out of the balcony with her broadsword.
Ichika protected Raiden with his rapier. Raiden unsheathed his Sakabatou to double team.
"Hand it over, Raiden," Rin demanded.
"What's it to you?"
Rin flung three kunai at breakneck speed. Raiden deflected them with ease. Ichika was shocked that the kunai might be real.
"Have you lost your mind?!"
Despite Ichika's angry bellow, Tatenashi reassured him that they were props. Ichika found it hard to believe. Rin and Raiden's blades were locked in with Rin trying to get her hands on the crown. Raiden rolled backwards, tripping Rin to lose her footing. Rin threw a back kick but pulled back and then did a roundhouse kick. Raiden narrowly avoided it until he noticed something on her slippers.
"Glass slippers, Rin-dono?" Raiden asked. "That's bold, that it is."
"Don't worry," Rin replied. "They're made from tempered glass."
Rin threw some more skilled kicks and slashes. They looked great, but Raiden swiped them away. Still no attack until her side kick connected with Raiden's left arm, hard. He recovered, but it hurts.
"You idiot!" Ichika shouted at Rin. "That's dangerous!"
Ichika almost got clipped by a sniper. Ichika ran away to find cover, deducing that Cecilia was the sniper.
"What is wrong with this play!?" Ichika complained.
"There's no time to complain," Raiden remarked.
Cecilia lost sight of her target. Raiden was nowhere to be found, and Ichika found another hiding spot. The Brit clicked her tongue, swearing to find them again. The real purpose of the play was whoever got the crown first gets to live with either one of the boys in their dorms. The girls were drawn by the sweet temptation. Cecilia found footprints leading to the middle level. Raiden and Ichika catch their breaths, clutching their weapons. Cecilia readjusted her scope, calculating wind direction, and fired. The bullet grazed the pillar above Ichika's head.
"We're sitting ducks," Ichika said. "We got to move."
Raiden nodded. "I agree, let's jump down where Cecilia can't reach us."
Luck was on their side when Charlotte emerged from the bushes, ushering them to follow her. The boys followed suit before Cecilia stopped to reload. By the time Cecilia fired, Charlotte protected them with a shield.
"You saved us," said Ichika.
"Thank you, Charlotte-dono," Raiden replied. "Ichika, we must split up, so Cecilia won't get the drop on us."
"Why? We're better off sticking together."
"Too dangerous, that it is," Raiden retorted. "Survive until this is over."
"Raiden, wait-!"
Charlotte grabbed his hands. "Leave him to it, Ichika."
Raiden went on his own, leaving Ichika alone with Charlotte. Ichika wished that Raiden listened to his advice, fearing that Cecilia would target him first. Raiden was in the clear when Cecilia aimed her rifle at the duo. Charlotte and Ichika tumbled down the hill, escaping the sniper for now.
The smoke was clear, although Ichika was nowhere to be found. Charlotte panicked, looking for the prince before she felt a pair of cold hands on her butt. Ichika was under her skirt the whole time.
"Ahh! Ichika!" Charlotte yelped.
Ichika hastily got out of her skirt, embarrassed of groping her unintentionally.
"I did not mean to do that," Ichika replied.
"You pervert."
Charlotte gave him an icy look. Ichika wished that he should have said no to participating in the dangerous play. He wanted to know why Tatenashi went this far to make it dangerous, contradicting her claim.
"Can you hand me your crown?"
"I don't see the reason, here you go."
Ichika was about to remove his crown, but instead, the crown electrocuted him. Ichika was confused once again.
"Ichika!" Charlotte cried.
"The prince must protect his crown from the hands of the Cinderellas," Tatenashi said. "He represents his country. If they got their hands on the confidential data, he gets zapped by his own remorse! Bless his heart! Is the prince's love for his country that great? All we can do is watch his next actions."
The boys can't hand it out to prevent them from ending the play abruptly. Ichika found it insane, and he has no choice but to finish the improvised play to the end.
"You don't have to say that twice," Ichika said. "I can't give you the crown, Charl."
"That's horrible," Charlotte muttered. "Here I thought I would win on the spot."
Diplomacy was out of the question before Rin and Cecilia came charging at full speed.
"End of the road, Ichika!" Cecilia crowed.
Rin threw kunai with Cecilia firing rapidly. Ichika took the lead by grabbing the shield to defend Charlotte. Ichika did not falter while Charlotte hid behind the prince.
"Get your hands off of Ichika!" Rin yelped.
Ichika and Charlotte retreat to the upper deck, avoiding the wrath of two Cinderellas. Raiden was on the other side of the tower. The remaining Cinderellas were Laura and Houki that have yet to make their moves.
"That should be far enough," said Raiden. "Hold on, there's two of them."
Raiden was correct when Laura appeared with two knives in her hands, followed by Houki wielding her katana.
"Give me the crown." Laura smiled. "Do that, and you'll get to live another day."
Houki frowned. "I don't want to fight you but surrender your crown."
Raiden deflected their hacks and slashes before he backed off to regain focus. Suddenly, a howitzer behind the castle fired a mortar at the trio.
Tatenashi laughed. "Love is not fun without obstacles!"
They ducked the exploding mortar in time. Raiden was livid at Tatenashi using a dangerous weapon as if she did not care for their safety. Raiden was separated from Laura, forcing him to leave her behind. Houki and Raiden found a latter to get away from the howitzer. Houki climbed first, followed by Raiden, and he accidentally peeked her white underwear.
"Why you!"
Houki kicked his head repeatedly in embarrassment.
"Houki-dono! That hurts, that it does. Stop! You're going to make me fall."
Despite the debacle, they made it to the top. They were exhausted not just the long climb, but the heavy clothing wore them down.
"…We made it," Raiden panted.
Houki cleared her throat. "Please give up your crown."
Tatenashi pressed a button to release a humongous cannonball hurling at the couple. In an old fashion scene, Raiden grabbed Houki's hand to run for their lives, and threw themselves at a corridor.
"That was too close," Raiden said. "Are you holding up fine?"
Houki nodded. "Yes, but can you move your hand?"
Raiden removed his hands off her waist as they stepped outside.
"Why is everyone desperate to be my roommate when I have you?" Raiden questioned.
Before Houki could open her mouth, Laura tried to ambush them from behind. Houki parried the German's jab with her katana.
"I don't think so!"
"What do you think you're doing?" Laura bellowed.
"Don't you interrupt!"
"That's my line!"
While Houki and Laura were caught up trash talking, Ichika emerged from the shadow, somehow eluding Charlotte, Cecilia, and Rin.
"Why are Houki and Laura fighting?" Ichika asked Raiden.
"They want to be my roommate, that they do," Raiden replied.
Ichika pleaded. "Stop it, you two!"
Laura and Houki did not hear them, much to his dismay.
"Ichika, it's no use," Raiden said, sounding defeated. "We can't stop them, that we can't."
"No way, I'm putting an end to this."
"Getting in their way will end up having our crowns snatched. We must fall back once again, that we will."
Laura pointed her knife at Houki. "You're first to go down."
"Do your worst!"
Houki and Laura delivered the finishing blow. However, they missed, and ended up slicing each other's outfits in front of the boys. Houki and Laura's eyebrow twitched, directing their anger at Ichika and Raiden. Out of nowhere, the gate tumbled, revealing a flock of girls itching for piece of the action.
"For the finale, the walk-in participants can get the princes' crowns!" Tatenashi announced.
"What!?"
This was an all-time low by Tatenashi. First came dangerous props, followed by a howitzer. Tatenashi had the audacity to gather all girls to steal the crowns, turning it into a battle royale. The boys sprint to the forest, escaping the horde of girls. They were not away from danger when a trap door opened to drag Ichika down. Raiden jumped over, but Ichika was not fast enough. Raiden saw that Ichika was missing, and he knew that someone was up to no good. Raiden dove headfirst where Ichika was snatched.
Ichika came face to face with Reiko, panting from a sea of fangirls. He had no idea what's going to happen next.
"Thanks for saving me back there," said Ichika, adjusting his crown. "Hold on, why are you here?"
Reiko dropped her formality and said, "Yes, but I thought I should use this opportunity to take your Byakushiki away from you."
"Oh no you don't!"
Reiko did not take kindly at Ichika's rejection. "I said, give it to me, goddamn it!"
Reiko sliced open Ichika's outfit with her knifehand. Ichika gritted his teeth, looking down at the ripped fabric and then up at Reiko. She threw a front snap kick, but Ichika sidestepped until Reiko did a two-finger jab to his eyes. Ichika fractured her fingers with his chop, keeping his eyes intact. Autumn laughed at Ichika, masking the pain as she relocated her bent joints crudely, cracking loudly.
"So, who are you really?"
Reiko's smile quivered across her malicious face. "Who am I, you ask? I'm a mysterious beauty disguised as…a corporate businesswoman!"
Reiko's back transformed into eight mechanical spider legs with menacing blades protruding.
"Are you satisfied?"
Ichika raised his right arm to activate Byakushiki. His mind kicked into high gear.
"I've been waiting for so long for you to summon that!"
Reiko's long, narrow eyes became disoriented from her ecstasy. Like a predator ready to pounce, the tips of the legs belched lasers. Ichika leaped backwards, narrowly clipped by the oncoming lasers.
"Ooh, not bad," said Reiko. "Dance for me, boy."
"Why are you doing this, Makagami-san? Who do you work for?"
"Ahahaha! I called myself Makagami Ayako as an alias because that's not my real name!"
Reiko tore her clothes into shreds before a bright light illuminated the locker room. An ominous black, yellow spider armor appeared, doubling the size of Byakushiki.
"An IS?" Ichika couldn't believe seeing an IS that menacing.
"That's right, the name is Arachne! You'll find its name venomous rather…potent."
Ichika was not going to get beaten by the fraud saleswoman. He readied his Yukihara to anticipate his opponent's move.
"Try this for size!"
Reiko fired a barrage of lasers towards Ichika, taking pleasure at the first male pilot scurrying like a rat.
"Damn it! Just who are you?" Ichika demanded.
"What? Don't you know? You could say I'm from an evil organization."
"You're kidding!"
"What if I told you that I'm Autumn from the evil organization, Phantom Task. Does that ring a bell?"
Ichika charged with an overhead swing. Autumn deflected the strike one-handed, ostensibly enjoying the fight. Ichika and Autumn exchanged blows without breaks. Its eight legs allowed Autumn to block every attack without putting much effort.
She's got too many arms, and her armors too thick.
"There's no stopping now!" said Ichika, trying to wear her down.
Ichika increased the power of its wings to slice one of Autumn's blades. Unaffected by Ichika's counterblow, she does a spinning back kick that connected Ichika's chest, hard. Autumn pinned Ichika down, pointing her AK-style rifle at his forehead.
"Ha! You really thought you could take me on?"
Autumn fired, draining his energy shield dangerously fast.
"Oh no, this can't go on!"
Ichika's boosters ignited, reeling her back, and slashed her helmet. His strike pushed her back, but Autumn brushed it aside as if nothing happened.
"That made me tickle," said Autumn, giggling from the weak counter.
"Shut up!"
Ichika had enough of Autumn's sarcasm.
"Heh, that was kind of getting in too close."
"Unidentified IS has been detected in the locker room!" Maya announced, keeping watch of the security footages.
Chifuyu gripped her fist. "I knew that they would launch an attack at the school festival. The enemy might have backup, so keep an eye out. Evacuate our students while you're at it."
Maya hits the red button on high alert of the intruder.
Chifuyu folded her arms. "I knew they were going to attack from the day of the school festival, but how could there be just one?"
Out of the bloom, the gang stood in the middle of the wrecked play, wondering where Ichika and Raiden went.
"Come on, where the heck could they have gone?" said Rin.
"Well, it's hard to say, but given that they run like a gazelle, and we're hyenas."
"Hmph! This is because you had tried to come between me and my bride."
"Laura's right, Charlotte, none of this would happen if you hadn't interfered!" Cecilia scolded Charlotte.
"Let's not get bogged down on blaming the French," Charlotte replied.
A siren blared over the intercom.
"Attention! A hostile IS detected in the locker room is currently engaging in battle with Byakushiki. All students with personal IS are to seek and destroy the enemy."
Putting aside their differences, they summoned their personal IS to save Ichika. Raiden was on his way to deal with the hostile. Autumn summoned another rifle to fire two-handed, leaving Ichika with barely any room to defend himself. Ichika remembered his training with Tatenashi, and he put it to good use. Ichika zigzagged through the onslaught of bullets. Autumn missed by an armlength as bullets ripped the ceiling light into shreds. The locker room blacked out, leaving an aura blue dimly lighting the ground. Autumn's blind firing did her in the moment her rifles ran out of bullets. Autumn realized that it'll be too late to reload, leaving her wide open.
"Got you now!"
Autumn hurled her empty rifles as Ichika swiped it away. Ichika charged at Autumn, but she smirked because Ichika fell for her trap. Autumn sprouted spider-silk, stopping Ichika in his tracks.
"How stupid of you challenging me head on, brat!"
Autumn wrapped her hands to make a spider web, and Ichika wriggled into a cocoon. The web was too sticky and strong for him to escape.
Autumn took pleasure watching him squirm in her trap. "Oh yes! This is a piece of cake! But that's what you get for underestimating my spider web."
Autumn took a device with six appendages to put it to Ichika's chest. "Now it's the time to take your Byakushiki away."
A surge of electricity sprouted in his body.
"GYAAAAHHHH!" Ichika screamed from the insensible pain ripping through like lightning zapped him.
"This is better than watching your washed-out sister fighting!" Autumn mocked Ichika's pain with her arrogant smirk. "I'll tell you something else while we're here. The ones who kidnapped you during the second Monde Grosso round was Phantom Task."
Ichika glared. "D-damn you...!"
"Your friend, Raiden Hataru worked for us as a Hitokiri. I can't believe that all this time, the feared assassin stood by your side, and you didn't bat an eye?"
Ichika's eyes went wide. "No, you have to be lying!"
Ichika could not believe that his friend worked for Phantom Task. At first, Ichika thought the story was a myth. Even with overwhelming evidence, Ichika brushed it off. Here he was, shocked at Autumn telling the awful truth.
Autumn increased the voltage to inflict more pain. Byakushiki deactivated into standby mode from the torture device before Autumn snatched it. Ichika could not believe that he lost his Byakushiki, and he tried to take it back. Autumn threw a sharp kick right into his face.
"What a pathetic boy you are. Do the world a favor and die in this pitiful mudball!" Autumn launched another kick between each interjection, and each time, Ichika let out a pained groan.
The Phantom Task agent sank a final kick into Ichika's nose until he was knocked out. The pool of blood grew bigger and muddied Autumn's heels a deep red. Autumn sighed for picking such a boring fight. Autumn twirled her katar to slit his throat.
Before that could happen…
"Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryu – Ryu Kan Sen Tsumuji!"
Raiden in his IS, Lion Heart, slashed Autumn's torso with his Sakabatou. Autumn skidded 11 feet, almost tumbling before she regained her position. Autumn lost her prize from the impact. Raiden recovered it, freeing Ichika from the spider web before he gave it back to him.
The blue boy weakly wiped his bloody nose. "…Raiden?"
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, just a sting. Look out!"
Ichika shoved Raiden from Autumn thrusting the full length of her blade. Ichika summoned Byakushiki again, and sidestepped Autumn's slashes. She swung backwards, but missed, and smashed a row of lockers. Ichika struck Autumn with his Yukihara. But Autumn was able to jump midair, firing her railgun at Raiden.
Raiden deflected the huge caliber in one swift motion, angering Autumn.
Autumn's blood boiled seeing her former assassin turn ronin. "You…!"
"Your deception ends right now, Autumn," Raiden declared, pointing his Sakabatou.
"I like to see you try, traitor."
Both combatants crossed blades in an 'X' with Raiden using every ounce of his boosters to disarm her katars. Autumn tried to use her extra legs to thrust back, but Raiden swiped one of her katars to slash across Autumn's neck. She fell backwards and twists, hitting the floor face down. Spiders don't tap out easily as Autumn got to her feet.
"Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryu – Ryusuitsen."
Raiden jumped above Autumn to bring his blade down to her head. Autumn wobbled from the direct blow.
"Are you that stupid calling out your attack?" Autumn shouted, firing a burst of laser. "I can read you like a book!"
Raiden circled around the ugly spider to look for another opening. Ichika slice and dice Autumn's back before a volley of laser pierced the lockers like paper. A few lasers whizzed over their heads, causing small puffs to shoot out of the wall. Ichika fired his particle cannon to her head. Raiden got up close to her legs, thrusting it to hinder her agility. Autumn roared, clumsily backpedaling away from the boys. Raiden sliced her railgun into pieces, leaving Autumn out of options.
Raiden charged at great speed using battojutsu to end it once and for all.
"Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryu – So Ryu-AAGH!"
Raiden was stabbed by her katar embedded to his left rib cage. His attack left his sides exposed, allowing Autumn the vital blow. His armor and shield protected him from major injuries, but the pain did not go away.
"Any more kung-fu frog names to shout?" said Autumn, deepening her katar. "I'm the definition of pilot and IS because I don't have your dumbass vow of not killing!"
Raiden spat blood before he was lights out.
"Raiden, no!" Ichika cried before Autumn fired three shots to his head, chest, and legs, and he went down.
Autumn laughed manically. "Nothing's sweeter than killing you two on the spot. Squall can finally pay attention to me, not the traitor."
A loud, water-like drop echoed the room, distracting Autumn to end Ichika and Raiden's life. The unwanted guest was Tatenashi standing on the rubble, casually holding her fan in her right hand.
"Oh my, that would be a problem because Ichika and Raiden happen to be my favorite."
"Where the hell did you come from?" Autumn shouted. "I thought all the systems were locked down."
Autumn threw a flurry of thrusts at the student council president.
"Tatenashi..."
Ichika opened his eyes weakly to see her standing proudly as if she wasn't afraid of death. Despite the brutal kicks, Ichika slowly got to his feet.
"I'm the Academy's Student Council President, and I shall conduct this accordingly by taking out the trash."
Autumn wasted no time hearing another word from Tatenashi by throwing her katar to her chest.
"TATENASHI!"
Ichika and Raiden watched in horror, but something wasn't right because her body did not ooze blood.
"What's going on, why you didn't react at all?" Autumn questioned, and "Tatenashi" melted into water to Autumn's surprise.
"Water?!"
"You figured it out, that was a decoy I made from water."
Tatenashi giggled in her IS, and drilled Autumn with her Heavy Rain lance, leaving an ugly scar on her torso. Autumn was thrown across the floor like a plush toy.
"It appears that Ichika and Raiden underestimated your mobility and got blasted there." Tatenashi pointed at the fractured walls.
Autumn struggled to get up. "Who the fuck are you?"
"I'm Tatenashi Sarashiki, and this is my IS called Mysterious Lady. Remember the name, you psycho bitch!"
Water spiraled Heavy Rain in a circular motion. Autumn has no time for show and tell.
"I've had enough of you. Time to die!" Autumn fired lasers at Tatenashi, but the water veil nullified the projectiles.
"Wait a minute, this is not normal water. What is this?"
"Like my power? Mysterious Lady means 'mist-bearing lady'. The water is quite unique because nanobots control it that's being transmitted to energy. Pretty sweet, huh?" Tatenashi proudly explained her ability.
"Who the fuck cares!" Autumn yelled, slashing wildly. Tatenashi parried each thrust successfully. The tables turned with Autumn failing to land a hit. Autumn fired her railgun, Tatenashi bobbed and weaved, jabbing Autumn consecutively. The Phantom Task pilot panted loudly, and Tatenashi revealed her triumph card.
"Do you feel hot in here?" Tatenashi asked.
"What?"
"I don't mean just the temperature. I mean the heat index."
"What are you talking about?"
"The humidity affects the temperature, and mist can penetrate through your armor."
"!"
Autumn noticed that the room became hot when thick mist surrounded them, leaving her flabbergasted.
"That's the expression I was looking for! The moment when your plan goes up in flames." Tatenashi grinned.
Tatenashi snapped her finger, Autumn was caught by multiple explosions. The tremendous damage paralyzed Autumn.
Refusing to admit defeat, Autumn shouted, "I'm still standing!"
"Not for long," Tatenashi replied, restoring Ichika and Raiden to full health. "Finish her off, boys."
Ichika maximized Yukihara, Raiden powered Sakabatou, and they smashed Autumn through the wall all the way to the castle.
"After her!"
Autumn crippled, dragging herself away from her pursuers. Arachne was badly damaged from the fight. She couldn't go for another throwdown and called for backup.
"You will not escape from us," Laura projected AIC, trapping Autumn.
The girls pointed at their weapons, but above them, purple drones blasted lasers. A hostile purple, butterfly-like IS descended to rescue Autumn, not before slicing the AIC into pieces. Laura could not take her eyes off a single slash that destroyed her AIC.
"Is that the best you got, German Uber soldier?" The pilot questioned Laura. "You disappointed me."
"Damn you…how did you know that?" Laura asked the pilot, but she didn't answer her question until she received a message.
"Yes, Squall, understood."
The pilot turned towards Autumn.
"I'm here to get you, Autumn."
"Fuck you! You will address me with respect I deserve."
Autumn did not like the presence of the pilot because she did not give her respect.
"We're outnumbered, we'll have to fall back."
Autumn took her IS core to turn Arachne into a walking bomb towards them. Autumn and her pilot took off.
"EVERYONE! GET OUT!"
Ichika stormed in before Arachne exploded. Luckily, Tatenashi's nanomachines protected them from the explosion. Their personal IS dematerialized, but they appeared fine without injuries.
"Are you okay?"
"Thank Ichika, Raiden, and Tatenashi for saving our bacons."
They regroup to take a rest from the fight as Chifuyu and Maya examined the stolen Infinite Stratos that tried to steal Byakushiki.
"They extracted the core from Arachne and detonated," Maya said. "The other one appeared to be Silent Zephyrus, or Blue Tears II, which was stolen from Britain."
Chifuyu folded her arms. "This was the work of Phantom Task, correct?"
"Yes, their target appeared to be Byakushiki, especially since there's so much that we don't understand about Byakushiki as well."
"Right, then that's why I had Sarashiki train and safeguard Orimura, but..."
"I know, you were worried the whole time," Maya smiled, knowing Chifuyu had a good reason to have Ichika trained by Tatenashi. "Ichika wished you could take your place, right, ma'am?"
"No," Chifuyu replied coldly.
"I'm pretty sure you don't want Tatenashi getting too close to your brother."
"See, now I definitely know you're in the wrong here."
Chifuyu sighed, scooping a teaspoon of sugar on her coffee.
"Umm, Chifuyu? That's salt, not sugar."
The Brunhilde looked at her salty coffee, embarrassed of the silly mistake.
At a high-rise condo top floor, Autumn fumed because she failed to steal Byakushiki. Adding insult to injury, the pilot helped her. Autumn was ungrateful for the rescue.
"I was this close until you fucked it up," Autumn blamed her rescuer. "I never asked you to save me! I wanted Squall to rescue me!"
Autumn shoved her against the window. "Stop getting in my way!"
The pilot kept her mouth shut, smirking at the fiery agent for her humiliating loss from a bunch of students.
"Say something, you little shit!"
Again, the pilot remained defiant before she flipped the bird.
"Motherfucker!" Autumn's boiling point exploded, jamming her CZ 85 to her forehead.
"Put your gun down," said Squall. "You're being too loud."
Squall wore her bathing robe before she sat on the couch, crossing her legs.
"Ahh, Squall!" Autumn blushed, hearing her soothing voice. Squall smiled at Autumn for being adorable.
"You need to calm down, it ruins your beautiful face."
Squall patted Autumn like a cat. The pilot was disgusted at the women being friendly to each other. She never liked the concept of teamwork when she preferred solo.
"I take it you ran into him?" Squall asked Autumn.
"You knew it would happen?"
"Of course. You failed to steal Byakushiki, but you confirmed that Raiden is still alive, which is enough to complete your mission."
Autumn frowned at her failure while Squall poured a glass of red wine.
"M, I want you to return Silent Zephyrs to maintenance," Squall ordered. "It will need some adjustments, and the Supreme Leader wants a word with you."
"Yes, ma'am."
M went to her room to turn on her console. The call was encrypted as M sat on the chair. No one knows between M and the Supreme Leader of Phantom Task. After M finished her meeting, she laid on her bed to open her locket with a picture of Chifuyu.
"Soon, very soon…" M muttered. "I will begin to get my vengeance. Yes, then we shall finally meet."
M smiled, having malicious thoughts to accomplish her goals.
Three Dragons' support team turned on the training simulator. The dull lab flashed, and she was standing in the ruins of a mansion. Three Dragons drew her full-auto pistol-Berserker. The low thumping of a light machine gun broke out from a Toyota SUV behind the entrance. Three Dragons barged through the roof of the mansion, aimed, and squeezed the trigger. The rapid rat-a-tat echoed off the scorched garden. The burst had pierced through the SUV into swiss cheese. 10 soldiers spilled out from the bushes, firing anti-IS seekers. Pistol bursts sliced through the air-Three Dragons strafed and fired 20 rounds up close. The soldiers slumped down to the ground, limp. Scores and accuracy rate were calculated. Three Dragons had no problem flying like an ace, barrel rolling a 6x6 armored car belching mortar. Three Dragons conjured her vibro blade.
Her Buzzsaw vibrated at high frequency, drilling the giant pseudo tank and demolished the weapon into a pile of junk. Vapor hissed from her blades. Three Dragons fired her particle beam cannon at the heavy truck containing backup. The high velocity laser exploded the unlucky truck into a raging fireball. Body parts flailed in a bloody mess. Three Dragons felt like she could dominate the skies and ground alike.
The simulation froze, then after a few seconds, the battleground vanished. The team gathered notes, seemingly impressed at her fast growth as she sat on the couch.
"Only if this was real life," said Three Dragons, reveling in the power. "No one can touch me!"
On the other side…
"Stop kicking your feet like you're doing a butterfly!"
Again and again, Liu had a hard time levitating properly because his boosters turned on from his sudden kicks. Chifuyu face palmed at Liu flopping with his boosters and wiped out. Chifuyu sort of expected Liu to make mistakes, but not repeatedly. Unlike Three Dragons having no problem piloting an IS, Liu was the opposite.
"Give me strength…" Chifuyu moaned dejectedly.
"Some help would be helpful," Liu said, hanging upside down.
Chifuyu sliced the metal cable dangling to his feet. Liu was not visibly hurt as he tried not to look embarrassed. Chifuyu did her best to contain an outburst.
"I'll make it simple even anyone would understand."
As she spoke, Chifuyu turned on her holographic projector of an IS. She placed her hand on the animated airframe hovering.
"You keep squatting like you're diving from a board, which is why your boosters activate. Stand on your tiptoes as far up as you can. If you want to descend, lower your heels."
Liu lifted the balls of his toes to hover. This time, Liu does not turn into a rocket to focus on his calf concentration.
"Keep your stance balanced, don't lean to one side or the other."
Liu's feet were parallel to the ground, working to keep his balance in check. Liu made it overly complicated when it's easy to do. Liu's anxiousness was the main reason he messed up. Liu flew around the scrapyard while Chifuyu kept an eye on him. Feeling comfortable, Liu pressed the weight onto his feet, and his thrusters burned to life. Liu nearly lost it, but he shifted his weight distribution, making him stable. To his right, the screen showed his energy shields. To his left, it has armaments stored.
Liu unsheathed Heavenly Emperor, dive bombing at a relic crane. The nodachi sliced the frame cleanly as Chifuyu saw his hand grip.
"Keep your left hand to the center," Chifuyu corrected Liu. "Tighten your grip only when you attack! Otherwise, you'll lose your hand grip."
Liu adjusted his posture and swung fluidly to Chifuyu's standards. Next, Liu gathered his mind to use Venom Slug, a .55 cal bullpup assault rifle materialized in his hands. Liu aimed down his sights to fire makeshift targets between 50 to 70 yards. Liu has decent marksmanship, but the question is can he control his adrenaline in real combat?
Liu emptied a mag to reload, burst fired at the decayed cars high, middle, and low. Liu went airborne like he's a close combat attack jet. Chifuyu nodded her head at Liu for the following sequences, and every mistake he made gets a shake of disapproval. Liu worked hard before, but not beyond his limit. Chifuyu's exercises were simple and short, but her demands and criticisms were sharp and relentless. Liu put every effort to please her.
Chifuyu unsheathed her katana to test his swordsmanship.
"You're not bad with guns," said Chifuyu. "How good are you with your nodachi? I would hate to see you get rusty."
"You better watch what you ask for."
"We'll see about that."
Liu deactivated Venom Slug to follow suit. Chifuyu stretched her neck before she raised her katana above his head. Liu deflected it, and he slashed horizontally to gain distance.
"Your Heavenly Emperor is useless up close," Chifuyu said. "You will have to maintain distance to make full use of the long blade."
Liu deflected a sequence of thrusts. After dropping herself backward to escape from his nodachi, Chifuyu leaped into the air with her body still tilted and launched an axe kick at the top of Liu's head. He was too late to block, and the downward motion of her heel made him stagger. Sparks fly as Liu and Chifuyu fight in the pile of scrap. One misstep for Chifuyu can skewer her while Liu had the advantage with his Alastor protecting him from major hazard. Liu slashed horizontally, releasing a curved energy blade. Chifuyu was slammed against the wall.
The strike was undoubtedly powerful. However, Liu's wind-up was too predictable, and Chifuyu jabbed his arms. Chifuyu followed up with two diagonal slices to his torso. Liu was forced back, losing his balance, and launched ass backwards. Liu lost to someone that did not use an IS, somewhat insulting him. Chifuyu smirked at Liu for not being all bark, no bite.
"There's a lot of room to improve," Chifuyu evaluated. "Flying is one of them no doubt. Next time, I'll teach you aerial combat."
Liu deactivated Alastor, collecting his thoughts. "Yeah, I'll keep that in mind."
"Don't neglect your training. Keep me updated on Three Dragons' activities."
Liu trained constantly to keep his mind moving. Liu does not have the luxury like Three Dragons has with advanced technology. Three Dragons got a head start, but Liu will not let it get to him. He made good use of the scrapyard to hone his IS one way or the other. Chifuyu was the only instructor to rely on. Liu studied Three Dragons' ledger where he found gambling racket, her primary source of income. Everything from cards, boat racing, sportsbook, pachinkos, to shooting craps, Three Dragons runs it. They have aspects of her gambling racket stored into every nook and cranny of her operations, from dice games in back alleys to makeshift casinos in abandoned warehouses. Liu will make her squirm by going after her money.
He relayed it back to Chifuyu, allowing her to allocate her connections to bust them once Liu gathered enough evidence. According to Liu, the total damage required to bring down the racket was worth seven million yen. Liu covertly took pictures of informants, gambling enforcers, street games, and rigged slot machines scattered at entertainment districts. It was ballsy of Three Dragons to run casinos in the land where gambling is illegal. Next, Liu used Alastor to record patrons playing high stakes cards. If cops get a small whiff of gambling, Three Dragons will be in hot water. Liu learned to not act until he knows his surroundings.
Liu dropped a pile of photos on his desk of gambling as he wrote notes on a sheet of paper. So far, Liu has not been caught in the act. Although there were close calls from Three Dragons' henchmen, Liu used every getaway route or sweet talking to fool them that he was a tourist. Chifuyu stopped by to see his work, approving that he's doing his homework thoroughly.
"Go after the informants," Chifuyu instructed. "Don't be shy knocking them, but not kill. It's probably the only way to make them talk."
"I will see you around."
"I also found illegal fights in the gym. Three Dragons' big money comes from rigging fights by bribing or blackmailing the favored pilots and fighters to throw the match. I suggest participating the fight club. You could put your IS skills to the test and get something out of those assholes."
Chifuyu gave Liu her blessing, he would not let her down. Three Dragons will learn the harsh lesson that backstabbing will bite her in the ass.
Asides from the chaotic play all thanks to Tatenashi, this chapter was not bad to write. Three Dragons and Liu train respectively on their IS. The difference is that Three Dragons has a support team, Liu only has Chifuyu. You could say it's like Rocky vs Ivan Drago. Liu got his hands on the ledger, and his first move is destroy Three Dragons' gambling racket. Hurt her money, she will squirm, and he and Chifuyu will go after her. Liu will make his debut to fight with his IS next chapter. Stay tuned!