Chapter 1: Last day of break
(A/N: SURPRIZE! You got this sooner than expected. I underestimated my love for writing. I got on my computer, started writing, next thing I know hours passed (don't worry, I am making sure to take care of myself), not to mention I didn't even want to stop, I actually have fun doing this, which really gives me excitement, I even got some spare free time as well. I have a few important things that I want to say. First of all, I want to thank everyone for the reviews and followings this story got in the first few days. I was absolutely not expecting this to get any attraction for at least a month, so thank you all. Second, I have noticed some of you suggested reading the fanfictions Singularity and An Uncertain Pilot. I have actually read both of those, multiple times actually. I have read them again to gain some more ideas. This is the part that bothers me, however. I want to be original and not rip them off. I don't want to be accused of being a copycat, which I have no intention of, and never will. The only thing that makes those two and this similar, is that involves Ichika snapping, or becoming more human, as what I like to call it, and the setting (where and when a story takes place), other than that I'm trying to do something that I can come up with. Thanks for suggesting them though, they are indeed great. Yes, Ichika will be disowning his harem and Chifuyu as well, since I love reading ones about him doing that, as much as you all do. It won't be in this part. Maybe the next one, or the one after. Just clarifying, I don't plan on making him attempt, or commit suicide, he may threaten to do it, though, I'm not planing on making him kill them either. I won't spoil anymore than I should. I'm done wasting time! Get reading! We all know you want to.
Ichika had woken up in the morning, it was about 8:30. Thank goddess there were no more nightmares for the rest of the night. He got up, stretched, walked to the bathroom to get ready for the day. It was Sunday, meaning the last day of spring break, which was unpleasant in some parts. His "girlfriends'' were 95% of it, as you could imagine. They decided to not return home to their respective countries for the break. They wanted to make sure none of them or anyone would be cheating, in other words make a move on Ichika. While making sure he wouldn't make any moves on anyone, as they all said to him directly at one point. He honestly just tried not to think about it so much, as it worried him the more he did.
"I wonder how today will go." Ichika said, after he finished washing his face and staring at himself in the mirror. He took a shower, got dressed, and cooked breakfast for him and Chifuyu. "Breakfast in five minutes, Chifuyu" He said while looking at the stairs, where she walked down into view, still dressed in her nightwear. "All right," she replied casually, but with a hint of annoyance, not that she was annoyed with him, but the last day of break had to be at the academy for preparations for the new year. The two sat down and ate, and all seemed well.
"I will be heading in today to prepare for tomorrow." She started. "I will also be staying there for tonight as well." She finished.
Ichika understood since she had gone in a few times during the break, and other breaks before, he guessed it was part of being a teacher.
"I want you there tonight as well, so you can get settled in the new dorm, along with Tatenashi." She said with a hint of her strict instructor tone, as she finished eating. Making him nervous as usual, despite her doing it for so long. He wasn't really nervous about that, however, it was sharing a room with Tatenashi, yeah she really is going to be his roommate. She, and Kanzashi, for the most part, aren't really like the others, she is just the sadistic queen of teasing, as he nicknamed her. He started to remember the nightmare he had, and started to think of ways trouble could be prevented, since she is staying with him full-time now, not just temporarily. The girls, as normal, were very jealous about this, and gave him warnings and threats. since she is getting a room with him, this absolutely delighted Tatenashi, as she felt very victorious, even Kanzashi was jealous. Yeah, only a tiny chunk of that nightmare was not real.
"Yes, I will be there tonight, I just want to enjoy the last day of break while I can." Ichika responded, he already knows what is likely going to happen today. He kept that part to himself. Even Chifuyu already knows what's coming, but decided not to mention it.
"Just don't cause trouble." She said, as she was walking away from the table. "Right." Ichika said, a little annoyed, trying not to show it, as she always thought he was trying to cause trouble, usually with the girls. She went upstairs to get ready. Ichika did the dishes and cleaned up a bit around the kitchen. After about fifteen minutes, Chifuyu showed up in her usual black suit, along with some luggage, as it is required on campus. "See you later sis." Ichika said, as she was about to go out the door. "Yes, just don't be too late tonight." She says with her strict voice, he could only nod in return.
Going back into the living room and sitting on the couch, he began to think about his big sister a little more. At home she wasn't as bad as she was at school, but when the girls are involved one way or another, home or school, it's like she will always be the strict demon teacher, when and wherever they go. Ichika was aware that she had reasons for being this way, but she does take things overboard sometimes. Hitting him on the first day a couple of times, which became constant, along with very hurtful insults at times. When he met Tatenashi for the first time, he ended up being late to class. He, like any other student, tried to explain, but she just assumed the conclusion that he preferred to waste time with girls instead of going to class. She then ordered Charlotte to use her rapid switch and shoot him in the head as punishment. Instead of simple detention or a write-up, this is what she came up with. Charlotte was also fine with doing this, as she wanted to punish him for talking to, and possibly making a move on another girl.
"Why can't I get these things out of my head." Ichika grumbled, almost crying, as his head was in his hands. He still wonders why she would do something like that to him, he thought they were friends. Is that how you treat a friend who has done nothing but good things for you? No it really isn't. The same was for the others as well, beatings (sometimes with their I.S), insults, threats, and being forced into things that he didn't get a say in.
He wiped the tears off his face, that he didn't even notice until his cheeks had already dry stains. After a trip to the bathroom, he decided to stop thinking about that stuff, and try to enjoy the day. The clock had read 9:15 am. He notices this and wonders why none of the girls have shown up yet. They came around quite a lot during the past break. Almost everyday to be exact, early in the morning a lot of the time.
"Maybe they have other plans today." Ichika said, as he paced around the living room anxiously. Wondering if that is the reason they haven't come yet. If so, he might finally get a break. He was actually smiling in happiness, at the moment, as this is what he really wanted for a while. He could have just asked if he could have some time to himself, which he did at one point, but they immediately got suspicious, thinking he was planning something with someone else, typically with another girl. At this point he just gave in to hanging out with them. Which had its ups and downs, as we all know.
Unfortunately, his happy moment ended in an instant, as he walked past the glass door to the yard, and saw his "fantastic" friends walking along the sidewalk towards the gate. They were dressed a little more fancy than they normally would be. He did have to admit their outfits did look pretty, and that they looked pretty themselves in general. He also noticed that both the Sarashiki sisters are here as well.
He decided that the last day of vacation was the day he had for himself. "I'm not dealing with them today. They're not going to ruin the last day of the break for me." Ichika said, as he began to quickly come up with something that he could do to get rid of them. or a way he could hide. His best friend Dan Gotanda. They used to hang out all the time, until Ichika started going to the I.S academy. "I'm sure they want to hang out, they always love it after all. And I love it too." He said in an excited voice.
The doorbell rang, and Ichika immediately got scared, since he had very little time to act. "Uh oh! I need to get moving." He said quietly, as he heard voices on the other side of the door. "Hello, Ichika, are you home?" They all said in a sweet, but annoying melody. Ichika was making his way to a back window of the house that he could climb out of, since he can't use the front door. He managed to climb out of a window that was decently sized and not too far from the ground. Trying to move quickly and quietly to avoid getting caught. After cutting through some areas, feeling like he was far enough, Ichika sighed in relief, hoping he won't have to do this again.
After texting Dan to see if they can hang, he almost immediately got a reply saying that he is more than welcome. He then made his way to the Gotanda eatery.
The girls were still waiting for Ichika to answer the door, but got nothing and started to get suspicious.
"God, is he that heavy of a sleeper or what!" Rin said, starting to get annoyed.
"Calm down Rin, I'm sure there is nothing to worry about." Charlotte replied in her usual innocent tone, but with a small hint of concern.
"My wife better not be doing anything an unfaithful wife would do." Laura said.
"He is probably still in dream land." Tatenashi started. "With me!" She finished, with her usual teasing voice. To which in return got venomous stares from the others, including Kanzashi, the type Ichika received a lot of.
"No, I'm sure he would love to be with a British beauty such as myself, as many men would." Cecilia bragged.
Houki, clearly having been jealous and annoyed by what she was hearing. Finally snapped. "Okay enough!" She started, grabbing everyone's attention in the process. "Ichika clearly is not home, since he is usually up before this time, and we have been ringing the bell, knocking, and calling for the past five minutes." She finished.
Hearing this, they all seemed to agree that it normally isn't like Ichika to be this late answering the door. Rin seemed to start getting more concerned then everyone else. Not thinking something happened to him, but what he might be doing. "I bet that he left early, so he could go to some bitches house to finally make a move." Rin said, while thinking that is probably exactly what was happening.
"Sounds like my bride is being unfaithful again. When will he ever learn?" Laura said. Starting to agree with Rin about what might be happening.
Charlotte, Tatenashi and Kanzashi, the innocent ones of the bunch. Who didn't want to believe it, but where it was at the point where they hadn't heard anything from Ichika for a while now, were now starting to suspect that Ichika was up to something.
"Even if he is, he will soon realize what he is with the wrong senpi, and come back to me inst-" Tatenashi started, but was cut-off, "WILL YOU JUST SHUT UP!" Houki and Rin both yelled. Both of them were surprised by the fact that they both thought of saying the same thing at the same time.
How would we even find him? Even if he isn't doing that. Which I hope is not what's really happening." Cecilia said.
"Well, I know one girl he could possibly be with right now." Rin said. Houki seemed to catch on immediately, as to what girl Rin was referring to, and didn't like the idea either. "Well I guess that's one place to start." Houki said. The others grew curious, as they heard what she said.
"What girl exactly?" Cecilia asked.
"Ran Gotanda." Houki started. "Ichika has a friend named Dan who has a younger sister, who I met at the fireworks festival last summer, she was at Ichika's birthday as well." Houki finished. The other grew jealous at the fact that they may have another rival going after their precious Ichika. One that they technically met before.
"Yes, that would be her alright. I met her soon after I met Ichika. Their family owns a restaurant that we used to spend a lot of time in." Rin explained while remembering the times they spent together, especially with Ichika, making her blush, but now she wants to be more than friends with Ichika. Thinking of Ran now, just makes her want to rage.
"Then I guess we head there first," Kanzashi asked.
"Yes, right away!" Laura said, wanting to get to the bottom of this.
"Right, I'll lead the way, I know where it is." Rin said, as she was first to start walking, taking the lead.
The harem began to make their way to the eatery.
Ichika had finally got to the restaurant, and was greeted by both Dan and Ran. Ran, excited, hugged him while blushing. Dan just stood there with a smirk knowing what she was doing.
"She sure missed you alright." Dan said, while on the verge of laughing. Ran gave him a death glare, but said nothing else.
They took a seat by the window that had a view at the front area.
They offered Ichika something to eat, but he declined since he had breakfast not too long ago. He did have tea, but that was all he wanted.
"Today is the last day of spring break and I wanted to enjoy it. So, I thought it would be great to catch up with some friends." Ichika started, "I do apologize for the short notice, though." Ichika finished.
"No worries dude, you are always welcome here." Dan responded.
"Indeed." Ran Added
Dan looked at his little sister, smirking, like he wanted to tease her more, but decided not to, since their friend was here. Who they saw as a special guest, especially Ran, because they hardly see each other nowadays, since the beginning of the IS academy days for Ichika.
As they talked about how things had been going. Ichika was going to say something, but the girls and their actions towards him started to swarm his mind. Tomorrow was the first day of the new year at the academy, and what the girls might do to him, if he is not careful.
"Ichika…Ichika?" Dan and Ran said together.
Snapping back to reality, Ichika realized he zoned out, and saw the two of them looking at him with concern. "You okay man? You looked nervous, like you were going to have an anxiety attack or something." Dan said. "Is there something bothering you? If so, you can tell us that is what friends are for." Ran added. Ichika actually felt comforted at the moment. It's not very often people actually showed proper concern whenever he was down. He didn't know if he should tell them about his friends, and what they are known for, it gave him mixed emotions, like they might think he was exaggerating, not to mention Ran has a thing for him too, or at least he thinks she does, and he didn't want her to become like them.
"Oh...well it's just that-" Ichika then looked out the window, and saw his harem approaching the building, immediately getting scared. He got up and ran toward the washroom. "Dude what are you-" Dan started, but was cut-off. "Don't tell them I'm here!" Ichika said desperately, as he pointed towards the door. "What do you-" Ran started. "Don't tell the girls I'm here." Ichika said nervously, cutting her off, before he rushed into the washroom.
Dan and Ran, really confused about what Ichika was talking about, but decided to go along as the girls entered the building.
"Welcome!" Dan and Ran both said, as the girls entered the restaurant. "Hello Houki, good to see you again, and everyone else." Ran Greeted kindly, but it wasn't working, as Houki did not look like she was in a good mood.
"Where's Ichika?" Houki was the first to speak.
"What do you mean?" Dan responded.
"Did she stutter? Where is Ichika? He wasn't home and we were looking for him. Is he here by any chance? Get the hint now? Rin said, starting to get annoyed.
"Calm down, Rin you don't have to be that way, and no we haven't seen or spoken to Ichika today." Ran said.
"Are you sure?" Asks Cecilia. "Yes, are you sure, you haven't seen my bride?" Added Laura.
Bride? That confuses both Dan and Ran, but they decide it isn't worth the time."Yes I am sure. Do you see him here?" Ran said, as she looked around the restaurant, while gesturing her hand at their surroundings.
"Can we get you a table? Dan asked.
"No, thank you, we were just looking for Ichika, since you guys are friends, we thought he might be here. Kanzashi said.
"Oh well, guess he's not here, let's go ladies." Tatenashi said, while gesturing her head towards the entrance.
"Alright, fine." Rin says while turning toward the door, the others follow after.
"Sorry for the trouble." Charlotte said.
"No problem." Dan responded, before the door closed.
They waited a full minute before telling Ichika that he could come out.
"Dude what was that?" Dan questioned, almost instantly. "Yeah? Why are you trying to hide from them?" Ran added. Ichika looked rather embarrassed at this moment. Hiding from girls is the last thing Dan thought Ichika would do. That is why he was feeling awkward at this moment.
"Long story." Ichika finally said. He sat back down at the table he was at, and took a deep breath. "Is this why you were nervous before?" Asked Dan. "Yes" Ichika responded, while avoiding eye contact.
"Do you want to talk about it? It really looks like it's bothering you. Talking about it might help you feel better, we won't judge you, we might even be able to help, because that's what friends are for." Ran said, touching his shoulder as she sat down close to him. Dan followed soon after.
"Alright" Ichika said, feeling somewhat better already.
He began to tell them everything about his friends, their supposed feelings for him, their actions towards him for something petty, or out of his control, even the way Chifuyu treats him, and even the terrorists that are after him. After he finally finished, he had an exhausted and sad expression on his face. Ran and Dan were both in absolute shock at what Ichika had just told them, they would have thought he was exaggerating, but judging by the look on his face, and the tone of his voice while he was explaining, told them he was 100% serious.
Neither knew how to respond, as they were still trying to let everything sink in first.
"They came over a lot during the break, and since it was the last day, it was time I wanted one day to myself." Ichika started." That's actually
why I wanted to come here for the day." Ichika finished.
"Are they insane!?" Ran said, finally able to come up with something.
"Yeah, not just them, though, the entire academy is quite crazy. No offense, Dan, you think it sounds nice, but it's not." Ichika said.
"It feels like I'm only liked for my gender, or being the only man that can use an I.S, instead of who I am as a person. Sometimes they don't see me as a human, but a public tool." Ichika explained.
"I could see you being chased, but I didn't think it was that bad." Dan said.
"I agree." Ran added
"I get that it is an all-girl school, and that their understanding of men was low, not to mention they are used to going to school with only girls, so having a guy around is without a doubt, would be odd." Ichika said.
"Damn, I never thought of it that way." Dan said.
"It's fine Dan, I know a lot of guys wish the same thing." Ichika responded.
"Have you ever tried to do something about any of this? Fighting back, or anything really." Ran said in a worried voice.
"Trust me, it's not as easy as it sounds. Since it's an all-girl school, being the only boy, already leaves me out numbered, not to mention the girls, you know my wonderful friends. They are a lot more stronger, or skilled when it comes to the I.S then I am." Ichika started. At this moment, his sadness and stress returns to his face, almost on the brink of tears, he tries to hold them back. "Everyone seems to think I deserved it, or had it coming. I tried to tell them, but they never seem to listen to me, no matter what." Ichika finished.
"That is just plain wrong. You don't deserve it, especially when it wasn't your fault to begin with." Ran said, clutching his hand.
"Absolutely agreed!" Dan Jumped in.
Ichika started to feel very relieved that they really cared for him, and didn't believe he deserved what happened to him all the time, he almost wanted to cry of happiness.
"Thank you guys. It's not very often to have someone properly care for me." Ichika said, feeling a lot better.
"That is what friends are for." Dan said
"Yeah, better than those crazy ones ever could." Ran added.
Ichika couldn't help but agree with her on that. She was right, the girls were never this way with him. He always wished they would, but it's clear that they aren't those types of people.
"You got that right, and I will figure out a way to deal with them." Ichika said.
"Good." Dan and Ran both said.
After a couple of hours Ichika decided it was time to head out, as he needed to be at the academy dorm for tonight. "I'll talk to you guys soon." Ichika said, as he headed out the door. "We can call more, if you like." Dan said before, Ichika got too far. "I would want nothing more, goodbye." Ichika said, as he waved and turned his head back one more time, before heading off. The two siblings watched him disappear, still worried for him, but had faith in him after talking about it.
Ichika was walking back to his house to get some extra things that he wanted for his dorm room. As he was, he began to worry about the girls, and what he will say to them after he sees them again. Considering what happened today, it's very unlikely that they won't be happy. He even looked over his shoulder several times, as he was worried that they might sneak up on him, since it was common for them to do so.
Thankfully they were nowhere to be seen the entire way to his house.
He got packed, locked up the house and headed for the train to the academy. After about thirty minutes he was finally near the second year dorms, feeling satisfied that he finally got the last day of spring break to himself. He approached the building, walking at a basic pace, until a knife flew across his path, about a foot in front of him, before impaling a tree nearby.
"Ichika!" Seven voices said at the same time as they approached from behind him.
"Uh oh." Ichika said, scared, as he knows exactly what's coming.
(A/N: So, what do you think? Please review, follow, and favorite, to let me know your thoughts, and suggestions. I know I said it would be out later on, but I'm sure you know why, as I said it earlier. The next one should be out soon, but not exactly sure when.
Before you gorgeous readers go, I have two questions.
1. When Ichika eventually snaps at the girls, should he call them out individually, or as a group? I just want to get a general idea for what my audience wants, and so I know how much I should write.
2. This one doesn't really have anything to do with the story, but what's your relationship with Infinite Stratos? Specifically with the girls. For me, I think the girls are crazy psychotic, and really need to be punished for everything they have done to Ichika, but I wouldn't want them to die, since I believe that deep down they are good people, and there are moments that I read/watched that made me forget how crazy they really are, but that is just my opinion. I have seen some say that they want them to die for their actions, but since everyone has their own opinion, I respect it.
Until then, let me know what you think, and I will be back for next time.
