Chapter 1: A New Beginning
"Everyone's here, right? Then let's start the class (student homeroom meeting)-"
The vice homeroom teacher, Yamada Maya-sensei, who introduced herself before, stood in front of the blackboard as she earnestly smiled at everyone.
She has a petite figure, and doesn't look any different than a student. However, wearing clothes that didn't quite match her body made her look even more petite. And it looked ever more out of place with her large olive green eyes, behind her hazy glasses. Instead of saying that it was a disproportionate sense of 'a kid wearing adult clothes'...it was more like a kid being forced into adult clothes. "Then everyone, let's get along with each other over the next year~"
However, the classroom was filled with an awkward mood, nobody reacted.
"Now, let's move on to self-introductions. Mm, we'll go by seating arrangements."
The vice homeroom teacher seemed nervous as she spoke and I did feel a little bad for her but I had my own problem to worry about.
What was that problem? It is simple: excluding me, everyone in the class is a girl. Today is the high school entrance ceremony, and for the first day, a new world opened up. That itself was good, something worth being happy about. However, the primary problem is that I'm the only boy. It wasn't just me overthinking it, but in fact, I really could feel the gazes of all the girls in my class. Besides, my seat isn't preferable. Why was I placed right in the front middle row of the class? It was as if they wanted me to stand out as much as possible. My extremely unmistakable upper body continued to be noticed even though I didn't want it to. My eyes turned toward the windows where a girl of average height with dark brown hair tied into two ponytails by a green ribbon sat looking at me curiously. I immediately recognized her as my childhood friend Houki Shinonono. Though I sent a pleading look, Houki turned her head away irritably, pretending to look outside. Such a cold reaction. Is this the attitude that a childhood friend should show after being separated for 6 years? No... Does she completely hate me now? "...kun, Orimura Ichika-Kun." "Ye-yes!?"
Suddenly having my name called out, I subconsciously responded. As expected, there were snickers, and it was difficult to stay calm. Even though it's not like I'm bad at handling girls, there's always a limit. Besides, they were all staring at me like they were expecting something big from me which stacked further pressure on me. Anyway, I'm the only boy in the class, there are 29 other female students in this class, and the assistant homeroom teacher is a female as well. As for the homeroom teacher...I don't know, but they are likely to be female as well. It seems that she hasn't arrived yet. What is she doing now?
"Did I startle you? Sorry-sorry! But, the self-introductions... we started from a , and now we're at o for Orimura-san now. So, pl-please, could you introduce yourself? Could you?" The vice homeroom teacher, Yamada Maya-sensei, bowed politely. However, the bowing caused her spectacles to slide forward. She gave an aura of a nervous school girl which really worried me. Speaking of which, is she really older than me? If it was said that she's as old as me, I could believe that. "Ye-yes sensei I'll do it" I stood up and turned to face the class.
"Uu..." At first, I just thought that I sensed them staring at my back, but now I could definitely feel their gazes piercing through me from the front. Even Houki, who had abandoned me, glanced over with interest. There was no doubt about it, they were expecting some grand gesture from me.
"Hm-... Well, I'm Orimura Ichika" After I bowed courteously—wait a second? The expressions on my classmates' faces seemed to generate a weird feeling, almost as if they were thinking, 'Say something more' and 'it can't be just this, right?'. It's impossible for me to rattle on about myself. I'm not that interesting. I was just a normal high schooler until one fateful day.
/
"Uh, s-so c-c-cold"
It was the middle of February. I was a third-year heading towards the examination center.
Due to a cheating incident, the government had only divulged the location of the entrance exam two days before the actual examination and unfortunately, the location happened two be in a different city to where I lived and coupled with the fact that the nearest stop was 2km away and it was freezing outside, to say I was in a bad mood would be an understatement. My mood was further soured by the fact that I couldn't find the examination room. Seriously, why was the structure of this building so confusing? It was like a maze with so many rooms. "Where is it?" I was starting to worry that I'd be late. This would be very bad as I needed to pass for my future. It was a pretty prestigious school so getting in would boost my chances of getting a good job and I could finally stand on my own feet and not be a burden to my sister Chifuyu-nee. Not to mention, she would kill me if she found out I was late to my exam. I started to pick up the pace, searching every room I came across, until I found a strange room.
It was dark and lacked any chairs or tables, it looked like some sort of storage room. I was about to leave when something caught my attention. It was a giant object that was covered by a cloth. I knew that I should have just focused on finding the exam room but my curiosity got the better and so and walked up towards it. At closer look the object had a human-like figure like a giant statue. I pulled off the cloth revealing what seemed to be something mysterious. It looked almost like set of medieval armor but contrast to it, the armor left certain spots on the torso exposed which would be counterintuitive to actual armor. I looked at it more closely and realized what it was. It was an Infinite Stratos, IS for short. It was originally created as a multipurpose power suit for space operations. However, its development did not go as the creator had originally intended, but ended up being modified by the other mechanic specialists involved, into a 'war machine'. However, all the other countries designated it as a 'Sport' —a so-called high performance— flying device. The fatal flaw of the 'IS' is that this machine will only react to females. Thus, right now, the thing in front of me was like a dummy in a windowed cupboard. It didn't do anything, nor will it do anything. It's just an object Despite knowing this, I felt drawn to it and so I reached for the IS to touch it. I wasn't sure what I was expecting but what happened certainly wasn't on my list of expected outcomes. "Ting!" First, a sound of metal echoed in my mind. Next, all sorts of information appeared in my consciousness. In just a few seconds, all the things that one wants to know yet is unable to know appeared in front of me. The basic movements of the 'IS', operation method, capabilities, characteristics, existing equipment, active time limit, movement range, sensitivity, radar search, armor residue, output gauge, and so on... It was as if I had used it for years, as if it was a technique that I refined, I understood everything about it, and mastered it.
The vision was also linked to the sensors, the numbers directly appearing in my mind. I could also feel the information of my surroundings through numbers.
"What, what's going on...?" It moved. The 'IS'. Like my own hands and feet. I felt something expanding over my skin-mucosal armor. My body suddenly felt light, and I felt as if I were floating—jets. While my right hand felt increasingly heavy, a weapon started to form out of light, a close-range combat knife.
I was taken back by all these developments, overwhelmed by all these knew sensations. I understood everything about what it does. Despite not having known it, despite not having ever learned about it, I understood.
Everything has happened so fast since then. I was discovered by a teacher who's jaw dropped upon seeing me in the IS. After that I was interviewed by a bunch of government officials who were bombarding me with hundreds of questions and before I knew it, I was packing my bags to move to the IS academy, which brings me to this present moment.
/
It was my first day of high school and I was doing my self-introduction in front of 29 girls who were all staring at me eagerly with a look that said "Tell us more" (Not good. This is bad. If I remain silent like this, I'll end up being branded a 'sinister individual'.) I held my breath before inhaling deeply, looking determined as I said, "That's all." *DANG! Several girls collapsed onto the floor. What were they expecting from me?
"Was it really that bad" I asked, a little embarrassed as I turned towards the girls behind me. Among the disappointed girls there was one that caught my eye. She had a slender figure with light blonde hair that formed drill-like curls at the ends, along with a royal blue headband that held her hair up. We locked eyes for abandoned second. She had light blue eyes that were glaring at me and it didn't seem out of interest as her face wore a frown. 'What's her deal?' I wondered but before I could ponder it any further...
*Pang! I felt a knock on my head. "OW—!?" I turned around while rubbing my head in pain and my eyes met a familiar person.
"Chifuyu-nee!" I said in shock. *Pang I was met by another whack by a clipboard. "It's Orimura-sensei here idiot" Staring at me was a woman with long black hair split into two parts wearing a black business overcoat that covered a white buttoned shirt with a matching long black skirt, black stockings, black marry jane shoes, a green tie and she had the same eyes as me. My older sister, Chifuyu-nee. No, wait, hold on hold on hold on. Why is Chifuyu-nee here? That sister of mine whose job I don't even know about, my own sister who couldn't even make it back home once or twice per month. "Ah, Orimura-sensei, is the meeting over?" "Ah yes, Yamada-sensei. It's been tough on you, forcing you to make them introduce themselves." "No, it's nothing. As the assistant homeroom teacher, if I can't even do that..." Her nervousness decreased, as vice homeroom teacher Yamada-sensei responded to Chifuyu-nee with such an energetic voice and an attentive look. "Everyone, my name is Orimura Chifuyu, and my duty is that for this one year, I'll be training you in the operations and controls of IS. Everything I teach, you have to remember, and understand. To those who can't understand, I'll teach them till they can. My job is to thoroughly train you during your first year, from the age of 15 to 16. You can dislike my attitude, but you still have to do what I say. Understood?" What's with this declaration of war? No mistake... This is my older sister, Orimura Chifuyu.
But there weren't any awkward cries, but shrieks,
"KYAAA—! It's Chifuyu-sama, it's the real Chifuyu-sama herself!"
"I've always been your fan!"
"I came to this school from North Kyushu because I admired you, onee-sama!"
"I came all the way from southern Hokkaido!"
"I'm so happy to be taught by Chifuyu-sama!"
"I'll gladly die for Chifuyu-sama!"
Chifuyu-nee stared at the chattering girls with a disheartened expression. Chifuyu-nee's name held a lot of respect in the world. She was the first generation pilot that represented Japan and was the first Mondo Grosso champion (think, Is olympics) earning the title of Brunhilde. She also was undefeated in an actual match. "...it's really quite a sight to see so many idiots gather here every year. What a surprise? Or is there a special reason? Are these fools only here to attend my class?" Chifuyu-nee said with disappointment in her voice.
"KYAAAHH! ONEE-SAMA! SCOLD US MORE! CONTINUE TO SCOLD US MORE!"
"BUT BE GENTLE TO US FROM TIME TO TIME!"
"AND BE EXTREMELY ELEGANT AFTERWARDS~!"
At least my classmates are good at being energetic. However, I was rather shocked and confused at my homeroom teacher being Chifuyu-nee, couldn't she have mentioned it before at least in passing? "Oi, so you failed at making even a simple greeting?"
Extremely sarcastic as always. Chifuyu-nee was a strict person, even to her own younger brother.
"No, Chifuyu-nee, I—" *PANG! That's the third time this has happened today. You know, 5000 brain cells die every time my head's hit. Got that, Chifuyu-nee?
"Call me Orimura-sensei."
"...Yes, Orimura-sensei."
"Eh...? Then, it means that Orimura-kun is Chifuyu-sama's younger brother...?"
"Maybe that has something to do with him being the only guy in the world that can use the IS?"
"I wonder if he is as good at piloting as her"
I'll ignore those words for now. Let's continue. I came here to this public IS Academy as the only male in the world who can pilot the 'IS'. The IS Academy is, as its name suggested, an educational corporation meant to nurture IS operators. The Japanese government sees it as a principle duty to fund it and run it. However, the results of the research are revealed to the entire world due to an agreement known as the Alaska treaty. Basically, it is this agreement between countries that forbids the research and development of IS technology for military use. Additionally, all information and technology related to IS must be disclosed to the world and shared openly, so Japan has no right to either remain silent or hide them. No matter what happens in this school, the Japanese government has to intervene fairly, and has the obligation of settling these matters under the premise that all the countries in the treaty have agreed upon. Also, the school has opened its doors to foreign students without any conditions, and the Japanese government is to provide protection as accorded to the contents of the IS treaty regarding IS pilot training agencies.
This is the school's code of discipline. It's a lot of information and many of the details are lost on me, I had to learn all this in two weeks but it's all to ensure that the IS doesn't cause a war. Suddenly, in this extremely excited classroom, I felt a stare. Looking back, Houki, who was just now looking outside the classroom, turned around to stare at me. (Hm—, though she doesn't look angry... Did I do something?) Never mind, I'll ask her later. Just as I was thinking about it, the bell rang. "Oh my, class is over. Everyone, I'll have you memorize the basics of IS within the next month. After that, it's practical. You must let the basic maneuvers sink in as a part of your body's instincts. Okay? If you understand, answer me." It didn't matter as none of the class was listening as they were all talking excitedly. No one had come up to me to talk, however everyone was still looking at me attentively like they wanted me to come and to talk to them. I was still nervous so I wasn't sure what to do. I remembered my good friend Dan Gotanda who upon finding out that I was going to the IS academy said I was "The luckiest man alive". Right now, I sure wasn't feeling very lucky.
"Can I have a word with you?"
"Hm" A girl was talking to me. Did she win the tournament among the girls who got to talk to me? Or was she the only one with the guts to come up to? Or did she just get impatient waiting for me to make a move?
"Houki!" My childhood friend, Houki Shinonono, was standing in front of me. I used to take lessons at her family's dojo and my older sister and her older sister were friends.
"Can we talk in the hallway?"
Guess she didn't want to talk in the classroom. Fine by me as this was my chance to get out of the class. Guess God had answered my prayers.
We strode silently through the hallways, passing groups of students who started whispering upon seeing us together. Guess Houki didn't get the privacy she wanted.
"So Houki, I heard you won the national kendo tournament last year, congrats!"
I said, trying to break the awkward silence that festered between us. I figured bringing kendo up was the best way to do it since I remembered her being a kendo fanatic.
"Wh-what! How did you know?" Houki asked flustered.
"I read it in the newspaper"
"Oh, really?" She replied and I could have sworn her cheeks went red for a second. Houki looked more uncomfortable now. Maybe she was embarrassed or was trying to be humble.
"You know, I recognized you right away Houki" I said trying to change the subject
"Really" Houki said with interest.
"Yeah, even though it has been six years your hair is the same" I said with a laugh.
"I'm surprised you remember"
"How could I not you are my childhood friend"
At this, Houki smiled a little. It was a rare sight seeing her smile. Usually her face was either holding a frown, a scowl or abandoned face of indifference, although it was usually a scowl. In her own words, she was born with it. *Ding-dong. The bell rang to signal that the break had ended. At this the students all scurried back to their classrooms.
"Lets head back"
"Yeah c'mon, we'll be late" Replied Houki now with an expression of indifference as she scurried back at a quick pace, coldly leaving me to catch-up.
"Slow down Houki!" I pleaded but she showed no intention of doing so. I guess she changed in those six years, then again, stubborn, determined and restless were words that fit Houki well even six years ago so maybe she hadn't changed that much.
"Thus using an IS requires the approval of the country and any violation of this condition is therefore a criminal offense" Yamada-sensei recited from her textbook. "Does everyone understand so far?" Most students murmured in agreement but I lost her 10 minutes ago. Was I supposed to remember all this? She was saying so many words that I didn't even recognize. What the hell is that wide area whatever thing?
"Uhm" I sheepishly raised my hand.
"Orimura, is there anything you don't understand?"
"Well" I hesitated.
"Please ask me if there is anything you don't understand, I'm your teacher after all" Ms Yamada proudly proclaimed.
I cleared my throat.
"Ms Yamada..."
"Yes"
"I don't understand anything"
At this statement, Ms Yamada looked startled.
"Nothing at all? Is there anyone else who is not following?"
Silence. C'mon guys don't make me feel bad. Surely there has to be someone else who doesn't understand, right? But none of the students looked nervous. Am I really this far behind everyone else?
"Orimura, did you read the textbooks I sent you before coming here?" Chifuyu-nee asked from the corner of the classroom"
"I thought they were old phone directories so I chucked them"
*Pang
Ow! I really didn't believe that they were for the IS. Those books were very thick and finishing them in the week before entering the academy would have been impossible!
"Those were required reading! I'll send you new ones. Learn what's in there in a week! Got it?"
What! Those books were thick as hell. There's no way I can memorize them in a week! I was going to protest but I caught Chifuyu-nee's glare which put my will down.
"Ok Chi-, Orimura-sensei"
Phew, that was close. Fortunately, I didn't evoke Chifuyu-nee's wrath, but unfortunately, I had a lot of studying to do in my first week. It was going to be a long week.
Eventually, after what felt like an eternity class had ended for lunch break. All the students were scurrying out for lunch. I sat for a bit trying to recover from the long lesson. My head was still hurting from trying to wrap it around the contents to little success.
"Excuse me, may I have a moment?"
I looked up and staring down at me was the blond girl who was glaring at me from earlier.
"What?"
"What? Is that a proper response? I'm giving you, a commoner, the honor of talking to me, Cecillia Alcott. You should be honored!" The blond girl spoke, her voice filled with confidence and privilege. 'So she is that type of person,' I thought.
"Sorry, I don't know who you are"
"What!"
At this, Cecillia looked startled and a bit angry. Was she someone famous or was she just angry that I didn't remember her class introduction.
"You don't know who Cecillia Alcott is? The English National Representative Candidate!"
"Uhm, can I ask you a question"
"Of course! After All, it is the duty of nobles to answer the questions of commoners" she said with pride in her voice, her eyes gleaming.
"What is a National Representative Candidate?" I asked the girl which startled her even more"
"You mean you don't know! Are all Japanese men this incompetent! This is common knowledge!I'm surprised they even let you in the academy!" she said as she gave me an offended look.
Wow! This girl was really obnoxious.
"Well I only discovered I could pilot an IS 1 month ago and up until then I had no interest in it. So, what is a National Representative Candidate"
"Well since you are so uneducated I'll give you the pleasure of explaining what a National Representative Candidate is" she said, her expression changing to that of pride.
"They are the elite of the elite. The ones chosen by their country to represent them as an IS pilot. You should be honored that you're in the presence of one, let alone speaking to them. You should feel blessed that I am your classmate I was afterall the only person to defeat a drill instructor during the entrance exam"
"I also defeated one," I said casually.
"W-w-WHAT!" Cecillia exclaimed. Stunned by my statement.
"Well it's more like they charged at me and I stepped out of the way, and then she slammed into the wall and stopped moving, it was strange" I recalled.
"But I was the told I was the only one"
"Maybe they meant among the girls?" I suggested.
"You mean you defeated an DRILL INSTRUCTOR" at this point she was shouting.
"Uhm, calm down" I pleaded nervously
"HOW CAN I" she continued shouting.
"Well, I'm going to lunch now, so see you later?" I said, trying to get out of there.
"We'll speak more later, YOU HEAR ME!" but I was already gone.
The rest of the day was uneventful except for Cecillia sending glares my way that seemed to be more intense than earlier. Like I could feel her glaring from behind me. Classes eventually ended and it was time for us to go to our dormitory. Fortunately, since I was the only male at this school the school provided me with my own room. I dread to think what would happen if I had to share a room with a girl. I reached my room, "1025" Fortunately, I wasn't followed. I opened the door revealing a beautiful room. The floor and walls were all spotless and looked like they had been meticulously cleaned. There were two beds, both with clean, neatly folded sheets. The bathroom was just as clean and spotless as the rest of the really pulled no punches on making the academy a grand place, but I realized that I didn't have time to waste on admiring the room as I stared at the thick pile of books on a desk. I picked one up called "IS: The Basics" which was as thick as a dictionary. 'This is going to be a long week' I thought with dread, but then I remembered how far behind everyone I was and how Cecillia and how she looked down on him. I hated being weak and behind everyone, so if I wanted to catch-up and make a name for myself, I was going to have to work really hard. So I opened the book and began reading.
Author Note: So this is the first chapter. I hope you are enjoying the story so far. I know there aren't many changes so far but that's because it is the beginning of the story so there isn't much I can change without changing the entire premise. The biggest change I made so far is probably not having Ichika and Houki share a room. I decided against it as it was only really used for generic harem fan-service scenes which I really want to cut down on in this rewrite. Not to mention, It never really made much sense to me that a school so heavily funded like the IS academy couldn't provide the one guy a his own room. Don't worry, I do plan to develop Houki and by extension her relationship with Ichika more I just wanna do it in a less fan-servicey way. I also want to try and give Ichika more of a character because that is something he severely lacked in the OG series. Anyways, thank you the reader for reading and any reviews, positive or negative are welcome.