Hey guys, it's been a while. Four months easily. That is what my job does to my free time. Sorry that I have taken such a long time.

I thank you all for the support and patience you all had for this chapter. I got a feeling it might work out faster.

There are a lot of things that both I and the requester are looking forward to in this one.

I really like to thank Virus-Go who reviewed all the chapters in February and gave me quite a few good ideas for this fic.

Also, one big thank you as always to Ichigo Oga for looking over the chapter.

This is going to be a longer chapter. We got quite some ground to cover. So sit back and enjoy. I am however happy that I got it written out this fast.

Now, for the numbers, we are past the 60 favorites and 70 followers. I am happy that quite a few enjoy this fic.

Started on 22/05/2021

Ended on 25/05/2021


"Talking"

'Thinking'

[Telepathic conversation]

[Phone call]


The sun was high atop the beach. The day far from over had seen better parts and was now moving along. Everyone who had spent the day on a beach or a swimming pool lazing around knew what some meant by that.

A peculiar sight was getting a lot of attention from the girls of ISA while Chifuyu sat back, sunbathing and enjoying the sight.

Ichika was only focused on Houki's beautiful face while he felt something else. Tatsuki stood up as she was the one pushed to have the courage to ask Ichika.

"Ne, Orimura-kun? Are you two really close?" Ichika finally took his attention off of Houki's face as some of the girls looked at him weirdly. Among the girls were Cecilia, Rin, and Charlotte, who weren't angry per se, but the look they were giving him could only be described as mysterious by him.

Ichika was about to comment about Houki until he realized they weren't talking about her who rested her head on his shoulder, but the girl who he was giving a lap pillow.

His little sister slept contently while burying herself in his lap. Houki's eyes followed his own and landed on Madoka, who she couldn't help but forgive due to how adorable the youngest Orimura looked.

"Well, we are siblings after all," Ichika answered calmly stroking Madoka's head while she slept on. He wouldn't ask why Madoka was taking a nap in his lap as he didn't mind it one bit. Then she cutely yawned, her eyes fluttering at him who gave her a relaxed grin as his eyes followed her.

"Hey, Ichi-nii." She didn't give a reason why she was sleeping in his lap and he didn't ask for one. Most likely because he didn't need one, and Ichika had somewhat enjoyed the fact that he had Madoka.


Chifuyu got a visitor in the form of one soaked Mattheus. "Hello, teach." Without a hint of shame or delay, Mattheus sat down next to her.

"Hello, Adjzof." His eyes shined at Madoka and Ichika before they went back to Chifuyu.

"Not going to intervene?" Chifuyu shook her head as she enjoyed how the girls were really, really envious of Madoka.

Even Houki who rested her head on his shoulder wished that she could lie in his lap.

"You kidding? Best show we had all year. Still, it's something to your sis with your brother." Chifuyu sighed while she enjoyed the sight.

"I don't know where or who she got it from but, Madoka has always been really affectionate. Nothing better than a ball of energy, slamming into you when you come home. I think I enjoy that from my sister."

Mattheus grinned at her. "Hard to think about that but well, given how she is, I take it you like being hugged by her? Humans thrive on warmth."

Chifuyu had her sister next to her multiple times. Ichika seemed to attract girls wherever he went, but Madoka was another story. One could argue that she had effects on her brother as well, but without her brother, she wouldn't be able to make friends.

It might be why she clung to her older sister so much as well.

"It's not just me that she is close to." Looking at the two, as Ichika stroked Madoka's hair, Chifuyu was reminded of times where the little sister did that when Ichika and Houki split because of the latter moving away. Speaking of the Shinonono girl, Houki had no qualms about having Madoka on the guy's lap.

It might be what helped her a bit as well.


Madoka's eyes glinted as she looked up at Ichika, and he realized she had something troublesome planned in her head.

"I guess that Ichi-nii rejected me." While Houki and Ichika heard that line before multiple times, the rest of the girls were horrified. Some were tearing up while others bit on their handkerchiefs when they heard Madoka speak.

Cecilia, Rin, and Charlotte were among them.

"Ichika-san is that true!?"

"Madoka, what are you talking about?"

"Ichika, explain yourself!"

"Is Orimura-kun a siscon!?"

"Is Orimura-san a brocon!?"

"Can't spell wincest without incest!"

"Oh, I want to be his little sister!"

"I want to be her big brother. Oh, wait, isn't Adjzof-kun that?"

"Maybe we can go for being the big sister. No, that is Orimura-sensei."

Ichika gave Madoka a rueful smile while Houki giggled hearing that line. Putting her head on his shoulder, Houki was once again dreaming away while Madoka lied her head back on his lap.

Her brother was a handsome young man, she knew that but she wasn't attracted to him. Closing her eyes, she dreamt away with her brother.

This could last forever for her.


Eventually, the day rolled by and they all had to pack up. The sun was setting and they had a reservation in the Inn. Since not all girls could fit in the dining room, they were split into groups. Some girls were bathing while others were now eating.

One group counted their lucky stars as they were now sitting with Ichika and Madoka.

Ichika had enjoyed the entire day at the beach. It only could have been made an enjoyable end of the day if he was joined by Houki. Yet, she was nowhere to be found. Next to him sat Cecilia and Charlotte who kept grabbing his attention. Somewhere away, sat Houki who kept sneaking glances at him.

She got a bump on her side and looked over Madoka. The youngest of the twins also had a harder time with the girls vying for her attention.

"Don't get so jealous. You already had your time with Ichi-nii."

"I still believe you had a better spot than I did." Rolling her eyes, Madoka grinned at the woman who would be her sister-in-law one day.

"Privileges of being his little sister. Keep trying and you'll get there." Madoka finished a bit of her meal while Houki kept glaring at Ichika.

"Relax. Ichi-nii hasn't forgotten about it. And if he did, I would beat him up for it."

Sharing a look with Madoka, the two glanced at Ichika causing a ruckus as he offered to feed Cecilia.

"Care to tell me again why I like your brother?" Madoka smirked as she took a bite herself.

"Same reason why I am so attached to him." Both thought back to their time as children. Houki and Madoka bonded pretty fast as Houki did with Chifuyu. The two had tomboyish tendencies and both could fight but Madoka also had some girlish streaks.

It was yet another point why bullies came after her. All those times there was Ichi-nii to protect her and Houki. When the shrine girl wore a ribbon that Madoka tied in, it was only more fuel to the fire of the bullies.

Madoka and Houki had gotten over that and practiced. Both were after the attention of Ichika but for entirely different reasons.

"Still, I am not sure if he feels the same." Houki looked over at Madoka who sat back with a smile. When Chifuyu calmed them down, Madoka was happy that she wasn't seated next to her brother.

"Still, I don't know how I can get him to like me."

"That is another problem, but I doubt you have to try that hard. The one thing you have to do is maybe, I don't know? Tell him?" Houki blushed as she looked at Madoka. "Maybe don't tell him, but show him." With a puzzled look, Madoka thought for a second.

"If you're not sure about whether you want to confess to him, maybe you can try to sit next to him? Or show him slight signs of affection? Truth be told, there are many girls who would like to have Ichi-nii but one can argue that they have to get through me and Chifuyu-nee. You don't have that problem."

Sitting back, Houki mulled over the words.

"If you find the courage, come see me and I'll help you out. I might be the only girl in the school that isn't into Ichi-nii."

"You would say otherwise if you had witnessed your show on the beach," Houki said back while Madoka shrugged.

"You know me, Houki. I am more affectionate than Ichi-nii or Chifuyu-nee. Besides, I have more courage than you by doing that. No one else would dare." Above her head, a lightbulb with Devil Wings appeared.

"Maybe Chifuyu-nee would." Houki's mouth dropped open as she heard that. Chifuyu Orimura? She would do that? Putting her head on the lap of Ichika?

"You're kidding me, right? Orimura-sensei would never do that." Taking out her phone, Madoka showed a picture of her and Ichika. Both were in elementary school at the time and they had the habit of sleeping on Chifuyu's lap. It had been a hot summer day and neither of them wanted to go upstairs.

So Chifuyu had given them a lap pillow.

She had shorter hair at the time and was also younger. Madoka and Ichika were just comfortable sleeping.

"That is her giving you two a lap pillow."

"Maybe, but you know? She might be like me or Ichika to return the favor." Houki blushed as she tried to imagine that.

Eventually, dinner rolled by and both Ichika and Madoka were headed towards Chifuyu's room. Both were requested to be there.

Mattheus had also come back from his night out. He had excused himself from dinner. Not because of himself but because Joel was one picky eater and the dishes served weren't up to his taste. Chifuyu had requested him to go to her room at the end.

Outside the room, five girls were now eavesdropping on the ones inside the room, and they could hear the voice of Ichika and Chifuyu.

On the door was written. "Orimura Chifuyu, Orimura Ichika and Orimura Madoka." Chifuyu did not trust any girl in the school to not drop by at her little brother's room, so she put Ichika in the safest spot of the Inn. Her room. And because Chifuyu knew better than to ostracize her younger sister, she put Madoka with her.

"Chifuyu, are you really sure you want it here?" Ichika asked while his older sister gave him a deadpan reply.

"As if I wouldn't be sure. Get on it, idiot." Chifuyu replied while Madoka sat back with a grin.

"If you're done, Ichi-nii. Can I go next?"

"Sure. I don't mind." Her brother replied to which a "Yay" from Madoka was heard.

"Gotta admit, you know what you are doing." Mattheus' voice was now heard. "It did wonders for me." When the girls heard Chifuyu moan, they wondered what that meant.

"Ichi-nii knows his stuff."

"You can say that again." Mattheus could somewhat enjoy the sight of it.

"Have some self-restraint," Chifuyu said back while Ichika just rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, yeah. Maybe around here?" Ichika had a teasing tone underlining his voice.

"Not there… don't." Chifuyu made noises that caused Joel to close off his ears.

"It'll feel better soon. You should have asked me before. It's been too long." Mattheus decided that they all had their fun and walked over to the door. Pulling it open, he avoided five girls falling through to see the sight of Chifuyu Orimura on the floor while her brother had his hands on her back.

Joel and Madoka were laughing hysterically, and for once, Chifuyu didn't need a link. Her eyes told Ichika and Madoka enough.

They looked at Mattheus. The Hunter was too tall to have a kimono so Chifuyu allowed him to wear his usual clothes. A large sweater with his hoodie and on the back was a line written: "What's so fucking great about it?"

[Told you so.] Her eyes shined at her brother who had the same look.

[Yes, indeed.] Madoka could only find it hilarious as she watched the five girls forced to sit in a seiza position. Meanwhile, Ichika and Chifuyu took a chair while the girls were treated to another incredible sight: Madoka taking the lap of Chifuyu.

"Seriously, what were you idiots thinking?" Chifuyu sat down. Despite her angry appearance, she was enjoying herself immensely.

"So it was just a massage..." Charlotte said and Ichika would feign innocence as he heard the girls talk.

"I'm glad though." Laura was next and Ichika just enjoyed the show.

"What did you think we were doing?" Madoka bit through her laugh as the German began to talk.

"That would of course be-" Her mouth was closed by four hands as Rin gave a nervous "Nothing."

"It wasn't anything in particular," Houki added as the nervous laughter of Cecilia and Charlotte followed.

"You were thinking of something?" Joel had a vicious smile on his face while he was intending to say more.

"Joel!" Mattheus scolded which caused the boy to hold his mouth. "Be nice!" The Hunter had no issue of pissing off the classmates, but Chifuyu was an entirely different matter.

"Ichika knows how to massage." Chifuyu turned to her brother who gave a simple shrug to it.

"Why don't you all line up and get one, too?"

The five perked up while Mattheus rolled his eyes.

"Alright then, Cecilia's first," Ichika answered. If his sister would do this, he would at least get some things out of the way.

"I'm first?" She was blushing much like the other girls. Madoka took his seat while Mattheus sat back with Joel.

"I invited you over for this." On the mat where Chifuyu was lying, Ichika patted on the spot. "Lie down here." Cecilia quickly followed the command as her eyes sparkled in excitement.

A bit later, the four other girls watched how the British girl had tears running down her face as she felt Ichika pressing his fingers on her.

"This hurts!"

"Quit whining, you big baby! What are you? A dainty little flower or a fucking Infinite Stratos Pilot?" Joel cussed as the scene.

"You're enjoying this immensely, aren't you, Pearce?" Chifuyu asked while the boy sat with a content grin while Cecilia was biting through the jabs that Ichika gave her. If Ichika could be honest, he wasn't used to this. Neither Madoka nor Chifuyu complained about the amount of force that he displayed.

He guessed that both his sisters were tough women. Ichika did slow down a bit and began to use his open hands. Cecilia relaxed more when she could feel it.

"It feels extremely good. It feels so good that I'm getting sleepy." Meanwhile, another hand slipped up and grasped a handful of her butt. Turning her head, she had no idea if she should be angry or happy as it was Madoka who grasped the sides of her kimono and pulled them up, revealing the black underwear which did little to hide her private parts.

"Oh? Look at what she's wearing!" Madoka was happy to show off.

"I would say that these aren't really fit for our age. And black, well…" Madoka teased Cecilia who veered up to her as her face gained a red hue. Meanwhile, Mattheus had taken the liberty of shielding Joel's eyes who had no problem with that.

"Madoka-san, please let go!"

"Don't expect anything sexual in front of my brother, Cecilia." When the Brit went after her, Madoka avoided her and landed in the safest place. Her big sister's lap gave her a high five.

"Taught you very well, imouto."

"You're welcome, nee-chan." Looking at her brother, Chifuyu was half debating if her brother should stay or not. Luckily, she had an ally in that regard.

"Ichika, mind catching some fresh air?" Mattheus asked and Ichika shared a look with his older sister.

[She wants me out?] Ichika asked for confirmation from Madoka.

[Guess so. I doubt you would want to hear it.]

"Alright, I'll check in later, nee-chan." Chifuyu blushed as she heard the title that Ichika called her but she didn't mind that.

When the three males were out, Chifuyu took a seat next to a folded futon while Madoka took out some drinks. Wordlessly, she handed each of the girls one and she was happy that Chifuyu took her beer. This was going to be good.

"What happened to your usual ruckus?"

Houki was the first.

"Well…"

Charlotte followed her up.

"It's our first time that we are talking to you like this." Opening the can, Madoka enjoyed this side of her sister so much more.

"It doesn't matter. I think it's time to talk about the main topic." Chifuyu would keep the idea of her brother's crush hidden as with her sister, but she wouldn't mind hearing why the five girls were chasing her baby brother. Madoka just sat back and downed her drink. Like a giant cat, the five were treated to see Madoka going down on the lap of her big sister.

"You really are in a mood today?" Chifuyu teased Madoka as she ruffled her hair. If she could be honest, Chifuyu adored it. Ichika and she had some hugs and ruffles but real affection came from Madoka.

"First Ichika, now me?" Turning around, Madoka smiled at her big sister. "Any remarks?"

"No." Looking at the five who were gobsmacked. What Chifuyu noticed was that besides Houki, the four others were blushing. She wasn't sure where they wanted to be.

"Now, then." She gulped down her beer and enjoyed the taste of it.

"So what is it that you all like about him?" Her eyes were on no one and Madoka just turned her head as she crossed her arms.

"Well, it's true that he got a lot of good sides. Ichika is great with housework and a great cook. Also awesome with massages."

"Ichi-nii only cooks because you can't do that to save your life, Chifuyu-nee. And you forced him to practice on me first. I can tell you it was no fun." Looking down on Madoka, the five girls really understood that Madoka had more guts than them combined.

"That as well. Any girl would want to go out with him." She grinned as she played with the girls.

Looking down on her lap, she decided to add a bit more.

"But this one here, well, she isn't too bad either." Messing with the hair, Madoka just laid back while Chifuyu added a bit more.

"She can cook well, Ichika often says that she is good with house material. And well, girl romance is more common now." Madoka rolled up and glared at her sister. She was getting better at that.

In a few years, she could match her sister. Hell, it would be the question if she was a twin of Chifuyu.

"I don't swing that way." Madoka's reply caused four girls to also get another blush when she said that.

"I think that I know that. And well, you also got a person on the eye." Madoka would fear the other girls, minus Houki, more if she wasn't with her sister. She wouldn't leave her sister's side for a while though. Not until she was safe.

"I take you knew him for a long while." Madoka crossed her arms and just laid back. Closing her eyes, she wanted to fall asleep.

Looking over the girls, Chifuyu was going to enjoy this.

"How about it? Do you want them?"

"You're going to give any of the two to us?" Chifuyu noticed how they said us instead of me. Madoka just enjoyed the power of her sister while Chifuyu relaxed.

"Like I would. It's their call to make. Not mine. Ichika already has his eyes on someone. Same as this one here." Madoka lied back while she enjoyed her sister's lap. For now, she was happy like this.

The girls deflated when they heard those words.


Meanwhile, Ichika and Mattheus looked at the sea as the darkness settled in. Joel had fallen asleep. He was pushing himself and Mattheus didn't mind it.

"So what do you think Chifuyu-nee wanted to talk about?" Mattheus raised an eyebrow as he heard Ichika call his sister.

"Not Orimura-sensei?"

"We're not in school, Mattheus. I can call her that." Mattheus shrugged on it.

"Your future wife." Looking at the younger male, Mattheus would admit that Ichika was lucky.

"Guess so. I hope that she keeps my idea in mind." The Hunter had a smirk on his face while Ichika sat back. "I think that I'll have to get used to that though. Dating." Ichika was serious about a change.

"Why?"

"I'm so used to Madoka and Chifuyu-nee that I am not sure how it would work out. Is that weird?"

"I don't think so," Mattheus said back while Joel stirred.

"You've been with your sisters nearly your entire life. They're much more than just your sisters. For you, Orimura-sensei is a mother, caretaker, sister, teacher, mentor, name it. You got a huge bond of storge."

"Storge?" Ichika asked while Mattheus turned around.

"The ancient Greeks had five terms of love. Storge is love you feel for parents, offspring, and siblings. It's what you feel for your sisters. Normal by the way. In your case."

"What are the other names of love?"

"Philia," Mattheus answered the question. "It's what you feel for your friends. There are several layers to that. Some bonds of philia are shallow while others go very deep. In some cases, that bond can go beyond normal. I know of a man that I call brother."

Ichika realized that Mattheus had a life outside of the ISA.

"Go on."

"Agape is the love you feel for God or other beings. I have grown too cynical to really care about it. But it's how you look at it."

"What is your religion?"

"I've been baptized and all you want. We don't know what is after this life. We'll find that out but I'm not in a hurry."

"Same. What are the other two names?"

"Philautia. A translation is a self-love. If you look at it, it can be selfish. But the only good way that you can have a love relationship or intimate one is to have self-love. If you can make yourself happy, you can make others happy." Ichika understood that Mattheus was right.

"The last one?"

"Eros. Do I have to explain that?" The Byakushiki pilot shook his head.

"No. I get it." Mattheus just looked to the moon. A breeze came through. The man stretched out his arms. Between Ichika and Mattheus were four years, but it proved that Mattheus was older than him.

He was closer to Chifuyu than himself.

"I'm going back to my room. Good night, Mattheus."

"Good night, Ichika." Mattheus was left alone with just Joel sleeping on his back.

He wasn't sure but he could feel his guts screaming at him that things were looking hairy.


Stepping out on the front porch, Ichika stretched his arms as he was greeted by the early sunlight. He noticed that Houki was sitting down, kneeling while intently staring at something in the ground. Two rabbit ears buried in it with the message: "Please pull this."

Ichika was about to say something but found a presence around him. Madoka had joined the two.

"Hey, Ichi-nii. Houki, what's?" The three just stared at the ground to the ears. "Oh, we all know what this means."

"Sometimes, it's better not to know," Houki replied and she stood up and walked away while the twins remained looking at the thing.

"We can't leave it here, can we, Ichi-nii?" Madoka and Ichika sighed but she was right. The male twin grabbed the ears. It wasn't too hard to get them out the ground and he fell back from it. Quickly, Madoka helped him up and dragged him to the roof.

From above, a giant rocket in the shape of a carrot slammed down. The twins heard the cackling from inside the machine.

Tabane Shinonono appeared from out the machine. She was still the same bundle of energy since the last time Ichika and Madoka spoke to her.

"You fell for it, Ikkun! Hello, Madocchi!"

"Hey, Tabane-san, been a while." She jumped out and Ichika wondered how once upon a time he and his sister fitted inside that machine.

"It's been a really long time! So Ikkun, where did Houki-chan go?" He wasn't sure whether to tell Tabane about Houki or if he should just keep quiet. "Well, it doesn't matter! I got this "Houki Tracker"! Bye, Ikkun! I'll see you soon~!" And with that, Tabane ran off at full speed.

Ichika shared a look with Madoka who just stood and watched the scene.

"This isn't going to go well, right, Ichi-nii?" Ichika and Madoka knew what it meant when Tabane was around.

"Nope. But let's go."


Later, at the edge of the sea with a waterfall coming down, all those with a Personal Unit were gathered.

Joel sat on Mattheus's shoulder. At Chifuyu's request, he had to be there as well. Mattheus was just looking at the sky.

"Alright, all those with a Personal Unit are here." Rin pointed out the obvious fact that one of them lacked a Personal Unit.

"Wait a minute please! Houki doesn't have a Personal Unit." Houki sighed and looked at the teacher.

"Well…" Chifuyu took her line over.

"It's alright, Shinonono. I'll explain. The truth is-" It was cut off by a hyperactive shout from the rocks. Both Chifuyu and Houki got annoyed looks in their eyes. They all turned to the source and like surfing, Tabane jumped up right at Chifuyu.

[Hasn't changed a bit.] Madoka sent her brother.

[Nope.]

Tabane raced right at her target, one Orimura Chifuyu. "Chiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii-chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!" Tabane shouted as she landed and with practiced ease, Chifuyu stopped the crazy rabbit woman. Her hair flashed pink for just a hundred of a millisecond before it turned to normal.

Both Ichika and Houki had picked that up as they witnessed it but the others were just rubbing their eyes as Tabane was taking most of the attention.

"Hello, hello, hello, hello. Oh, come on! It's been so long. I missed you, Chi-chan! I was so happy to see you again! Let me hug to confirm my love for you!"

"Shut up, Tabane!" Chifuyu could easily keep her down while the rest of the group looked unnerved. Ichika and Madoka had a look of resignation on their faces while the others could hardly believe their eyes.

"As usual, the merciless Iron Claw!" Joel had just been grinning as he looked at how Tabane and Chifuyu were bantering. The scientist escaped the grip of Chifuyu and turned her attention to Houki.

Her little sister didn't hide from her and had her arms open to her. It was all the invitation she needed. Tabane nearly blew off Houki from her shoulders.

"Hello, Houki-chan~!It's been a while!" Houki buried his face in the crook of Tabane's neck.

"Hello, sis." With that, Tabane let Houki go and looked over her face. Her sister was getting closer to her figure and she had really grown up from the bratty girl to a beautiful young woman.

"You have gotten big, Houki-chan." Looking down on where their busts met, a lecherous grin was spreading. "Especially your boobies." A wooden sword hit her right on the head.

"Stop that, Tabane-san." No one knew where he got the wooden sword, but he was making it clear there were limits. For a flash, like his sister's hair, his eyes lit up.

"Hai~ hai~ Ikkun~!" Madoka and Chifuyu got that message now loud and clear. They were right about their guesses. Oh, they would tease their brother later about it.

"You really got a protective streak." Turning to Madoka, the youngest Orimura couldn't get away as she also got a hug from Tabane.

"Yo, Madocchi! You have been well?"

"Can't complain, Tabane-nee." Looking at the suit, she found that Madoka still hadn't hit her growth spurt. While she had no reason to complain, her body wasn't like Chifuyu.

"Well, I see that you still don't need a bra! You really have gotten nothing like Chi-chan!" Grabbing Tabane by her head, Chifuyu pulled the mad scientist off of her sister. Like her siblings, Madoka's eyes flashed purple. While she had gotten used to that, it really bugged her.

Chifuyu didn't get her spurt until she was 17. She had to wait two more years and it sucked.

"That's enough, Tabane. Could you at least introduce yourself?"

Chifuyu pulled her up as she addressed the group. Her eyes lingered for one second on Joel who was finding this one fascinating sight.

"Oh, that is such a pain! Hello~ I'm the genius, Tabane-san. Hello. That's it." Mattheus was used to weirder sights and Joel had nearly fallen asleep on the latter's head.

"Tabane? You mean…?" Rin started.

"The genius who developed the IS?" Charlotte continued.

"Shinonono Tabane." Laura was the last one.

Joel could feel the head of Mattheus turning to him and back to the woman. When their eyes met again, Joel could see that the smile was telling.

'I'll take you over her any day of the year.'

Tabane just decided now wouldn't be the right time to ask but if she was right and she always was, that had to be Joel Pearce. Twelve-year-old boy with brown hair. He was a near copy but the eyes made it clear that it wasn't a perfect one.

The eyes of Joel come from someone else.

"Now everyone look to the sky." Some kind of gem came down and Ichika guessed that it would be the Personal Unit for Houki.

"Tada! This is Houki-chan's personal IS, Akatsubaki!" The machine had beautiful red streaks and Mattheus guessed it would work well.

"All of its specs outperform any of the current IS. That's because it's a fourth-generation IS that I, the genius Tabane-san, made herself! You can say it rivals your units, Madocchi, Ikkun." The twins both found a need to see that.

Joel leaned down to Mattheus's ears and the Hunter guessed that Joel was right about it.

"It's a fourth-generation model!?" Laura was blown away.

"But every country has only just completed their trial version of the third generation model!" Cecilia continued.

"That's because I'm the genius, Tabane-san!" Turning to her sister, she pressed another button that opened the Infinite Stratos. "Let's start the personalization now."

Chifuyu found that appropriate enough. "Go ahead, Shinonono." Houki just walked to the Personal Unit in awe. Her eyes were dazzling over it.

Tabane was hyper-fast on getting the unit ready to go while the group waited. Joel sat back and marveled at the unit. Still, Mattheus refused him to leave his back. Something told Mattheus that Tabane would like curious boys around the Unit.

"Houki-chan's data is already inputted in here to some degree." Pressing on floating keyboards, Tabane was hyper-fast to get the unit going. "All we have to do is add new data." Houki was already waiting as several cables were connected to the unit. Ichika had a light blush as he saw Houki in that machine.

"Amazing!" Their mouths had fallen open.

"She's typing at an unbelievable speed…" Swiping the floating screens away, Tabane couldn't wait to see it.

"Alright, the fitting is done. Super-fast, as expected of me!"

The unit was now activated and out came the wings.

"Go right ahead and test it out! It should move exactly as you imagine, Houki-chan!" The woman nodded to her sister.

"Alright, I'll give it a shot." And up she went with incredible speed.

"What's with that!? It's really fast!" Rin's mouth had dropped open.

Charlotte had a similar expression. "This acceleration, is that the power of a fourth-generation IS?"

Joel was less impressed with it. 'If you give this to a real experienced pilot then you would be impressed. Still, it doesn't hold a candle to my Lavathenian.' Tabane had her eyes focused on Houki who was holding a hand over her eyes.

"So, how is it Houki-chan? Doesn't it move better than you expected?" A red dot was all that they saw in the sky.

[Yeah, it does.] Houki's voice rang loud and clear.

"Well then, try using the katanas. The sword on your right is Amazuki and the one on your left is Kawara. I'll send you the data for the weapons." The two weapons materialized and Houki could happily fight with those.

"Amazuki, let's go!" Red lasers were launched from the sword and the ones below could witness the spectacle from the ground as Houki herself was blown away by the power of it.

"That's good, very good!" From behind Tabane, SAM's appeared. "Try shooting these down! Here you go!" Madoka found that a bit excessive but she realized that they were out in the open. That was different from the year they were locked up inside. Houki had no problem avoiding or destroying the missiles.

"She's good." Laura simply said.

"Amazing!" Ichika was admiring her while Madoka was impressed.

"Yep, that's great!" Tabane said while Joel began to see the machine. His brain was tuning fine to the show. Tabane could laugh when she saw her sister. Meanwhile, Chifuyu was a bit concerned.

"I can do it. With Akatsubaki, I can do it!" Houki was happy that she had this machine. Their moment had to be stopped as Maya's voice was heard.

The entire group turned around to see the woman running to Chifuyu.

"Orimura-sensei!" The homeroom teacher was wearing a green suit, much like Chifuyu. "Look at this!" Handing Chifuyu the smartphone, it opened and Chifuyu saw the data.

"Special Mission Level A. Start countermeasures now. Joint mission." Looking at the group, she was now sure.

"Stop the test run, immediately! I have something more pressing." Then Maya noticed the scientist in the maid outfit. "Oh? Who is that person over there?"

Chifuyu always enjoyed telling others who Tabane was.

"Shinonono Tabane."


Later, they were gathered quickly in a set-up room, filled with computers. Inside, people were working. Only one voice could be heard as the computers whizzed and buzzed.

"Are you sure that this is its current location?" An authoritative male spoke while he looked over the data on the screen.

His outfit is similar to Chifuyu's normal business getup, but the stars and stripes made it clear that he was an officer.

Handsome could be the only word to describe him due to his strict dark eyes. His hair was dark and messy. One could guess that he didn't have time to comb it. He was wearing square-rimmed glasses as his eyes focused on the screen.

"Yes sir! After the last lockdown, the unit hasn't moved out of proportion. There is no telling how long that will stay though." The male was clasped on the shoulder.

"Keep me posted if you see any changes." His attention went to Chifuyu. Snapping to attention, he saluted the First Brunhilde.

"Orimura Chifuyu-san, I presume." The woman nodded while the man looked over at her.

"Yes."

"Thank you for assisting us. I'm Lieutenant Itsuka Yukimura. I'm the CO of this operation." Chifuyu crossed her arms as she eyed the male.

"You're JSDF? What is their business here? This is an Infinite Stratos situation." The jaw of the male tightened.

"Yes. In most cases, this would be handled by you, but what you're facing is a Rogue Unit that shot down two jet fighters. The Ministry of Defense wanted a CO on this operation. I also have experience with Infinite Stratos units, so that's why I have been sent here. I have been also up to speed for this so, do you mind if I do the honors?"

Chifuyu had often met males that were jealous, rude, or other ways that made her blood boil. Itsuka had defused her and brought up valid points. Itsuka was right. She could do this but she wasn't going to stir trouble when they had already enough.

"Go ahead, Lieutenant." His eyes went over the group. He hated this part of his job. Telling soldiers what they were up against and the chance that coming home was slim.

"Alright, ladies and gentlemen, we have this situation. Two hours ago, off the Hawaiian coast, an America-Israeli joint developed third-gen IS, known as the Silver Gospel, went off the handle. The unit can be equipped with a Pilot, in this case, Natasha Flairs, or as proven now, an autonomous unit. We can count our blessing that Miss Flairs isn't piloting this unit." Itsuka had no comments yet and he continued to speak.

"This unit flew from Hawaii to Japan. During its course, it shot down two jet fighters. Luckily enough, the pilots survived which sped up the process to find back the unit. We got permission from the US to take down the Unit. Because of the delicate matter, the only able pilots are those who are untouched by diplomatic issues. Believe me when I tell you that it would be a pain in the butt if we had to deal with this."

Itsuka continued as he eyed the group. He had heard of what happened in the school and he wouldn't bring it up if it wasn't necessary.

"The teachers are going to use the training Infinite Stratos to close it off. From our reports and information, The Silver Gospel will avoid units and will only turn hostile to flying units in its direct vicinity." Itsuka could see the tension in the group.

"I have already received the data on this unit. Please understand that this is confidential. Keep your mouths shut over this. It's a specialized shooting IS that specializes in long-ranged combat. It can be used for all ranged attacks though. It's a state of the art IS with specs nearly in all offensive attributes. It can fight with high attack power and is very maneuverable. Defensive attributes are not helping against this. The other capabilities are closed off." Joel had been quiet and it looked like he had an idea.

Raising his hand, he hoped that the officer would hear him out.

"Sir, I have a suggestion." Itsuka either didn't hear the boy or just ignored him.

"And we can't scout the other capabilities. It's travelling at supersonic speed. We only have one shot to approach it. For this, we have been asked if Orimura-kun and Orimura-san approach the Infinite Stratos. Your Reiraku Byakuya might the only thing that might break through it."

Joel still had his hand raised.

"Sir, if I am allowed." The punk wasn't sure how to ask. In most cases, he would have just blown a fuse but there were times where Joel realized that it wasn't the best course of action.

Itsuka just looked over him. Chifuyu wasn't sure how this would go down. Joel could be swearing like a sailor but he had more patience than she would have guessed.

"The only problem is that we need to get you two up there." Mattheus decided that it was enough and lifted Joel up from his lap. Getting up, he stormed over to the Officer. Grabbing him by the front of the shirt, Mattheus pulled Itsuka close enough that their noses were touching.

Taken aback by the rudeness and strength, he wasn't sure but when the flaming blue eyes lit at him, he wanted to demand Mattheus let him go.

The hunter was faster though and began tearing the older man a new one.

"Listen here, asshole. The kid has asked twice, in a polite fashion if you could listen to him. It'd fucking common decency to listen to what he has to say." Itsuka grabbed his arm.

"Am I to listen to a child? That boy has no right to ask me anything." Using his other arm, Mattheus gave him a harsher glare.

"That child, motherfucker, is the reason that we found out so much about the Golems. Joel patched in their system and that went to your employers." Itsuka's expression of shock and surprise was one that Mattheus would savor for a long time. The officer looked back at Joel who shrugged at him and back at Mattheus.

"You are making things up. Am I to assume that this child did all that? What sort of relationship do you even have with that boy?" Mattheus was two seconds away from smashing his skull in until he felt a hand wrapping around his wrist. Turning around, the amber eyes of Chifuyu sent him one clear message.

'This far. I don't allow further.' Letting the man go, Itsuka grabbed his collar and shook it loose.

"Lieutenant Yukimura, Joel Pearce has been a great help for us. The relationship between him and Adjzof is unorthodox but I have found that there is no reason for concern. Adjzof is right though. Pearce might be able to have a solution. I can vouch for him."

The officer let Chifuyu take the stage.

"Pearce. What is your suggestion?"

"Orimura-sensei, this Unit is Unmanned. If I can use the data, I might be able to patch it in its system. No reason to send anyone up."

The Brunhilde crossed her arms as her eyes glared at Joel who gave her his fiercest glare back.

"Are you sure you can do that?" Scratching his head, Joel began to think.

"Sure? No. I can try and give it a shot. If it works, it works. If it doesn't, I can find out more stuff that we now have lacking. With your permission of course." Chifuyu smiled at Joel and nodded to Mattheus.

"He has it. Pearce, go ahead."

Walking up to Maya, she allowed Joel to sit down. For a few tense seconds, Joel began to work over the computer. He ignored nearly everything else and on the screens, he showed the data.

It was a reason to concern.

"Neh, Orimura-sensei," Madoka asked while Chifuyu found that her sister kept her professional distance. "Am I mistaken or is the Silver Gospel close to its Second Shift?" Chifuyu had an ice mask that she had years to practice on but found the prospect of sending up her siblings to this machine something that might cause cracks to her mask.

"I'm afraid so." Itsuka had to close his mouth as he witnessed what Joel was doing. He was mistaken about that boy and when his eyes landed on Mattheus, the Hunter gave a vicious smile and subtlety flipped him the bird.

"Okay, what the fuck?" Joel said louder and his eyes landed on Itsuka. "Yo cap'n. Can you take a look at this?" Itsuka walked over to Joel.

"So I take you got a problem. You can't do it?" Ignoring the jab and sardonic tone, Joel showed him the screen.

"Look, I got something. I found a way to bypass the firewalls and I entered the mainframe of the Silver Gospel. As you can see her main orders are just on a max level of combat readiness. The only thing I have to do is to rewrite the order and shut her down from the inside. And this is where things get fishy."

Joel coded in that the Silver Gospel had to cease hostilities and just land. Itsuka was now rapidly changing his opinion of the boy.

"What do you make of this?"

Joel got thrown back out of the screen where he was at the mainframe.

Itsuka went quiet and back at Joel.

"Pearce, are you saying that…?" The entire room became as quiet as a graveyard in the middle of the night.

"Someone hacked in the Silver Gospel and is keeping watch over this. This was a deliberate attack." Turning around and catching the attention of the entire group, Joel was dreadfully serious.

"Someone wants you two to go up there. Now, why, that is nowhere good. But…" The punk took a breath and looked at Ichika and Madoka.

"You two are about the only ones who can defeat that thing. The only problem is how the fuck we are getting you two there? You need your energy for it." Scratching his cheek, Joel was looking over the options.

"You'd need two hyper-fast units!" They heard the hyperactive laughter of one Tabane Shinonono who came through the roof. Itsuka had wanted to ring several bells but realized that Tabane Shinonono wouldn't show her face unless she had a way out.

He had to deal with the Silver Gospel first, but writing this report would be a major pain.

"Wait a minute before going ahead with that plan!" Jumping down, Tabane Shinonono landed in the room.

Skipping over to Chifuyu, Tabane got hyper close.

"Chi-chan, a better plan is now playing inside my head. As the boy was saying, you'd need two hyper-fast units."

Chifuyu dragged her hand over her face as she was already getting a headache from Tabane. "Get out of here."

"Listen. This is the perfect chance for Akatsubaki to make its debut! But you'd still be stuck with one problem. I can reconfigure Akatsubaki of Houki-chan to your Byakushiki, Ikkun. But that would leave Madocchi out." Tugging on her arm, Chifuyu looked at the genius that she could stand.

"Pearce."

"I have looked up the stats. Sides the new Akatsubaki, the fastest unit is Mattheus Lavathenian. If you'd allow me, I can get the rest of the shit done and Mattheus will be able to carry Madoka over." Chifuyu looked at the Hunter who looked back at Joel.

"Well, fuck. What other option do we have?"


Outside, nearby a beautiful stream, two geniuses were laying their hands on two deadly pairs of machines. Houki let her sister work on it while Ichika took a place behind her. The scientist kept sneaking glances at Joel.

Akatsubaki's folding armor was what allowed Houki to use her powers.

"This really brings me back to the White Knight Incident a decade ago. A mysterious Pilot who saved this country from nuclear oblivion. I wonder who it was, Chi-chan." Chifuyu had rolled her eyes. It had been obvious for Ichika, Madoka, and Houki who the White Knight was, but they kept their mouth shut and wouldn't open it again.

"I don't know and don't care."

"According to my observations, it was someone with a bust of 88 cm's-!" With a hit of her board, Chifuyu shut Tabane up while Joel didn't even pay attention.

"In the sea and lost in time, when the edge will seem behind and I," Madoka noticed that he was having fun as Joel was singing. "And I will find my home!"

Mattheus saw that Joel had several cables running from his unit to Madoka to make their conversion smoother. Itsuka just joined Chifuyu and Maya who were witnessing the sights on how the two worked.

"Are you sure about this? Do you trust either of them with this matter?" The lieutenant asked and Chifuyu looked back at him.

"With my life. Both of them. Tabane, how long will it take for Akatsubaki to adjust to Orimura's IS?"

"Seven minutes and it will be done!" Chifuyu nodded.

"Pearce."

"The whole thing is nearly done," Joel said as he looked it over.

"Five mins, give or take. With that, it should be done." He nodded over to Mattheus who sat down.

"Alright! Shinonono will take Orimura-kun and Adjzof will take Orimura-san to the target. Both Orimura has to take down the Silver Gospel. We will begin this mission in thirty minutes!" Houki and Ichika shared a look and in that, one could read many things.

Tabane could. "You two make a good pair." She looked at her sister. Houki had grown up so much. Pity, she wasn't there all the time to see it.

"That is not true!" Houki turned away while blushing.

"Don't make such an upset face! Laugh and laugh! You need to enjoy life! If you never lived, you'll die with nothing."

Climbing up, Tabane began to look her sister's unit over.

Houki had to kneel down for Ichika. "I would haven't allowed you to ride on me, but I can make an exception this time."

Ichika got a red hue over his face as he found that he really didn't need his mind in the gutter.

Mattheus had also been ready for Madoka. "You're fine with this, Mattheus?" He was giving her a piggyback ride like he had done so many times with Joel. The Hunter guessed that he had been using some data to work with his White Death.

"Gotta take some time to adjust."

When both pairs stood up, Chifuyu walked over to them.

"Orimura. You both know of this operation. As Pearce had shown us, you have a short window where you two could attack the unit before its shift sets in. Shinonono, Adjzof, you are allowed to help the pair if they face difficulties, but don't be reckless. This combat mission is your first. You are mainly for support. In the off chance, things go south, you need to grab the pair and get the hell out of there."

Taking a breath and sharing a look with the two, they could see what Chifuyu was thinking. She didn't like this one bit. With that, the four Pilots took off. Meanwhile, Tabane stayed behind with the group while Joel sat back with his laptop.

He had gotten more data from the Silver Gospel. The more he began to dig, the less he liked off it.

"Foute boel. Zoveel foute boel. [Not good. Not good at all.]"

He could see that the changes of the Second Shift had begun to set in. The window of the fight had been cut in near half. And already more power was available to the unit.

Ichika and Madoka were one strong pair. But against a monster like that? Joel saw their chances as 20%.

At best.

Mattheus could make all the luck he wanted. It wouldn't be enough to get them out.


I have been looking forward to this for a long time to write this out. That might be why it went down so fast. I wrote fast without many disturbances and with clear ideas, ready to go.

As for some of the hidden messages, I hope you guys enjoyed them.

Itsuka Yukimura is based on Shinya Yukimura who was a main character of Science fell in love. Pretty good show but I cringed a few times. Itsuka will show up quite a few times more but I am not spoiling anything. He'll be an important part though.

The song that Joel sings at the end is Skull and Crossbones from the Italian Metal Band Wind Rose. I had this and I just rolled with it. Look them up, their album Wardens of the West Wind. They got newer ones but this one is special.

It had been fun writing this out and just how fast it grew out from a few words to a full weekend where this chapter came to life.

It might be out for a while and compared to my other request fics, it might not have the numbers yet but I got so much quiet fun of this fic. The relationship between Chifuyu and her twins is something that I don't get tired of writing out. It's balancing out some other stuff as well.

Some more fan art might get picked up and the fastest this gets updated in July. But if it goes like this, I might get it done fast again.

The fics that I'll focus on next are Issei's Adventures preparing and after that, Brave New World.

I thank you all for the four months' patience and I hope that the next one doesn't take as long.

The next chapter is going to be a big one with all the stuff we have planned for it and we are going to plan.

Saluut.