This chapter started right after writing the last one. Or better said, the day after. The requester is going to like this chapter because we are getting closer to his original one.
If you got lucky and you're reading this message, you can find me back on AO3. The same name of this fic. You can find it back there.
The last chapter was a blast to write despite all problems I experienced technically. It was good fun doing that chapter and this is back to the Second Season.
Compared to other authors that I know, I am not sadistic. But this might be a change for me.
Also, my keyboard on my laptop gave out. You guys should know that the number of times you use the key and alt Tab is often. And it sucks really.
So I waited until I got back home and I got a fully working computer and keyboard. 9/10 times I am buying myself a small external keyboard. Until I made the choice of either buying a new laptop or a 2 in 1 device.
But that's for later. I am really happy that my laptop is my backup. Not my main device.
Started on 25/10/2020
Ended on 31/10/2020.
I reuploaded the chapter on 06/11/2020 when the site finally grew out of its issues.
For all of you reading this and enjoying the chapters, you can also find some of my fics back on Archive of Our Own under the same name. Just a thing for you all to keep in mind.
So far, we got 118 reviews at the time of writing. Seven more. That makes me happy. 158 favorites and 174 followers. Again, mild growth.
Now for the guest reviews.
Master Kill712 on the 26th of October. Always glad to have you.
Ichika had indeed a goodbye to the Sekirei. Miya's sword will be important for him. As for the Infinite Stratos girls, they don't grow. They never learn. And when did they ever care about Ichika? About the daydreams, that's what it is.
With dreams, I can understand.
Cecilia is indeed like that. That's just in her character. She wants Ichika like that.
Charlotte, that is one interesting view. It might be true.
Laura can't understand she ain't Chifuyu. She wants to control him. She still got that backward idea.
About that idea of Maya. Food for thought. Or Ichika can stay single.
With that opinion, that makes three of us.
No worries about that last part. Again, thank you for the review
Openings song: Through the fire and the flames. (Do you guys know that there is a guy on YouTube who has covered this song in the voice of Bruce Dickinson (lead singer, Iron Maiden). It's really close, especially when you listen blindly to it)
Oh, and I wrote the opening this time.
0:00 – 0:04
When the first opening goes, Ichika is standing alone.
0:04 – 0:10
Ichika is getting up in the darkness.
0:10 – 0:12
Focus on his eyes and they go open.
0:12- 0:18
Ichika races down the ground and on his wrist, he got his Infinite Stratos and that opens.
0:18 – 0:27
Then the name of the fic is shown. Brave New World.
On a cold winter morning
In the time before the light
Ichika stands in the front of the ISA with his back turned.
In flames of Death's eternal reign
We ride towards the fight
The show comes from behind to show his front as he scowled at the tower.
When the darkness has fallen down
And the times are tough, alright
Ichika is sitting down in the rain.
The sound of evil laughter falls
Around the world tonight
In his head, he is replaying the events and the stuff that the girls did to him during his time at the ISA.
Fighting hard, fighting on for the steel
Through the wastelands evermore
In that, he is thinking back on the times he fought. The support he got.
The scattered souls will feel the hell
Bodies wasted on the shores
Running away, he knows that his place isn't there. Not at that school.
On the place are some silhouettes standing
On the blackest plains in Hell's domain
We watch them as they go
With that, Ichika lands in the rain and goes down on his face.
Through the fire and pain and once again we know
He sees Minato standing there, extending a hand.
So now we fly ever free
We're free before the thunderstorm
Ichika takes it gratefully and he gets pulled up. An easy smile finds its way on his face.
On towards the wilderness
Our quest carries on
Minato isn't alone. The Flock is behind him and Ichika gets taken in with open arms.
Far beyond the sundown
Far beyond the moonlight
Deep inside our hearts and all our souls
In the dark, there are a few silhouettes sitting down. Plotting their revenge.
It skips to Ichika who is sitting next to Minato.
So far away we wait for the day
For the lives, all so wasted and gone
Ichika and Minato clink when they sit down at the Inn.
We feel the pain of a lifetime lost in a thousand days
Ichika looks down on his chest and the hurt he experienced during his time at the ISA.
Through the fire and the flames, we carry on
Minato places a heavy hand on his shoulder and Ichika smiles in comfort.
Shadows in the stars
We will not return
Humanity won't save us
We're slipping through the night
Ichika's train was a night one, and despite the horrendous sleep he got, he was fresh of mind when he got back in his home town.
Riding in, he walked off, and no one commented on the sword strapped on his back. It was also something that Ichika wouldn't care about. The city hadn't changed that much. With his suitcase next to him, Ichika walked by. The memories of the summer had begun to play in what he wouldn't give to go back.
Still, he continued on the walk. The house doomed as Ichika's mind drifted back. A smile popped up when he thought about how much he liked the warmth of the summer there. Glancing at his wrist, he glared at Byakushiki. For the entire summer, Matsu had taken that from him.
His hand went to his back. The sword that Miya had gifted him wasn't the normal-sized katana. It was a bit shorter, so for him, it did what it was supposed to do.
Eventually, the house doomed up, and Ichika unlocked it. Preparing himself the horror that might lie behind it, he found that the house was clean. Walking in, somewhere, he was happy that he was home. He walked further in a while, dropping his bags in the hallway.
Chifuyu was nowhere to be found, but on the table was a note.
Ichika. I hope you don't mind that I don't welcome you home.
Maybe it was for the best you spent your summer at Minato's place.
Taking a break was a good thing for you.
I had to return early to the ISA to take care of the school.
I expect you tomorrow at school.
If you are wondering why the place is so clean, check the backside.
Ichika could agree that it was funny to see all those girls dressed up like that.
There was a postscript.
Ps. I love you.
Shaking his head, Ichika crumbled the note. It was easy to write that down. It was harder to show that.
It was still early, so Ichika had some time to sort his bags out. Leaving the clean clothes away in the suitcase, he also made sure there was enough room to put his school essentials. There was no food left in the house, aside from some cup ramen. His sister had terrible eating habits.
But there was nothing else, and Ichika did not want to go out for new stuff. So when the washing machine was busy on his clothes, Ichika made his way to his room. The place was untouched. Laying back, he led the tears stream down.
He wasn't on the right side of heaven, and he was going to the righteous of hell.
Laying in his bed, he fell asleep. Before long, he was back in the dream.
In the dream.
"It looks like you have returned. You're closer to me." Unlike the other times, Ichika was calm.
"Who are you? What do you want from me?" Ichika asked as he edged back as he found that the blue glitter slid by.
"I am here for you. I want you. You can't hide here. I will find you. You can't escape here. I will hunt you down. You can't call for help. You are alone. I. Own. You."
A giant wall of water washed over the place. Scratch that. Not one.
Two walls. He was closed in.
Ichika's hand slid to his back. An immense amount of relief washed over him as he felt the handle.
"You think?" Ichika sliced in one of them as he pulled the sword from his back. One of the walls fell. Ichika stood before it as he waited in the pure darkness.
"Come to me." His arms were wide open as he stood alone. The darkness lit up. A slender form of a cat with a blue pelt made its way to him.
Then something happened with Ichika. He felt the power in his veins; A growl made its way out his throat. The cat paused, and before long, it was like the wolf awakened.
Out the dream.
Ichika woke up in a cold sweat. Looking at his clock, it was twenty minutes before six. He wouldn't rest. So, it was best for him to wake up. Stretching out, he felt relaxed.
Despite that nightmare, breakfast was quickly made; he would miss the house. The place felt cold without laughter.
Sure, silence could be addicting, but when you missed human warmth, there was something else.
Before long, he made his way to the school. If one had ever witnessed a walk to the gallows, it might be compared to what Ichika was doing. Eventually, the school doomed insight. Ichika sighed as he entered the place.
It would be impossible for him to hide, but a hoodie would be nice. At the school, several girls were around the train, looking at him. Ichika just ignored them. Even the girls who were desperately trying to get his attention.
As soon he got out, his heart dropped even more. In front of the train stood Chifuyu Orimura.
"Orimura." Not even his given name. Okay, she had abused him an entire year about the proper way of addressing her. Two could play that game.
"Orimura-sensei. Any reason why you are standing here?" Chifuyu felt her eyebrow twitch.
"Yes. There is going to be an exceptional exchange student from Europe." Ichika was hoping not to have another looney from that place.
"The seventh princess of Luxembourg. Airis Twilight Ruxezemburg. I expect you to be on your best behavior." Ichika looked her dead in the eye and walked up to her. She could smell his body, his rage.
"That, dear sister, depends entirely on her," Ichika said as he found that the girl walked off the train. Turning his head, he was cursing on the terms that Ichika learned from Seo and Jin.
If Ichika could say one thing, it was like she was dressed up like a doll. Short she was indeed, but she was wearing some extravagant dress. Ichika might think she was like Rin, but if he was guessing, she was much like Kusano or Chiho.
Someone to protect; To take care of. But while those two girls had a simplicity, that made Ichika adore them. But not with this girl. Her eyes circled at Ichika while she found him.
"You there!" The girl pointed at him.
"Ichika Orimura." With a groan, Ichika tore his attention from his sister to force it on this girl.
"You shall be my attendant." The eyes of Ichika were dead as he looked down on her.
"Take a hike. Runt." Chifuyu's mouth wasn't the only one that landed on the ground as Ichika shot her down.
"What?" The big eyes of Airis went wider. Next to her stood a large number of maids who glared at Ichika.
The leader of the group walked up to with a look that would kill him.
"It is as Her Royal Highness commands." Ichika glared back at her. While he would back down usually, the summer had given him a spine as strong as diamond.
"Yeah, and I want to have a normal school life. The sooner the runt learns that she can't always get what she wants, the better. And if you got a problem with that, too bad for you."
The maids surrounded him, but Ichika refused to back down.
"Sis!" He shouted as Chifuyu snapped out of her stupor as she eyed Ichika. In a month, he had changed even more.
"Tell them to stand down!"
"Then follow her order!"
"No. I am not some runt's butler. Forget it. Tell these maids to stand down before I commit a massacre."
Ichika's left hand went to his back while his right deployed Yukihira. Her brother wasn't joking. One of the maids, the leader, wanted to slap him, but she found that Ichika wasn't a regular guy. With the back of his sword, he knocked her off her feet.
Kneeing her stomach, she found that Ichika had brought her down to her knees. With one kick, she was flung away.
The Brunhilde was shocked again. While Ichika had back talked and often snarked, it would be the first time that he actively used violence to get his point across. The maids backed down as Ichika aimed the sword at Airis' throat. The princess couldn't believe that Ichika would fight like that.
For the first time in fourteen years, this young man had said no to her and made his point.
"Last chance, runt. Stand down." She nodded to her maids, and they backed off. Ichika let Yukihira disappear as she glared at the girl.
"Because you're new, I am going to let you off with a warning. If you ever make such a command to me again, you're going to have one tough time using the bathroom." And with that, Ichika left. He stopped at his sister.
"Looks like I made a mess. But I am not going to listen to you." Chifuyu looked at her brother. Or who her brother should be. Ichika had changed.
The unsheathing of a sword made Ichika aware. Turning around, he found that a woman with pink hair had taken out her sword. Ichika raised an eyebrow as she stood next to the princess. Her figure was large, and Ichika would say that she had nice breasts.
It was closer to some knight while it still showed her womanly features.
"You? How dare you talk to her?" Ichika threw his bags away as he was ready. His blood was rushing, and his lust for a fight had only grown. Again, he growled.
"Oh, and who might you be?"
"I'm Djbril Emulail. Imperial Knight of Luxembourg. You heard the wish of her highness. You are going to be her attendant." Ichika looked like he was considering.
"Yeah, I don't think so. I see no reason to play babysitter for some runt. Names and titles mean nothing to me. So I think that she should learn that. But if you want a piece of me," Ichika's hand edged to his back.
"Come and get it."
"Enough!" The roar of Chifuyu made Ichika calmer, and he looked at his sister.
"Highness. I understand your wish. But this is Orimura's decision. There is nothing that you can force him to do. If he refuses, that might look bad on his credit." Chifuyu had hoped that Ichika would understand that.
"Yeah, and I don't care. If I don't have play babysitter for some runt, I am taking that." Ichika walked away.
"It's not exactly polite to refuse a lady." Ichika turned to the women, and his glare was a match for Chifuyu's.
"And when do you think that I am ever going to follow your advice? Minato's more a brother to me than you ever been a sister to me, Chifuyu! He told me that if someone wants respect, that person has to earn it."
Chifuyu looked gobsmacked. Ichika continued his walk, but inside, he was buzzing with energy. He needed to let off some steam.
And despite his words, Ichika got what he wanted for a change.
In the arena
Rin was blown away by the sheer force that Ichika held.
"Ichika, damn. What have you eaten last summer?" The knight remained quiet while in the control room, Chifuyu could see how Ichika fought.
His moves weren't wasting energy. In some way, he had gotten more brutal. Maya's mouth had dropped open.
"Orimura-sensei. Where did Ichika learn that?" Chifuyu saw how he fought. Holding back in some regard, he used finesse and elegance. She had only seen that in two others. Herself and Miya. That woman.
Ichika continued his assault on her. Ichika didn't even hold back as Rin felt how Ichika just didn't let her go. When the Chinese girl began to build distance, she fired at Ichika. With just little effort, Ichika avoided the attacks, and he enjoyed it. Yet, his face remained a stone-cold passive.
"I saw what you did with Airis. Where did you learn that, Ichika?" The guy didn't even reply as he closed the distance again. She came back with her spear. But unlike what she had thought, Ichika avoided it by flying around her.
The attack from the flank came, and Chifuyu's mouth was dry. With a quick move, Ichika forced her arms apart. With enough force, he drove his sword down on her. Rin was flown down on the ground; A buzzer went off, and Ichika had won. Chifuyu couldn't believe that he did.
Sure, a mock fight was one thing, but in this, Ichika had proven himself. And the worst thing was that he had gotten more and more brutal while he was closer to her. Ichika just relaxed as he found it hard to believe that Rin was a person that was on his level.
Walking to his changing room, Ichika was content. He didn't waste too much energy. Plus, he worked out a system. Something that did good for him, but this wasn't like his usual training.
No, these were his achievements. Ichika had to thank his sisters-in-law. Shaking his head, he smiled.
But fighting wasn't the only thing that he was trained on. From behind came someone. Veering up, he was greeted by a sight that made his skin crawl. And while the person's hands would cover his eyes, Ichika glared at her.
"Oh, too bad. I wanted to surprise you." Ichika mixed a bit in his mouth.
"I don't do well with surprises. Who are you?" Ichika asked. He was already ticked off. From the buzz, he felt of his victory was nothing left. This woman was familiar.
She was well filled out, a bit like Djbril, but she was younger. Blue hair was short, and her eyes were red. She was one wet dream, even in the uniform. A yellow tie meant that she was a second year. Her breasts had filled out, and her butt might be good as well.
She was wearing a typical uniform but with some changes like a green overcoat. A blue fan was pointed at him.
Yet, despite her body, Ichika couldn't shake the feeling.
'Cat.' He thought.
"Later!" She said, and Ichika wanted to know of her, but she didn't say much more.
"By the way, if you don't hurry up, you'll be in trouble with Orimura-sensei." Ichika glanced at the clock. He had ten minutes left. So he changed up quickly, but before he could go, he was greeted by an annoyance.
"Didn't you have enough last morning? Get a hobby." Ichika groaned as Airis and Djbril greeted him.
Djbril stood before her lady as she glared at Ichika. "You dare to disrespect the lady of the house of Luxembourg." Ichika just shrugged at her attempt.
"I have eaten on the table of a being, more powerful than all of us combined. You think that some brat is going to make me bow to her."
"Miya Asama, correct?" Ichika's hand edged to his sword as his eyes betrayed how he felt. Feeling shocked by that fact, he took a deep breath.
No matter what happened, Miya could defeat most things thrown at her. And Minato would still be at the Inn.
"Where did you get that name from?" Ichika asked as some things were better discussed in the open.
"You really think that we would come to this school. There is a lot of information about her on the Internet. And your so-called brother, Minato Sahashi. If that is someone you see as a friend, I dread what sort of standards you are raised with me."
Ichika began to feel even more ticked off. Blood rushed through him; growls came out.
"So let me guess. You found out about Minato, read married six aliens, got himself a harem, and he is a pervert and a horrible person and blah, blah, blah. You girls are all the same. I heard those lines before."
Now, it was her turn to be surprised.
"Yes, indeed. I wonder what sort of man he is. And to think that you would associate yourself with him." Ichika rolled his eyes at that.
"I heard it before. You want me to give up my friendship with him because you think he's a bad influence on me. I got news for you. Minato is the reason that I am here. I am done with your nonsense." Ichika wanted to move past them, but Djbril stopped him.
"Perhaps you should listen to what her highness has to say. After all, I doubt that you want anything bad to happen to your brother." Ichika slowly looked at her.
"What did you say?" Ichika asked with a dangerously low voice.
"We looked up a bit more information. It turns out that Minato Sahashi is moving out of Maison Izumo. There might be a reason for that." Ichika tried to look as uncaring as possible.
"Perhaps. But I see no reason to share that." Sure, he knew why Minato moved out. And if those two were so confident, they knew why.
"I guess so. Perhaps the new Sekirei that come to see the light." Djbril said with a sadistic smirk. Ichika backed away from them, but his hands edged to his sword.
"It would be horrible if something happened to him," Airis answered to Ichika, and she had no real recollection of what happened next.
The words had just left her mouth, and she was slung to the wall. Djbril has kicked away, and Ichika had grabbed her by the scruff of her shirt.
In Ichika's eyes, there was a fire. It burned harshly, and a low growl escaped him.
"Your fight, runt, is with me. Not with my brother or his wives. I doubt that you can do anything serious. In truth, I'll give you a warning. Don't mess with Minato because of me. You want me; I'm open to it. But the Alaska Treaty doesn't stop Sekirei. Keep that in mind." Letting her fall down, Ichika ran to his class.
What were ten minutes late if he helped out his brother?
"You're late," Chifuyu said as Ichika entered the classroom, completely uncaring.
"Go talk to the kid. She kept me up." Ichika answered while he glared at the door.
"That is no way to talk about the seventh princess of Luxembourg." Ichika yawned as he looked at his sister's explanation.
"I'll talk about her like I please."
"That's not the way I raised you." Ichika shrugged while he looked at her like she was disgusting.
"No. It's a thing I learned from Minato. Respect has to be earned. That's a thing that I don't see why I should give you or that runt any respect. She kept me up. Go talk to her."
"Oh, and is that the reason you are late? Dunois, prepare for Rapid Switch training. The target will be this idiot. Don't mind." Ichika just sighed as he turned to Charlotte, who stood up with a smile.
She made her Infinite Stratos. Not that he was surprised Charlotte would do that.
"Charl. I'm going to give you a rec. Put those guns away." She smiled at him despite the intention.
"What did you say, Orimura-kun?" His hands edged to his back. He gritted his teeth. It looks like the summer would pay off now. Again.
"Charl, last warning. Put those guns away. It will hurt you more than me." Ichika's voice had a dark edge, which she ignored.
"Let us begin. Revive." Before that, she could say or do more; the unsheathing of a sword was heard. Metal on metal was heard, and vicious strikes sounded over the classroom. When it was over, Charlotte's gun was destroyed, and Ichika sheathed his gift from Miya again.
The girls looked horrified that Ichika had cut through the guns like they were made of tissue paper. They fell while Charlotte fell back as she looked at her destroyed unit.
"I warned you," Ichika said, and even sheathed, the sword had a glare for Charlotte.
Pointing the sword at Chifuyu, he glared at his estranged sister. The rift had only grown. And despite the lessons of Miya, it was Ichika that pushed her away.
Not that she could blame him.
"Next time you pull that stunt, you're going to have a bloodbath," Ichika answered as he put the sword on his back.
"Who gave you that sword?" Chifuyu asked while she witnessed the strikes. She had seen those before and had reasonable suspicion.
"Miya Asama. The landlady from Maison Izumo and the Pillar of the Sekirei. The lady was so kind as to teach me a few things when I was in her care." He walked to his chair as he spared Charlotte, no glance.
"I learned from her in a month than I did in this school." Sitting down, he gave her the best glare he could.
"And a kinder teacher than you." Chifuyu should have known that it would be Miya. And that woman was a menace to have.
Luckily for her, there was now a meeting planned where the entire student body had to attend.
And now, in front of that, Ichika stood while on a board was the reason written.
School assembly.
Ichika heard a robot voice speaking.
"Now, the student council president will explain the details." On the stage walked the woman again that Ichika had seen in his changing room.
'Cat.' He thought. His dreams flashed in his head.
"Okay, okay, I had to deal with a lot of things this year so that I couldn't say hello to everyone. My name's Sarashiki Tatenashi, and I'm your Student Council President. Nice to meet you all." She winked at Ichika, which made him sigh.
'Great, another one.' Was this how Minato felt as he winged more Sekirei?
The board changed, and one was written, "Agenda: School Festival." Tatenashi had a few more words.
"Now, concerning the school festival coming up this month, I wish you all much luck in deciding what you want to do in your respective classes. The deadline is coming soon. Also, there is one thing." Ichika held his hands down.
There was a new change.
"Every club fight for the guy." Ichika bit on his teeth when he read that.
Needlessly, the auditorium exploded in the noise.
"Please, everyone, settle down." The school calmed down. "Every year, the clubs will set up booths during the school anniversary and hold voting events. Also, the school will provide special funds to the leading clubs. But I do feel that it'll be too boring if I do that this year. So that is why this year, a challenge will be made. The class that comes up with the best booth will get Ichika Orimura as a prize."
Tatenashi said with a smirk on her face while she looked at Ichika. Unlike seeing him flustered, Ichika looked incredibly annoyed. This was just great. Like the five originally weren't enough of a pain to deal with.
'Great. I got a second-year bimbo going after me, and I got a stuck up princess. I long for the corner I once knew so well."
Back in the class.
Ichika wanted to get out and cause a bloodbath.
The suggestions would be a good reason why. And the girls with their stupid smiles were another reason.
'One male host Club,' 'Play Twister with Ichika Orimura,' 'Eating biscuit sticks with Ichika Orimura, 'and 'Play King's Game with Ichika Orimura.'
"Are you all out of your mind? Do you think these things are even remotely appropriate? What makes you think that they would be enjoyable? Or I would enjoy them?"
The girls were annoyed that Ichika had shot them down like that.
"I would enjoy it! I promise!" One of the girls said.
Another one jumped in with long hair.
"That's right, that's right! You have the duty to serve the girls till they're happy! You are in our classes, and it's your duty towards us as classmates."
A third girl with glasses got her opinion.
"Ichika is our common property!" The girls had no idea what to say next as Ichika unsheathed his sword.
"Oh, really. I am not anyone's property. And in case you forgot my words of last morning." Ichika looked at them with serious intent.
"I am willing to turn this class into a bloodbath. Unless one of you comes up with a decent idea, I am willing to pull us from this whole thing." Ichika would never expect that a rational answer would come from Laura.
"How about a maid café?" Everyone looked at her, and Ichika shouted, "Thank you! I agree with that!"
"It should be popular amongst the customers, right? And we can earn revenue if we sell food and drinks. I remember that outsiders can enter the school through an invitational ticket system, so a lot of people would want a place to rest." Laura continued as her wife praised her.
Charlotte stood next to her.
"I think it's a good idea. Why don't we have Ichika working as a butler or in the kitchen?" She began to convince the other girls; Ichika kept his mouth shut. This was looking better.
"What do we about the maid uniforms?"
"I know how to sew."
"We could get maid outfits from the drama club. I can make them." The girls got in a chanter, and one stood up.
"Okay, we go for a maid café! Everyone agreed?"
"We agree!"
"I can live with that," Ichika admitted while the girls were all buzzing.
In the class, Ichika sat back with a content smile. With that, he walked out of the classroom. Whistling a tune, he was happy.
Outside, one particular girl stood. The blue-haired president and the girl that was in his room. Tatenashi Sarashiki who addressed the girls in the assembly.
"Can I help you?" Ichika asked as he looked at the woman.
"I'm going to be your teacher for a bit." Ichika just looked surprised at that but not that much. Crossing his arms, he wondered what to say.
"Who decided that? My sis? Sides, I had one summer of training. I don't think I need a new teacher now." Tatenashi smiled at him, and that smile began to get closer to his dream.
"No, you're still weak. Very weak." Ichika's hand edged to his sword on his back. He would never leave his bedroom without it. Which was a good thing as Ichika knew it would be a change.
"You do not want this fight," Ichika said while he glared at her. The fingers of the right hand enclosed around the handle.
"Oh, I'm pretty sure I do."
She aimed her flier at him.
"And I am pretty sure that I come out on top." The confidence oozed off her while Ichika continued to glare at her.
Violence was the only way to settle this.
"Okay, call the place and time."
The place and time turned out to be the kendo dojo, thirty minutes later.
Ichika was dressed in a fighting kimono. In front of him stood Tatenashi. Tatenashi was more buzzing with energy.
The floor changed into a mat.
A tick formed on her face while she looked at him while he yawned.
"Are you coming at me?" Ichika just closed his mouth after yawning, and while he looked bored, he kept his eyes on her.
"Well, here are the rules. If you knock me to the ground, even once, you win." The boy raised an eyebrow. One of the essential rules that Miya taught him was that it was better to be humble and overestimating than being cocky.
"Fine."
"If I render you unable to continue, I win." Ichika nodded at her. She had to try real hard.
"You really don't take me seriously, do ya?" That pissed him off more than this actual fight.
Sure, when matching with Musubi, Miya, or Tsukiumi, he knew that the odds weren't in his favor. He wouldn't come out on top. But that didn't mean they looked down or underestimated him.
The thing that Tatenashi did was that she had no regard for him. Like he was a fly for her.
"Don't worry; I'll win." Ichika cracked both his knuckles as he relaxed his body. Before this fight, he had something else to do.
"Going to tell you the same thing I told Rin a while ago. Don't count your chickens before they hatch." Tatenashi smiled at him.
"Come at me whenever you are ready." The words left her mouth, and Ichika came from the side instead of the front as she guessed. Before she even could see the attack, Ichika had kicked her from the side. Tatenashi stopped the attack, but before she could grab the leg of Ichika, he had moved away.
Grabbing the right arm, he twisted it up. Instead of throwing her over his shoulder, Ichika quickly punched her stomach. Twisting her around, he grabbed her kimono. While she was recovering from the shock (and the vicious attacks), Ichika didn't hesitate. Instead of throwing her down, Ichika again delivered a few savage punches from below.
"I trained all summer under the Sekirei," Ichika admitted as now, he grabbed her arm again. Making a circle, her body was aimed at the floor. She stopped the descent by using her elbow. Her legs came from the side. Ichika saw that coming and let her go. Nearly flying back, he gave Tatenashi some distance so that the next round could start.
"I would advise you to take this seriously." Tatenashi began to glare as she moved her body.
"How about an extra bet, Tatenashi?" Ichika asked before she could hit him.
"Oh?"
"This doesn't end when I get you on your back. This ends when one of us is no longer able to fight." Tatenashi glared at him, but it was a generous offer. Especially with how the last thirty seconds went.
"Fine. You should know this." Moving her foot back, she prepared herself for a strike.
Ichika waited on her attack but let her speak first.
"The Student Council President in this school. That student is the strongest here." In contrary to what she thought, Ichika just chuckled at her.
"Really? Well, I hope for you that you'll never have to face a Sekirei in a fight." The Knight admitted while he smiled at her.
That move was fast enough to get to him, and one savage uppercut landed on his body. Ichika didn't go down.
He just grabbed her arm to her astonishment. There was a good reason for that.
Ichika made sure that she couldn't get away.
"You might be strong. But during the summer, I trained on two other things. Stamina and endurance." With one hand, he kept Tatenashi in her place while backhanding with his knuckles. Dazed, he gave her one kick.
"And let's just say. My sisters-in-law gave me one roughhousing." Ichika didn't lie. While they did strike, it was never meant to take him out. They excited their strength during the training. Not too dangerous degrees, and he never wanted to fight Musubi in a real fight.
But enough to make him feel the difference between a human girl and a Sekirei. Not that Ichika complained.
Tatenashi felt how the kick connected. Ichika hung back and eyed her. He could go for a punch, but there was something better. Instead of going for a force, he came at her with his elbow. Smacking at her, he used so much power that she has flung out the ring. She crawled back up.
Okay, this was ridiculous. Ichika might have gotten healthy, but he shouldn't be able to push her away. Not so easily. Ichika smirked while behind; she could see something.
The boy growled at her. It was like energy set in. Ichika had often heard how Musubi was called the Bear Fisted Sekirei. Well, he was a wolf now.
Ichika smirked as he knew that she was on the back foot. Yet, he took his advice. She was out when she went down.
"Again?" He saw her coming. Wanting to get his kimono, he rolled over and kicked her away. Getting back up faster than her, Tatenashi was captured from behind, and before she had one move, Ichika made a bridge. She coughed as she landed on the floor.
"Giving up yet?" Ichika shouted while she grabbed his arms. She might have been a bit faster than Chifuyu as she got him in a hold.
Unfortunately for her, Ichika's feet were open, so one-kick gave him one second. Not much but enough to get loose. He didn't want to get up. He forgot this wasn't a training match but a fight to get her down.
So getting her head, he put her head in a lock; he ensured that the hands were connected. While she was strong, in pure raw strength, Ichika was still a male. His muscles bulged as she did her best to get out.
Ichika chuckled again as Tatenashi struggled. Grabbing his kimono on his back, she threw him off. He guessed that he was in the air. Making a salto, he landed on his feet. Ichika stood up while Tatenashi got back. It was slower. This time, he didn't wait. Instead of heavy punches, he began to punch at her.
While that worked incredibly at her, some feet of action also went. Musubi relied on her fists more, so his feet were often a great action. Kicks mixed with punches as Tatenashi tried to block his attack. While they often left red marks, Ichika ignored the pain. Adrenaline rushed into his system. His brain was in high gear.
Tatenashi ducked to punch him. Blocking her with a foot, Ichika combined his fist, and from above came a sledgehammer blow. She felt both fists connecting but going back up, Ichika took one fist, and she got a hit from above. She fell, and Ichika just looked at her.
"As I mentioned, I trained with Sekirei. I learned endurance and taking hits; they learned how to hold back. The important thing for them." Ichika wanted to walk away but found that he had gotten an audience.
Some school girls had seen the brutal fight that Ichika delivered.
Chifuyu had her mouth fallen open as she witnessed how her brother demolished the Student Council President. Ichika walked up to his older sister.
Not looking at her or even acknowledging her presence, Ichika passed her by.
"If this is the toughest that the ISA got to offer, pray brother doesn't send his girls."
Pausing, Chifuyu found the rift between her and her brother grow.
"Because I trained under them, and even when they took it easy, it was worse compared to what this girl threw at me." And with that, Ichika left. Chifuyu looked at the broken body of the strongest student of the school. Ichika defeated her like she was a novice. And despite the brutal showdown, it looked like Ichika didn't care.
After that, Ichika went out to train with his Infinite Stratos. He decided to work himself in the ground again. Yet, he needed to save some energy.
For his homework and some other stuff, the young male pilot he needs to do.
But in his path, he found Laura, who had been looking for him.
"Ichika."
"Laura. Something you need?" She nodded at him.
"Yes. I am here to train with you." The Knight crossed his arms, and his body tensed.
"Why? I don't think you need to train me." She wanted to pull out a knife, but Ichika caught her by the wrist.
"Don't. I got that sword on my back. I don't think you want a repeat of what I did in the classroom." Laura relented as she found that Ichika was stronger.
"I am the most capable of training you." Ichika shook his head.
"Go to the kendo studio. I worked someone in the ground."
And with that, Ichika left.
At the arena, he found Cecilia and Charlotte stretching their limbs.
"What are you doing here?" He asked while the girls looked at him.
"I heard that you were going to have a special training with Laura in Arena 4." Ichika shrugged on that while he thought back.
"Well, I had some teacher that I worked on the ground." He decided to think a bit more.
"Who?"
"The Student Council President. Either of you two, mind having a match with me?" Ichika asked as the girls looked at him and back at each other.
"I want to fight."
"I am more than capable." Ichika sighed as he eyed them. He should have known this would happen.
"Okay, then. I'll fight with Charlotte first, and after that, I'll have a match with you, Cecilia." Deploying his Infinite Stratos, Ichika eyed the two girls.
Charlotte nodded at him as she created her unit.
"Come at me whenever you are ready." She said, and Ichika did just that. He had taken out his Yukihira first and raced at her. Charlotte began to fire at him. Ichika just hung back and decided to build up distance.
It was the same thing he had when he matched Tsukiumi. She relied on long-range attacks, so instead of going through those, Ichika would avoid the snakes aimed at him.
Hell, it was easier to fight her as Tsukiumi could control her snakes while Charlotte had no possibility for her bullets. Cecilia witnessed the speed that Ichika used to avoid the shots. He relied on his speed, and he eyed Charlotte. She was fast, but she stayed too much in one place.
So Ichika hung back as he deployed Reiraku Byakuya. The large battery made that easier. Matsu had quadrupled the energy in him. So he let Charlotte fire at him while she couldn't longer keep him in a scope. So when he made a 45-degree turn, something he had been practicing on, Charlotte saw him coming at her like a wrecking ball.
He tore through her like she was made of tissue paper.
'That was what Miya meant with making it fast.' Charlotte fell, but Ichika got his blood rushing.
"Cecilia, what are you waiting for?" Cecilia made the Blue Tears, and she faced Ichika as he began to rely on.
Unlike using a gun or something like that, Ichika preferred to fight close and with a sword. So Miya had told him to shape every fight in his favor. You could make any fight like that.
Sure, it never started in your favor. The drones that Cecilia sent his way were meant to trap him, so he destroyed them with his sword. Much like the cut through the walls of water. He enjoyed this. He had gotten stronger during all this time.
Cecilia wanted to fire at him, but Ichika found it easier to avoid her bullets as he circled her. Again, Tsukiumi was more challenging to handle. Cursing in his mind, he should have asked the other girls to fight with him.
It would help him out, but Ichika could wish later. For now, he raced to Cecilia, who tried to shoot him down. Again, like with Charlotte, he got her down.
"That's all you girls got? Too bad." His unit flew up and put on races that Matsu had made for him. Matsu was one of the smartest people in the world, wasn't she?
The two busty blondes looked at how fast Ichika flew, how smooth he flew and how he could use his attacks.
How strongly did he become? It looked like their rift with Ichika had only grown during the time he was off.
He wasn't longer snarky and keeping his head down. He stood up and had the skills and strength to prove his independence.
When Ichika walked back into his changing room, he was greeted by a new but familiar sight. A girl with blue hair and red eyes. Yet, the girl wasn't as voluptuous as Tatenashi. Relative?
"So, you're the guy who defeated my sister?" Ichika's wheels turned in his head.
'Sister, same hair and eyes.'
He had it figured out fast.
"You talking about Sarashiki. Yeah, I defeated her. If she is supposed to be the best pilot in the school, I really despair." Her eyes were fixed on Ichika. Unlike the other girls, she had a hint of curiosity at him.
"Who are you?" Ichika asked. He didn't expect an analysis as an answer.
"Kanzashi Sarashiki. You're Ichika Orimura. Best friend and 'little brother' of Minato Sahashi. Ashikabi of the North. Winner of The Sekirei Plan, winged No.02-Matsu, No.03 -Kazehana, No.06-Homura, No.09-Tsukiumi, No.88-Musubi, No.108-Kusano. You spent the entire summer at Maison Izumo, owned by No.01-Miya, and her husband, Takehito Asama." Ichika raised an eyebrow.
"You did your homework. You only forgot this. Minato is also Co Ashikabi of Number 10, Uzume, winged by Chiho Hidaka." Ichika completed her rambling.
"I was under the suspicion that Sekirei could only be winged once," Kanzashi admitted, and Ichika shrugged.
"Minato managed to wing Uzume because he loves both her and her Ashikabi. Feeling's mutual. I am surprised that you know that much about him." Ichika knew how most girls viewed Minato, and while Minato had no right to say anything that differed, he was still a decent guy.
Kanzashi wasn't like most girls.
"If you know your enemy,"
"Guess so. Still, why are you here? I doubt this is a friendly visit." Kanzashi's eyes shined at him.
"My sister is the strongest in this school. Maybe right behind your sister, perhaps. Yet, you defeated her. Without much effort. I want to know how." Ichika understood that Kanzashi wasn't after him like Airis or Tatenashi or the other girls.
"I had to use some effort, but I trained an entire summer—good practice for both the Sekirei and me. For me, to grow in strength, for them to hold back. Still, what's that to you?" Ichika crossed his arms, and he leaned against the wall.
Kanzashi looked him straight in the eye.
"I want to know how you are that cool under fire. You both mouthed of the Princess of Luxembourg, and you threw my sister down. You didn't care about anything or how it would look. You just went your way."
Ichika smiled at her, a smile that carried no happiness.
"I am selfish because I refuse to bow to the status quo. Perhaps. But I am not here on my own volition. I am here because I am forced to. Yet, I learned squat in the last year that would help me. I am supposed to bow down to some girls. You can forget that."
"You got some record if I might say that. Ichika, you've defeated a Representative Candidate based on information, got out a training incident, stopped the Valkyrie Incident, and even got the Silver Gospel down. Now, you defeated the heir of the Sarashiki family. Impressive." Kanzashi summarized the entirety of what Ichika had achieved.
Ichika shrugged on that. "A lot comes from a cyber Guardian Angel. Matsu watched over me, and I am grateful for that. And during the summer, I trained with Musubi and Tsukiumi. I even took lessons from Miya Asama herself. I have gotten strong. Yet, why are you here? If you think I'll bow to you, you're out of your mind."
Kanzashi sighed.
Nothing. Just that. You have to look over your shoulder from now on." Ichika gave her a mirthless chuckle.
"I have to do that since I got that bracelet on my arm. Don't need you to tell me that." Turning back at her, he smiled at her.
"Kanzashi. I got enough women's problems so far; I don't need another girl."
After a long training, Ichika stretched his limbs. He was ready to go in his bed and enjoy some time off.
He should write his best friend an email, but a face greeted him that he had beaten when he opened the door. And his mood of buzzing energy after working out a system was immediately crushed.
"Welcome home. Do you want dinner, a bath, or you want me?" Ichika looked at Tatenashi. Despite all things, she rocked one killer body. And it was severely hidden behind a naked apron.
It would make most boys swoon when they saw that, but Ichika had lived an entire summer with Sekirei.
While he admitted they were alien super babes (that was just the truth), he hadn't a clue of sexual attraction to them. In his mind, he had closed off the possibility of them being anything else but good friends.
The closeness they provided him made his heart warm, and he loved them for that. He enjoyed the warmth they gave him and never took more for that. Ichika preferred that as he was not looking for that.
But the warmth they gave him was a thing he loved from them. But when you spent an entire night on the knees of Kazehana, you wouldn't be that easily swayed by the vixen in front of him.
"I want to know what you're doing here? This is my room."
"Too bad. That's not on the table. So do you want me? Do you want me? Or do, you, want, me?" She got closer to his face, and she showed her tits with a wink.
"I want to know how you got up so fast in this room. I handed your butt to you."
Tatenashi sighed as she eyed that Ichika wasn't reacting to her as she had hoped.
"I am going to be your roommate." Ichika rolled his eyes at her. It wasn't like the teasing he got from Uzume.
"Fine. In that case, wear something appropriate, or I'm going to kick you out. By the way, how can you stay here?"
"That's the power of the Student Council President." She said with a smile, and Ichika just raised an eyebrow.
"That's fine and all, but I defeated you. So change or get out. I am surprised that you're not cold." Ichika said as he passed her with a reluctant sigh.
"Well, I am wearing something underneath." A few strings showed a bikini, and Ichika was happy that forbade the girls to walk around naked.
"Too bad. Are you disappointed?" Ichika ran through the room as he found that she had unpacked. Well, if she were here, it would make things easier on him.
"Not really. As I said, summer with Sekirei." He eyed her body, and while she was a knockout, Ichika had turned that off. Sitting up, he was going to his computer.
"What are you going to do?" Tatenashi asked as she crossed her arms. Her smile came back.
"I'm going to write an email," Ichika said as he sat back.
"To who?" She edged closer to him, and Ichika just ignored her.
"Well, before that. I am just wondering. I don't have to train under you, right?" Tatenashi gave him a smile that made his skin crawl.
The five girls were one thing. She was worse.
"Well, I talked with Orimura-sensei. It appears that you don't know that many strategies, so I have told her and the principal to train you." Ichika looked back at her.
"Well, I'm going to talk with my sis in that case. I am not going back on this. Besides, I need a sparring partner." Ichika told her while he sat back. Opening his mail, he cracked his knuckles.
"You need a strategy to win. And you don't have a lot of that."
"I got strength. And if I want strategy, I got two geniuses to call." Ichika answered.
"You're writing Minato Sahashi, right? I am surprised you see that man as a friend. What a pervert." Ichika just looked back at her and raised an eyebrow.
"I think you're the bigger pervert. You are the one dressed in an apron and a bikini." Realizing she was still wearing that, Ichika groaned.
"Can you, for the love of God, please change?"
The knock-on his door made Ichika turn to it.
"Ichika, it's me. Are you there?"
"Houki. Yeah, you can enter." Tatenashi's mouth dropped open on the callousness that Ichika had.
He might have kept in mind it was Houki that he was talking about.
Houki's mouth dropped open as she witnessed the president in her state of undress. Ichika sat back on his chair.
"Houki, if you made that for me, it's a waste of good food." She began to burn up, and red energy came out. Ichika began to growl at her.
"Ichika, how dare you? Not only did you sneak a girl in, but you're also doing something extremely indecent! You should be ashamed of yourself!"
During all her rambling, Ichika took out his gift, and that was a good thing. Houki deployed one of her katana and raced at him. Blocking her wasn't that hard.
"How can I do anything indecent to her when I am sitting down while she is lying on her bed?" Ichika said as he parried her sword. Taking her sword, he twisted it away as he threw her out.
Closing the door, he took the lunch box.
"Thanks." Ichika took it and closed the door. Houki was dumbfounded as she hadn't seen Ichika like that before.
She was even more surprised as the door was opened, and Tatenashi was thrown out.
"I told you to dress better," Ichika said as he opened it. It didn't look too bad, and he was hungry. He didn't want to leave his room at all.
Behind the computer, Ichika began to type his mail.
Hey, Minato.
Once again, one big thank you to you and your Sekirei. This summer was great.
But once I got back to school, I got more problems than I could have imagined.
If you're wondering, how can it get worse?
How can it worse with a violent kendo girl, an upper-class girl whose superiority complex is about as big as the continent they divorced, a Yandere childhood friend, a German super-soldier who proclaimed herself as my husband (we have not been able to hammer that out of her) and one scary angel? You would think, how can I get it worse?
Well, I got three more girls. I don' think it was joy you felt when you winged Uzume and Chiho. The first one was literally there the second that I walked there.
Airis Twilight Ruxezemburg. Jesus Christ. Like Cecilia wasn't bad enough. Now I think about it, Cecilia isn't as bad as her.
This runt walked up to me and demanded that I would be her attendant.
If I have to be honest, Kusano might be younger than her, but she was way better raised than that brat.
I would ask Matsu to check her up. I got no clue how, but she found that your girls are pregnant.
Made it clear her fight is with me, but I am not sure that she got that.
And that wasn't even the worst. I am assigned to train with Tatenashi Sarashiki. That woman, I think I know why I dreamt of cats in the last few nights.
That woman ticks off boxes, but I am not sure where it came from.
Give Musubi, Tsukiumi, and Miya one big thank you from me because I was able to fight back due to that training. I knew I trained under your girls, but this was ridiculous. I fought back hard, and I defeated her.
I also met her sister. She knew much about you.
I am just sending you this because I am fine. I just wanted to give you an update.
Ichika sighed as he leaned his head back with a smile.
I have been thinking, brother. In the last few months, you saved me. And in the summer, I got stronger. Matsu is also on my thanks list as she gave me the possibility to train on my own.
While I haven't learned that much with an Infinite Stratos, I got a lot stronger.
Minato, I am fine, but that might change. For now, brother. Keep an eye out for the stuff I message you about.
After that, Ichika opened a few videos, and he remembered a line from Jin. He began to listen to music and closed his eyes. He was exhausted, but he would continue to train. He couldn't just turn away, not after all they had done for him.
But he needed to go out a bit. Finding that Houki was no longer at his door, Ichika decided to go out a bit. In the cafeteria, he decided to take a drink and sit back. Several girls surrounded him as they eyed the male pilot alone.
Honne and her friends joined the table. Ichika wasn't that keen on contact, but sure, he could some talking.
"Something up, Nohohon?" The foxy girl smiled, and Ichika noticed the little necklace. She was all smile and giggles.
"Yes, how you been, Orimu? I saw you at that waterpark." Ichika smiled and reminded himself of that.
"Yep. I was there with a couple of friends. I was a guest in the summer." Ichika replied as he felt his body ache. He needed rest now. His body was giving up. Growth only came from going beyond yourself.
"Who?" Ichika wasn't interested in telling them that.
"An old friend. Nice guy. His roommates gave me one tough training." A white lie, Ichika told the girls who eyed him.
"Really? That must have been rough." One of the girls said, and Ichika shrugged on it. He thought back on the times. It nearly got intoxicating how strong he had become.
"It was okay. The landlady was a great cook, and the others welcomed me. He also helped me with my homework. Smart lad."
He wouldn't tell them the whole truth, but Ichika found it was close to what he had on Maison Izumo by just talking about the small stuff.
"I heard you defeated Ta-chan. You must have trained really hard."
"You know her, Nohohon?" The Pikachu girl nodded as she smiled at him. She had a hard time facing that truth that Ichika had defeated her.
"I am close to her. She's really strong. I am surprised you got her down."
"I got trained hard. That's all I can say." Some small chats with the girls went on as Ichika was content with listening to them. He would have an audience if he trained again.
After some time, Ichika yawned. He was ready to go to bed.
He said the girls goodbye but promised that he might do this more often. Sure, they still looked at him like an exotic animal, but the Sekirei trained him in more ways.
He was getting used to girls, which he could live with: the small talk, people around you. Ichika sighed as it was some resemblance to friends.
Honne looked at the door that Ichika had left through. She took out her phone; It would take a long time before she could see Jasei again. The Pikachu girl had some understanding with Ichika. Sure, she guessed who he was with. But she wasn't going after him.
The girl made her choice. In that picture, she stood while she pecked Jasei, both dressed up in their pajamas.
In Shinto Teito.
Minato caught himself going to Ichika's room until he realized that Ichika was no longer at his house.
"You're okay?" Chiho asked as she saw her lover entering the table. The two were the earliest up now.
Kusano had cried a fair bit after they got home. It wasn't goodbye, but the youngest hadn't learned to say that with a smile. It did hurt Minato as well.
"Just went to Ichika's room. I forget he wasn't here." Minato admitted as he smiled at her.
The Ashikabi shook her head. "I don't blame you. I still think he would train outside." The Sekirei would say they now understood. Sure, they had heard the stories, but now living with Ichika, they liked that boy a lot.
And it was because of the stories that they heard from the school that they weren't too happy that Ichika returned.
The Sekirei walked into the room with the same smile. They had grown used to their little brother, and they missed him. It was weird how quickly you got used to things or others.
The landlord could understand why Minato was like this. Ichika's story wasn't with him, but he and Miya talked when they dropped off their guest. If she and Chifuyu would come to clash again, it might be one thing that would shock them.
Chifuyu was strong. And Ichika was getting closer.
"I think he'll write an email again soon," Matsu said as she kissed her husband. The usual smile was missing.
"I wouldn't mind that, you know. He called you his Cyber Guardian Angel, and well, I wouldn't say that I am opposed to helping him." Minato saw her sitting down. Eying his two fighters who were the same mood, Minato knew there would be more.
"We'll see. Musubi, Tsukiumi, Ichika grew stronger during the training, right?" Minato asked, and Homura rolled her eyes.
"When you train each day for thirteen hours, you would grow stronger. Especially the way Ichika did."
"Plus, I found that he learned fast, and his body was how he learned. He might not be smart, but young Ichika might have more of a chance." Miya stood by, and her usual smile was also missing.
"Will big brother Ichika come back soon?" Kusano nestled herself in his lap. A sigh escaped the Ashikabi.
"I don't know, Kusano. I just don't know." Minato answered as he ruffled her hair.
"If those girls didn't change their ways," Uzume remarked as she hugged her Ashikabi, "I think we might get our little brother back sooner than we anticipated."
Miya kept her mouth shut. The bridge between Ichika and those girls was burned. The only question was about his sister.
"Either way, I am afraid that discussions about Ichika have to wait." Kazehana sat down between Musubi and Uzume. The questioning looks of her sister-wives and her husband made her chuckle.
"We are going to see our mother-in-law, right?" They all were reminded of that fact.
It was only early September, and they had been carrying for over a month. Sure, the first trimester had now set in, and it was time to look at the life growing in them.
It was the first time MBI could look up what a pregnancy meant for Sekirei. Seo and his twins couldn't be counted plus, most of the stuff that was needed, he did himself. Kusano would also be taken along for this.
It was right after the summer day. The weather had settled down, and out went the group. The ideas of their offspring made Ichika's departure a bit softer. Minato had refused to take Sekirei airlines, so all of them had taken public transport.
Some small talk and attention-seeking went from Minato to them as he wondered. There were no signs yet of their pregnancy. It wouldn't wait on it that long on them. It distracted Minato of Ichika, and it made him a bit more focused.
The tower doomed up, and when they entered, Kusano had nestled herself in the neck of Minato. The receptionist made no signs to call them and just pointed her thumb to the lift. The group entered the lift and up the floors they went.
Sure, they knew it hit, but it was only wondering now. It was a contrast with the ordinary Inn they were used. A cold room as the hospital. In the CEO's office, one woman saw the group entering. Takami smiled at them with an open grin.
"Hello, you all."
"Hey, mom. You had an appointment with us." The woman smiled as the Ashikabi of the North had entered. She eyed the girls.
Takami didn't have to ask where the smiles went. Hopefully, the news could make them happier.
"Yes, indeed." Her attention went to her daughters-in-law.
"We are going to use the same room. I have to ask you, girls, to make these checkups once a month. You don't have to come all at once. Chiho." The Ashikabi looked at the older woman.
"The Sekirei have other checkups. While your body is stabilized and you are healthier than you have ever been, I hope you keep a good eye on your health. The same goes for you. Pregnancy is heavy to carry, even for you, Sekirei. With you, Chiho, I don't think there is a risk, but I believe that your husband wants to keep you healthy."
Under her breath, she muttered, 'More than mine.' Then Takami nodded at them.
"I think you all might be happy that we can see what you will carry. Now, come along." The Flock followed her, and Minato was ordered to stay outside. He couldn't blame them, and he relied on his mother to deliver the news. He and Kusano just waited at the door.
Takami handled the machine. MBI was more advanced, so instead of going through some practices, she could see what the device went over. There was no reason to inject them with anything.
The computer was printing out the scan. She would later organize them for the girls. So far, the process was going.
After they were done, they were let into the hallway. Chiho gave her husband a peck, and later, the group waited on that. When the door opened, Takami had one wry grin on her face.
"Well, it's a good thing that you prepared for seven children." The grandmother in coming said while Minato gulped.
"Because, Minato, you have eight kids on the way." The Sekirei's mouth dropped open.
"How is that possible?" Tsukiumi's hair flared up as she grabbed her husband's sweater.
"When did big brother have another girl?" Kusano began to bite her Ashikabi's legs. They had hoped she had gotten rid of that habit.
"Oh, really, Minato? Seven women and still not enough for you?" Uzume teased her husband with flaming eyes. She wasn't that happy.
It was a good thing that Kazehana was the voice of reason.
"Takami, could you give a bit more information before we kill our Ashikabi?" She said with a cold wind in her voice.
"Relax all of you. Minato didn't cheat. I am just saying that one of you is packing for two." Musubi hit her fist in her hand. She had it figured out.
"Oh." A few seconds of silence set in.
"What does that mean?" The scientist shook her head.
"I mean, Musubi, that you're expecting fraternal twins. You'll have two kids instead of one." Takami told the girl everything. That relaxed the group.
"Two children? That means that I have two in my belly?" Takami smiled at her. "Yes. And before you ask, fraternal means that they are of a different gender. You have a male and female on the way. I would say that you start thinking about names."
No one was surprised that Musubi declared that she had picked a name already. "I'll call the girl Yume."
"Fitting choice. You'll only have to think about the male name." Takami went to the other girls. "Because you all are so burning to know the secret, I'll drop the ceremony. Kazehana, Uzume, Homura. You all got boys on the way."
The girls shared a look. That was something that Kazehana could rival on with Uzume. Homura sighed as she knew that was ironic.
"Matsu, Tsukiumi, Chiho. You all carry a daughter." The three girls were sharing a look as well. That was one thing to get used to.
Counting on her little fingers, Kusano had it figured out.
"So that means that Kuu will have four little brothers and four little sisters." Takami nodded at the youngest. She liked Kusano a lot.
"Yes, indeed. I would say to start about thinking names. Now, there are a few things that I would like to say to all of you." Takami wanted to take a cigarette, but she stopped herself.
She could smoke when no pregnant women were around.
"First of all. If you are wondering if you can go back to having sex, that is possible. I suppose that due to your guest, that wasn't on the table for the last month." The Sekirei eyed Minato with a hunger. Now his mother mentioned it, Minato didn't have sex, sides for that night with Musubi.
"But all of you. This is the general rule of thumb. Do not strain yourself. That means that keeping your bedroom to human standards. Understood?" Takami didn't need to glare at them as Minato would have put his foot down.
"Okay. For you all in particular. Musubi, did you practice last month?" The Miko nodded at the question.
"Yes, I had matches with Ichika." That name didn't need damper on the joy; now they had more to look forward to.
"That explains why there is no strain on your body. You held yourself back. I don't think that exercise can hurt you but keep it down. Human levels. Understood?" She nodded.
"Tsukiumi, I take you to have the same story as Musubi. Practice but holding back."
"Indeed, dear mother." Takami grinned.
"Same thing I told Musubi. Hold back. Don't go overboard if you don't have to. That goes for all of you with your powers. I only pointed them out as they had been practicing. Matsu."
No. 02 turned to Takami.
"I would say that you need at least two hours of fresh air. You don't have to walk or do anything, but you need to be outside. Get your brain from your computer." The Cyber Maiden nodded.
"Kazehana, I see that you don't have any alcohol in your blood." The Wind Flower didn't say a word, but she had understood.
"I take my son is the one who stopped you. I am saying that you follow his advice. No heavy drinking. Got it?" She nodded, and Takami took that as an answer.
"Same thing at your end, Homura. No smoking. That isn't healthy for humans, and you Sekirei are not that different from us. The eighteen months were the longest of my life." Takami said, and the girls understood. She had carried the man they loved.
"Uzume, I would say that you have to practice. Chiho, one other thing is that unlike the Sekirei, I want you to come here every two weeks. I doubt that any of you want to lose you now."
She nodded, and Uzume draped an arm over her.
"We're now September. You'll all deliver in March. But now, that's all I have. You know what gender your child will be. Think of names for now, but I want you all to get out." Kusano marveled at the ideas of that many young children to play with. Minato could begin to picture what they had to do in their new house.
"Minato." His attention went to Takami.
"I want you to keep a good eye on them. I am not telling you what to do, but I am telling you to make choices." Minato was smart enough. He knew what his mother meant.
He had more people to look out for—eight bundles of joy that had to see life.
The unborn children that the Ashikabi had conceived had to come in the first place.
Meanwhile, the girls were super happy. They knew what they had coming their way.
"I can't wait till I show my girl about computers." Matsu cackled as she pictured herself with a miniature version playing behind computers and peeking.
"I will raise mine as a proper lady." Tsukiumi thought the girl would get a good education. Not like how the hag raised her.
Uzume shared a look with Chiho. The Veiled Sekirei pictured two versions of Chiho sitting down. She would adore the daughter of the Ashikabi. It would have been a weird thing but nothing was hurt in Uzume.
She had come to understand what biology did and well. This was better than a sperm donor. The same could be said about her.
"I think that I am happy with a son. Might be fun to raise him like me." Kazehana smirked while Uzume walked closer to her while she thought about it.
"We both got boys. If you look at us, they'll be close. They'll leave a trail of broken hearts."
"Indeed." Kagari found it one weird play that she would get a boy. She might get jealous of the boy.
Yet, she would raise that boy the best she could. It might be fun to play around with. Giving it what she never had.
Musubi linked arms with Minato who got out his musing.
"Happy?"
The kiss revealed it all.
"Yes. I can't wait till they are here." Musubi said as she gave her Ashikabi a hug.
"I think we'll have to come up with names for the kids when we get home." The Flock agreed to that. Kusano would also demand that.
A peace settled in Minato. The direction was found for him now and like the girls, he couldn't wait till his kids would show up.
He would go to the end of them and it might be one challenge.
But hey, Minato won The Sekirei Plan. That had to count for something.
Endings song: I refuse. Five Finger Death Punch.
Piano opening
Ichika is sitting back in a dark room.
I don't wanna die alone
He looks at his Infinite Stratos unit on his wrist.
I don't wanna live forsaken
The Knight's hand goes over his head while a soft sob escapes.
I refuse to let this go
In his mind, the horrendous treatment plays in.
Because my soul is breaking
The more he plays in it in his head, the more frustrating he grows.
I don't wanna let you know
Ichika's hand goes to his phone.
That my heart is just so jaded
He thinks about all the good that Minato has done for him. He can't just let it go.
I refuse to let it show
Ringing the number, he knows better than to pick another way.
I refuse to let it go
Ichika has one home. He doesn't want to let go.
Wake me up when this is over
He gets up from his position and walks away.
I'm tired of living life like it's a dream
Activating his unit, Ichika flies away from the darkroom.
Please wake me up when it's all over
Outside, he finds that he is still in the ISA.
I'm tired of living right here in between
And while the entrance is blocked by the Infinite Stratos girls, he doesn't show any fear.
I refuse
A small smile finds its way on his face.
Ichika sees who is waiting for him.
And here we end this chapter. This was shortly done and I did enjoy writing this. The bits of Infinite Stratos is a thing that I really, really enjoyed doing.
Ichika is a changed man now. He is no longer relying on Minato. Maybe for information or getting out of situations, way over his head. He will call but he can also find his path.
Minato used his brain, Ichika will use his brawn.
Also, that theme of Wolves. That will stay around. I'll let you guys figure that one
I asked in the last chapter who you guys consider the protagonist. The requester still holds the opinion it's Minato and I can understand his viewpoint why he does that.
Two reviewers go for Ichika and I have followed that.
But I am going to change that up now. Both played important roles and while Ichika is still the main protagonist in my view, Minato's own story will kick off now. The two stories will be intertwined now, that much I can tell you all.
It's one change. For the names of the kids, the requester and I have thought of those and they'll be unveiled in the next chapter.
Well, one is already named.
The name is Afraid To Shoot Strangers. Going back to my roots.
Saluut.