Hello everyone. It's not been too long, right? This chapter was started right in The Hague, the day after the previous one ended.

Between concerts of my third favorite metal band. Burning Witches!

If any of you are fans of the harsher metal of the previous century, they would be right up your alley.

The ladies can play, shred, and melt your brain. And they're very cool with their fans. Signatures, hugs, selfies, talks. You name it.

Now, we are taking a breather chapter for this one, right before the insanity of the World Purge.

I don't have much more to add, aside from the fact that I had an awesome view from the spot on which I started the chapter.

I had hoped I could have done more on the ride home but with a delay, I was all nervous before I finally managed to get home.

Hence why this chapter didn't see too much writing until I was back.

Started on 21/01/2024

Ended on 26/01/2024

Openings song. Five Finger Death Punch. When the seasons change.


"Talking."

'Thinking'

[Telepathic conversation]

[Phone call]


Looking back at his computer, Aiden was just waiting on when the team would return. Despite the fact that the two got incapacitated, there would be no one to check on them.

If the ISA believed they would have only sent five operatives out there for the fight, they were sorely mistaken.

Psycho and Autumn were taken away by the city's operative. It was handy that Phantom Task was an international organization.

Squall escaped, just like Hansel and Gretel. He wasn't surprised this operation ended in failure. He had foreseen that ever since it was planned.

His head turned to find Squall entering with the twins. He had to hand it to her, she could handle the twins better than he ever could.

"Get to your room. I don't want to talk to either of you tonight!" Her voice left little in the room for arguing so the twins walked back to their room.

Aiden didn't even bother looking at them and his eyes went over at Squall.

"Look, believe me when I hate to say 'I told you so.' But believe me, I do." Squall rolled her eyes and groaned. The damage she received was substantial. It would be a while before they would be able to strike out again.

"Save me your moralizing. Tell me you have good news."

Aiden flipped over to the computers. "Good news if you can call it that, is that both Psycho and Autumn will be transported back to this location. We'll have a few days of peace."

"Is that it?" Squall asked her hands on her shapely hips.

"Oh, geez. Do you want a cup of coffee with that? Our place isn't raided, we got our operatives back and we got out of this, without any losses." Aiden grumbled as he mimicked a high-class English speaker.

Squall shook her head and sat down next to him.

"You know, your help would have made the difference there."

The glare she received from Aiden made her feet cold and her spine freeze.

"What would have this achieved? That bomb could have set off and it would have killed you and the rest. In fact, I am rather impressed by Joel. He knew perfectly what bomb it was and found ways to dismantle it. Not just that, but they kept collateral damages to a minimum."

Squall glared even more at him.

"Are you now praising our enemy?"

Aiden scoffed at her remarks.

"Having respect for your foes is what separates me from you or the others. I told you that this plan was ludicrous. There was no way you could have won this, not with that many. Four fighters against what? Twelve. The odds were never great to begin with."

Squall was getting furious but she kept her mouth shut.

"We are not the only ones who are going to be licking our wounds for a while."

The leader of the unit was not sure what she had to expect but her plan had been done.

Aiden smirked as he began to work it over.

"You had your shot. Now, in a few days, it'll be my turn to play. Let's see what does the most damage."

Scene skip

There were advantages to being in a terrorist attack. Like when some came home, they could take it easy.

The ISA was a perfect place where people could relax and take it easy. The reports that Chifuyu had to write, prevented her from asking who was piloting the Evil Witch. But she could guess who might have been that person. Or persons.

It wasn't just for the students. Chifuyu Orimura also had her own time off to write those reports.

So focused she was on her work that she didn't feel a friendly hand going up her shoulder. Itsuka was making progress as she didn't smack him out of pure instincts.

"Hello, sensei." Chifuyu took in a relaxed breath. Unlike her siblings, she wasn't so used to having a partner. She and Itsuka were testing out grounds, even still but things were working out so far.

"Morning, Yukimura-sensei. How do your reports look?" The doctor shrugged and calmly set himself on the chair in front of her.

"I have less to do than you. You are still not done with your reports, yet." There was sympathy in his voice as he realized that his girlfriend, still had to work through her own issues.

"Yep. I can imagine yours was a lot easier." Itsuka chuckled as he took over a few papers.

"If you know the vocabulary, you could say it's easier. But that doesn't change the fact this is a right pain in your rear." Chifuyu looked back at her own.

"I got a nice rear." Kicking out of her shoes, she began to stroke Itsuka. The doctor didn't even react as her feet were going over his shin.

"Can't argue with that point." There was still some shameless flirting involved but Chifuyu did let Itsuka know that she was grateful for his help. It meant that she could spend some time working out a system.

Blood was rushing through her and the fight that Ichika and Madoka did, showed that there was still a lot for them or the others to learn.

Scene skip

Dan hadn't expected that he would still suffer from the blast. His energy levels were lower than usual as there was still a lot of fatigue in his system.

Itsuka and Joel had guessed that it was an effect of the blast.

Joel had given him time off from learning lessons. It was for the best but the timing wasn't great as there were many units that needed repairs and now, would be a great time for him to get some hands-on experience in repairing those units.

Many of the support technicians weren't sure if Joel was such a great choice but they couldn't complain about his help as the punk knew exactly what he was doing. His instructions proved to be invaluable.

That didn't mean that Dan couldn't do much else. Often enough, he felt too much fatigue in his system.

His male pride had already taken a hit as he was princess-carried to the hospital by Madoka.

No one had dared to make fun of him, not even Joel nor Mattheus gave him flack about that.

That was no way you treated a hero. Especially one that prevented Kyoto from looking like a moonscape.

Madoka had found out more about the incredibly dangerous stunt that her boyfriend performed. She had asked him multiple times why he even thought it was a good idea to risk his life like that.

She got the same answer.

Dan could count his blessings that his girlfriend was an Infinite Stratos Pilot. They tended to be a lot stronger than the average human.

So it often came down to Madoka who would shoulder her boyfriend as they walked through the school.

"How do you feel, Dan?" She asked as she put her boyfriend on a chair in the cafeteria. The redhead felt a few pops on his back stretch out as he lifted his arms.

"You worry too much, Madoka. I'm fine." The deadpan stare from his girl made Dan rethink those words.

"Okay, fine isn't the right term. I am better than I would have been. Don't worry so much." Madoka sat down next to him and when she got underneath his arms, he smirked when she sat down.

"Dan, why did you really do that?"

The engineer sighed as he looked over at his girlfriend.

"What do you want me to tell you, Madoka? No one could have dismantled that bomb. You heard what Joel said. That bomb would give a chain reaction which would have killed all of us."

Madoka glared at him. It wasn't the patented ® glare from the Orimura but a lesser version of that.

"That might be the whole logical. But what possessed you to do that?"

The redhead grabbed her closer and whispered in her ear. She would have blushed from any other time when her boyfriend would do that.

"I am not going to tell you that here. Your room free?"

Dan really had to ask why she got quiet, closed her eyes, and only a moment later, opened them again. There was no way she would just remember that. Something else was going on.

"Yes, I can bring you there. Ichi-nii is training with Houki-nee." Dan couldn't stop the snort when he heard that line and Madoka supported him again as they began their march to the room. Sure, it would take a while longer but it was also a lot more fun as their bodies were close.

Luckily, Dan had not forgotten to take a shower that morning. Plus, autumn wasn't known for being completely sweaty. She could still smell his usual scent and it made her hum as it usually did.

So she was all too happy when they finally got in the room. Dan opened it with her key as she had both her arms supporting her man.

When she got both her and Dan inside, she swung him down on the bed and crashed right next to him.

"You don't need to lay next to me."

Pecking him on the cheek, she snuggled closer to him. There was such a weirdness in it. She was shorter than him, yet, she could carry him and not even break a sweat.

"I still haven't forgiven you for the stunt you pulled. So you can lay back and begin to talk."

Pulling her closer, he pressed a kiss on her forehead.

"I don't know what really possessed me. But when Joel told us of that bomb. That no one could do it. I guess that I wanted to earn the approval of your sister."

For a split second, Madoka got quiet on that remark before she opened her mouth.

"Earn Chifuyu-nee's approval? Dan, my sister got jack to say who I date. I love you and that is enough."

Sighing, he pulled Madoka closer to his body.

"You can say that, sure. Does that change the fact that I often feel inadequate? If I compare myself to Yukimura-sensei or Shinonono, I often feel that I can't measure up. Yukimura-sensei is a doctor and Shinonono is a pilot who Orimura-sensei is teaching herself. What am I? Just a normal guy."

Madoka smirked and kissed him on the cheek.

"You dumb, loveable oaf. You are not just a normal guy. Both Joel and Mattheus are impressed by your prowess in the technological department. But you also climbed on that train. Just to impress me?"

Dan turned his head to her and he wasn't sure what he could read there.

"You want to measure up to me. You want to be my equal. In one way or another."

The redhead wasn't sure how to reply to that. Throughout his life, he had to deal with being second best.

A violent younger sister in a prime position, a grandfather who thought the world of her and while his father tried his best, there was so much that he could do.

Then he met Madoka. The first person who had an unwavering amount of love and support for him. A woman who cherished him.

Maybe, they had more in common than they first believed.

Weirdly enough, when he was around Mattheus, he often got advice from the older man. It was the first time that he actually heard something that was good.

Dan kissed her again and looked into her eyes.

"You saved us before. During the Golem, you were the one who saved your brother during the open house. I had to stand aside and let you do the fighting. That didn't sit right with me."

Madoka sighed and then bumped him on the head.

"Moron. You can't pilot an IS. Do you think that I'll be dismissing you as you can't be my equal on that? Face it, Dan. There are only two male Pilots in this entire stinking world. One is my twin brother, the other is an honorary older brother. Not exactly who I'd like to have."

Dan stifled a burst of laughter when he heard that line.

"What?" Madoka asked as she couldn't believe he laughed at that.

"Oh, nothing. Just that. At the middle school, there were rumors you were into girls. Given how much you adored your older sister."

The youngest Orimura smirked when she got in closer.

"I have never been for girls. I always liked boys." Then came another yawn.

"Ichi-nii won't be back for a bit. Do you want to have some fun?"

Dan pulled her closer.

"Cuddling is fine. It'll be a bit before I regain my libido." With that said, Madoka took that as enough as she pulled the blanket over her boyfriend.

For a while, they would not need anything else.

Scene skip

Ichika wondered why Houki and he would always find themselves on the floor of the dojo, exhausted and sweating whenever they needed to work out a system.

Both were in their kendo uniforms, although wearing them wouldn't be entirely accurate. Houki had her helmet off while Ichika had his upper shirt gone. Houki had her head in his lap as they were regaining their breath for a while.

"That was fun," Houki said as she admired how Ichika was playing with her hair.

"I don't know if this can be labeled as fun, Houki." The shrine maiden was wearing a white undershirt but Ichika could see the large chesticles, heaving. He tried not to look longer than he had to.

Respectful and shy as he was, Ichika was also a hormonal sixteen-year-old, whose girlfriend had a killer body.

Houki couldn't get up as she felt that Ichika had pushed her limits, exactly what she wanted.

"I couldn't fight with you in Kyoto. Hence why I wanted this." Ichika had not told her what he saw in that city. Madoka and himself went nearly off the deep end as they had gotten themselves in quite a scrap.

"If this is your idea, we'll have fun every time we have a fight." Houki laughed about that part for a bit.

"My father will require me to marry and take over the dojo, Ichika. That will not change."

The Knight got quiet as he looked at his Shrine Maiden.

"Yukiko-obasan and my father will both ask more questions. Yukiko-obasan will keep him off us for a bit but I fear she will need something from that." Sitting up, Houki turned to her boyfriend.

"What would that be?" Ichika asked and Houki turned red. But she often felt that keeping secrets was not healthy for a relationship.

"Grandkids." She admitted while Ichika turned red.

"While I'd love that idea, I am sixteen and you're fifteen. We're both too young for that." Houki got closer and kissed him on the lips.

"Do you know anyone who can stop both my father and my aunt?"

The wry smirk proved that Ichika had an answer for that already.

"My sister."

Houki knew that Ichika was right. In hindsight, she felt a bit stupid to ignore her sister-in-law.

"Now, we have the entire day to us. What do you want to do? You are up for another match?" Houki gulped when Ichika asked that. She couldn't believe that he had the stamina for that.

"Ichika, I love you but I feel that is too much. I think I rather take a bath and we'll see after that."

"What if we took a bath together?" The words had left his mouth before Ichika could reconsider that.

His lower head had talked for his mouth and his upper head and he was regretting those words. Immediately, both had gotten a luminescent blush from that suggestion.

"Eh, if you want to, I am sorry, I don't know what came over me. I really don't know what I just, I wasn't." Ichika rambled when he asked that off Houki and she began to blush even further from that.

"Ichika." Her voice cut through his rambling while Houki looked at him, completely embarrassed.

"Do you want" she paused as she couldn't bear to look at him. "To take a bath w-w-w-with me?"

Ichika was blushing as she was just as red as him. The Knight knew that the truth could save him.

"Yes."

Houki looked at him as she began to ponder. Ichika was an incredibly attractive young man and she knew that his assurance on her own body was also something she had found attractive.

"You really mean that?"

"I believe that I spoke before I could think of what I said," Ichika answered. It wouldn't change the fact that he said those words but he did mean them.

"Do you... Do you have a location… in mind where we could… do that?" Houki asked as she was wondering. This dojo had showers but they were also used by other girls and their school clubs.

"The male baths are usually open. And no one comes there." Which was the truth. Mattheus preferred to use the showers in either his room or Natasha's room as he crashed over there and the tech bay had their own bathrooms which Joel had gotten one to use for him and Dan.

"Okay. We'll go our own way there. I don't want anyone… to.. to… to find out." Houki said as she got up.

Ichika knew he would find her there. While the idea of it was incredible, it would be highly dangerous. Then again, no one used the baths. Ichika knew that better than anyone.

'It'll be easier to ask forgiveness than permission. Besides, Chifuyu-nee trusts me.'

Either this was another huge leap in their relationship or this would be something they would carry for a long time.

But Ichika had too many hormones running into his system. He hoped that he had enough reason to keep away from doing something stupid.

Scene skip

Houki was walking to the baths while her blush covered most of her face. She couldn't believe that Ichika would ask something so scandalous.

And she couldn't believe herself that she would agree with that.

'I blame Madoka.' The youngest Orimura was someone who could invoke the most irrational reaction out of someone.

And unlike Houki, she had no shame in showing off her boyfriend.

Of course, Houki didn't hide the fact but the sheer scandalous nature that Madoka brought, was enough to throw off many others.

Still, Houki couldn't deny that she had said yes.

She and Ichika had seen each other in various states of undress before. She had felt his muscles and his arms and he had cupped her chest in a few times.

But now, she would be completely naked. Completely vulnerable. Completely exposed.

'And you are going to see Ichika naked.' A little traitorous voice told her as she had also realized that.

And even with a trouser on, she had seen the bulge that he carried. Of course, that didn't mean anything.

Besides, they were not going to do anything lecherous (lie!) to each other (truth!).

She prayed that she had enough fortitude to prevent herself from doing anything irrational.

Houki knew where the baths were. As she did in Kyoto, she changed out of her clothes.

The baths were huge, close to what she had seen in the former capital of Japan.

The youngest Shinonono sister could hardly believe what Ichika, Mattheus, and Joel had actually gotten. But in all honesty, she couldn't blame them.

'Maybe, I can wash him. It would be nice for him as I have gotten the same.' The young lady gulped when she began to imagine the implications.

She couldn't just show her naked body to him. That would be pushing it. But in a bath, you were naked.

So worried about her situation, Houki completely forgot her surroundings and then Ichika walked in.

"Houki?" He asked, in an unsure tone. Seeing his girlfriend half naked, with her trousers on, Ichika imagined what was going on.

"Ichika?"

"You have second thoughts. Sorry, I asked this of you." Before the Knight could lament, Houki had dropped the pretense and hugged him from behind.

"Ichika." The Shrine Maiden didn't let him go and hugged him even closer.

"I…" she began and then cut it off. Taking a deep breath, Houki regained her focus.

"I want to do this, yes. But I think it's time that I repay you for all you have done for me."

Ichika heard the word "repay" and hormones overwrote honor. Still, he gulped and asked.

"Wha-what do you mean? Repay?"

"Can I wash you, Ichika?" Houki asked.

Scene skip

Ichika liked to be honest in his opinion. Sitting down, Houki's tender fingers, hiding the power beneath them, glided over his body.

It felt awesome to have those hands washed over him. His muscles tensed from the touching but it was clear that Houki knew exactly what she was doing. There was enjoyment from her as well.

She wasn't removing the towel although Ichika wondered if this could be considered wearing. There was plenty to gawk and stare at. He relaxed as Houki washed him.

Following her directions, she lifted his arms and she could wash underneath them. Ichika tried not to lose his self-control either but he hoped that Houki was ignoring the obvious bulge in his pants.

She wondered what she could do. There was still the trace of shame or the fact that she wanted to do something else with Ichika.

"Houki?" His voice was the guide she needed to make up her mind. So the Shinonono heiress grabbed the back of his hair, pulled him over, and shoved her tongue down his throat.

Ichika tensed at first but soon, he turned over, grabbing that awesome body of hers. She couldn't blame Ichika for pulling the towel off as his hands began to hold her closer.

There was still the fact both were eating out of each other's mouths. There was the slightest hint of experience but a lot was made up for by lust.

Sitting in his lap, she could feel his arousal pressing up against her. She didn't want to let go. She wanted to continue to be seated in his lap. To kiss him.

Ichika was still not sure where this was going but Houki didn't let him go. Her grasp was too strong but when oxygen became necessary, they let go and then kissed again.

His hands were not sitting still either. They were teasing her rear and Houki didn't know how she could appreciate those small squeezes. He played around on the rear and just found himself enjoying her body.

Why would he need to let go?

In a fleeting moment of clarity, Houki hugged Ichika closer and she didn't look at him.

"I can't. I'm sorry, Ichika. I just can't. I just wanted." Stroking her hair, Ichika cut her off and kept her close to him.

"It's fine. I get that you weren't up for it." Letting him go, Ichika could look down. There was an audible gulp when he watched Houki's body. It was the very first time that he had seen his girlfriend, completely naked.

Her hair hung over her shoulders like a mane, her breasts were on full display, big, large, and round. In a way, they were perfect. Her long legs showed the effects of long years of training and Ichika didn't even dare to look down on the crotch.

He could swear a living goddess was sitting in his lap, instead of a schoolgirl.

"Can I wash your hair? Please sit down in the water." Ichika wouldn't deny that the idea of washing would be incredibly good.

"Okay but do me two favors." Houki raised an eyebrow.

"Please turn around and" he swallowed quite an amount of saliva. "Don't put the towel on."

Houki wanted nothing more than to crawl under a rock, perish for all eternity, and die underneath but she knew that it was fine.

Ichika had to be naked as well for that and there was the pervy little pleasure she could see her boyfriend.

Soaking in the hot water, Ichika waited for his girlfriend.

Houki grabbed the shampoo bottle. It would be easier to just add that to his hair instead of going over for more.

When her hands were coaxed into the material, she began to wash Ichika's hair. The Knight groaned from the ministrations and he just laid back as Houki continued to apply pressure on his scalp.

"Like this?" Houki asked as she was taking care of his black mop.

"A bit more pressure. Ah, just right." Houki didn't find the hard tiles to be really comfortable so she had opened her legs as they sank in the hot water, next to Ichika.

The boy really tried his hardest to ignore that the back of his head was touching her crotch. It was not exactly easy but he tried his hardest to make sure that it didn't show.

Houki had ignored that part of her while she kept Ichika close.

"You sound awfully pleased with yourself. I imagine you like this." The Knight had turned his head, to look in her eyes.

"A girl like you, washing my hair. Houki, I would be incredibly stupid or ungrateful, not to enjoy this. Besides, you can't deny that you like this as well, right?"

If Houki could be frank, she did like washing Ichika.

"Actually, yes." Ichika looked up at her and wondered about it.

"You want me to return the favor?" Houki pondered on that question for a second. Having Ichika's large and soft hands, tease that entire body of hers. It would be an experience for the ages.

But she knew better. She had barely avoided the idea of doing something stupid. She didn't know if she had the fortitude to stop it a second time.

So she shook her head.

"Another time, Ichika."

The Knight shrugged and when Houki stood up, his eyes were drilling into that wonderful ass of hers and those shapely hips.

"I'll keep you on that." Grabbing a bucket, Ichika sat back and let Houki dump the water over him.

She nodded and was about to leave but felt a hand, grabbing her wrist.

"Stay." Ichika's voice was hoarse and dry and she was well within her right to deny him. But she knew that she wanted that as much as he did.

Despite the fact that the bath was huge, Houki had found the right spot to sit right next to Ichika. Her head rested on his shoulder and his arm had sneaked around her waist, pulling her even closer to him.

He wasn't going to let her go, no way he would do that now. So he kept her close enough to his body while they just sat in the hot water.

"This is nice." Ichika couldn't believe why a woman like Houki Shinonono would be all too open to do this sort of thing. Yet, he was not going to complain. Keeping him close, they just sat, enjoying each other's company.

Scene skip

Kanzashi had been thinking about what Madoka had told her.

'If you want ever, to get over this, do not hate your sister. Talk to her.'

Unfortunately, it wasn't too easy to find the right words around her older sister. Tatenashi was the talker of the two. That made it all the more difficult.

Still, she hadn't found the right time for that. Sure, she apologized to her sister when the fight against the Golems was over.

But that didn't mean that it was actually easy. The reason why she had distanced herself from Tatenashi, was because she didn't want to seem incompetent. That was easier said than done.

Laying in his room, she was using the time off to think about it.

'Easier said than done, Madoka. But in this sort of thing, it comes from two sides.'

At the other side of the door, Tatenashi had walked over to her sister's room. There was a moment of hesitation before she could knock.

There was no guessing on who sent Chifuyu Orimura her way to talk but she guessed she could be grateful for Madoka for the talk.

It was good advice though.

'You want to help our your sister. Take it from me, give her the space she requires. Know she can rely on you but you'll let her fight her battles.'

'That worked for you?' The Student Council President asked while Chifuyu smirked.

'It seemed to have done the trick so far on the two I have gotten.'

What Chifuyu did not mention, was the fact that she had also taken care of Houki in this regard.

Knocking thrice on the door, Kanzashi opened. Her eyes widened when she saw her sister.

"Onee-chan!"

"Hey, Kanzashi-chan. Can I come in?"

The younger sister passed by and allowed Tatenashi in.

"Sure." The eldest of the sisters got in the room and sat down while Kanzashi took up the other seat.

"You have been thinking the same as I, don't you?" Kanzashi groaned when her older sister asked that question.

"You have been talking to an Orimura?" That was another question from her but also an answer.

Tatenashi raised an eyebrow while she crossed her arms beneath her sizeable bust.

"The older one or your partner?" Kanzashi looked back with a defeated sigh and looked back at her sister.

"You wonder who Orimura-sensei talked to when she grew up, raising them? I mean, we suck at talking."

Tatenashi scoffed for a bit while she smiled back at her.

"I'll answer the question I had. You talked to the younger sister, I did talk to Orimura-sensei." Kanzashi shook her head with a wry smile as she began to think about it.

"It wasn't really a talk. She smacked down in the arena. Tore me a new one like no one else. Not even Mum compares to her."

Tatenashi couldn't believe that when Kanzashi revealed that part.

"She did what? I am going to." Before her sister could do something stupid, Kanzashi jumped up and grabbed her closer.

"No, don't! I deserved that! She talked some sense into me."

Tatenashi didn't believe how much her sister had actually changed. When was the gap between them so big?

"Did she now? What did she say?"

Kanzashi looked back at her older sister and before Tatenashi could stop her, she had wrapped her arms around her older sister.

"Can't remember that all. But isn't it best we start anew?"

Tatenashi sighed and wrapped her arms around Kanzashi.

"If we keep our lessons in mind. We learned a lot, didn't we?"

Scene skip

Houki couldn't believe how much fun she had in the bath. Despite the lecherous nature of the bath, she felt that it went not too far. They didn't do anything too perverted and they had crossed another boundary.

'How long before we actually do start with some stuff?'

There was an interest in Houki from that part as well but that showed how much she actually liked the attention. It was fine from Ichika.

Laying on her bed, she was dressed in an easy T-shirt and panties. Time had been passing by and she was just enjoying her time off.

Her phone was in her hands and before long, she had begun typing in a number.

It didn't take too long before she heard Tabane's voice coming through.

[Heya, Houki-chan! Didn't expect you to call me.]

"Hey, sis. It's been a while."

She could hear the snicker from Tabane coming through.

[So how is the love life, treating you? Is Ikkun being a good boy? You can say that he might be in love with me since he lived with me for a year.]

Right, Houki had tried her hardest to forget about that.

"You didn't do anything inappropriate, did you?" Houki had learned to never be sure of anything with Tabane.

There was another snicker from Tabane.

[Chi-chan would have gutted me like a fish if I did. But still, given how big your boobies have grown, that must be closer to it.]

"I think it has more to do with the fact that Chifuyu-nee-san and myself are very close in character. She expects me to keep Ichika on his toes. Which reminds me that, I have a training match with her soon."

Houki knew that goading Tabane would not give her the results. Ignoring her would be the best course of action.

[Chi-chan been training? Must be brutal. She isn't going easy on you.]

Houki knew her muscles were still sore but even so, Chifuyu wouldn't like it if she skipped on her training match.

"No, but at the end of it though, she is making sure I can keep up. I know you were the one to give Madoka and Ichika an Infinite Stratos but it's she who kept them in shape. Ichika is a whole lot stronger than I thought he would be."

[Oh, tested out his prowess in bed? Dirty Houki-chan. Where did you learn this?]

Houki blushed up a storm and immediately began to shout at Madoka.

"No, we didn't do anything like that! Not at all!"

The maniacal laughter from Tabane proved that she had hit a jackpot on Houki's personal life!

[Oh, Houki! That just confirms it! You have been doing naughty naughties with Ikkun. What did you do already? Did you blow him? Or did you let him finger you? With your tits, you could wrap them nicely around.]

"If you are going to continue talking about that, I am ending the call!"

That stopped Tabane from going any further but it did give Houki nice ideas on what she could do with Ichika.

Maybe, later. Not right now.

"Whatever we did, it's not your concern! Chifuyu-san would murder Ichika if he did something stupid. It was just a call to let you know that I am doing fine."

There was an audible sigh from Tabane as she began to talk more.

[Fine as much as you can be after a terrorist attack. I have seen the news. I have to say, it was a good thing there were so many of you there! You have kicked butt! That is good, Houki-chan!]

Houki wasn't surprised that Tabane knew about those attacks.

[Chi-chan called me last night. Told her the same now. I wasn't involved in it and I can't find it back.]

Houki got quiet as she wasn't sure if she wanted to ask about Tabane or not. Her sister knew her just better.

"Nee-san. It's not going to get any better, is it?"

Tabane shifted her phone to her left shoulder as she continued to talk.

[It'll get a lot worse, Houki-chan. But don't worry, you got the super genius Tabane-san to watch over you!]

'I am glad about that. Who knows what would have happened if you were against us.' Of course, Houki couldn't say that.

"Somewhere, nee-san, I feel that we'll need all of us in that." Then she paused and asked a new question.

"Nee-san. The unit that Ichika and Madoka fought."

[Evil Witch? Houki-chan, believe me. I have a feeling you are having a good day. That will ruin your mood. Mine is already shot up now.]

Houki took that as enough confirmation.

"Will do, nee-san. I'll chat with you another time."

Closing her call, Houki quickly changed into her fighting outfit again. It would be fine to have a good match with Chifuyu.

It would be another way to get her mind changed. When she opened the door, she nearly bumped into the chest of Chifuyu.

"Chifuyu-san!" The Shrine Maiden bounced back from that as the Brunhilde looked at her.

"That is. Oh, never mind. I hope you're ready for a good match, Houki." That invoked a shudder in her body.

"You're done on your job, Chifuyu-neesan? Good to know." That did get her a light bump but the wry smile of Chifuyu showed that she was in the clear.

It was fun like this, the teasing.

"Madoka rubs off on you. You're not that close yet, Houki." Chifuyu walked away as Houki followed her.

"I'll be there one day. That, I swear." The Shinonono Heiress proclaimed.

"See if you can defeat my brother or sister first, then we'll talk."

Houki pouted for a bit as she looked over at Chifuyu.

"It's not fair. Those two have been training with you for more than a year."

Rolling her eyes, Chifuyu began to tease Houki. It was a side that Madoka brought out from her.

"You still have not gotten closer to marrying Ichika. Knowing my baby brother, he'll tie the knot the second he goes out of high school."

But she could receive it back as well.

"Well, in that case, we'll make you Aunt Chifuyu before you turn thirty. I know, I'm not going to wait too long before that."

Chifuyu knew that she had to take that burn. It would be a long while but still, it could help out Houki.

Scene skip

Somewhere, Charlotte wondered how much had changed. There wasn't exactly much she could have done.

It appeared that both Ichika and Madoka had chosen their respective partners a long time ago. She hadn't known how Houki had conquered her heart.

Weirdly enough, it hadn't stung her as much anymore as it had done before. She had found herself rejected yes, and the tries she had done, didn't change the fact.

In her head, she began to think. Some of the girls were for Madoka while she herself played for Ichika's team.

Laura, that went without saying. So was Kanzashi, although the poor girl had come way too late. Those two were clearly interested in Madoka.

She pitied the fact that Ichika had a thing for brunettes instead of blondes. Cecilia had changed her team, for a while now.

Tatenashi, Airis, and Rin played for both of them.

Yet, none of them had managed it.

She wondered how much it would change for her. Sleeping on her chest, Laura had been away, peacefully.

It had become a sight, much more frequent for Charlotte. She was spending more and more time with Laura.

The words from Ichika and Madoka had been spooking more and more through her head.

And the funny thing was that Laura was also inching closer towards Charlotte while not even noticing that herself.

It shouldn't surprise Charlotte that much either. Laura could figure out how to move around a battlefield but with the emotional stuff, she was way behind on it.

Yet, actions were speaking louder than words.

Charlotte had been looking for someone who could protect her. The guardian that she so desperately needed.

A person who would be by her side. Someone who could shoulder her burden.

She had found that in Ichika and couldn't deny that Madoka also shared similar strengths.

But when she watched Laura, there was just more playing through.

They had been spending really more time.

'I really need someone else to talk to about this. Let's go through the list. The twins are out. So is Houki. Rin and Cecilia aren't stable enough. I'd just get teased by Tatenashi and Kanzashi isn't much better either. Things really are messed up if Mattheus is your best choice.'

She doubted that she would have the chance today.

Girls had to learn what it meant when two grownups tied a sock to a door.

Scene skip

Mattheus had always found there were many upsides to having an active sex life. It greatly reduced stress, made one think clearer, and affection could be shared so much more.

"You really are amazing." Those were the first words from Natasha as she finally managed to get her breath.

They could thank the fact that the walls were thick enough.

"You are one to talk. The screams you made. Never gotten that out of any girl."

She ignored the fact that Mattheus had a few girlfriends before her. Three if he was honest and well.

It was fine.

Laying on his shoulders, she didn't have the slightest intention of moving as Natasha got closer to him.

"Well, someone does good work. Either way, Mattheus. We didn't have this in a while." She couldn't believe that he insisted on wearing the socks. Tied up in a knot, there were over seven in the trashcan.

"Got so fucking crazy. And then we got crazy."

Pecking him again on the cheek, Natasha nestled closer to him. There was a lot they would need to figure out.

"Well, I rather go crazy with you. Mattheus, one thing. That Unit you fought in Kyoto."

The Hunter grunted and hugged the Gospel closer.

"Didn't know her. Mask on. She did know me. She knew Joel. Did a number on me. Kicked her ass."

Natasha looked up at him, with bated breath. If anyone threatened Joel, Mattheus would stop at nothing to protect him.

He would have gone so far for her if she couldn't do that. The Hunter knew that his girl could hence why he let his guard down around her.

"That isn't good. We haven't seen the end of that either." Mattheus scratched his cheek as he looked at his woman in admiration.

"I don't expect Joel to keep secrets. But there is stuff he doesn't know about. And still."

Natasha knew that Joel had shared another secret with Mattheus. One that he couldn't even tell her.

The Gospel trusted her boyfriend to know when a secret threatened her but this one didn't.

"We don't know what is out there. We can't face it alone." Laying her soft hand in his larger one, Natasha winked at him.

"That's why we have each other. Now, I'd love another round, babe but I'm done for."

Mattheus would have noticed it downstairs if he was up for another bout but just like his girl, he got his head straight by fucking her straight.

"We don't have to worry about Joel."

Mattheus knew his boy well enough.

"I think he doesn't mind being alone. We aren't the only couples around here."

He snuggled closer to Natasha. They would have a quick nap, get dressed, and get something to eat.

"No, but we are not the only ones with a sex life." Natasha giggled as Mattheus groaned.

"I really don't want to argue with that."

The blanket did well in covering their bodies. There were limits to how far they wanted to push themselves.

And they had their bout of fun. It wasn't necessary to push themselves too much.


I hope you all liked this chapter. This was a breather after the previous long one.

It's pure coincidence that it ended on the same date as our anniversary chapter. But it worked out like that.

This was fun to write, on the train rides, and so on.

The Burning Witches and Gomorra were a lot of fun, in the last weekend. The ride home was a lot less enjoyable as a delay of ten minutes, caused a whole lot of crap.

Still, I got home, received my package and I worked through a week. It's what it is.

It's been a rocky time but aside from that, I don't have much else to add.

See you in the next chapter.

Saluut.