One Week Later

It had taken a full week for Ichika's enrollment into the academy to finalize. During this uneventful week, Ichika had been assigned a dorm number, academy uniforms, and multiple text books.

Now, Ichika was standing next to a short woman with similarly short green hair.

"Everybody, this is our new addition to the class. Please meet the transfer student from America, Ichika Orimura", Maya Yamada, Chifuyu's assistant teacher, announced.

"A b-boy!?"

"What's going on, why is a boy here".

"Hey, he's kinda cute don't you think?".

"Don't say that so loud, he might hear us!"

Chifuyu slammed her clipboard against the wall, silencing the not so quiet whispers that had been circulating around the classroom. "Quiet down students, the transfer student hasn't finished their introduction".

Ichika's eyes darted across the classroom. His eyes briefly met with Laura's and the two exchanged a small nod. To Ichika's surprise, he could distinguish a familiar amongst the sea of school girls. Houki Shinonono stared at Ichika with astonishment. It had been so long since she had even crossed his mind. What had it been, seven years? Perhaps Eight? The only thing Ichika could remember for certain was that she had kept her long brown hair in the same style as she had back then.

"My name is Ichika Orimura, I have been living in the United States of America for the last six years. I'm attending the IS academy for further IS training."

"Is that it Orimura?" Maya asked.

Ichika nodded.

"W-well than class, please welcome our new student with open arms. I um think there's a seat in the back by Miss Bodewig."

"Yes instructor".

"O-oh please call me Miss Yamada", Maya stutered.

"Yes Miss Yamada", Ichika said, correcting himself. Walking through the rows of students, Ichika found the aforementioned desk. It was quite modern with a large screen on the surface with many superfluous controls on the right hand side.

"Well now that introductions are out of the way, let's continue our unit on the IS's components."

Ichika paid little attention after the first ten minutes, barely enough to intelligently answer if he was called on yet not enough to get called out for slacking off. It was as bad as he had assumed, the academy's curriculum was far more rudimentary than what was taught to FOXHOUND recruits.

Back when Ichika and the other seven were still in basic training, they were forced to give their utmost attention to their instructor as she blazed through content. The eight were lucky if the instructor gave more than one example of the subject. They would have to scramble to share notes with each other before lights out in order to get a better grasp of the lessons. Through all of their combined efforts, the eight were barely passable in the instructor's eyes.

This on the other hand, was a waste of time. Not only had Ichika already been taught the content, but the lessons had been crafted to cater to school girls. Yet out of respect for his sister, Ichika decided participated in the class, even if it was without much enthusiasm.

He decided not to watch the digital clock implanted into his desk, time seemed to pass at a slower pace if he did so. Ichika was grateful he had been placed in the back next to Laura. If a girl wanted to ogle him, they would have to turn around to do so. His sister didn't fail to notice each and every time this happened and called them out in front of the class.

Thankfully, the monotony passed as eventually, the lunch bell sounded through the speakers.

He wasn't used to this as there was hardly a dull moment in FOXHOUND. His stiff body and the braindead feeling he had made Ichika sigh in frustration. Was this how school was after elementary school? Maybe getting kidnapped by Phantom Task wasn't such a bad thing after all.

His thoughts were interrupted as two hands slammed on top of his desk. They were girlish, yet were hardened by calluses which could only be achieved through unrelenting use. "Ichika what are you doing here! I… I heard you got kidnapped!"

His childhood friend he had identified, Houki Shinonono, was in his face with a look that demanded answers.

"Oh Houki, it's been years hasn't it. I guess out of anybody, you deserve the full truth about what happened huh. See, I did get kidnapped by these terrorists."

Houki gasped.

"However, before they could make off with me, I was rescued by American pilots who had been following the terrorists. I was in danger here in Japan so they took me America for asylum where I decided to stay. The U.S government ended up paying for my schooling and living needs. Recently, they sent me here since I learned to pilot an IS", Ichika finished.

Laura sent Ichika a sideways glance, she knew he was lying through his teeth.

"I see, that's good then", Houki replied, breathing a sigh of relief.

"What's this? Does Shinonono know Orimura or something?"

"She sure bold, going right up to him like that".

Ichika felt uncomfortable being surrounded by girls who kept giving him curious glances and whispering behind his back. It was only a matter of time until more girls became bold enough to come talk to him. Frankly, he didn't care much for any of them. If he had to attend the academy, he wanted to in relative peace. He needed a way out of here.

"Hey Laura, would you mind showing me around the school?" Ichika asked, looking at the silver haired girl with a pleading look.

Laura sighed. "I suppose I could Orimura, let's go."

"W-wait Ichika, you don't want Bodewig to show you around, trust me. Though I'd be willing to show you around, since you're new and all", Houki announced.

"What do you mean by that Shinonono", Laura growled.

"I just think I'm more qualified since you transferred here recently. Also, everybody knows that you're not really a… people person", Houki remarked.

"I'm qualified for more things than you ever could be Shinonono. Ichika and I are acquaintances, you two are merely two people who once knew each other several years ago, practically strangers", Laura rebuked.

"I'm sorry Houki, but I did ask Laura after all. I'm sure you understand", Ichika placated with a faux look of apologeticness.

"W-wha-"

Ichika and Laura stood and strode for the door, leaving a shocked class of girls behind.

Laura led Ichika out of the classroom and down the halls. "I'm only doing this to return the favor for the food you've given me".

"It's alright Laura, you don't actually have to give me a tour of the school, I've memorized the layout from the maps", Ichika remarked. "I just wanted to get out of that classroom."

Laura nodded. "I can understand that, I also don't find any enjoyment in being around them."

"Is the academy's classes always so dull? The course doesn't seem to offer something I don't fully understand", Ichika asked.

"You get used to it", Laura simply stated.

"I get the feeling you're not very liked within the class", Ichika said, changing the subject.

Laura gave Ichika an irritated look. "Of Course I'm not. I don't care for their social machinations and I openly rebuked them when I first arrived at the academy."

"What are the students like?"

"About what you'd expect from the academy. Though there are a few people that stand out. Cecilia Alcott, the blonde with the modified uniform, is the IS representative candidate for England. She has a strong IS, however the girl herself is an amateur pilot. Then there's that Japanese girl that you were talking with earlier. Though she's nowhere near my level and doesn't possess a personal IS, she's leagues better than the others in combat. Finally there's the French IS representative candidate, Charlotte Dunois. She keeps a cheery facade, she has even tried to befriend me at certain times. Though she asked about Schwarzer Regen too many times, I'm pretty sure she's a spy to collect data for the failing Dunois corporation", Laura listed.

"The Dunois have an agent in the academy? Interesting", Ichika remarked.

"Yes, they even gave her a personal IS. It's a multi-purpose type that relies on versatility. It's much more effective than the mass produced models but it's still third rate French garbage that doesn't hold a candle to my Schwarzer Regen."

The two walked aimlessly throughout the school for a few minutes, objectiveless. Neither found the use further dialogue, having run out of useful conversation. Laura's stomach rumbled however, interrupting the silence.

"Are you hungry?"

A miniscule amount of red colored Laura's cheeks. "W-well I missed breakfast so I suppose… yes, I'm hungry."

"That's good then, I'm hungry also. I suggest we go to the cafeteria and get something, it is the lunch period after all", Ichika suggested.

"Yes, that would be a satisfactory course of action", Laura agreed, changing her course for the cafeteria.

Ichika was mildly surprised. He had been talking to Laura almost like how he talked with his peers. Atleast, it was a lot more informal and comfortable. Though they had been more or less forced to spend time together over the last week and a half, it was inevitable that the social barrier would lessen. Perhaps she just reminded him of home, or more specifically, the people who would be there to welcome him back.

"Hey Laura?"

"Hm?"

"Are we… friends?"

Laura stopped walking and looked back at Ichika with a surprised look. After a few moments of hesitation, she crossed her arms. "I have my mission Ichika, I do not need friends. Thus, my answer is nein, we are not friends."

Ichika nodded in acceptance. "I see. Well than I suppose we could be allies with an amicable relationship. It certainly feels that way, at least for me".

"Allies… yes I suppose that would be acceptable. We are allies than Ichika. I shall carry out my mission while you shall carry out whatever yours is, I hope we can cooperate for the sake of mutual benefit," Laura stated, continuing her march to the cafeteria.

Thus, Ichika gained an ally in a most unexpected place.

Ichika bit into his simple country ham sandwich. Honestly, some of the meals served at the cafeteria were ridiculous. Style over substance Ichika supposed, typical of the IS academy.

Sitting across from him was Laura. bratwurst alongside a potato salad rested on her plate.

The two ate in relative silence, something the people around them didn't reciprocate.

"That's Ichika Orimura, lady Chifuyu's younger brother and the only male who can pilot an IS".

"Wait, why is he eating with the german."

"Do you think he's single?"

All the chatting suddenly intensified as a blonde girl Ichika recognized from his class strode up to his table. Cecilia Alcott, he presumed from the information Laura had given him.

"Hello there, I see that you have company, but I must ask if I can have a moment of your time", Cecilia asked.

Ichika glanced at Laura who shrugged disinterestedly before returning to her bratwurst. "I guess that's alright, may I have your name?"

"You don't know who I am? Preposterous, I am th-"

"No no, I know who you are. Cecilia Aclott right? I was just asking to be polite since we haven't met before", Ichika said, cutting Cecilia off.

"O-oh I see, my apologies then. Either way, let me formally introduce myself. I am Cecilia Alcott, England's IS representative candidate, a pleasure", Cecilia stated regally.

Ichika nodded. "You should be proud, I have a great respect for Britain. The Britsh are one of America's greatest military allies and such reliable members of NATO."

Cecilia somehow puffed her chest out more than it already was. "Of course, nothing less is expected from such an elite country like Great Britain."

"Elite", Laura scoffed under her breath. However Cecilia was too focused on Ichika to notice slight upon her country.

"Anyways, I've come to ask if you need any questions answered as you are new here at the IS academy. I, Cecilia Alcott, would be happy to answer any queries you may have", Cecilia declared, gesturing to herself with gusto.

To Ichika, it was the personification of narcissism. At Least she was confident, something he could respect to an extent.

"Thank you for the offer Alcott, but I'll have to decline". Ichika answered.

"Wha-, I'll have you know I defeated an instructor during the entrance exam, which means I am an elite amongst the elite."

Ichika mentally sighed. "I see, that's impressive. Though I still must turn down your offer. There's just not much I can think of to ask."

Cecilia was taken aback. "There's not much you can ask? Absurd, I Cecilia Alcott, has had the pleasure of gracefully defeating my enemies in the chaos of the battlefield through practical training back in England. Pray tell, transfer student, what would you know about the battlefield and its infinite glories."

"What do I know?"

"I- I'm sorry, please I just want to go home, th-they forced me to to do this. I just w-"

"Mama, where are you. Please, it hurts to badly. I can't see… it hurts."

"You would raze entire villages, destroy our way of life, humiliate my people, just to find a crusty old man who desires peace? You Americans are truly heartless."

"You've already taken everything from me, I don't want to live anymore. I've given up, just take my life now, it shouldn't be hard for you people."

"Where are they… my arms, I c-can't get up. Somebo- AGHHH it fucking fuck!".

"You people… you're the ones who killed my big sister. W-why did you kill her, she told me that you Americans were here to help us, why!?"

"All of you… you're demons. I hope you rot in hell where you belong."

Ichika gave Cecilia a flat smile. "Not much, but I wouldn't imagine the battlefield is a very glorious place."

Cecilia huffed. "Well I suppose it comes with the experience".

"Honestly, I have a good grasp on the material we are learning in class and Laura here has already agreed to give me some practical IS training", Ichika stated, gesturing to Laura, who was now looking up from her meal.

"Yes, that is what we mutually agreed to", Laura agreed stoically. "It's probably for the best as I AM the best pilot in the class."

Cecilia was about to rebut until Laura sent her a glare. Laura had brutally beaten Cecilia in a match, something she reciprocated for every single girl who challenged her superiority.

Cecilia grimaced but conceded the point to Laura, something that shook her pride.

"I-It's probably a good thing that you got Bodewig to train with you. I can personally assure you that she is a capable pilot. However, if find yourself in need of any guidance, I Cecilia Alcott, would be more than happy to bestow upon you my expertise", Cecilia stated, swiftly recovering her composure.

With that, Cecilia retreated, no longer feeling as self righteous as she once had. Ichika and Laura watched as she disappeared through the doors which led to the hallways.

With the two now alone once more, Laura switched her attention to Ichika. "How the mighty have fallen. Once a great empire now a single island too enraptured in their past to look to the future."

Ichika frowned. "Yes, Great Britain isn't as powerful as it once was. Though you shouldn't underestimate the British, they were undoubtedly the most powerful nation for almost a century at one point. I wasn't lying when I said I respected Britain, they're like a sleeping lion. I don't believe the sun has set upon them just yet.

Laura scoffed, crossing her arms. "An old lion then, one with its teeth fallen out and claws dulled."

"You can believe what you want Laura, I still have a high opinion of the British", Ichika replied, shrugging.

"And what of Cecilia Alcott, do you extend that opinion to her?" Laura asked.

"Perhaps not. She seems like she has been given most things in life. She's naturally beautiful and probably has an immense amount of academic knowledge from tutors and such. Obviously, her ego is inflated. However, somebody's pride is one of the easier things to temper in order to make a good pilot. She seems to have potential, though I'm just speculating, I'd have to actually see her and her IS in battle", Ichika responded.

"Naturally beautiful you say? Have you been seduced by her overly large breasts, or is that your honest evaluation of her", Laura asked with a raised eyebrow.

Ichika have Laura a flat look. He couldn't tell if that was an attempt at a joke, or if it was a genuine question. Knowing Laura, it was probably the latter.

That Night

Ichika and Laura had gone their separate ways after the latter half of classes concluded. Classes were just as monotonous as before, the only event standing out was when they went outside to see firsthand how different types of dives were executed.

Ichika hadn't volunteered to demonstrate for the class. He didn't want to use Fukruō if he didn't have to, the only people who have seen his IS were either his comrades or dead. The notion of letting the entire class look at, analyze, speculate, perhaps even admire his IS felt wrong, especially with the Dunois spy amongst them.

That was something he was a feeling he was feeling often these days. Many things about the life he was leading, no matter how staged, felt wrong. It felt wrong to be here, it was boring, uneventful, cushy, things that were unwelcome changes from his life as a soldier.

There was a sort of high that he felt when he got shot at, when a stray bullet would zip by only a couple above your head. When he was stalking through the night, hidden by the darkness and silenced by his 'feathers'. When a single mistake would be certain discovery. When he was mere feet away from snatching a stray guard into his personal world of silence. His senses would be overloaded, he would be in a state of absolute focus, something he could not reciprocate at the IS academy.

Did he love killing so much as to miss it? No, he didn't think so. He merely longed for the rush again. Yes, that was it.

He felt so out of place here, he needed something to remind him of who he was, who he was raised to be. Laura helped, she could carry an intelligent and mature conversation about many things with him. He also had a slight insight to how Laura thought as a fellow soldier, something she reciprocated.

His plan to procure a firearm off of Natasha Fairs was scrapped as she had already returned to America. Luckily, he had an idea.

It was a plan he and Monika actually came up with while aimlessly chatting once. They had talked about the idea of leaving buried caches of weapons all across the world in case there was ever a situation when a pilot was stuck in a foreign country and needed to resupply.

Ichika and Monika took the idea to Angela who initially said it was an interesting idea but ultimately a waste of time. FOXHOUND operators were often deployed on missions and had little time to themselves. Most just threw themselves into training until they were tasked with their next mission.

Monika had to go to the extent of pulling the little sister card in order to sway Angela's opinion. Ultimately, the two received permission with the only conditions being that they had to do it by themselves on their time. From then on, they had decided to bring an over abundance of munitions to each mission that brought them to a new nation. After they had completed the mission, Ichika or Monika would bury what they had brought.

Ichika and Monika kept adding to the caches every time their missions brought them back to their general areas. Angela had spread the word of their existence but the caches of buried munitions were barely used, there was often just no use for it. As a result, they're small global stockpile had grown to such a large degree that Angela had to tell them to stop.

While the munitions couldn't be traced back to the organization and the chances of some random person finding them were pretty much nil, the two had ended up burying millions of dollars worth of equipment. Despite FOXHOUNDS incredibly advanced technology, they did still have a budget.

In the end, Ichika was glad he and Monika had essentially dug holes all across the world. Other than the most recent one, Ichika had only been able to come to Japan whilst on a mission once. Monika on the other hand, had flown through Japanese airspace almost ten times. While the cache they had buried in Japan wasn't near as big as their other ones, Monika had made sure to add to it almost every time she came since Ichika had once mentioned that he wanted to return to Japan on a vacation or something.

The cache they buried was several feet under on mountain within the Nagano prefecture. That was his target.

It was night, if he left now, he could return to the dorms without looking too suspicious. From an objective standpoint, he didn't need the added assurance of being strapped whilst attending the academy, the greater risk probably laid in the chance he was caught. In the end, it was a personal desire that spurred Ichika to action.

As he stood on the roof of one of the facilities, Ichika checked his watch, it was almost eight. He activated Fukruō, the IS materializing around him, encompassing him in a familiar and comfortable embrace.

"I'm sorry for not activating you for a while Fukrō", Ichika mutterd, bringing one of his now metal hands to his heart. After having a couple conversations with Fukruō, he picked up the habit of talking to his IS. Though Fukruō never responded, whenever she wanted to speak with Ichika she'd just snatch his consciousness.

Ichika activated his sound suppression field and activated flew off the roof, silent as the night sky itself.

His senses sung in delight as his senses heightened while he tore through the are. Feeling the rush, he activated his second shift for the second time. Like last time, his IS underwent the exact same transformation as it had in the warehouse.

Activating the six 'tail feathers' that materialized, he exponentially increased his speed. Ichika easily broke the sound barrier as he flew low to the ground as to avoid potential radar.

It took him less than thirty minutes to reach the area he remembered burying the cache at. He approached a large tree which had a line slashed across the bark. This was the tree that Monika had told Ichika about about two years ago.

He counted thirty meters east of the tree and looked at the hard dirt that lay beneath his feet. Ichika hadn't been able to find a shovel anywhere at the academy.

"Sorry fukurō", Ichika muttered, grimacing. He shoved one of his 'feathers' that made up his 'wings' into the ground.

Ichika took a lot of pride in his IS and it hurt him to use one of Fukurō's armor plates as what was essentially a giant shovel. He just hoped she wouldn't be upset with him when they spoke again. Of Course Fukruō frequently got dirty when Ichika sometimes activated her on missions. However it almost always served a higher purpose, usually an enemy to defeat, something Ichika knew Fukurō appreciated being used for.

He was startled from his thoughts however when he saw the corner of a green sheet. They had surrounded enclosed the munitions with a special green tarp which was quite durable.

Empowered by his IS, Ichika hauled the tarp out of the hole and opened it, spilling its contents onto the ground. Several ammo cans, magazines, gun cases, cases for special ammunition, sheathed knives, field rations, folded up bags for transport, and even a few ballistic vests tumbled out from the tarp. Ichika was surprised, this was a lot more than what Monika had told him she stashed away.

As Ichika shook the tarp out, one last thing spilled out. A satellite phone rolled onto the dirt, confusing Ichika. They had never put sat phones in any of their stashes. When he thought about it though, it wouldn't be a bad idea.

Picking up the sat phone, Ichika noticed it was out of batteries. Curious, he transferred the smallest amount of energy from his IS into the phone, fully charging it instantly.

To his surprise, there was a recorded message, they almost never left behind recorded messages. Ichika selected the message and a wall of text appeared on the screen.

Hi Ichika, It's Monika. If you're not Ichika, then don't read this you fuck. I'm not going to use our code names because right now I don't really give a shit and I doubt anyone would be able to trace this back to us with just our names. Anyways, if you're reading this then that means that you came for our Japan cache. Considering you dug it up, you either have a certain person(s) that needs to be killed or you're in some sort of trouble. Though you might have some other reason, you're sometimes weird like that. Either way, if you are in trouble and that's why you came for the cache, contact me. If it means helping you out, I'm fine with disobeying orders. I packed some more stuff in this cache after you got captured in case you needed it. Well, I guess that's it Ichika. Stay safe and good luck.

PS, I'm sorry for not being strong enough when we were at that warehouse. You also owe me an apology for trying to pull off some sort of heroic sacrifice you asshole.

Ichika smiled, he'd have to thank Monika when he saw her again… and apologize he supposed. Looking away from the phone's screen, he sighed. He wanted to, but there was no way he'd be able to bring back all of it. Perhaps a few guns, that would probably fit under his bed.

Wait a minute, what if he had a roommate. He received his dorm number, but would he be selected to room with a girl? He doubted it, but there was the possibility. Though if he was unlucky enough to have one, he sure hoped they wouldn't snitch on him. Wait, why should he be worried? He was pretty sure Laura was constantly armed to the teeth and people carried around they're personal IS wherever they went. Surely a few firearms wouldn't bother anyone.

Ichika started to pack a few gun cases, magazines, ammo crates, and two ballistic vests into an overly large duffle. He slipped three knives in the waistband of the civilian clothes he had thrown on before leaving the academy.

This would have to do, he hurriedly started to re-burry the munitions he didn't take back into the ground.

After all the dirt he dug up was firmly packed back into the Earth, Ichika re-checked his watch. He could still return by nine. He hoped he wouldn't have to deal with a roommate, he didn't feel like putting up a nice guy schoolboy facade during what should be his personal time. If he let down the mask and ignored the annoying girls who were overly curious about him, then they'd start to talk.

He knew how girls could be, to an extent. All his fellow pilots were female and while they were not by any standard normal, they were still girls at heart. If they didn't feel like they were being properly respected, or spoken to, you'd be in their sights.

Ichika didn't want word of his cold behavior to reach his sister's ears. Thus, the mask rose to his face, covering the killer.

In the end, if there was a roommate, he'd just have to deal with it and improvise. Perhaps he could ask Chifuyu if he could switch rooms. Or maybe he could get rid of the girl, make it look like an accident. No no no, he couldn't do that, he wasn't cruel enough to eliminate someone just so he could sleep alone.

Ichika pondered his options as he zipped through the air, avoiding areas that would be easier for him to be spotted. Eventually, he spotted the academy and carefully landed atop the same roof he took off from.

On the roof, he gathered his uniform that he had left atop the roof and changed in the darkness. Conveniently, the jacket to his uniform worked very well to hide the knives he had put into his new waistband.

Unfortunately, the bag of FOXHOUND equipment weighed a stupid amount now that Ichika wasn't reinforced with Fukurō's stregnth. Nevertheless, he slung the massive bag across his back and trudged down the stairway that led to the ground floor. He had carried heavier packs while marching through Iraq.

After a slightly tiring fifteen minutes of traveling across the campus, Ichika finally reached the dormitories. He opted to take the elevator up to the rooms and soon came upon the one that had been assigned to him at the beginning of the day, room 1163.

His heart rate slowly increased as he slowly unlocked and opened the door to his dorm room.

Ichika sighed, relaxing his flared nerves. "I should have expected this".

"Ja, greetings Ichika".