A/N: Hello, you gorgeous readers, welcome back. A couple of updates I wanted to share. This chapter took a lot longer than expected. I'm working 40 hour weeks, meaning less free time, not to mention other things I had to take care of. I got some feedback on the previous parts, ones being ways I can improve the way I write. I re-read it, and they were right on a couple things.
I was writing a lot of the text in big blocks, which I think was because I was trying to write it more like a novel, which I wasn't quite sure what I was doing. My writing was kind of stiff as well, which after looking it over and doing some research, it kind of was.
I was also changing Ichika's moods a little too fast. I also made him more apprehensive, which was on purpose, since I want to make him feel realistic and more human, if you know what I mean.
I didn't really address or recap on certain events of the light novel, such as the phantom task, Madoka, the trip, and other things. I don't actually have any plan on making them a part of this story, but that could change. They, and other events will be mentioned, just later on.
Because of this, I delayed this chapter as I wanted to improve what I could, meaning almost the entire thing had to be re-written from the ground up, which was kind of hard, because of limited free time and my personal life as well, but it really was worth it. Thank you for your time, please enjoy.
Ichika, gulped in fear, he slowly turned around to face the girls, to which as expected looked angry. Except Tatenashi and Kanzashi who didn't really look angry, though he could tell that they wanted to know what was going on. None of them seemed to want to break the silence. He stood there, getting a little nervous, but tried to keep calm
"H-hey what's up." Ichika said, nervously.
"You know exactly what's up! Where were you today?" Houki says, glaring at him, really wanting answers.
"Yeah! With some floozy where you had the time of your lives?!" Rin shot accusingly.
"Indeed, we came to your house, and neither you, nor your sister were home. We knocked, waited, and you didn't answer." Cecilia added.
"I certainly hope my bride hasn't cheated on me, that's not what a faithful wife would do, and that's who I expect you to be." Laura said.
They all stood there waiting for his response. Charlotte, Kanzashi and Tatenashi, who didn't say anything, judging by their faces, they wanted answers as well. Ichika stood there getting more nervous, as he knew this was likely gonna happen. He started to think of a response that wouldn't make them angrier. Deciding to tell them the truth, which he didn't know if it was going to be a good idea, or not, but seemed to be the only way that he was going to get them off his back.
"Well, you really want to know? I wanted a day to myself, I asked for it once, but you all assumed that it was with some girl in one way or another. Why would it matter if I was? I wasn't doing anything wrong." Ichika finally responded, hoping that would pour water on the fire.
This however, didn't seem to work, as they stared at him murderously.
"What exactly were you doing on this so-called day to yourself, huh!?" Houki said, not breaking the intense glare, the others doing the same, all of them wanted to know.
After thinking for a second, he decided to tell them about sneaking out the back window and going to Dan's, and hiding when they came.
"I secretly snuck out one of the back windows when I heard you knock, I cut through some back areas, and went to my friend Dan's. Him and his younger sister are good friends of mine. Since we hadn't seen each other for a while, we wanted to catch up." Ichika started.
Now the girls really looked like they were gonna rip his throat out, they were on the edge of summoning their IS, when he mentioned Ran. They decided to let him finish, however, since there had to be more to it than that.
"After I got there, I saw you coming and ran to hide in the bathroom until you left. I told them to tell you I wasn't there, and to pretend that they hadn't seen me." Ichika finished.
They couldn't keep it in any longer, Rin was the first to outburst in anger. She summoned her IS fist and charged towards him.
"I knew it! you were with some other floozy." Rin yelled, while charging
"Woah!" Ichika shouted, just barely dodging her punch.
"What do you mean by that!?" He added, really starting to get scared, while slowly taking steps backwards.
"You tricked us! And wasted our time!" Houki shouted, as she looked like she was going to do the same.
"How I spend my free time is up to me, and shouldn't concern you. Why should you get to decide how I do it, when it isn't really any of your business." Ichika said, but it didn't seem to get through to them.
"I think my wife needs to be punished." Laura said
"What? Why?" Ichika responded.
"You make time for another girl, but not us! That's messed up, Ichika. How dense can you be?" Cecilia questioned angrily.
Ichika really didn't get these girls at all. Does he have to tell them everything he does? Or spend all of his time with them? He rarely ever got time to himself. They even always wanted to know what he was doing, when he was not around them for long chunks of time.
Maybe it has something to do with the female supremacy that the world has been under for the last decade. Ever since the IS came around women have gained control over everything. Society, politics, and much more. Men aren't seen as equals, or human beings. They're often seen as pets, or servants, who should be submissive and loyal to women, since they have all the power, because of the IS.
Thinking about it, they often forced Ichika into things without consent. Since women are in power, they seem to believe they can do whatever they want. And if they didn't get their way, they normally got violent, or insulating.
"So what if I am dense? It's better than being mean." Ichika said, while continuing to back away.
Noticing this, they started slowly pacing closer to him, as if not to let him leave.
"What's that supposed to mean, Ichika?" Charlotte finally spoke up, in a confused and slightly angry tone.
"I just wanted some space, and you don't seem to respect that, you're all looking at me like I did something wrong. I know that I tricked you, and I'm sorry for that, I didn't want to, but I didn't have a choice." Ichika said, starting to lose his patients.
Tatenashi and Kanzashi, who haven't said anything, began to consider what Ichika said. He could've just told them that he wanted some space, but knowing the other girls, they of course would not allow it. The two sisters looked at each other and nodded, deciding to step in before this went too far.
"Ok girls, I think this is enough, Ichika just wanted some space, which isn't really the most unreasonable request, we could've just let him." Kanzashi said.
"Yes, I'm sure guys want time to themselves, the way girls want time to themselves." Tatenashi added.
Ichika felt relieved when the two sisters seemed to understand. They weren't really like the others, they were still jealous, when he mentioned that another girl was involved. They didn't believe Ran could be a threat in their quest for Ichika's heart, since she is not a student here at the academy, and that they don't see each other often.
The girls, all going to summon their IS arms, stopped to think for a moment. By a miracle, they all sighed and decided to let it go for just this once.
"Fine, but next time we won't let you go so easily, Ichika." Houki said, giving him one last warning glare, the others doing the same. as they all agreed.
"Exactly." Rin added
"Yes, I don't want to hear about my wife cheating on me, because you know what will happen." Laura finished, waving her combat knife at him, before putting it away.
Ichika, like usual, was nervous by the threat, but it was to be expected by these girls. Not saying anything else. They all gave him the cold shoulder, as they headed towards the dorms.
"Thank you." Ichika told the two sisters, as he was grateful that none of the usual antics had gone down, which was rare.
"You don't get off the hook that easily, Ichika~" Tatenashi said.
"What? What do you mean?" Ichika questioned, as some of his relief had disappeared.
"You tricked us too, as punishment you need to give me one of your fine messages." Tatenashi giggled.
Kanzashi gave off a jealous vibe as she looked at the two of them. Tatenashi found it rather adorable when her little sister got jealous, Ichika not so much, as he remembered what she said she would do to him, if he did anything to her sister. Realizing she couldn't do anything about it, decided to return to the dorms, as it was getting late. She turned toward Ichika and her sister once more.
"Remember what I told you, Ichika." Kanzashi said, as she looked at him with a serious, and jealous look.
"I-I'm not going to do anything, I would never do anything." Ichika said nervously.
"Good." Kanzashi said, as she instantly grew a bright smile, which Ichika actually found disturbing. It was almost like Charlotte's sweet smile that could brighten his day, and also scare the shit out of him, when angry. She then turned and made her way to the dorm building.
"Well, we should head in, it's getting late." Ichika said, as he turned to Tatenashi, only to find nobody.
He looked all around him, but she was nowhere in sight. After sighing, and grabbing some of the luggage he brought, he began making his way into the dorm room. Finally finding the room, he knocked, and then entered. He was greeted with the sight of Tatenashi in her pajamas, on her bed, laying on her stomach with her legs kicking. Ichika actually found this rather adorable. She looked like an excited child.
"Come on, I've been waiting for this." Tatenashi said, excitedly.
"Alright, Just let me put these away and get changed." Ichika replied.
After changing, and putting his belongings in place, he reluctantly gave her a massage. She always loved it when he did this, as it gave her countless opportunities to tease him, and possibly make sneaky sexual advances. Ichika was used to it by now, as this is what she was known for. After a bit, they decided to call it a night.
"You know, we could possibly save time for when we have to wash the sheets." Tatenashi said, with a cheeky smile.
"Oh? How?" Ichika replied.
"If we shared one bed." Tatenashi started. "Then we only have one load of sheets to do, since the one on the other will mostly stay clean." Tatenashi finished, with a mischievous look.
"W-what? What are you suggesting, we can't both fit, can we?" Ichika said, blushing madly.
She looked at him, and started laughing hard. She finds his reactions and responses priceless and downright adorable.
"I'm just kidding. If we did share, would you be able to keep your hand off me." Tatenashi said, while still giggling.
This girl is going to be the death of me, I don't know how much longer I can handle this. Ichika thought to himself, as he crawled into bed, before turning the lights off.
"Sweet dreams, Ichika~" Tatenashi said one last time.
Not saying anything else, Ichika just layed there, trying to drift off, but couldn't. Fear starts to enter his mind, remembering what happened earlier, how the girls were going to hurt him again, and what they might do in the future. He eventually fell asleep, hoping for a peaceful first day tomorrow.
Ichika suddenly awakened, terrified, while breathing heavily. He found himself in what looks like a black void, with darkness all around him. The ground was made of water, and splashed slightly whenever he took a step, though he didn't sink, he just walked on it like it was solid ground.
"What's going on? What is this place?" Ichika said, as his fear only began to increase. He noticed that his IS was missing from his wrist. Just then he started to hear voices. Then he started seeing flashbacks.
"I should punish you!"
"I hope a dog bites you to death!"
"Ichika you pervert!"
"I will make you my bride! No objections!"
"I hope a horse kicks you to death!"
"Goodness! What kind of response is that?"
"I told you, it's Ms. Orimura. When are you going to learn? If you won't learn, then die."
"Hmph. I could get married in a week if I didn't have to take care of my idiotic little brother."
Those voices were from the girls, even Chifuyu, from various bad times at the academy. Ichika's heart started to tear, as was reminded of these times, even his own family was like this with him. What did he ever do to deserve all of this? He always tried to do what was right, and be kind, caring, and respectful, but he never got anything good out of it, no matter what. Ichika then fell to his knees, as tears began to form in his eyes.
"Why? Just why? What did I ever do to them?" Ichika said, as covered his face with his hands, while starting to sob.
"Pathetic!" A dark voice said, venomously.
"Huh? W-who's there?" Ichika said, as he jumped to his feet, while still slightly sobbing.
"Right here." The voice replied.
Ichika slowly started to turn around, terrified at what might happen, and who the voice may be. Finally he turned around, and was shocked by what he saw.
"W-what the…" Ichika gasped.
A/N: This may have been short. What do you think? Please leave a review if you want, to let me know what you think, and any suggestions you may have. I absolutely love reading the reviews, and I get excited whenever a new one comes in.
Two more things before you go.
When Ichika snaps, where should he do it? Should he do it in front of a whole bunch of other students? Or just have the harem present, Tatenashi and Kanzashi included. P.S What I mean by calling them out individually is when the group is together he turns to one girl, then another.
What are some things that he could say to the girls? I ask this because this might be the most difficult part of the story to write, since I want to make it sound like what he would say if he really were to snap in canon. I actually don't start writing another chapter for about 1-2 weeks, because I want to see any suggestions you might have. I can't wait to see what ideas you might have, as I will see you gorgeous readers next time.
