I have another chapter out pretty fast, but these two tie in together, so I decided to get them here. While I am listening to KK Priest, I'll be seeing them the day after I work on this chapter in Utrecht.
But I am not going for them: their special Guests, The Burning Witches. For them, I am making the trip again.
You gotta do something crazy every once in a while.
And well, I like this stuff.
Started on 18/06/2021
Ended on 21/06/2021
I changed the lyrics of this song a bit, and I'll be keeping it in this chapter.
Ichika has somewhere to call his home.
Just sixteen, a pickup truck, out of money, out of luck
I've got somewhere to call my home, hit the gas, and here I go
[Five Finger Death Punch. Walk away.]
Ichika wasn't joking when he said he was leaving. Now, he was making good on that threat. Amid the many shouts and pleas for him to stop, Ichika didn't look back once. Instead, he went to his room and began to pack his clothes. From the doorway, Chifuyu appeared, looking at the open suitcase.
"Orimura, what are you doing?" Glaring at her, Ichika paused for a second but then continued packing.
"What does it look like? I'm out. I've had it with this school. I have had it with those girls. I have had it with you!" Chifuyu blocked the entrance and shut the case. Without disturbance, Ichika opened it again.
"Orimura, this is ridiculous. Is this a reason to leave the school?"
"Orimura-sensei," he spat those words as if they were poison in his mouth. "This was the straw that broke the camel's back."
Grabbing her brother by the hem of his shirt, Chifuyu intended to make her point clear. However, the usual cowering was met with a deadly glare from Ichika. It was like looking in a goddamned mirror.
"And you're going to leave? Where will you go?"
"Where do you think? I'm going to my big brother." That word surprised Chifuyu.
"That man isn't your brother. And you are being ridiculous."
Ichika removed her hand and threw it aside. "In blood, he isn't. In everything else, he is. He was there to take care of me, to teach me important things, to look after me. You taught me the weight of a man's life. He taught me how to live it."
"You fucking ungrateful son of a—" Ichika grabbed her by the shirt and pulled.
"My name's Ichika. Got it? I've had my fill of this shit. I had enough. Ungrateful! Who the hell are you kidding? Take a good look at yourself. Aren't you supposed to be the Brunhilde? Some teacher and example you are. You talk about honor and pride, but that isn't extended to your little brother. You leave me high and dry every time. Every time I look for you, you aren't there. Guess who is? You're the world's greatest pilot? Perhaps. But you are not winning any awards for being a big sister anytime soon!"
Freeing herself from her brother's fury caused Chifuyu to see red.
"You really think you can judge me, you fucking brat!"
Taking a breath, she punched the wall, causing it to smoke and leaving a crater where her fist had been.
"What the hell do you know of the real world? What do you know about me? I took care of you out of the goodness of my heart and looked after you when no one else did. Is this how you repay me after everything I've done for you?"
Chifuyu had hoped, guessed, and prayed that shaming would work on her brother, that he would see what she had done for him, and that she wasn't so bad after all.
"There are ways you could have repaid your debt to me. If you had loved and looked after me, I might have thought you were right. What did you do? You went to fight in a tournament, dragged me away from my friends, went to Germany, and left me with an empty house to come home to. I never asked you to take care of me. I never asked you to look after me. If I had known it would have saddled me with a horrible woman like you, I would have preferred never to have known you!"
Gobsmacked, Chifuyu couldn't move or respond. Ichika grabbed his suitcase and began to leave the room.
He turned his head back just once to see the figure of his sister—then looked forward again.
"Goodbye." That was the only thing he said. Not "Orimura-sensei." Not "Chifuyu-nee." Not even "Chifuyu." She was left with that word. Her body screamed at her to move, stop him, punch, kick, shout, scream, cuss, anything to get Ichika back.
But she found that she was left with nothing. She had nothing at all. Collapsing on the bed, she put her hands in front of her face and began to cry. Tears poured down as she realized that she had messed up big time.
He wouldn't return to this place. Chifuyu was devastated that he didn't even think to look back as he closed the door.
Ichika was halted by several girls blocking his path.
"Get out of my way."
Tatenashi, Houki, Cecilia, Rin, Laura, Charlotte, Airis, and Djbril stood before him.
"Where does Ichika think he is going?" He didn't bother to reply. The crushed nose under his fist made his intentions clear.
"If you must know, Sarashiki," he spat out the name as if it were vile, "I'm running away." He opened his unit, feeling the Byakushiki wrap around him.
The suitcase was lifted into his unit.
"And don't come looking for me. I've had enough of you all." He noticed them showing their units, but his unit was superior. Ignoring their advances, he took off. When Cecilia's lasers came his way, he dodged them effortlessly. Ichika was not afraid.
Matsu's big battery was a boon. Utilizing his extreme speed, he evaded Charlotte's bullets. When Laura's energy blade appeared, Ichika slammed her down without hesitation. He was channeling his pain, anger, and frustration into each confrontation.
Turning, he saw Houki's approach. Without flinching, he met her Yukihira with his blade. She could feel his improved skill. Was this really Ichika? Employing her style, she recognized that Ichika had mastered the sword.
"Ichika, this style..." She was cut off by a fist colliding with her nose. Dazed, she stared at the boy she loved.
"I learned this from Miya. I can say she is better than you or your father will ever be." He knocked her down, flipped off the school, and sped away. He needed to escape. This place was not where he belonged. With incredible speed, Ichika raced away.
But drones blocked his path. Cutting through them, he evaded bullets from Laura, Cecilia, and Charlotte. He maneuvered erratically, making it impossible for them to hit him. Turning his head, he saw Rin in his path.
Charging his unit with energy, it lit up and surged towards the Chinese girl. He used sheer power over style, hacking her down. She was catapulted into Tatenashi, solving another problem. But then Laura's daggers wrapped around his arm. Charlotte and Cecilia thought they had caught him.
Ichika had other plans. He grabbed the German girl, pulling her close. She hadn't anticipated his strength. Using her as he had Rin, he turned her into a projectile aimed at Charlotte and Cecilia. He was sure no one would follow him now.
Not after that fight.
It couldn't even be called a fight.
Receiving a phone call, he was almost tempted to ignore it until he recognized the caller.
"Minato," Ichika answered, and his brother's voice seemed to soothe his pain, offering a sense of belonging.
"Ichika," his brother responded, his voice weary yet understanding, comforting.
Silence hung in the air briefly before Minato spoke again.
"I saw what happened. I suppose there are details."
"Yeah, and none of them pretty," Ichika replied as he increased his speed, tears streaming down his face.
He didn't understand why he was crying.
"Do you want to come home?" Minato asked, posing the question Ichika hoped for.
"Can I?" Ichika responded, uncertain of his next steps but knowing that if he could disappear into sleep, it might be the solution for him.
"You can, Ichika. First, we need to talk. Then, I'll ask Miya to cook for you."
"Thanks." His voice cracked at the mention of Miya, Minato, and the Inn.
"I'll see you soon. Keep strong." Ichika continued flying, tears streaming down his face, yearning for something warm.
Ichika flew towards the city on a near-automatic pilot. Initially designed for space travel, his unit could traverse the world in hours.
Reaching a city within the same country took merely 20 minutes after his conversation. Still, he felt the need to walk. Landing, he allowed himself to think as he trod the ground. Dark clouds gathered overhead, mirroring the turmoil within him, but the rain was only a mild discomfort to him now.
Ichika wandered through the streets of Shinto Teito, his mind both absent and overloaded. He was grateful to Miya and Takehito for taking him back, yet aware that Minato, with children on the way, needed to move out.
Those children would arrive next year. Ichika knew this meant Minato had to make room, which wasn't to say he felt ungrateful, but it was a clear sign that his brother couldn't prioritize him indefinitely.
This was a sticky situation. While Minato could provide support, there were limits. Ichika harbored no resentment towards him or the Sekirei for this reality.
Gazing at the sky, Ichika realized that to find his freedom and path, he couldn't always rely on his brother to bail him out. Soon, he'd turn 16. In just two more years, he'd be a legal adult. He might have wished for a quiet day, but the rain now washed away that possibility.
Perhaps there was a small favor he could still ask of them despite their burdens.
Stopping in his tracks, Ichika pondered. Minato moving out might not be such a bad thing after all. Perhaps he could take up residence at the Inn, find a part-time job, and earn his keep while still attending school. That was a promising idea.
He decided to discuss it with Minato but felt the hairs on his neck stand on end. With his hand on the door handle, he turned to see a dark figure emerging from the shadows.
"You can come out, Madoka. I've noticed you." Now, as the thunderstorm momentarily illuminated her face, her resemblance to Chifuyu was unmistakable. There was no doubt about it; Madoka, if that was indeed her name, was someone he was related to.
She was holding an umbrella, shielded from the rain.
"Ichika Orimura. I didn't expect that," she said, hands on her hips, while Ichika shook his head, his right hand resting on the hilt of his sword at his back.
"Leave the gun where it is. You don't want this," he said with a smirk reminiscent of Chifuyu's, only more sinister.
"I had hoped you'd left the ISA. It would make things easier. And yet, here you are, right in my path." Ichika returned the smirk as he faced her.
"You were there with Autumn, weren't you? Looks like we both have to deal with psychos." Her eyes softened a bit, and she realized Ichika wasn't addressing her as a foe but more like a passerby or someone similar to her.
"You're talking about the school. We heard you left, and I followed you. I guessed you would come back here."
"Oh, great. Now I can add stalker to the list of what you are." She grimaced, and Ichika tensed, his hand inching towards his sword.
"Madoka, if you're planning to kill me, I'd advise against it," he said, his tone easing, hand leaving the hilt. "Minato Sahashi monitors this place. I'm under his protection. If you kill me, they'll find out, and you'll be in a world of hurt. And believe me, it can end very badly for you. No rules for them."
Madoka was aware of the Sekirei plan but had no idea Ichika was connected to Minato Sahashi. That had been hidden well—or perhaps they hadn't looked hard enough.
"If you did kill me, you'd be doing me a favor. It saves me the headache of living. But would you do that to yourself? Knowing what they would do to you?" Madoka glared at Ichika, who calmly approached her.
Her training screamed at her to aim and shoot, yet she knew she'd never get such an easy shot. Refusing to act, she listened as Ichika stopped in front of her, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"I have a lot of questions, but my world has been rocked enough for one day. Go home, Madoka. Get out of here. I doubt the ISA would let me go so easily, and you don't want to be here when everything falls apart."
Madoka took Ichika's arm, giving it a soft squeeze, feeling the strength in his grip. She knew then that Ichika was more powerful than she had anticipated.
She let go of his arm, and he did the same.
"You're right. I do have to deal with psychos," she admitted with a soft smile, acknowledging his point.
"We'll face each other again. I know that. But Madoka, I really don't want to fight you. Hell, you might be the only one with an IS who seems reasonable, in my opinion."
The twins faced each other, and Madoka gave him one sinister smirk.
"We'll have to fight each other. To become truly myself, I'll have to take your life."
"And I want answers—no more lies. I'll find my truth eventually," Ichika responded, nodding to her as she deployed her IS.
"Good luck, Ichika. You'll need it."
"Back at you. See you around, Madoka." And with that, she left, leaving Ichika to muse,
'Got a feeling ever so complicated.'
Ichika made it to the Inn just as the rain began to pour. Looking up at the darkening sky, he was relieved to have reached the house.
He knocked once, and the door flung open. Minato stood there, and Ichika gave him a weary wave.
"Hey, Minato." Without a word, Minato wrapped his arms around him, and Ichika stayed silent. Behind him, the Sekirei gathered, their faces etched with concern. Kusano had already gone to bed, but the others watched the emotional reunion.
Ichika dropped his suitcase and sobbed quietly into the crook of Minato's neck, his tears soaking the fabric. The Sekirei, not even winged or attracted to Minato, could feel the raw anguish emanating from the pilot. Ichika's smile was sad, its warmth overshadowed by his current sorrow.
"Didn't expect to be back so soon," Ichika murmured before Minato released him. Immediately, the group of women surrounded him, showering him with affection.
After the initial flurry of hugs, Minato approached again. "Sorry about that," Ichika managed to say as he regained his composure.
"Get yourself cleaned up. Have a nice bath and dinner. After that, we'll talk," Minato suggested. Ichika nodded, eager to rid himself of his uniform—a stark reminder of his past.
Both soaked from the rain, Ichika dragged his suitcase inside while Miya approached Minato. "I hope you know what you're doing."
"Yeah, I hope so too," Minato responded, noticing Takehito waving at him from across the room. As the women quieted down, Takehito spoke up, "I understand you want to look after young Ichika while he's here but remember—"
"The children on the way, yeah, got it already," Minato interrupted a rare harshness in his voice. He quickly apologized, "Sorry, doctor. I know. You and my mother keep reminding me. We'll discuss a solution tomorrow. For now, let's rest."
Minato was right; they all needed sleep. He had a plan, and he hoped Ichika did too. As the Pillar and her husband retired for the night and the Sekirei headed upstairs, Minato collected some old clothes for Ichika to sleep in and placed them in the room where Ichika had spent his last summer.
"Ichika," Minato called in after the shower stopped.
"Yeah," came the broken voice from the bathroom.
"I've got some old clothes here for you to sleep in." Minato cracked the door open just enough for Ichika to grab them. Two minutes later, Ichika emerged, showered and looking marginally better.
"How do you feel?" Minato asked as Ichika sat down next to him. Without a word, Ichika leaned into Minato, who draped an arm around his shoulders.
"You've had to be so strong through all this. It's okay now. I'm here to help," Minato whispered, holding his little brother close as they sat in silence, each lost in their thoughts.
Line break. At the ISA.
To say that the school was in a state of disaster would be an understatement of the century. Chifuyu received a severe reprimand from the principal, who was furious and didn't hesitate to call her every name in the book.
The girls were still recovering from the fight with Ichika, who had resisted but never activated his IS. Each of them had also faced scoldings from their respective countries, appalled by their behavior.
Despite everything, Chifuyu hadn't allowed them to step down. They were assembled in what was known as the Classroom of Ichika, which had already been cleaned up.
Nearly everyone at the school gave the girls disapproving glares, blamed for Ichika's departure. Chifuyu entered the room, half drunk and fully enraged, surveying the girls with disdain.
"Are you girls proud of yourselves? Look what you've done." Rin stood up abruptly and confronted her.
"What have we done? Unlike you, we at least tried to stop Ichika."
Chifuyu was tempted to eject the audacious Chinese girl from the room.
"Rin-chan, stop. We are all at fault here, some more than others," Tatenashi interjected, unable to resist a jab at her junior.
"Talking about yourself," Houki snapped.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Cecilia piped up, using her stature to assert herself.
"You were the one who planned that foolish party. If it weren't for you, we wouldn't be in this mess. Ichika would still be here."
"And who chased after his crown? Oh, right, that was you," Tatenashi retorted. The room was on the verge of chaos when they were interrupted by a woman appearing on screen.
"Ahem." They all jumped at the sight of Tabane Shinonono.
"Tabane, what are you doing here?" The scientist flashed them a smile of superiority.
"Hello, Chi-chan, Houki-chan, and the others. I, the great genius, have observed the spectacle. It seems Ikkun has left. Fortunately for you, I've discovered his location." Chifuyu approached the screen with a determined stride.
"I don't need to be a genius to know that. He's at Maison Izumo, and that's where I'm headed," she declared, giving Tabane a challenging smile.
"Oh, Chi-chan, you think it'll be that simple? You really think you can walk in and take Ichika back?" Tabane countered with a smirk.
"I'm not concerned about Miya. She can be persuaded easily enough," Chifuyu stated confidently.
"Oh, Chi-chan, it won't be that easy. You seem to forget who still resides there and who will protect Ikkun to the bitter end. Know your enemy," Tabane warned.
Kanzashi stepped forward, crossing her arms. "Is this a message? Or do you want payback? Because you're not helping us to go after Orimura-kun. What exactly are we up against?"
Before she could dismiss the youngest Sarashiki, Tabane interjected. "Very sharp. I thought they didn't make Sarashikis like you anymore. That's precisely why I've sent you girls something."
Before they could inquire further, a metallic box crashed through the window, narrowly missing Djbril and Airis.
"Tabane," Chifuyu growled, glaring at the screen.
"Can't anything be normal with you?" The scientist shrugged. "I've already sent money for the damages to the principal." The box opened, revealing black robes with name tags.
"Sis, why the hell do we have to wear these?" Houki asked her sister, who sighed in exasperation.
"If you're going to Shinto Teito, you'll need a disguise. These robes are perfect for that." Chifuyu grabbed the largest one, suspecting Tabane had anticipated this scenario. Though she was close to losing her temper, Chifuyu recognized there were more significant issues at hand.
"Anything else you've prepared for us?" she asked, bracing for more surprises.
"Intel time. Chi-chan, you're familiar with Miya Asama—Sekirei Number One, the Pillar, the Hannya of the North, the strongest of them all. While Miya is usually a bystander, she can get involved when her turf is threatened. She's learned restraint over the years, but today, I'll introduce you to your real concerns," Tabane began as images of Minato, his Sekirei, and Chiho appeared on the screen.
"You can disregard the man and the sick girl; they're merely human. It's the Sekirei who poses a real threat." The formidable presence of Musubi and Kazehana overshadowed even the usually confident Rin, Houki, and Tatenashi.
"First up, Musubi, Sekirei Number 88, specializes in close combat with her formidable physical strength, earning her the nickname 'Bear Sekirei.' While not the sharpest, her prowess is undeniable," Tabane explained, Houki nodding slightly, acknowledging the match in their intensity.
"Next is Kusano, Sekirei Number 108, the youngest with significant control over plant life, making her more dangerous than she appears," Tabane continued, Rin visibly relaxing, underestimating the young Sekirei.
"Matsu, Sekirei Number 02, is the 'Wisdom Sekirei.' She's not a frontline fighter, but don't underestimate her; she hacked the Silver Gospel out of the sky. Her intelligence is her weapon," Tabane paused, catching everyone's attention.
"Tsukiumi, Sekirei Number 09, controls water and adheres to old-fashioned values. Known as the 'True Wife,' her elemental power could spell disaster for your tech," Tabane warned, Laura calculating her approach to counter with electricity.
"Kazehana, Sekirei Number 03, wields wind and brings a mix of experience and passion to the battlefield. She's influenced Ichika significantly, so beware of her cunning and strength." Cecilia frowned, resenting Kazehana's impact on Ichika.
"Kagari, or Homura, Sekirei Number 06, has transformed from a fire-using male to a fiercely protective female. Always cool under pressure, her flames are lethal," Charlotte noted, planning her counterattack.
"Lastly, Uzume, Sekirei Number 10, the 'Veiled Sekirei,' initially bonded with Chiho Hidaka but also connected to Minato. Her ability to manipulate cloth is limited only by her imagination," Tatenashi smirked, intrigued by the complexity of Uzume's powers.
"Watch out for the outliers too—Yukari Sahashi, Minato's sister, and her Sekirei, Shiina, Number 107, as well as the Thunder Twins, Hikari, and Hibiki, Numbers 11 and 12, who are allied with Minato through Kaoru Seo," Tabane concluded, ready to send more details if necessary.
"Those are all your foes. I'll send the full intel to Chi-chan to aid your mission. It would be best if you retrieved Ikkun from their grasp. Good luck," Tabane finished, and the screen went dark.
Chifuyu watched as her team suited up in the black robes provided. "We have a late-night bus to Shinto Teito," she declared, her voice firm, rallying her troops.
"We are going to get my brother back," Chifuyu proclaimed, leading them out with the determination of a general leading her army into battle.
Line break. In the Izumo Inn.
The ceiling above wasn't unfamiliar to Ichika. He knew exactly where he was—back at the Inn, the home he shared with his brother. Despite only a few hours of sleep, he felt more rested on the simple futon here than he ever did in the luxurious beds at the ISA. Turning to his side, he was greeted by the sight of his brother.
"Morning, Minato."
"Good morning, Ichika. Ready to change into something else?" Minato asked as Ichika grabbed his suitcase, pulling out a simple T-shirt and long pants. Minato tactfully turned around to give him privacy.
"Yeah, I hate being a bother," Ichika admitted as Minato gently tapped him on the head.
"Hey, none of that now. You just took the opportunity that I left open for you. I want to hear what happened, though. Matsu filled me in on some details, but everyone needs to hear the full story," Minato said, leading the way downstairs. The Sekirei were already gathered around the table.
"Big brother Ichika!" Kusano exclaimed, running up to him. Ichika knelt and lifted her into a hug, her arms wrapping around him in a warm greeting.
"Hey, there, Ku." Ichika settled into an open spot at the table, still holding Kusano. "Morning to you all. Sorry for the worries."
They were silent until Miya reentered the room. "Before we have breakfast, Ichika, what happened at that school?"
Ichika looked up, his face clouded with emotion. "Before I tell you everything, what do you know so far about the situation? Things really went sideways after I came back here."
"We know about the Sarashiki sisters, the Princess of Luxembourg, and your fight. What we don't know is what finally broke you, Ichika," Musubi inquired, the room falling silent.
"Let's start with the biggest kicker—the Cinderella Party. It started as a normal open day, and then everything just went sideways." He paused, censoring himself as he glanced at Kusano.
"That woman, Tatenashi Sarashiki, she orchestrated a party that put me in direct danger—shots fired, swords drawn... it was a mess. They were after the Crown, and it was clear she set me up to play the hero, saving the 'prince in need.'" Ichika gave a grateful look to Matsu.
"I owe you a lot, Matsu. Because you did Chifuyu's job, I managed to escape with everything intact. I just... I had enough."
Minato placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, expressing a deep, unspoken understanding. "I get that. But you do know..."
"I know you're moving out. I know what's going on. I hate to be selfish and a bother, but what else was I supposed to do?" Ichika responded, his voice laden with frustration and resolve.
Takehito, often the voice of reason, felt displeased by Chifuyu's actions and the behavior of the girls from the IS Academy. "Ichika, you have a plan? Minato is moving out soon. He can't keep an eye on you forever."
Ichika turned to the Asama couple, contemplating his next steps. "That might actually work out for me. Tokyo has plenty of schools. I'm turning 16 in a few days, and in two years, I'll be a legal adult. I want to apply to a school here. Takehito, could I stay here during that time?"
Takehito scratched his cheek, considering the proposal. Minato looked a bit surprised by Ichika's suggestion, while the Sekirei remained silent, knowing the matter didn't directly involve them.
Though they would always care for their brother, their children had to come first. Ichika's consideration of their plans showed more maturity than they had expected, which perhaps was a good thing.
"Well, I'm not moving out just yet. That will only happen in the next few months, and by spring next year, we'll be in our new house. That means the rooms here are open, and yes, you could indeed stay here, Takehito," Minato clarified, turning to the landowner, who scratched his head, considering Ichika's proposal.
"I don't see an issue with that. With a head like yours and Minato and Matsu around, young Ichika, I doubt any tests will be a problem. The only thing is rent. I don't turn away those in need, but I am not a charity."
"I can find a place to work. No problem. If I do, can I please stay here?" Ichika asked, his determination clear. Takehito glanced at the bracelet on Ichika's arm, his expression uncertain.
"Ichika, could you throw that away in that case?" he asked, nodding toward the weapon that Ichika loathed yet knew he needed for defense.
"I'm afraid not. I don't want to offend you, Takehito, but something tells me that my sister and the IS pilots will not take this lying down. They know I'm heading here, though they don't know where exactly," Ichika explained.
"I remember," Musubi interjected, slamming her fist into her palm. "I met Houki during my date with Minato last summer. They will come here."
"Most likely, yes. I don't want to bring trouble to your doorstep, but if they do come, I'll show them the door," Ichika assured, noting the Sekirei's oddly eager and battle-ready expressions.
"Don't worry about that, Ichika. If they come here, we'll kick their butts," Kazehana chimed in, the wind playing through her fingers.
"Indeed, I am not going to let those harlots toss you around. You're far too good for them," Tsukiumi added, summoning water into her palm.
"We haven't had a good scrap in months. It would be awesome to go again," Homura declared, flames flickering around him.
"I want to fight an IS. I think that it might be a good start," Musubi stated, a dark aura forming around her.
"Ku will protect her big brother," Kusano declared, puffing out her chest proudly.
"We are not going to let them take you, Ichika. We will help you out," Uzume added, her smirk sinister. Chiho nodded vigorously next to her Sekirei.
"If they come here, I'll find that out soon enough. I'm the smartest being alive. I'll tap in and make our move," Matsu confidently adjusted her glasses.
Ichika looked around at them all, his heart swelling with gratitude. "Thank you all. I am really blessed with you girls. And don't worry. I'll help you out, too," he said, raising his bracelet. "I hate this weapon, but it is useful."
Looking at Miya, the landlady who had also joined the assembly, he felt strengthened by her presence. "Young Ichika, years ago, Minato came to my doorstep. I helped him by giving him a roof. Yet, inaction caused him and many others pain. This time, it won't be that," she declared, drawing her sword to show her readiness to fight.
"Miya, if you could, can you give me lessons? I still have a long way to go," Ichika asked, just as his stomach growled loudly, breaking the tension. Laughter erupted around the table, a moment of lightness amidst the brewing storm. He laughed along with them, feeling a rare peace and enjoying the camaraderie.
These chapters were smaller than the previous ones, so they were completed much faster. We can't complain about that, can we?
But, well, I am happy that I got the stuff done.
There'll be more later.
Saluut.
