It's been a while, hasn't it, my dear readers? Things have been quiet at this fic but that is just how things go when you are working.
March is far from now but that is just how things go. Most likely, I'll have finished this after Rammstein (the first time seeing those Germans at work) and making my future brother-in-law meet my best friend.
Also, the first time for me would be Alcatraz in Kortrijk. Gonna see quite a few groups. I do hope it won't be so godforsaken hot as at Graspop.
But the rain that we have seen in the last few weeks, proved it's a pure Belgian summer. Good for many things but a pain to stand in.
Asides from that, planning and all are going in and I don't think I'll finish this before I go to Alcatraz.
I had thought that I could have started on the Kyoto trip but there are some other plans that we have.
I hope you'll all enjoy this chapter and I'll see you there.
No guest reviews so we can begin.
Started on 03/08/2023
Ended on 14/08/2023
Openings song. Five Finger Death Punch. When the seasons change
"Talking"
'Thinking'
[Telepathic conversation]
[Phone call]
For some reason, Ichika wondered why they had been picked for this mission. And if they were, why was Charlotte tagging along? That didn't make any sense. They had to guard the newest batch of Infinite Stratos entering the country.
Charlotte had asked the twins as the last two people on her entire list. All the other girls had been busy with their own plans or she didn't dare to ask.
Airis, Djbril, and Rorentsuine came to mind and she had scrapped them off from the start.
It was now just Ichika and Charlotte standing together while Madoka had gotten her recon going and was circling around the base in stealth mode.
"So, Ichika. It's been a while since we could spend some time together." It grew rather hard to ignore the heartache when she saw how content Houki was while she sat on Ichika's lap.
"Well, that tends to happen when you get busy. Plus, the tournament and all. So how are things with you and Laura?"
Charlotte blinked when the name of the German was mentioned.
"What is it about me and Laura?"
"You two have been a whole lot closer. You took down that Golem together from what I heard. Plus, during the attack on the festival, you were also together."
Blatantly spelled out, Charlotte realized that she was around Laura for a good bit. Of course, they were roommates so that was another reason.
"Oh, we're just close. Just friends, that is all."
A little traitorous voice whispered something in her ear.
'Is it?'
Was it all that she and Laura were? They had been close, yes, and they loved spending time together.
Charlotte didn't know what else was there. Her heart was pumping wildly when she realized that Ichika wasn't exactly lying about that.
"Oh, okay. I was just thinking about some stuff."
Lesbian couples were pretty much common in the Infinite Stratos world. With so many girls, growing up on a pedestal, they found men to be beneath them and it had gotten rather hard to find suitable partners.
Not that it was impossible but it just showed the preferences of some.
"It's nothing really." Yet, the name of Laura made Charlotte's heart race and her mind began to wander.
Not the best time to do that now.
Especially since an explosion went off which engulfed most of the base.
[You two. My eyes are not fooled. We have guests.] Madoka had called the two in via the intercom.
[Madoka, what do you see?] Ichika asked while he was getting ready to go in.
"Ichika, wait a second!"
A semi came rushing through the gates at the highest speed that it possibly could.
When it stopped, the sides opened, and out from there, stood two Infinite Stratos Pilots. Their heads were covered by masks.
[They don't have any Nationality Identification Codes. I.e. They're Phantom Tasks. Get in there and fuck them up.]
It was always nice to have someone, sitting back and calling in for the help that one could need.
[Sis, the honors to you.] Ichika turned to Charlotte and nodded.
"Wait until Madoka has fired. It'll make our job easier."
Charlotte waited until the signal came. When their first foe was smashed against the truck by the blast, the second one had nearly no time when Ichika came through.
"What the?"
The blade crashed against the metal while Ichika gritted his teeth.
Whoever they were, they had a serious bout of training.
Unfortunately, the second got up from their blast.
[Char. The other one getting up. Could you do something about that?] Charlotte immediately opened fire and up in the skies, the daredevils flew while bullets were fired at the other.
When those didn't work for Charlotte's foe, small anti-air missiles were launched. Only through acrobatics of the skies, were they avoided.
"Not bad."
The foe had forgotten that there were three players.
Madoka had lined up another shot and as soon as the missiles were launched, she had pulled the trigger.
Charlotte saw her foe crashing on the ground and her hand went to the intercom.
[Thanks, Madoka.]
[You're welcome. Now, go help, Ichi-nii. I'll take care of this one.]
It wasn't a problem to catch up to the foe and switch duties. Charlotte was happy that Madoka kept watch.
Her older brother could use some help.
The foe had broken away from Ichika but he had caught up and when he chipped away, bit by bit, he had taken her down.
"End of the line. Now, does this really have to get uncomfortable?"
Unfortunately, she had raised her gun and blasted from close by. The pull had come through and smashed Ichika into the containers.
"Shit! Ichika!" Charlotte got closer to them and the bullets had engulfed the place while Ichika tried to get up.
Madoka turned around and it was with that chain reaction that the entire place went up in flames.
Whatever was in those containers, it was certainly volatile.
"We need to leave now!" Madoka shouted as they flew up.
Pieces of debris flew around and on their units, they could feel the blasts. Only their Absolute Defense was their sole savior of protection after that night.
Scene skip
Back at the ISA, after the twins were brought with a chopper, Maya and Chifuyu were looking over their Infinite Stratos.
"It appears that your IS has gotten serious damage. Can either of you activate the machine?"
Both Ichika and Madoka tried but found that it was impossible.
"Can't do it." Ichika showed his machine.
"Nothing from my end," Madoka confirmed her own issues.
"There are no issues on your bodies. That is maybe the one silver lining." Itsuka had been in the lab as well.
He didn't know anything of Infinite Stratos but as the doctor on site, he had taken a look at the two when they got back from their fight.
"At least, at first glance. Come back in a few days." Popping his arms, they were getting too stiff for this.
There was more that had to come from those two.
"Both of you have the same issues. An abnormality in your quantum conversions. The weird thing is that both of you have the same issues on your unit." None of the Orimura wanted to tell her how close Kuroshiki and Byakushiki really were.
"What are their problems?" Chifuyu had her arms crossed when she looked at them.
"I can't say that with an in-depth examination." Chifuyu knew that if it wouldn't work now, they had to leave their units at the lab.
And Chifuyu was not able to protect them. The only thing she could do was hope that they could find their own place.
"Orimura, leave your units. We'll look it over here. I also believed that someone has dropped something in your bedroom. I'd say her timing is uncanny."
Maya was not going to ask who that person might be as the tone of Chifuyu gave away that she shouldn't ask.
Itsuka also kept his mouth shut.
Madoka and Ichika realized who their sister mentioned.
"You can say that again." The two answered when they got out of the check-up.
"Something tells me that it'll be enough to defend yourselves. But keep it quiet. If your friends or others find out, it'll be a headache to deal with."
Chifuyu watched the two bracelets that were placed on the table before her.
"You can say that again," Ichika admitted when he watched how Chifuyu was apprehensive about this.
"Let no one know. Not even Houki or Dan. Am I understood?"
"Yes, Chifuyu-nee." Again, their answer came in unison.
"Now, move along and get some sleep."
Itsuka walked over to Chifuyu. Maya hoped that she could hide her giggles from the two as Chifuyu lit up like a Christmas tree.
What was even more surprising was the fact that her ponytail began to wag around like a dog. How did she even do that?
The sight of her strict, harsh senior, transforming into a meek and shy maiden was one too good to pass up.
"This is going to end badly, right?" Itsuka's eyes remained fixed on the door that the twins used to leave.
"Let's just hope that what they received, is something they can use to defend themselves with."
Chifuyu had never guessed how but Tabane was always two steps ahead of her.
It begged the question. Why couldn't she do that with Phantom Task?
Scene skip
Madoka and Ichika had expected a package. Not a military crate that lay in the middle of their bedroom.
"I really wonder how that got here," Madoka asked her brother who felt himself too tired to even care about that.
"I don't think I want to know," Ichika answered honestly. He did open the box that Tabane had sent over to them.
Inside, they found a pair of handguns and a katana. Madoka had the impression that Tabane had picked two M1911 as the base and went from there.
The note in the middle was written in the usual style of Tabane.
Hi, Ikkun. Maddochi. I am so, so sorry that I missed your birthday. See this as a gift from your loving older sister to make up for that. Something tells me that you can use them
"Either, she has spied on us or she can predict the future. The timing is just a bit too perfect." Madoka watched the weapons as there were also holsters for her and Ichika could sheathe the sword on his belt.
"I wouldn't put both past her abilities. Either way, I am not interested in looking at a gift horse in the mouth. You, sis?"
Madoka winked at her brother.
"No, I don't think I want to do that at all." Fatigue hit both students as they realized that it was past midnight.
"I don't know about you but I am exhausted. Let's get some sleep. My gut tells me that we are going to have an absolutely fucked-up day."
Both agreed with Madoka's sentiment. They crawled into their bed after their teeth were brushed. Neither of them knew how right they would be.
Scene skip
Madoka's words proved to be the absolute truth. The breakfast started alright enough as the usual were gathered around them.
The twins had pretty much begged Charlotte to keep quiet about their latest infraction. The French girl, feeling responsible, did not ask why the twins asked that instead of protection but one look at their latest accessories, was enough to deter her.
Luckily for the twins, most of them were focused on their gifts. When asked about it, Ichika and Madoka had just simply answered.
"Birthday gift." It was enough to shut some people up.
Throughout the morning, more of their group had gathered at their table.
The twins could deal with Laura, Charlotte, Cecilia, and Rin. Houki was no longer counted as a problem.
Due to the Sarashiki sisters, starting again in their relationship, they grew closer to each other. With their previous help, Kanzashi had gotten really close to Madoka. Neither of the twins had an issue with her though. Tatenashi was trying to talk and get closer but found that Ichika shut her up.
Plus, Mattheus's presence had also a calming effect while he ate in silence and kept Joel close.
Even still, it was an inconvenience. Now, they had more issues.
Why Airis and Djbril joined the group, was beyond them. The princess had tried to get closer to either twin but like the others, they ran into a stonewall.
No, the biggest issue they now faced was Rorentsuine. Despite the obvious rejections, the Dutch Candidate had not gotten through her skull that Ichika and Madoka were taken.
"Oh, come on, you two. I can show you a good time."
Madoka scoffed and Ichika sighed.
"For the hundredth time, we are not interested."
Pushing her cleavage down, Ichika looked away while Madoka was looking away.
"But I can get you to that point. Besides, I am very experienced. You would be my hundredth girlfriend, Madoka. I got so many broken hearts in the Netherlands."
"She belongs to the streets." Joel shot back which caused Mattheus to pinch his nose on the punk's reaction.
"Joel, that is rude. But what does that mean?" Cecilia asked which caused half of the table to wonder with her and the other half to facepalm.
"If you don't know, you don't need to ask." Rorentsuine glared at Joel and was about to grab the boy.
"I should teach you some manners. Die vuile bek hoort met zeep gespoeld te worden. [I'll wash that dirty mouth with soap]"
"Raak hem met een vinger aan en ik snij je strot open. [Touch him with one finger and I'll cut your throat.]
Mattheus answered back in Dutch but decided that if they were to continue, they should speak the common tongue.
"Leave insults asides and speak so others can understand. And Laurent, we are already happy." Houki beamed at the comment from Ichika while the other girls glowered at that.
"But I can make it even better and I'll show you what a real woman does."
Stroking the thigh, Madoka grabbed her arm and pulled it away.
"Get your hands off me! For fuck sake. You're even worse than a dog."
Rorentsuine was about to answer something on that but then saw something of even better interest.
Ichika had hoped he could stop her but she grabbed down his sleeves.
"Wait, Ichika, Madoka? Where are your units?"
[Can I kill this bitch?]
[We can't. But believe me, I want to join in.]
Before long, everyone was over them like a pack of wild dogs and their table was a cacophony of girl voices.
"What happened?" Houki was the first to ask.
"Are you hurt?" Cecilia's worry could have been endearing.
"Has this something to do with the mission from last night?" Laura had not forgotten her thoughts.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Rin looked over them.
"I could help if you asked." Kanzashi wanted to know more.
"There is no worry if you need protection." Tatenashi had opened a flier while giggling.
"I see that you require assistance. I would be the one most suited. Isn't that right, Djbril?" Airis had also gotten up.
"She is right." Djbril nodded along.
"Oh, don't worry. I can protect you. After all, I am the one most experienced." Rorentsuine told which caused sparks to fly.
Luckily, for the twins, Mattheus shout did the work for them.
"SHUT UP!" It was like a teacher that shut down a bunch of noisy preschoolers.
Then he turned to the twins.
"You two have to tell us what happened last night. It is not exactly a good idea to walk around with a unit."
[Remind me to thank you that you made this man your surrogate brother]
The cool voice of Mattheus was the reason that the twins needed to calm everyone else down.
"I think we should tell you what happened last night. Because yes, this is what happened during the mission."
The twins explained what happened and how their units got damaged during their fight. Maya was looking them over now.
"Our units got damaged. We can't use them now. They're in repair." Ichika replied and sitting back, he lifted his sword.
"But we received these as gifts. So we should be fine." Madoka followed up and sat back as she stretched herself;
"Still, I think it's important that you need protection. And as your fiancée, I think that is most suited."
The words again brought sparks all over the harem that was brought all over them. Even Houki's mind began to wander.
Ichika shuddered when he saw his girlfriend glaring at him in particular. The other girls were about to join in but it was Madoka who defused the situation.
The nuzzle of one handgun was now pointed at the underpart of the mouth.
"We don't need protection. We got our own to work things through. I'll advise you to leave me alone. If you don't, I'll make this very uncomfortable for you."
It did seem to do the trick to make Rorentsuine back down and sit at her own table. The show of guns wasn't just for showing off.
The girls also got in their heads that the twins could defend themselves in a scrap.
"Thanks, Madoka." He was about to say more but then felt something on his side. His head turned to see Airis standing, with Djbril next to him.
"Do you need something from me, Luxembourg?" Ichika was on his edge when he saw her but then the princess decided there was something that needed to be addressed.
And now, was as good as any time.
Before anyone could react, Airis had thrown herself on the lap of Ichika.
"Well, I believe that as Laurent had said, you need protection. As the princess of Luxembourg, I believe that no one will try to go after you when I am seated in your lap."
Ichika was not sure how that made sense but that didn't change the fact that a girl was sitting his lap.
A princess for that matter and there were so many reasons why that was wrong.
"That doesn't make a lick of sense! Get off me!"
Djbril glared at him and Ichika's eyes switched when he felt her stare.
She might have been scary but compared to his sisters, she didn't even come close.
"If she has decided that, she is the best-suited person for this task."
Joel was about to shout back from their fight. Where Mattheus and Djbril fought, with his support while she was shitting herself.
He felt Mattheus' hand around his waist, gripping him while the eyes signaled that Joel had to keep his mouth shut. The punk would never take a single order from anyone. No one.
But only from Mattheus and that brotherly respect kept him calm.
Ichika was not sure what he could say to get the girl from his lap. The spanking of Mattheus came to mind but that was not something he could do and get away with.
So Ichika began to think about it. If Airis wasn't going to move, he could find a less harmful way.
"Very well, princess. But let's how much you can handle." Before Airis could even ask what that meant, Ichika's fingers began to press in her sides and he was working that through.
The laughs nearly came immediately as Airis felt sensitive sides as Ichika began to tickle her.
"Ah,Ahaha, Ahaha! Aaahaah, Ichi-ahaha, Ichika,ahahah, stoooop, Ahahaa, nooo, ahahaha, nooo. Stooooop!"
The Knight absolutely enjoyed the sight of Airis, gasping for air as he tickled her.
The others around reacted in very different ways.
Charlotte, Cecilia, and Kanzashi were all a bit shocked by the way how Ichika acted while Madoka and Houki were a bit more surprised.
It had been a while since this side of Ichika came out. Tatenashi was not sure what to say but found the sight to be endearing.
Rin and Mattheus were a bit calmer about it and the Hunter let his punk go and watch the scene with amusement.
Meanwhile, Djbril was about to cut Ichika's head off.
"What are you doing? Let the princess g?! Immediately!"
The Knight just smirked at her as he continued.
"Ichikaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Stooooooooooooop! Ahaahah, please! Aaahahaha!"
"Well, I am just giving her a preparation for me if she wants to protect me. It appears that the practice that I had on Madoka is now paying off dividends! It is clear she likes it."
The youngest twin's glare got even worse as she watched it.
Houki remembered those days. She had never gotten into the whole thing but it was one way how Ichika teased his sister.
"Don't ever say that! And bro, I think she had enough!"
Ichika smiled and looked at her.
"Oh, I don't think so. No, she needs more. Lots more!"
When Airis heard that, her eyes went wide and she began to wriggle.
"Please, no! Ahaha, stop! Ichika, please!"
The girls were not too sure how they say something like that while Madoka looked over at Djbril.
The sister was not going to let anything happen to her brother but it was Mattheus who stopped Ichika.
"Ichika, if you continue like that, she is going to soil herself on your lap. Not a pleasant experience."
Mattheus then continued to eat while Joel sighed.
It didn't happen between them but when the two were visiting a few friends, one had a four-year-old on their lap.
"Yeah, that was one fucked-up evening." Joel picked a few things from Mattheus's plate while the Hunter reminisced.
"No shit." When he swallowed, he looked at Ichika who looked mighty pleased with himself while Airis still sat on the lap while the other girls had calmed down.
"It's at least less painful and humiliating than being spanked in public. I can say though that I never used that against Joel."
The Punk knew how far to go and had ideas from his father and mother.
Airis and Djbril glared at him and the retaliation had yet to set in for the two but not until they found Madoka leaning in next to Mattheus while her hand hovered over the handgun.
It appeared that Madoka would go far enough to protect not just Ichika but her other brother as well.
The threat and the tickling were enough to get Airis off his lap and when Mattheus checked his watch, he gulped.
"Eh, if you ask me, we need to get moving. Class is in thirty minutes." It didn't sound like much but with how much they had to move before they got into the classroom, it was enough to strike terror in all of them while their food came down.
Madoka nodded to him, gratefully. But this day was not over, not by a long shot.
For Kanzashi, she looked over at Ichika. It appeared that the male could handle himself just fine. She was skeptical about him but the more she watched him, it was clear that the guy could handle himself just fine.
Somewhere, in her heart, set on Madoka, something stirred as she watched Ichika. The way how he was around Madoka. Even if their age was the same, their roles were that of an older brother. Madoka got a sideways hug to calm herself down.
Would Ichika do the same with her? It was very different from how her sister treated Kanzashi.
Scene skip
Itsuka didn't have much of a job. No sick students, all injured ones were out of the infirmary from their last match.
Why he was assigned to look over the fixes of the machine, was beyond him. From the looks of it, Chifuyu was just overseeing the mechanics who were trying to figure out the problems.
He was wearing the usual doctor's coat. His spiky hair stood out from the rest and around Chifuyu, he seemed to be out of place.
"Is there something wrong, Itsuka?" The voice of Chifuyu brought him out of his musing. They had to keep their distance here, although Chifuyu had enough fear to stop most of the gossiping.
"I was just wondering, Orimura-sensei." Of course, he kept this professionalism. Chifuyu wasn't sure which way to handle this but his voice was soothing and warm.
"Why did you drag me to this and why don't you just ask Pearce to solve this?" The name of Joel caused a shudder around the entire technical bay.
The mechanics had already been raided by Joel and their supplies were gotten into the hangar. No one had dared to question the boy who could shut down the school.
Especially not when you had a man like Mattheus who could stop you and blow your brains out for looking at his boy wrong.
"I don't want him in this. If we run to him every time, his head will grow bigger than it already has." The scent of Itsuka's cologne and his own nature was seeping into her system.
It made her hum and smile.
"Can't argue there. But what about me? I am a doctor and soldier. I don't know much about mechanisms."
How she did this, the wagging of her ponytail, Itsuka wondered. Yet, it made Chifuyu look adorable.
Not that he would ever say that to the Brunhilde.
"I think you can learn something from this."
Itsuka looked over at her and there was a certain chuckle in his voice.
"Like you get lonely without seeing me too often?" Chifuyu leaned into him and her arms were wrapped around his while she smelled him.
"Like you aren't missing me." She teased Itsuka who smirked back at her.
"I will say that it's hard to keep girls under lock and key when you have them, goofing around about the hot new male doctor. Although, somewhere, I'm happy that you bluffed them off. Have no real handle to handle them?"
Itsuka turned to Chifuyu and sighed.
"One. I am an adult male. I learned a long time ago to think with the head on my shoulders. Two. Why would I go looking for a teenage girl when my type has always been a more, mature lady?"
Chifuyu's ponytail began to wag even more when she heard that news.
"Oh, and what is your type? I couldn't be even close to your type. The furthest thing from it?"
Itsuka didn't give a damn what some people would say but when he gave Chifuyu a forehead kiss, she blushed up but remained under his touch. There was no other place that she would rather be.
Then his fingers brushed her cheek and she nuzzled in the touch. Normally, she was the one to do so but now, she felt how nice it was to have someone who cared for you.
"No, you are hitting all the boxes that I am looking for."
Swatting his hand away, there was a playful scoff.
"I am not so sure. What kind of qualities do I possess that you could even consider attractive?"
Pressing his forehead against hers, Itsuka comforted her.
"Strong. Fierce. Protective. All qualities that I would like in the mother of my children."
His nature to speak the truth and only then his words to find it, made both of them blush like mad.
"Children? Aren't you going a bit too forward?"
"I am just saying hypothetically. Of course, we need time for that."
With that said and done, the two quickly got out of the bay while the mechanics focused on the machinery.
Or they tried as they ignored the talking with Chifuyu.
Most of them were like the girls in the school. Woefully unprepared to deal with men and that what Chifuyu just said, would be something trickled down through the hallways.
Finding an empty room was all too difficult but they would not stop.
Maya had returned from the class and watched how her senior was wagging her tail like a puppy.
That man handled Chifuyu Orimura like a professional. She was about to squeal but she knew that if she opened her mouth, she would be dead. So quickly, she made her way out.
Especially after Chifuyu and Itsuka had begun kissing with the teacher slipping a tongue into the mouth of her man.
Maya's hands went to cover her face but her fingers remained open.
She was too far to hear Itsuka whisper something in Chifuyu's ear. Whatever it was, it certainly brought a new sight out because Chifuyu became bright red but her ponytail waggled quite a bit.
Scene skip
The day had gone at a relatively fast pace as the girls got more into the usual rhythm. During the break, Dan had dropped by in the class which gave Madoka the usual boon.
Joel allowed him to take the day off so he could spend some time with his girlfriend.
Houki had asked Ichika to help her during the training so it left the usual girls to play along.
One particular couple was Charlotte who had asked Laura to come along with her to hang out. The words of Ichika were playing in her head about last night.
She and Laura had gotten closer throughout the last few days and the French lady would say that Laura was a person she actively loved.
"Hey, Laura? Want to go somewhere?" Briefly, the German wondered before nodding and together, they walked out of the classroom. Some of the girls began to suspect even more while Joel just looked back at Mattheus.
"What do you think, Mattheus?"
Lifting the boy out of his lap, the Hunter swung his backpack on his back and ushered him out.
"Not our damn business. We got jack of crap to do and I'd like to spend some time with Natasha. She's asked for you."
The punk had a big smile when he heard that his second favorite person was open with some more time.
"There is nothing more that I wish to do." Joel's grin didn't leave his face.
"You make me purr when I am feeling blue." Mattheus knew exactly what his boy was singing and together, they walked out.
There were different ways to spend your afternoon. For Ichika and Houki, that was in the dojo, training.
They were already in their usual outfits, training and sparring. Houki had learned quite a bit during her time with Chifuyu so Ichika pushed back with enough skill.
Houki had never thought that during her training with Chifuyu, she would become Ichika's ideal woman and due to the training of his sister, he would become her ideal man.
There was a certain power between the two that passed by and the skill displayed.
But it came down to Ichika who found an opening.
The hiss could not be suppressed and Ichika was about to drop his sword. But luckily, Houki recovered quickly and she waved her head.
"Thank you for the match, Ichika."
Opening his helmet, he smiled at her, relieved.
"You really can keep up with me."
Houki mirrored his smile and relaxed a bit.
"You can thank Chifuyu-nee for that." The two were looking around and there was a certain energy in the sky that both were feeling.
"You think that we can…"
"No."
Ichika squashed that, immediately. Houki pouted as she had hoped for some more fun with her boyfriend but found that Ichika stopped her.
"We can't do it here, because it's improper. We can't do it in your room and have Shizune getting on us, my room is occupied because of Madoka. I really would like to do the same, Houki but we are out of luck."
Houki's pout was hidden as she put on her helmet.
"Then I'll get rid of my frustration with another match."
Ichika did his own helmet on as well. Something told him that he would be getting a lot closer to Houki than the previous one and a smaller part of him was saying they would be kissing.
In the twins' room, Madoka was profiting from the experience of having her boyfriend free from his duties.
"You really thought this was the best way to spend your afternoon?" Dan asked Madoka who had the boy in his lap.
The technician laid back and enjoyed the treatment while she was playing with his hair.
Madoka began to fill out more like Chifuyu and that was not her chest. Her thighs had widened and her legs grew longer. With her hair, still long and tied up like a ponytail, it would be hard for even Ichika to see if he was dealing with his little sister or his big sister.
It was only the height that showed that it was Madoka in the room.
"Yep. I think it'd be fun." He wasn't laying so it was a cross but laying on her lower legs while he looked up at her.
"Liking what you see?" Madoka asked shamelessly. She was no longer wearing her uniform but a tank top and a skirt which made Dan wonder if panties were not covering more.
"You have to ask the same question." Dan was wearing a black shirt which showed his physique while the shorts were not hiding his legs.
"I do. I like it a lot." It was like she wanted to present her bust to Dan while she showed off her body.
"Is there a reason why you want to have me here, besides the chance that you can?" Showing a box to Dan, the boy got the message. He got bright red when he saw it but he found that Madoka shared the same sentiment.
"I also tied a sock to the door so Ichi-nii knows what can happen here." Dan was a bit aback by the idea of it. It also made it clear to him what Madoka wanted from him.
"Where did you get that box?"
"Nii-chan bought it for Ichi-nii so I borrowed it. And before you ask, Nii-chan only did buy one because Chifuyu-nee asked him."
Mentally checking that the three most likely people who could kill him when he would fuck Madoka, that was one shock he got over.
"Okay, Madoka. I'll be honest with you. Do I want to go there, yes? But not in a place like this. I'd like to do it in a place where we all have the time of the world. So."
The boy got up from his place, got over, and pushed Madoka down while his lips crashed on hers.
She was way stronger than him, the benefit of a pilot but there was something alluring in surrendering to a man.
So she let herself go limp and kissed him back while she enjoyed it.
"Now, do you want to fool around a bit?" Dan asked the girl who nodded to him. When she pulled her top off, there was an audible gulp. It appeared that Madoka had foregone a bra. The B-cup that she was sporting a year ago, was now past the C-cup and well on its way to becoming like her sisters.
"I think that is a good answer."
Immediately, the kissing continued while her hands played under his shirt. It would be one pleasant afternoon.
Scene skip
Charlotte had gotten Laura to make the mixed berries crepe again. Thanks to the internet and some purchases, they could eat those crepes again.
The rumor had been going around, mixed berries with the person that you like, would totally be for that person.
Charlotte and Laura had the mixed berries made. Charlotte had gotten blueberries while Laura went for the strawberries
"Charlotte, this had worked out wonderfully. It's delicious." The scent had been going in their room and the two were eating in their bed.
"I agree. It's better than to lament some stuff."
When she mentioned that, Laura got reminded of their current failures.
"That reminds me, Char. Did you meet Freya as well?" That name was one that she had not heard in a long time.
"You mean, Mattheus' little sister? Oh, yes, I did. She was a wonderful partner although she never joined the Schwarzer Hase. She was more there for a stunt. You met her as well?"
Charlotte nodded when she thought back at it.
"She had gotten to the corporation a few times. The unit she would take was not one of ours but there were some discussions and she had some matches there. Mattheus was never with her. It was always an older gentleman."
She did not think or ask that it would be Joel's father. That was far enough in the past.
"Shame that she never got here."
"That is true." Pulling Laura closer, they thought about their friend and how much had happened.
The fact that only now they began to think showed how much had happened. They never made the link to Mattheus but when the name came through, they had not made the link.
"I read the same news. Antwerp Expo bombing. Nearly my entire squad was heartbroken."
Charlotte pulled her even closer.
"You and me both."
They just sat in silence, grateful for the fact that it was something they could share.
Charlotte could feel her heart race. Ichika was not the first person to make her feel safe.
Freya did that when she stayed over.
And it appeared that now Laura did the same.
Scene skip
Houki had taken a nice long shower after her bath. Somewhere, she had gotten a release that she was looking for. Her ideas went to Ichika and the joy that she was experiencing.
Something else came to mind when she thought back on her relationship with Ichika. So that was something that she would do as soon as she could.
Out of the shower, well dried off and when she got into comfortable clothing, she dialed a number.
It would be right to tell Tabane about her changing bits.
In the lab of the bunny-eared genius, Tabane was working on her newest design.
Chifuyu would murder them both but Joel had been the dutiful godson and sent her the information to the parts that he thought he couldn't handle.
The last few fights showed that and even she couldn't trace back anything that was sent through. Whoever did this, was a genius and that genius got close to herself.
So the phone that rang was a welcome distraction. Especially as it came from her sister.
"Hello, Tabane Shinonono speaking. How are you doing, Houki-chan?"
The youngest sister sighed as she heard Tabane talk.
"Hey, nee-san. I think you know why I am calling."
For once in a long while, Tabane got quiet.
"Oh, I don't know why. Your unit is doing fine, you had your attacks but things have worked out there and Chi-chan is keeping you safe. How are Ikkun and Madocchi doing?"
It would only be fair if Houki cleared up the misunderstanding.
"If you don't know, then I'll tell you. I confessed to Ichika. We are dating now ever since the Silver Gospel incident."
For a few moments, Tabane was quiet when she processed the news.
"Nee-san, are you still there?"
"Houki-chan, are you kidding?" Her sister was remarkably quiet and serious.
"No. I am not." Tabane took a deep breath as she tried to fight the grin on her face.
"Why didn't you call me sooner? I am always eager to hear." Houki began to think about it.
"I was trained by Orimura-sensei. I can assure you that it'll be tough to earn my pleasures on her. But she has been proud of me so far. So that is why."
Tabane kept her calm and collected attitude.
"I can only say congratulations. Don't let him walk away, Houki-chan." The shrine maiden giggled for a bit.
"I won't, nee-san. And I won't make you an aunt anytime soon."
"I'd murder Ikkun. If Chi-chan doesn't beat me to the punch. I'll talk to you later." Tabane was the one who closed the call but she punched her arms to the sky.
"Hurray!" The shout came loud through and her entire day was made by that little news.
It was excellent news to hear. And she would give Houki the full Tabane treatment when she saw her little sister again.
I didn't think it'd be done before Alcatraz began but it did work out like that. This wasn't such a big chapter compared to the previous ones but I think that is fine.
We have a bit of a breather chapter before we go to Kyoto in this chapter. There, things will really heat up.
Hope to see you all there.
The next chapter that I have to do is Infinite Stratos vs Masou Gakuen HxH: Stories Told.
That is going to be a fun trip but I'm glad that I am ahead of schedule.
Saluut.
