Hey guys. It's been some time and I got a lot of things planned. At the time of update, we're now in 2021. For those reading my previous updates, you know what I hope what 2021 will be. Normal.
2020 was one hell of a year, that much we can say. Now, I have this chapter. I have talked a ton with the requester. Prepare for a ton of different things. This fic, well, with all things. I consider this as the Spiritual Successor of The Graduated Student and the Irish Street Punk.
What did surprise me was that despite the fact that it was around last year when I wrote the same stuff in Brave New World, it feels like less has passed in this fic. Might be because the fact it was around this time I started this request author stuff and because BNW has the Sekirei stuff to deal with.
No guest reviews so I won't spoil much. Only that if things work out, this will be one large chapter. So I would take it easy.
Also, it got cover art. A big thank you to Oslight for drawing this out. I think it captured the mood for this fic. So far, it looks like it's liked on Reddit.
Another big thank you to Ichigo Oga for taking his time to look and edit this chapter.
Not yet an action written out but the song for it is already chosen.
Five Finger Death Punch: When the Seasons change
Started on 31/12/2020
Published on 26/01/2021
"Talking"
'Thinking'
[Telepathic conversation]
[Phone call]
It was a cool night
The wind blew carrying the heat of Summer that Houki had felt before
Houki Shinonono was contemplating about what she should do. The phone had never felt so heavy in her hands. She looked down remembering the twins chewing her out. Not that she could really fault them, she really acted like a brat.
Looking at the sky, she had forgotten that both Madoka and Ichika had grown up in the shadow of Chifuyu. But unlike Ichika and Madoka, she remained in the past. Sure, she had picked up the news of what they have been through.
Living an entire year in the lab and finding that Ichika could pilot the Infinite Stratos was a shock for her. When she witnessed his fight with Laura, she saw how strong, skilled, and experienced the two had become.
They were not strong like Chifuyu, yet they were strong in their own rights, having taken a different route than their older sister. Ichika took up the sword like his sister but his style differed greatly from her's. Madoka had chosen firearms, yet, she could use a sword.
Shaking her head, Houki knew that there was something else. Dialing in her sister's number, she waited until she picked up.
Before long, she heard the voice of her sister.
[Hi~! Good evening! This is Tabane Shinonono! Who's calling?]
"Evening..." Houki paused. "…sis."
It remained quiet for a few tense seconds, her heart was beating like a V8 engine. Then she heard her sister's voice.
[…Houki-chan?]
"Yes."
[You called!] Tabane exclaimed.
"I did," Houki answered.
[You called me!]
"I did."
Tabane took a heavy breath and she exploded into the phone. [Houki-chan called! Houki-chan called! Houki-chan called! Houki-chan called! Houki-chan called! Houki-chan called! Houki-chan called! Houki-chan called! Houki-chan called! Houki-chan called! Houki-chan called! Houki-chan called! Houki-chan called! Houki-chan called! Houki-chan called!]
Yeah, that was her sister, alright.
"You can thank Ichika and Madoka for that. They talked some sense into me."
[Ikkun and Madocchi can do a lot of good things. I take it you have a good reason to call me? And if you are asking about something, then it's a Personal Unit, right?] Before Houki could answer, her sister continued. [Of course, I have one ready! It's over-specified with higher capabilities. It will stand side-by-side with Byakushiki and Kuroshiki. It'll have one difference from the normal ones. Your unit's name. Akatsubaki.]
Houki sighed. "I take it, this is my birthday present?" Houki could hear the smile and sit down.
[Yup! Fitting right!?]
"I have one question. One that has been swirling inside my head for six years." The serious tone in her voice caused Tabane to perk up. "Why in the world did you release the White Knight on the day I had my tournament?" Houki could barely keep the tears back and a heavy sigh made it clear how Tabane thought about it.
[Would you believe me if I told you that was the last thing I wanted?] Houki just kept quiet and let her sister speak. [Believe me, Houki-chan. I would have released the Unit in the days after that. So at least, you and Ikkun could have something. But it was not my choice. For years, it's been speculated that I hacked those rockets. Sure, I could have done that but not on the day of your tournament. Hurting you was the last thing I wanted.]
The tone of her sister made it clear she wasn't lying. Not her joyous self. Not her energetic self.
"So why?"
[Gee, I wonder why? Over two thousand rockets coming our way and no clear way to stop them. The White Knight was the best solution to stop them. I knew what it would mean for you. How your life would be. I hate myself for it, I hate myself for the forced decision. Because of how it ended for us.] Tabane remembered all those years and the pain it brought her. She had signed up for a life like this, but Tabane didn't want that same thing happening to Houki.
[I did what I did because I had no choice. Because of how things went for you, Ikkun and so many others, it wasn't my choice. A lifetime of apologies won't be enough to ever atone for what I have done to you. But know what my choice was.]
Houki just fell back on her bed and stared up at the ceiling. It had never plagued her head that her sister wouldn't want the Infinite Stratos released. Years had gone by but it wasn't forgiveness. It was a redemption that her sister wanted.
"I see. Thank you, sis. I suppose that I'll see you at the beach?"
[Houki-chan, wait!] Letting her sister talk, Houki waited. [Chi-chan mentioned the name, Pearce. Does that ring a bell?] Despite wondering why in the world her sister wanted to know about Joel, Houki thought it was better to answer now.
"I only know one Pearce. His name is Joel. He's well, not a classmate. He's the one that made the unit of the other male pilot, Mattheus Adjzof. Rough boy but he's one tech wizard. You might like him, sis."
[Houki-chan? How old might this Joel be?]
"I think he's around twelve or thirteen. Why you ask?" It was quiet for a few seconds again.
[Something personal. I'll tell you one day. I'll see you at the beach.] With that, Tabane hung up leaving Houki to stare at her phone with a puzzled look.
Her sister knew Joel? That would be a first. They never mentioned Tabane, but now with Joel, it was something else. Maybe she could see and ask Joel. But that would be too personal. No, it was better to wait and see. It wasn't her business.
Line Break
At Tabane's lab
She hadn't heard the name Pearce in a lifetime and now, Joel? A tech wizard of thirteen years old? Oh, she had a good idea who this Joel might be. Opening a locket that was covered by her sizeable bust, she opened it.
"It looks like that I might be able to repay you the favor." It had been one tearful evening. "I only hope that I can mend something with him."
Line Break
In an undisclosed location
The noise from outside made the young girl cower and whimper. Explosions, gunfire, and the clashing of metal. She wouldn't be bothered by the screams if she had found that every single person deserved to die a horrible and painful death.
Madoka couldn't believe that her brother could sleep through it. Ichika hadn't been tested yet for this but it wouldn't be long before that happened. She had heard the whispers. She knew of what everyone thought of them.
Worthless.
Completely and utterly worthless.
In the terms of living, there was nothing for them.
Many a time did Madoka wonder, why was she condemned to such fate, but from what she heard, it was what Ichika and she were. Nothing would amount to them.
If they were to be killed, would that really matter?
If there was nothing for them out there, did it matter if they lived or died?
Madoka would suggest the latter. Well, she would get her answer now.
The door opened by twisting the knob to the point the metal twisted. In walked a woman who was so much like her in appearance. Dressed in black and streaks with red, Madoka knew who the woman was.
Chifuyu. She was the successful one.
Successful in what way?
Madoka remained as quiet as a standstill while Chifuyu ran in. The woman was years older than them. In some way, a big sister she guessed?
That's what Chifuyu would be. Even as she remained quiet, Chifuyu didn't pay her any attention. Taking Ichika from his bed, she lifted the boy still asleep, the boy didn't move a bit. It was surprising how gentle and loving Chifuyu was with Ichika.
The smell of her carnage came in while Madoka witnessed Chifuyu being a nurturing figure. Probably the first time anyone treated them like that.
She wasn't that old but she knew what Chifuyu would do. Wanting to move, Madoka dropped the bucket next to her. It was a small sound but enough for Chifuyu to turn around.
Clutching Ichika in one arm, the woman raised a sword with her free hand. The look in her eyes was enough to tell her everything.
When she left this place, she would never come back.
Tears hadn't gotten her anything but more misery and pain. Yet, she couldn't stand that. Being left here alone in this carnage she knew that someone would return. That someone would come back for her.
But not Chifuyu.
Not her only, first and last chance for a normal life.
Chifuyu blinked once, then twice when she saw Madoka on the ground. The younger girl had fallen down on the ground while tears ran down her face. Having reached her breaking point, the girl couldn't hold back the tears that streamed down her face.
If Chifuyu would kill her, she would prefer that. It would at least be quick and painless.
Madoka then heard the sound of a sword finding its sheath. After that, she felt the presence of Chifuyu, kneeling over her. The little girl could finally look up and see how the older woman was looking at her. In a soft, warm way.
Extending her free arm, Chifuyu waved at Madoka. The young girl stood up and ran, stumbling as she did to reach the older figure.
Loud cries and wails came out of her mouth while Chifuyu's chin rested underneath her head. Rubbing circles on her back, she was comforted by the woman that she would call her big sister. It was the first time that she was hugged and loved by someone.
It would never be the last time.
Line Break
Madoka's eyes shot open, the feeling of long and heavy crying still in her system. Looking to her side, she saw her older brother standing next to her. Her head was cradled by Ichika who rubbed it.
Whispering, Ichika kept her close. "Shush, it's okay. Easy there." Keeping her closer, his sister sent him the message. It was clear that Madoka had those nightmares before. It was only now that she had those visions. Maybe she should talk to their sister a bit? Ichika barely kept himself together.
It hurt. It hurt. It hurt him so damn much to see his sister in such pain. To feel his sister in such pain.
"I wish that I wouldn't remember that."
"Me too, little sis." Madoka wanted to hug her brother back but found that her limbs were restrained. Throwing off the blankets, the twins found that someone had managed to find their way in her bed and was now sleeping next to the youngest Orimura.
Dressed in nothing but her birthday suit, Laura Bodewig wiped her eyes.
"Is it already morning?"
"Is that really the first thing out of your mouth!?" The twins shouted at her, both of them visibly shocked. Ichika closed his eyes while he tried not to look at the naked woman.
"Cover yourself up! Why are you in my bed?"
Despite the bed head (and so many other things), Laura looked sort of adorable. Madoka glared at the tits that the German had.
"I heard married couples don't hide anything from each other." Madoka's brain crashed and went through several reboots. A quick jolt from Ichika through the link jumpstarted her.
"First of all, same-sex marriages aren't allowed in Japan. Secondly, I told you that I don't swing that way. Third, we didn't have a ceremony." Madoka began to count down. Ichika bit his lip so as not to laugh at her.
"Really? A ceremony? Should I talk about it with Chifuyu-nee?" A glare shut him up.
"Stop right now, Ichi-nii." Laura went closer to her.
"You're… my bride? I heard that the Japanese refer to people they like as 'My bride.'" Ichika blinked several times at her while Madoka sat up next to him.
"First of all, that's wrong. I don't call Mattheus my groom."
"Can you explain to me why you would call me that?" The Hunter stood in the room and Joel looked over the shoulder at the three.
Ichika went beet red while Madoka joined in and Laura sat back.
"This isn't what it looks like." Mattheus dragged a hand slowly over his face while he tried not to look.
"What does this look like?" Joel asked. "You starting a three-way." Every single person in the room turned to the punk who had a beaming grin.
Madoka sat up in her bed while Ichika blushed. Mattheus wanted to ask more about the boy but he decided that could wait, his friends were bad company.
But they were all he had.
"I don't care. I don't want to know anything else. Just get out of the bed and get dressed." Madoka stood up but the Hunter shook his head.
"I'm sorry but not you, Madoka." Locking eyes with Ichika, Mattheus walked over to him.
"I'm going to borrow you for a sec." Joel was sliding down and walked to Ichika. The punk looked to Ichika with a smile.
"I made something for you. It's something I'll tell you once we're out." Ichika ran to the shower, dressing in his usual clothes while Mattheus took out his jacket and threw it at Laura. "You got nothing to wear right?"
Laura shook her head.
"Use that for now. I want it back in a few hours. And now out. It's been enough." His voice left little room for argument and Madoka decided that she would ask him about this another time.
"Thanks, Matt." The youngest was still dressed in her unmentionables.
"No problem. So what was that about calling me a groom?" The woman facepalmed when she heard the teasing voice of Mattheus.
"Nothing you need to worry about it. Not that I would want to marry you." Realizing how rude she sounded, she found that her scalp was assaulted by Mattheus who ruffled her hair.
"No problem. You're a good friend, but I fear you're a bit too young for me." His relaxed smile made it clear that he wasn't heartbroken by it. Joel could fester a wound but knew more than to open his mouth.
Out the shower walked Ichika, dressed in his normal clothes.
"So you have something for me?"
"Yes." Mattheus looked around and well, he found that there was no reason to keep something hidden.
"Joel has made something for you, Ichika. It was at the behest of your sister. We just need to check it out now." The older brother knew what that meant so he went along with Mattheus. Madoka sighed while she looked at the two leave.
She was already up and the part of her dream played in her head.
Chifuyu wasn't expecting her and if she hadn't dropped that bucket, she wouldn't have taken her along.
She wouldn't have this life were it not for that single thing.
Reassurance off all things and even with the entire life she had, it was still there.
Where it came from, Madoka had no idea and while it was great to have an older brother fretting over her, it wasn't what she needed.
Madoka hadn't fooled Mattheus for one second but found it wasn't his place to ask about her.
She had to thank him for that.
Resolved, Madoka dressed into her uniform. Why she chose that, she didn't know.
Locking the door, she hoped that she could keep in the tears.
Madoka walked around the school, the destination in her head, set. The path to it was only painful. She kept thinking about the whole thing. Her dream.
Her tragic truth.
She was still just a female pilot. The younger sister of the first Brunhilde. The younger sister of the first Male Pilot.
That was a thing that she had kept in her head. She wouldn't just be the one of. She would make and carve her own name out.
She had now taken a new goal. To become the next Brunhilde. To become the Strongest Pilot ever to be standing next to her sister. But now, she had another need.
Knocking three times on the door, one Chifuyu Orimura opened it. Despite having a bedhead, the First Brunhilde looked still as pristine as usual.
"Do you know what time it-!" The rest of her question was cut off as she felt a ball of sadness slamming into her. That also stopped the other question of who would come over and wake her up at this time.
Chifuyu would say more to Madoka if her sister was her to recharge her 'big sister' points. Her twins were around Tabane too much for that sort of thing. The soft sobbing and shaking of the head made it clear it wasn't for that reason that Madoka was there.
Chifuyu could only comfort her younger sister while she was snuggled into her chest. Long grown used to it, there were more times than she could count that one of them ended up in her bed while crying after a nightmare.
Most of the time, it was the two of them.
They had been through a lot and it was something that she had often learned to take care of and love the twins as her own children.
In some fucked up way they were hers.
"Ssh. It's okay, I'm here." Pulling her closer, Chifuyu noted how her shirt was soiled by the tears. The Brunhilde couldn't care one single bit about it. Those thoughts were out as she continued to comfort her sister.
Madoka's arms were circled around her while she continued to hug her sister.
"Bad dream?"
"Worse." Chifuyu wondered what could be worse for her little sister to be thrown off like this? Five minutes weren't that long but still, it was taking a bit before Madoka was calming down. Still, her face remained buried in the shirt.
"You want to tell me?"
"Mhm." She nodded in her shirt.
"Do I have to guess?" Chifuyu asked with a bit of a smirk.
"Memories." The youngest told her and Chifuyu had begun to think about what Madoka meant with that.
"From what?"
"The day I met you." Chifuyu began to think back on that night.
"I don't think that it was that what shook you." Madoka continued to sob in her shoulder. It wasn't just a nightmare. Given how strong Chifuyu was, it was an easy feat to lift up her little sister and carry her to the room.
Madoka had the right to have privacy.
It was a room like the twins had but with a single bed and a larger desk. It was littered with school stuff but Chifuyu ignored it. Sitting down with Madoka on her lap, Chifuyu rubbed her back while Madoka continued to cry. It was rare nowadays to see Madoka cry this much.
Chifuyu knew how strong Ichika and Madoka grew to be and how much they had learned to keep that up. Locking her head under the sister's Chifuyu felt how she calmed down.
"Madoka, what's wrong?"
Still, with her head buried under the shoulder, Madoka didn't want to look up.
"Chifuyu-nee. Can you promise me something?"
"Anything."
"Promise me." She fought back a sob. "Promise me that you'll never leave me. That I won't be left behind. Forgotten by you and Ichi-nii." Chifuyu could feel how Madoka tensed while she hugged her sister.
"Was that what you dreamt of?" The Brunhilde asked in a gentle tone.
"You didn't know that I was there. You wouldn't have known if I hadn't made that sound." Chifuyu couldn't lie about that one. Madoka was right. She didn't know about her. In fact, Ichika was out of her mind if she didn't hear the name mentioned.
Chifuyu wanted to get out with Ichika. She had no idea that Madoka was there. In fact, she wasn't sure if her sister had a name back then. And if she hadn't heard that bucket fall, she would have run out without even knowing that Madoka was there.
With how strong Madoka had become, Chifuyu wasn't sure if she wanted to know what would happen later in life.
It was one single thing. One. One that changed their lives. Not just Madoka's. Not just Chifuyu's. A lot of other lives were changed due to that.
"Is that why you wanted to see me?" Chifuyu didn't mean to sound patronizing to her sister.
"I know, I know. I know that you love me like you love Ichi-nii. I know all you have done. All you have sacrificed for us in the last ten years. I have a debt to you that I can't repay even if I lived ten times my life. But I can't help it if I wake up in a nightmare like this. I can't help it if it shows what I have seen. I cannot help it!"
Chifuyu touched her head and slowly caressed the hair. Madoka looked up at her face.
"I know, I am sorry Madoka, please. I know that you have seen that. I know how you feel about everything. It's would've been horrible if I had never picked you along. I did that though. I did pick you up." Chifuyu paused while Madoka dried her eyes.
The eyes shined at her and with a bit of a smile, Madoka looked at her sister. In an adoring gaze, it made her look adorable.
"I promise you this. Neither you nor Ichika will ever be left alone by me. I will not allow either of you two to go out without me. I would rather die before I let Phantom Task take you two back."
Booping her nose, Madoka paused her big sister.
"You won't, Chifuyu-nee. Me and Ichi-nii, we'll be there to help you. We are family."
"Oh, so you're saying that when the Gotanda boy proposes to you, you'll deny that?" A luminescent blush covered Madoka's face when she looked at her sister. How did she know!?
"Why do you ask that!?" Chifuyu shook her head while she ruffled the hair of Madoka.
"Not even going to deny it?" The girl shrugged with a smile and sat back down next to her.
"I am not going to. It's not a lie to say and not a sin to love. I like Dan but for now, I don't think that I will have a place for him now. By the way, Chifuyu-nee. Who do you think Ichi-nii loves?" Chifuyu smirked at her sister and pulled her close again.
"Who do you think? Your brother got quite a few girls after him." Resting her head on the shoulder, Madoka sighed as she began to think.
"I am not too sure. There are quite a few girls who are interested in Ichi-nii but who does he have his eyes on? I'll put my money on Houki." Chifuyu chuckled when she heard that.
"Same here. If I have to choose a sister-in-law, Houki would be number one on my list. I think you broke a few hearts when you told me that you weren't in for girls." Chifuyu snorted when something came into her head.
"What?" Madoka asked. While her sister relaxed a lot more with her and her brother around, it was rare for Chifuyu to break her character.
"Oh, nothing. Just that before Ichika and Mattheus came in, I would receive Valentine Chocolates. Quite a bit by the way." Madoka cracked a laugh and Chifuyu decided to add more. "And from both teachers and students." Neither Orimura women were showing it too much but Chifuyu joined in the laughter with her sister who was giggling adorably. Her heart melted when she saw Madoka. What would ever possess her to leave a girl like her little sister in a hellhole like that place?
"Oh, you're serious? Dang. How did that end?" She rarely told before of this and Madoka would love to hear it.
"What do you think? I accepted those of course but I have always made it clear that I am not for girls. That is something you and I share. Although I would say that it'll be hard to find a lover."
"Guys' gotta try real hard, Chifuyu-nee. You are amazing and I can't think of anyone equal to you."
That was no praise nor gloating, Madoka told the truth in an honest voice.
"Oh?" Chifuyu raised an eyebrow and Madoka matched her devilish look. "Are you saying that you aren't my equal? Or that Ichika isn't my equal?"
"Nee-chan, we will need a long time before we are even close to you. We told you before. We'll get there, but in our own way." Wrapping an arm around her sister, Madoka looked at her with newfound confidence.
"You no longer need to protect us all the time, Chifuyu-nee. You watch our back, we'll watch yours. You had to grow up fast, we'll do the same. We're a family."
"That we are and never forget." Chifuyu kissed Madoka's forehead while she hugged her sister.
Chifuyu could tell her sister later about other horrors, but not now. And when Chifuyu would tell her, her brother better is around. There were many secrets.
Line Break
Ichika stood with Mattheus in the hangar and deployed his Byakushiki. The music that played in the background was good. Despite his abstain from metal, Ichika would admit that he knew what good music was. Like many, he imagined it was all just screaming and grunting without understanding a single word from it.
Yet, the song that played was a bit different.
"You serious those guys were on Graspop?" Ichika asked while Mattheus sighed.
"Yep. Waste of our time. While they don't play that much in our regions, we went there. Bass way too loud. Happy we did that but if we had to make a choice, better-picked something else." Mattheus admitted while Joel continued to work on his laptop now that he had Byakushiki.
The program was made. He only needed to incorporate in it.
"So why did you stay?" Ichika found it a good song. It resonated with him and Chifuyu would like this as well.
"Starset isn't that bad. There are many bands I listen off and on to. Sabaton is my main group. Just like Iron Maiden. And well, we were front row. You need to be there to judge it. You want to come along next year?"
"I can't pay that." Ichika retorted.
"I can."
"No. Chifuyu-nee won't allow it. Maybe when we're 18. Madoka would squeal for that trip." Clasping a hand on the shoulder, Mattheus grinned at him.
"So as the older brother, you want to come along to watch over your little sister?"
"I-"
Mattheus cut him off.
"Don't worry, I would do the same. You're a good man, Ichika. Watching out for your sister. It's what you should do." Ichika now began to understand why Madoka liked this guy so much.
"If you two are done… Ichika, my experiment is ready." Ichika nodded to the engineer. While he walked to the unit, the boy held his hand out. Giving Joel a high five, Ichika hopped back into his unit.
"So what you got for me, kid?"
"Ichika, what's your biggest drawback? So far, you only got a melee weapon. A sword. While you are good, not going to lie, having some extra stuff wouldn't hurt you. You're still a close quarter fighter that's why I installed something for you." Ichika nodded to Joel's comments. He was right.
"So you gave me guns?"
"Handguns. Madoka can switch between them on the fly. Sword or rifle. It'll take too long to really invest in teaching you that so that's why I decided to give you handguns. Select M58-789-CD-12." Ichika raised an eyebrow at that name.
"I haven't gotten a weapon name for your guns just yet. Those are test models so it's a pain to make those convert. It's also that you don't have to worry about having too many. So go ahead."
Ichika activated them and in his hands, two handguns appeared. They were a bit rough and they appeared to be much like Mattheus's own handgun. Still, they fitted in his hands. Large but still, their triggers were nice.
"You know how to handle guns?" Mattheus asked while Ichika kept them downrange.
"Madoka has often trained with me during that time. You learn quite a bit. So why giving me prototypes, Joel?"
The engineer sighed as he motioned to Ichika to lean over so his hands could work over the last bits
"So far, I don't know how you will fight with guns or how they'll fit in for your style. Those are test subjects. When we use them in the field, make a list of comments and I'll improve them. By trial and error, we work out the small stuff and work out better stuff. Making a perfect weapon sucks because you can't bring out more." Joel ranted while Mattheus deployed his own rifle.
"Joel did the same thing when we were back home. It's just how we roll. Now, give them a shot. It's why we came here." In the arena, Ichika saw the electronic targets pop up.
Quickly, he aimed and began to fire. They were fast and he could use them for fire control. It was incredible. Inside, he could feel how the ammo was going through his machine. It was clear that Joel delivered great work.
If this was just the prototype, he could not wait to get his hands on the final ones.
"Nice. Now, this is what we are going to do. You are going to be fired at and you need to return fire from the sky." Mattheus deployed his full unit and aimed through the sights. Ichika gulped when he saw the bullet coming his way.
He flew up and began to return fire. Instead of using his sword to deflect, Ichika built distance and began to rapidly fire back. Byakushiki could fly fast and for some reason, those guns fitted with him. Mattheus began to take more fire in so he also flew up.
Trading lead against lead, both guys were getting into it. Dissolving his rifle, the Hunter took out his handgun. Accuracy was a better part, while for Ichika it meant dumping lead on a target.
"Okay. That works. Ichika, now switch to your Yukihira. Mattheus, use your Goedendag." Both men deployed their respective equalizers. Ichika gave up his right handgun, expecting his sword to be there. It came but it looked like his left partner had gone away.
"Joel, both guns are gone." Ichika relayed via the intercom. His hands flew over the keyboard. Yeah, that was clear.
"Cancel fight." The two halted and Joel saw the problem. So far, both guns were seen as one weapon. When one went away, the other followed. It would take some time for him to make the two guns separate weapons.
But it would be a pain for Ichika to select both guns in a fight when he needed the dual pistols. Yeah, he had his work cut out for him.
"Sorry, Ichika. As I said, prototypes. Either way, don't we need to do some shopping?" Both males checked their clock. It was now 10:15 AM.
If they wanted to go get swimsuits, they had to leave now. That meant foregoing a shower. Ichika and Mattheus raced downstairs. In record time, they changed, picked their wallets, and ran with Joel to the monorail.
This was a good start. Joel was sitting in the back while both used high speed to run through the place. The two enjoyed their ride when they sat down.
Ichika took a seat right behind Mattheus and Joel. The two were sitting there in a good spot. Mattheus kissed his fist while giving Joel a noogie. The boy tried to get out from the spot, hitting the older man.
"Let me go, old man!"
"You earned this one, Joel. I wonder where you picked up words like three-ways." Ichika laughed while he smirked at Mattheus.
"You two are close."
"Same thing as you with your sis. By the way, Ichika, just wondering." Mattheus let Joel go while the boy put his earplugs in.
"What about your family?"
Ichika looked a bit surprised. He heard those questions before.
"You mean, besides me and my sisters? We don't have anyone else. Chifuyu-nee always told us that they left us. Can't remember them." Nothing more but a big fat lie but it was easier to explain that to curious folks. And given the last months, Mattheus was right to ask.
"Madoka never told you?"
"She never brought it up. Neither did I. Sorry to ask about such a bad thing." The Hunter sat down with his hands buried in his pockets.
"What about you, Mattheus? You got parents?"
"Same thing as yours. Both are dead and gone. I do have some family but let's just say that I don't know them that well and I don't want to rekindle." Ichika shared a look with him. It became clear that despite their differences both males agreed in that regard.
"The only decent piece of blood Matt got out there is his older cousin. Guy is as alternative as fuck but at least, he keeps his ideas to himself. Guy is cool as ice and nice as well." Ichika turned around to him with a weird expression.
"Older cousin?"
Mattheus dragged his hand over his face.
"My older cousin from dad's side. Guy is about eight years older than I am. Winre is like Joel said. Only a decent guy. The man is building out his own life and well, two orphans didn't fit in that much." Taking out his phone, Mattheus showed a photo.
Winre was older than Mattheus and had an amber-colored beard. His face wasn't as full as Mattheus but still, Ichika could see similarities in him. Winre had a different eye color in brown.
"That's him?"
"That's him. We don't have much on him but he's all I call family. The rest of them, well, they were all in for the stuff my sister left behind. I might have some family but it's better that I don't have them." Dragging Joel next to him, Mattheus softly ruffled his hair. "This here…" Joel didn't try to get away. "…is my only family. You get me?"
Ichika understood what he meant with that.
"Oh, I get you." Luckily for the two, their stop came up. Standing up, Mattheus found it busy outside. Joel climbed onto his back while Ichika kept a close eye on them.
Little did they know that the two were being followed.
With empty eyes, Rin and Cecilia were looking at how the two chatted.
"Hey," Rin asked the Brit while the two glared at the sight.
"What is it?" Cecilia replied.
"Are they chatting?"
"I believe so they are." The two turned around to find the whole place filled.
Joel sat back with a grin.
"Something wrong?"
"No, I am not too sure. By the way, Mattheus? Can I ask you something?" Ichika turned to him while he caught up.
"I'll try to answer. This about the chick you like?" Ichika's face colored and he turned so fast that Ichika got nearly whiplash.
"Why you ask that?"
"What else would you ask an older male? Hate to say this but I won't be that much help." Ichika looked at him.
"Why?"
"Never had much time for that. I suppose you are asking for some ideas about her." Ichika sighed while Mattheus patted him on the shoulder.
"I would say that I might have some ideas but I think we're being followed." Looking over his shoulder, Mattheus's eyes spotted blonde. And was that silver?
Not that many had those hair colors in Japan.
"Who do you think is following us?"
"No clue, but let's get the fuck out of here." The two ran away fast before their assailants had any hope of catching them. When they were in the shops, Ichika looked aside.
"Sorry, but could you two go on ahead? I need to buy something else."
Mattheus wondered what he needed from a jewelry shop but they decided to stick together. Joel pulled on him. Mattheus found a CD shop on the other side.
And from the looks of it, his shop.
"We can meet here. We got our own shopping now." Ichika saw the shop and sighed. What a pity that Mattheus was a few years older.
Not that it really mattered as he approved of the other choice.
Line Break
"Don't drop them, onii. If you do, I won't forgive you." Dan sighed. This sucked. It was summer nearly and instead of being around the girl he liked, he was ordered around like a mule.
"I think you are buying a bit too much."
Dan was wearing his usual black polo and jeans. Ran was wearing a shit shirt with no sleeves and a black mini skirt. Both their hairs were done in a bandana.
Turning around, he regretted even saying yes to this mess.
"My ninth-grade summer is special. A swimsuit for the pool, one for the beach, one for the real deal, one for the true real deal, and one for the super true real deal." Five swimsuits if Dan counted correctly.
"I have got to have them cover all bases." Was that energy emitting from her body?
"I can tell you have been going around your school too much." Turning around, the Gotanda siblings were greeted by the Orimura sisters.
Chifuyu was the one who spoke up while Madoka hid behind her. Waving shyly from behind her sister, Dan turned red as hell, but he kept it cooler.
"Hello, Chifuyu-san. Madoka. You're here to shop as well?" Despite having a smile, Dan felt that he still couldn't get used to her.
"Well, we have our beach trip coming up. And we decided it was a nice outing as sisters." Chifuyu said while Madoka was happy from behind her. Like Dan, she was happy to see her crush. Wasn't this what he was supposed to be doing now? Shopping with her instead of his sister.
"I decided to take a look around. So Dan, how have you been?" Chifuyu looked over her shoulder and shook her head.
The two were a good match and she guessed it wasn't the right time for her.
"I have been fine, Chifuyu-san. Just going through school. Things worked out. So Ichika around the place?"
"Most likely yes, but I don't think that you'll see him around." Ran looked around for him and began to run off like an idiot. The oldest brother sighed while she left some dust.
"What a sister I have." Chifuyu grinned at the two.
"Be happy for her. I heard that next year she will come over to the ISA." Dan let out a breath while Chifuyu shook her head.
"I can imagine that. So what about you, Madoka? The fights have been cut off." Looking around, Madoka cast a look.
"You don't want to know, Dan. You don't." He shrugged and turned away from her sister, Dan was happy around her.
"So how are things at the Infinite Stratos academy? Besides the fights." Chifuyu pushed her closer and before she even could fall, Dan grabbed her.
"Are you okay?"
"Thanks." While she glared at Chifuyu who smirked. Her face went red as she realized he was still holding her.
"Can you let me go now?" The boy let her go, gently.
"I think you got quite a few stories to tell me. Could have texted me." Dan didn't want to sound hurt but there were many girls at his school, vying for his attention. Yet, he never cared about them. They knew what he did for a living and how much it would be great to have him as a husband.
Despite all that, he still went back to Madoka. A girl that he met in school. A girl that was the younger sister of Chifuyu Orimura. She treated him with more respect than most of those girls.
Or his own for that matter.
"Believe me when I tell you that it was crazy. There's a lot." Chifuyu blended into the background and let the two talks and catch up.
She smiled while Dan told her about the summer that got closer. She would love to come over and play games. Eventually, Ran came back around.
"Onii. I haven't found Ichika! We can go." Chifuyu decided it was her turn again to play up.
"Okay, Madoka. You had enough time to catch up with your boyfriend." Ran gagged on that idea but Dan and Madoka turned bright red.
"So while I do think you'll like to catch up, maybe some other time." Dragging her sister along, Dan got a shy grin from Madoka while he made the sign of calling her.
"Onii, stop looking at her. It's creepy." Turning to his sister, Dan gave her a grin. He walked away from her and her eyes on him.
"Might be. But there is a good chance that I'll be having something with her. You and Ichika? I don't see that happening." With that, Dan left the shopping hall. He had been assigned pack mule but it was enough for one day.
And he met Madoka plus he would meet her during the summer. His day couldn't go wrong!
Line Break
Meanwhile, Ichika had caught up with Mattheus. There wasn't much but outside, Joel sat with his phone. He kept his eyes on the cameras. Texting Mattheus, he knew where the girls were around.
Now, where was the Hunter?
In his changing room knocking on the door, he let Ichika know if the girls were still around.
"So Ichika. What's with that declaration of yours in class?" Of course, Mattheus wouldn't let that one go.
"Make a guess."
"Hard for that one. You gotta just answer the questions." Mattheus took out the color. Not his one.
"Is she from our class?" That would dial the suspects down for quite a bit.
"Yes." Ichika bit through.
"Okay. Is she foreign?" Mattheus was hitting hard ones and Ichika could only sigh.
"No, she's Japanese."
"Okay, I can guess it already. Houki, right?" Ichika got one red face, while he tried to deny that one, Mattheus would be right and there was no reason why he would embarrass Ichika.
"Yes…"
"Nice choice. The biggest set of tits among the students." Joel's voice was heard from next to them.
"I got the numbers here. Houki blows even your sister out of the water." Ichika cringed as he didn't need to know that.
"Good news though. Maya still got a larger chest than her. Something for you, Matt?"
Deciding on a new pair, Mattheus stopped halfway when it got too tight on his legs.
"You know me better, Joel." The grin could be heard.
"Not your type of girl." Ichika got better at this locker-room talk.
"I got something for large chests, Joel. But that's not everything. The body is one thing. A girl gotta be a bit touched to take a chance. The right amount of weird."
"You are talking about-"
"Joel, say her name and I'll kill you." The growl sent shivers down Ichika's spine.
Mattheus was serious and Joel shut up. He found the whole thing sucked. Layla was a great amount of fun and he had a great deal of appreciation for her. At first.
She wanted Mattheus to move Joel out to an orphanage. The last place Joel wanted to go. And while he found that Layla matched Mattheus, she got jealous of the unit. Sure, Mattheus was just a regular Joe who had earned his dough by just working with his hands. She had done college and was way smarter than he was.
It was a sucky thing with the two. Layla would have been a match with Mattheus.
But Joel came with Mattheus. It wasn't a 'what if'. You wanted Mattheus, Joel was part of the price.
Pulled out from the thoughts, Ichika realized that Mattheus must have had a full life before he even got there.
"Where is Ichika?" Now, there were quite a few words about how to describe Joel.
Foul-mouthed, tenacious, loyal. All of those things made him fearless when he crossed his arms when he met the faces of Cecilia Alcott, Lingyin 'Rin' Huang, and Laura Bodewig. A mirthless grin covered his face. Mattheus was without a shadow of a doubt Joel wouldn't sell them out.
"Why the hell do you want me to tell you that?" Crossing his arms, he placed his left feet on the wall and crossed his arms.
"We saw him here with Mattheus. Now, where is Ichika?" Joel wouldn't say that and he hoped that Mattheus would be fine.
But they needed a miracle to get out of this.
"Pearce asked the right question. Why do you want him to tell you that?" Three girls gulped while Joel smiled at Chifuyu Orimura. Madoka crossed her arms while sending Joel a wink. Sending out a message, Ichika relaxed when he heard his sister.
Deciding to add a few things up, he went out of his changing cabin. With nothing on but his swim shorts. Every girl in the vicinity, with the slight exception of his sisters, turned red when they saw him. Chifuyu merely raised an eyebrow when she saw her brother and Madoka stifled a burst of laughter.
"Hey, Chifuyu-nee, Madoka. You could have told me that you went shopping." Ichika stood outside while Chifuyu shook her head. Walking over to the little brother, she ruffled his hair.
"Sorry, but I had something to talk about with Madoka, Ichika. And it was a good thing you went with Adjzof." The three girls floored when they saw the resident Ice Queen hanging out with her brother like that. Mattheus decided that he had his clothes and dressed.
Moving his curtain aside, he smirked at the two.
"Good to see you, Orimura-sensei. Madoka." Walking up to her bestie, Madoka high fived him while Joel joined the three.
"You worked out a system? By the way, look at this." Showing his CD, Madoka found it a pretty good cover.
"Majestica. Can't say I heard of them."
"They're decent. I bought them. At least when we have Christmas, we got something else to listen to. So I can see things working out." Turning to the oldest student, Chifuyu put a hand on her hip.
"Adjzof. Do you mind if Ichika stays with me for a bit? There are some things I need to talk about, in private." The Hunter shrugged finding no reason to disagree. Meanwhile, the girls deflated. It looked like their plans to shop with Ichika were boycotted.
"Sure thing. Joel, I got mine. Let's go get you a swim short." The punk showed him a few that he gathered.
"Sure thing," Mattheus answered while he kept watching over Joel. The girls saw how the male Orimura joined his sisters.
Madoka lifted a light purple one-piece that fitted her well. She couldn't care about the comments. Her body was still slim so she decided to go for that. Chifuyu lifted a black version or a white one. Madoka was sure that she was good. Either one of them would turn heads.
Both colors were good on her figure.
"So which one to pick?" Chifuyu asked while both twins tried not to think about their sister like that. Sharing a look with Madoka, Ichika heard the line.
"Black." The twins said.
"But Chifuyu-nee, there is just one thing."
"Why do you ask our opinion?" The woman sighed as she shared a look with the two.
"Because, my dear siblings, some top bras decided to throw in a beach party. Besides our school, there are also going to be boys from other important schools. You can imagine what that will give." The twins could already see where that was going.
Not good. Not good at all. Schools, all with fifteen to sixteen-year-olds. Ichika would lie if he said that even the normal girls were beauties in their own right. Coupled that with a few guys of his age (and not nearly enough self-control), you had a recipe for disaster.
But the girls were all naïve to a certain degree. That was clear for the two. Hell, Ichika would say that his very own sister were the ones most used to males.
Not a surprise if you consider that she was raised with her older brother around.
"It's a thing you can share with Adjzof as he can handle the truth. But keep it a secret from the other girls. I doubt they will take it well." Ichika and Madoka smirked while they shared a look.
This was going to be one trip. That was for sure.
Line Break
Meanwhile, a certain girl went alone shopping. Houki was alone now and she had begun to think. If she wanted to get Ichika's attention, she might use her womanly assets. He lived an entire year with her sister. That should be something.
Plus, Ichika's declaration was enough for her.
Houki had one slight problem. She had no real idea what to buy for once.
'If I could pick only one.' Help wasn't too far off.
From behind, an employee appeared and Houki nearly had whiplash. The lady wore a hood and it was clear how energetic she was.
"Well, I'm looking for a swimsuit."
"Oh, no problem! I'll prepare the best one for your perfect body." Houki only blushed when she heard those lines. When she had it, she gulped as she wasn't really that much used to it.
The girl came out with a white bikini that really showed off her sculpted body.
"Isn't this a bit daring?" The woman smirked.
"Listen, it shows off your large bust in a big way. Every guy would pull you by the waist and hold you tight. Your body is on display and I can't think of one guy who would be able to resist you." Well, she wanted Ichika to turn his head to her so she might as well go for it.
Meanwhile, Mattheus walked out with Joel next to him. Shaking his head, he couldn't tell why but he had an idea that the problem would be coming their way pretty soon.
"Something on your mind?"
"Not really. Let's go back." A grumble made it clear that both were hungry. Using their noses, Mattheus spotted a rib restaurant.
"Hungry?"
"I can eat for a grownup now."
Mattheus walked in. They wouldn't need dinner now.
The Orimura siblings walked back to the school.
Chifuyu had one more thing to talk about and from what Tabane told her, with the VTS from Laura, it would be a thing that her siblings would get.
She hadn't used her own real powers for years now and a part of her wished she never had to.
The twins picked up how their sister behaved around them. Neither needed to ask where to go. In comfortable silence, they rode the train back home. Madoka was nestled underneath the arm of her sister while Chifuyu ruffled the hair of Ichika.
Still like that, they went and followed their big sister to the room.
"So Chifuyu-nee, you had something you wanted to talk about?" Madoka took a chair while Ichika sat on the empty place of the desk. Chifuyu chose the bed.
"Indeed. Ichika. Madoka. With your last victory, the VTS of Laura reacted to Laura's emotion. Just like you two, Laura is an artificial human. And like her, you got the same power." Chifuyu waited for a bit but the twins remained quiet.
"I really don't like the idea of telling you two this, but with last events, I think it's best. I used it a few times before. The last time was the day I met Madoka. That power, I can't say what it does, it's not a good thing and it might get difficult to train."
"Why?" Ichika asked.
"You need a heavy emotional stimulus for it to activate. You can imagine why I activated it during that time." Both of them had long made peace with the fact that her sister had blood on her hands.
She got the most to protect them.
"During that time, your abilities will be greatly enhanced. And your physical appearance will change." Ichika sighed while Madoka tried to keep herself dry.
Taking her sister up, she put the girl on her lap.
"I wished I had to wait a bit to tell you this but it looks like I had no option. Madoka's dream was a thing that might have caused it. I just want to tell you what you have in your bodies." Ichika gulped and his mouth had gone dry.
"Chifuyu-nee, when did you activate that power?"
"During my time in Phantom Task. They haven't a single clue how I got it but I got it loose during my training. I brought down a base in my rage. I was six years younger than you are now." Before she had a chance to say something else, she felt the arms of Ichika around her.
"You big stupid sister." He chastised her while Chifuyu wrapped her free arm on him. She should have told him sooner.
She had been strong and both twins could share her burdens. Still a thing that Chifuyu had yet to grow used to.
"I haven't used it for nearly eight years. A part of me hopes it never happens. I wanted to tell you two because of the recent events. They cloned you from my DNA so there's a high chance you will have the same powers as I do. Those things don't have to be too negative. For example, when a girl would flirt with Dan, it might happen to you, Madoka."
Working herself away from her sister, Madoka's glare was adorable.
"Same with you, Ichika. If some guy would go after that girl you talked about, it will happen." Ichika crossed his arms as he stood up.
"Okay. Good to know." Madoka smiled as she stood by her brother.
"You two are in a better place than I was during that time. Just keep it in mind. Okay?" The twins nodded at her and standing up, she did a thing that she wasn't too used to.
Pressing her lips on the forehead of Madoka, the girl giggled when she felt her scalp softly assaulted. Doing the same with Ichika, the guy blushed. Softly tapping him on the cheek, the two were happy that they had their sister.
"Now scuttle. See that your bestie finds out about it and get some rest." With that, the two left their room and Chifuyu lied back on her bed. A weight was lifted from her shoulder. That went well, at least better than the previous confession.
There were many, many more to make.
Line Break
At Mattheus room
Knocking three times, Madoka let herself in. The shower was running but she found that Mattheus was in easier clothing.
"Hey, Madoka. Something good happened?" Mattheus put on his sweater while the younger girl nodded.
"Yep. Quite a few things. Matt. My sister told me to inform you of something for our beach trip." Sitting at the desk, Mattheus opened his laptop.
"I'll listen to you but I want to get some checks done. What's up?" Madoka sighed when she looked at him.
"On our trip, there will be more than three boys. I hate to ask but when idiots are bugging me, can I join you and Joel? I doubt that any guys will be going after me." Mattheus smirked at her.
"I don't doubt it, I know." Taking off his sweater, Madoka's eyes widened as she saw the chest of the Hunter. One large scar went from his left shoulder to his right hip. Not to mention the smaller ones that covered him.
"I think that will be a deterrent enough, right?" She nodded. While Madoka wanted to talk, she had enough emotional roller-coasters for one day.
"Thanks, Matt. See you tomorrow."
Leaving the room. Joel saw her passing by. Turning his head, Joel sighed when he saw the Hunter like that.
"Showed it to her?"
"I prefer that she finds out. Sides, I am not the only one." Joel looked to his back. It had terrible scraps that had healed but the reminders were still there.
"We aren't going to be the only ones. She didn't tell me more and I don't have to know more, Joel." The punk sighed. His gut was telling him that there was a lot that he would find out now. It was going to be one trip. That was for sure.
Line Break
Madoka was quiet when she saw those scars. She had never seen Mattheus undressed like that. It wasn't the fact she was in love or hot for him. That would be creepy and disgusting.
It was more than the man that she had seen as bestie had those scars. They would deter the idiots from going after her. Lost in thoughts, she wasn't paying attention. Turning around a corner, she heard a familiar voice.
"Are you okay, Madoka?" On the floor sat Houki Shinonono. The kendo maiden dusted herself off and offered the Orimura a hand.
"I'm fine, Houki. Just my head going to places." Taking the hand, she was pulled up. It looked like Houki had dressed up for going out.
"Trying to attract Ichi-nii?" The blush gave it away what Houki was saying.
"Why do you even-?"
"Every girl sides me and Chifuyu-nee, wants to get in his pants. Leave out the others, you still got four others to compete with."
Houki blushed and glared at Madoka who sat back.
"It looks like I am not the only one. But what about you, Madoka? Recovered from your kiss?" That comment made Madoka glare at her friend.
"Don't talk about that. I would like to know who feeds that info to Bodewig and I still don't like it. Either way, best to get some sleep now. It'll be buzzy days." She had taken a peek at the bag. Looking down, she really hoped that the day would be there soon when she began to fill out her body.
Line Break
At the beach
If there was one thing that Chifuyu did, it was that she never lied. The twins were looking over the amount of the boys. Heads were turned to the Infinite Stratos girls who found the guys to be weird. But they would talk.
The talk in the bus was that the guys would fill in spots like Defense and other important functions.
If Mattheus had to guess, the guys were also informed about it but only if that would stop them. Joel stood next to his brother. They were wearing nothing but shorts. They had their eyes on them.
"It might work out better than I would have guessed," Madoka said while some of the boys just sat back. The girls walked over to the boys and mingled. Having one arm around Mattheus, she was fine with that.
It was better than the alternative.
"I hope they got the right mind."
"I hope they handed those guys protection," Madoka smirked as she stood next to him. Walking down with the towels and other stuff, they sat down while looking around.
"You can't avoid that. Several girls, this cute, with guys like that. That's hormones playing in. Don't tell me you don't feel the energy." Sitting down, the two looked at the scene of a few guys getting a music station going.
"Madoka-san, I hope you don't mind that you'll apply sun oil to me." Turning to Cecilia, she was wearing a blue bikini with a sort of long dress underneath. The woman had filled out well and she had her arms crossed.
"Why are you asking me?" The youngest Orimura sighed while she got a bottle handed to her.
"Because I need a person for that."
And with that, Cecilia showed her back while Madoka reluctantly walked up to her. Cecilia took off her top to get her back open.
"Is that really necessary, Cecilia?" Before she could even answer, whistles came from the opposite side. Some boys were really enjoying the sights of the busty Brit with her top gone.
"Why those guys…!"
"Let them be," Madoka said. Taking the oil, Madoka dropped a good bit on her back. It caused Madoka to grin when she heard the moan.
"Madoka, warm your hands a bit."
"Quit whining you big baby~. I have done the same with Ichi-nii, so let me work." She began to work her fingers over and when Cecilia gasped, the girls noticed how good Madoka was with her fingers.
"You better don't tell me how to do my job, Cecilia. I learned a few tricks from Ichi-nii."
That caused the girls to look up and look around for the boys.
Some of them were coating their friends and before long, the groups mixed.
Mattheus shook his head while taking out his own bottle. Joel knew what he was planning and didn't run. A burn is a terribly sucky thing. Mattheus waited and let the screen warm and then began to coat the bag.
The boys turned ahead to see how Rin took a seat on Ichika's shoulders.
"Get off of me! I am not a watchtower!"
"I am not going to. I can see quite a bit from here." Ichika sighed while he got glares from the other guys.
"Can you get off me?" Rin smirked while she still sat on Ichika's shoulder.
"Neh, Orimu." Turning his head to Honne and her friends who had a ball ready.
"Do you want to play volleyball?"
"Are we invited?" The speaker was male and he stood with a few friends. Short brown hair, Ichika guessed that he did something for sport as he was muscled. His eyes were dark and friendly to Ichika. His face was good and his smile was a tad too confident.
"Sounds like fun." Ichika's eyes wandered to Maya who had changed into a yellow bikini. It did little to hide her cleavage. One of the boys was drooling over her and he got whacked.
"Moron that one. So can we play or not?" The speaker asked Ichika who looked up.
"Sure if a person leaves my neck. If you do, we can play." Rin glared but jumped off.
"Thanks. I'm going to swim." The boy shook his head.
"I'm Jasei by the way. We know your name. Ichika Orimura. So wanna play?" Ichika nodded to Jasei and Honne kept looking at the hoodie. The Eevee hoodie looked awesome.
"Sure thing. Let's go." Ichika joined the Infinite Stratos girls while Madoka took care of Mattheus back. Cecilia laid back with a content smile, well coated in.
Two persons came from the back and Madoka looked up. "Hey, Charl? Why are you here with a beach mummy?"
Pointing at the girl behind her, Laura was wrapped in bandages.
"Good question indeed." Madoka giggled at the tendencies.
"Charl, what's going on? Why is Laura like that?" The French girl sighed and put a hand on the girl.
"She never wore a swimsuit before and she is a bit shy." Joel was surprised in that regard but found that it was funny.
"I need to prepare myself for this!" Laura shouted while Madoka shook her head. Ignoring the looks from some guys, she could feel how Ichika made it clear that she had to a lookout.
She loved her brother but he had nothing to worry about.
"Okay, then we'll leave you." Laura conceded and out she came.
Wearing a small, black swimsuit, it suited her well. "If you wish to laugh, go ahead." Mattheus chuckled slightly and got a slap from Madoka.
"I don't think it's bad. It suits you." Madoka told the German. With her eyes drifting to Charlotte, she looked at the woman. Her curves filled out. The orange top was left enough to the imagination although she hated the fact that so many girls were this well-endowed. The striped undershirt had a tiger motive.
"You don't look too bad, Charl." The woman blushed when she heard that compliment. Then the beach fell quiet as Joel pulled on Mattheus's arm. To his own credit, Hunter's mouth didn't land on the floor. Not that he blamed the other males that did.
In walked Chifuyu Orimura, dressed into her black bikini. Mattheus felt his face heat up when he watched her. Everyone's, guy and girl, head turned to her. The amount of stunning beauty was incredible.
It wasn't something to scoff at. Ironically, the one guy that missed it was the guy she was walking to.
Jasei laughed at Ichika who had a weird look on his face when the game fell quiet. The Knight had no idea until he looked asides. She was rocking that outfit and something told him that she liked the attention.
"I think that the lady wants to ask you something?" Jasei asked while they waited.
Ichika walked over to her while Mattheus appreciated her outfit. Like most guys, if he was honest. It looked like it did one thing for the person next to him.
"Hey, Madoka." Shaking on the shoulder, her bestie got her out of her daze. Joel's eyes wandered over her sister. Sure, Chifuyu was at least twelve years older than him and he would never be able to get close to her but it didn't stop him from liking the image.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a bit shocked. I knew Chifuyu-nee would turn heads…" Mattheus wouldn't buy that but the talk could wait till later.
"If that is her now, you have a lot to look forward to," Joel muttered while Madoka couldn't bring it herself to him.
"Don't tell me."
Chifuyu gave her brother a high five when he finally joined her.
"Hey, Chifuyu-nee." He casually greeted her. Every guy was now envious of him.
"Ichika. Hello. You mind switching with me?" Ichika was about to refuse but her soft eyes made it clear that there was a good reason.
Her thumb went behind her. Walking on the beach caused one thing to go unnoticed. Houki who had gotten some attention. Given her outfit, that was natural.
Ichika's eyes were glued to Houki. He wasn't alone.
The breasts of her showed through the bikini, her hourglass figure was filled out like a glove, she had an air of grace and maturity when she walked by. She could fear the stares yet found that Ichika's red eyes were on her.
Houki was the sexiest that Ichika had ever seen her. He knew that she was beautiful, that was clear as day. But now really, Houki was showing how much she had grown throughout the years.
Her blue eyes shined at him as she admired his own body. It was like the entire beach didn't exist.
Madoka felt her face heat up like crazy. Where did this surge of hormones come from? Ichi-nii, most likely but why would she feel so hot under the collar? There had to be a good reason for that. Closing her eyes, she eyed Houki. Well, it was clear that she was Tabane's little sister.
Chifuyu smirked at her brother who got into a jealous fit.
"Ichika."
"Yeah." Pulling him closer, Chifuyu whispered in his ear.
"Keep it down okay. Not too many threats. I want to be able to walk you down the aisle." Madoka could hear her sister. She was teasing her brother about it and Madoka would do the same. Jogging to her sister, Madoka crossed her arms.
"Hey, Chifuyu-nee." Ruffling her hair, Chifuyu was now relaxing a bit more with her sister.
"Madoka. You want to see this." Crossing her arms, Madoka looked at her brother.
"Indeed." Ichika's eyes were fixated on Houki. While the Shrine Maiden was normally capable to defend herself, the guy didn't take no for an answer.
"Hey, Houki." Her head turned to see her Knight standing. From underneath her parasol, Cecilia eyed how Ichika would handle this. Laura and Charlotte were now ready to play volleyball but both wanted to see this. Rin came out of the sea.
"This guy bothering you?" Ichika got a lot of heart and courage. He did not like it one bit that this guy was draping himself over her.
"Yo dude, what the fuck is your problem?" Mattheus swore a few more times but not like this guy.
A well-toned man with long hair and chest hair who had a piercing through his nose. Unlike Mattheus's simple rings, it showed off too much. His look was arrogant. He was wearing a red beach shirt and it showed the body. He was older than Ichika and in better shape than him so he tried to push Ichika away. Ichika saw how this guy was drooling over Houki and the hands were at a place he didn't like.
Pushing him away, Ichika grabbed his arm. Nearly every eye was turned to them.
Mattheus had walked over to the volleyball court.
"You just say the word and I'll help him out." The Hunter was ready and Chifuyu shook her head.
"Not yet. And believe me, Adjzof. Push comes to shove and I'll do it." Cracking his knuckles, his smirk was malicious.
"Yeah, but I can pull shit you can't." It seemed like that wasn't needed.
Ichika took a deep breath but his eyes flickered yellow for a second.
"She doesn't like what you are doing. We are leaving." Pulling her close on the waist, Ichika walked off with the girl. Houki blushed like mad but the other guy didn't get the memo.
"I asked you what is your problem?" A swung fist came at Ichika. Pushing Houki gently away, Ichika grabbed the guy and threw him over his shoulder. Landing on the sand, Ichika gave one deadly glare at him.
Kneeling to him, he grabbed the shirt. Their faces were mere inches from the other. Kenzou thought Ichika would be an easy pick but he was wrong.
"Leave. Us. Alone." His growl caused all guys to get the note.
Hands off this one.
Ichika ignored all stares and with Houki to his side, he walked to his towel. Where he got the confidence from, he didn't care. Yet, he kept her closer.
Houki thought that Ichika would push himself but he wasn't going too far. His hands were pushing and she found herself weirdly attracted to Ichika now. So she leaned into him and found it awesome that he cared so much about her.
"Well, that resolved itself," Mattheus commented while the game continued. Joel had joined in for the volleyball. Looks like they got a traitor. Shaking his head, Mattheus walked away. It was clear that Ichika had made its choice. His hand was still on her hip. Ichika walked away. He wanted some time off. He was coated in the stuff so with that said, Mattheus laid down near a rock.
The sound of the gulls, the crashing of the waves, the air of the salt.
"Just walk away, pretend that none of this is real." Looking up, his eyes were greeted with the blue sky. But why did he see a black bikini?
"Taking a break?" Oh, he knew that voice.
"Hello, Orimura-sensei. Not going to play?" Sitting down, she smiled at the oldest student.
"Enough players. I took a break." Before she asked for permission, she took up Mattheus's head and placed it on her lap. The man tensed up but let her do her part.
"Now, I get what Madoka meant."
"Oh?" The hands went to his neck. It gave him pressure that was comfortable for now. It could be turned up to a very hard one.
"Madoka told me that you got a soft spot. Found that hard to believe but now, I have to say she is right." Chifuyu sighed.
"Adjzof. I have a question. You said that your goal."
"Don't talk about that sort of thing in the open." Mattheus cut her off while Chifuyu smiled back at him.
"Adjzof. Do you intend to carry out your act? Even against former employees?" The Hunter raised an eyebrow at the question.
"Where are you going with that? Last time I checked. That was a subscription for life." Chifuyu smiled at him.
It wasn't her usual smile.
"Mattheus. What I am going to tell you is in confidence. What if a young orphan found herself taken in by an unsavory group? A girl, maybe not even ten years old. Forced to become a part of that group."
Why did Mattheus feel that the music 'Wrong Side of Heaven acoustic' was a good theme song now?
"Go on."
"And well, if that person stayed in that group and found out that they used some bad stuff so she decides to leave?"
Mattheus put two and two together. A bit surprised he was but Chifuyu carried herself with an air of a killer.
"If you are telling me this. I'll keep it in confidence. And if you are wondering if I will go after you because you were a former employee. No. Because there is a reason that I am going after PT. The death of my sister. You became Brunhilde when you were seventeen. Three years since the Introduction." Taking a breath, Mattheus relaxed.
"Orimura-sensei. There is no way that you are involved in any way, shape, or form with my sister's death. So I am not going to kill you. Besides, in a fight, you would kick my ass. And in the small chance, I would win. Your twins would kill me. I am friends with the two so I am not going to do that." Chifuyu's hands massaged his neck.
"So, don't worry. You aren't on my shitlist. And I don't want to land on yours. And if I got a lap pillow out of it. It's fine." Ruffling his scalp, Chifuyu shared a look.
"You really are a lucky guy."
"How many times do I have to tell you, Orimura-sensei? I make my own luck."
Meanwhile, Madoka sat back with a content smile on the towel while Joel was moping the game. They had won the game and the ice between the groups was broken. Honne had really much fun with Jasei. The two were pretty handsy already.
Why did those girls hide killer bodies underneath? Speaking of which, she glared at Ichika who had been chatting with Houki.
Yes, she could still feel the surge of the hormones coming through. She felt her face heating up. Oh, damnit. She wasn't into girls. Her idiot brother was making her head spin.
She had to cut that off.
[Ichi-nii, can you knock that off?] Her brother got that message loud and clear. They had gotten used to chatting with each other without letting it show to others.
Their big sister was the one exception to that rule.
[What are you talking about?] Ichika sent back while he pulled Houki closer to him. Madoka cursed while Joel looked worried at her. That punk was one caring guy. Madoka shook her head and ruffled his hair.
"I'm fine, Joel." Letting it go, Joel went back to his book. What else does one do?
[You know what I am talking about, Ichi-nii. I'm not saying you shouldn't do this but I don't want the influx of hormones.] A smirk formed on his face while his hands traveled to Houki's hip.
[Oh, are you talking about Houki?] Ichika sent back while Madoka fumed on it.
[Ichi-nii. Knock that off. I don't swing that way. But you make that hard.]
[Pretty sure that many girls' hearts would break from hearing that] Ichika's smirk was met by a dry chuckle.
[Pretty sure that you are doing the same now. But really, knock it off. If you don't, I'll do the same when I am doing Dan] He cringed right on the matter when he heard that line. While his feelings were good on the matter, Dan becoming his brother-in-law, but the idea of his best friend doing his sister wasn't fun.
So he would cut his losses on the teasing. Stopping now would be the best.
[Sure thing, Madoka. Have fun.] When she no longer felt the heat on the collar, she sighed.
"So where do you think your sis went?" Joel asked while he tuned up the songs. Madoka tapped her finger to the songs.
"Same way as your brother. Wanna go for a swim, Joel?" Pulling out his goggles, he smirked at her.
"Sure."
I love writing wholesome Orimura fluff. Don't think I ever wrote a Chifuyu this soft with Ichika or Madoka. It was one trip writing this chapter and I can say that I had good fun doing so. I just wonder.
Is there some fic where it's the same. It always feels like it's either that Chifuyu and Ichika hate each other or they're going the forbidden route.
A midway like this where there's a lot of familial love. But that's just me.
Now, it'll take a long time before I return to the fic. My time is sparse and well, things are going to develop now. Just a heads-up for all of you. I don't know how long the next will take. I'll update this fic when I am back in the circle. For that, check my profile on what goes next.
I did have good talks with the requester on this fic and I will tell you all, we'll be writing this fic for a long while. And in next season, it will kick off hard.
But it will take a long time before I am coming back to this fic. With how busy work is and how stretched I am for spare time, it can be May. Just to give you guys a heads-up.
For those who have been longer on the site, next weekend will have a blast the past on Infinite Stratos
February will be invested on Issei's Adventures. Both of those fics will see updates.
March is for the Sekirei fics.
Then it's back on the circle and this fic has seen its update for this one. So May will be the time I'll update.
I can say that the chapter in four months will be a huge one.
It's just how it is guys. I do like to write this fic and while my smut fics have reached some high numbers, I can't really say this fic has been a disappointment. It's a modest success.
But next season, things will really kick-off.
With this update, I have reached a 100K word. That's always a milestone for me.
Saluut.
