And thus, divine punishment was delivered.
“You’re being too loud and you scared the hospital staff with that arm” Chifuyu ground out, making sure to keep her eyes on the two troublemakers.
The youngsters had been forced into seiza position out of habit, much to her ire (and confusion), “We’re sorry” They mumbled together, bowing their heads as much they could; which wasn't much in Ichika's case. Burns had a habit of impeding movement.
Chifuyu sighed, “Doctor, if you please?” Shequickly turned back to the door and welcomed the Doctor and his assistants, all of whom showed faces of anxiety and curiousity.
With his companion's nod, Ichika stood up from his position on the floor and made his way back to the bed, discarding the loose hospital gown in the process. He was too scared and in too much pain to be embarrassed even with the two females watching.
The tests came quickly, and soon the doctor was putting away his last instruments and reached his diagnosis.
“In case of infection prevention, we’ll conduct 2 or 3 more days of constant inspection and treatment…" Ichika sighed, though he nodded all the same, "However, with the way his injury has been healing, maybe he could even return by tomorrow.”
Well, how about that?
“Thank you very much” Chifuyu bowed. To think that he'd been mortally injured, and now a day of rest and he was fine?
The girl mumbled something, and then politely asked if she was allowed to talk with him a little more even if it was already past visiting time.
"It should be alright, but please don't stay for too long," The doctor let her so, so long as they not bother anyone again with flashes of blinding light.
Beside the doctor, Chifuyu mumbled something to him about a national crisis of some sort; the doctor’s expression turned grim and he excused himself quickly.
“Now, let’s return to the topic,” Chifuyu asked sharply and to the point “Who are you, and where did you get that I.S. from?" She pointed at Ichika, "That aside, where you did get such private information from?” Ichika couldn’t help but want to palm him his face.
After gulping his annoyance, he replied, “Ichika Orimura, age 15, Class 1-A Student of IS Academy," He raised the white gauntlet," This unit, ByakuShiki, is a test type rolled out by Kuromachi Machinery Development…” He stated expressionlessly “Alas, it’s seems that I lost Yukihira for some reason, but Reiryaku Byakuya remains untouched.”
“Did you say Yukihira…?” Chifuyu questioned.
Nodding, Ichika summoned his weapon, but the only thing that appeared was a saber-shaped lump of metal.
“… Seems like I'm a fake after all, eh…?” He gave a sardonic grin.
“Hey, but what you just said now-” She gasped in realization. Was he implying he’s a stalker or something (What the hell does this mean? How did she make the leap to stalker?)? But… well, she didn’t understand. What happened? He was so cheerful just now, and yet…
“So you do realize that there’s nothing you could use to prove that you’re Ichika.” Chifuyu commented bluntly.
“I learned to accept that sometimes this world is cruel enough to hide the truth,” He said calmly, a sad smile adorning his face “If you can't recognize me, then neither can my friends. Better safe than sorry...”
What? Ichika (girl) clenched her hand tightly, tugging on her skirt as the tension in the room increased tenfold.
“You shouldn’t play mind games with an adult; you won’t be able to win” Chifuyu's face contorted into a small glare.
“Chifuyu-n-“ She raised her hand to stop her little sister before she couldbarge in, causing the younger female to go quiet.
“Listen, I don’t know what happened, but if there’s anyone that's capable of doing this its either someone that knew about us since long ago...or maybe its some kind of ancient conspiracy," Ichika raised an eyebrow, unsure if he was being serious, "Like you said; this world is not kind, and all I can do is trust your words or not. Is that what you're trying to say?”
“Yes” Ichika answered without hesitation.
“Then you have all the time to think," Ichika looked confused“I have contacted the Government and sooner or later they’ll send PSIA as first response unit”
“PSIA! Are you kidding!?” the Girlchika screamed, before realizing her mistake as Chifuyu threw her a stern look, “Sorry, I’ll be quiet...” She mumbled.
PSIA. Public Security Intelligence Agency. An organization featured or known by most of the populace - which kind of contradicted the Public in its namesake - it was basically the CIA on steroids.
Like the name implied, they handled anything that was considered a grave matter to both public or national security; global threats to peace, terrorist organizations, streaking high school students, and even aliens if the need ever arose.
This also included the handling and protecting important figures.
Chifuyu simply poked her forehead and smirked amusingly, “Think a little, idiot. You and him are on the whole different level this time.”
With that, the woman left the room before she had a chance to ask anything, leaving a lot of questions; especially the reason why it was PSIA and not the I.S.A. personnel that were mobilized.
“It happened during my… our kidnapping too,” He smiled“And yet they can’t find me anywhere, like empty depot in Tokyo Bay.”
In the end, it was Chifuyu who saved her; could it be that… he remembered the same thing? If he was lying or pretending, why distant eyes look so distant and...sad? Is it because no one recognized him?
He rested his head on the pillow, using it to muffle his scream. “AAAAAAAAAAGH!!" The lone female jumped; it was still pretty loud despite the pillow muffling his face, "This. fucking. sucks! I’ll probably end in a lab somewhere being dissected!”
"Lab? What are you-"
And then it clicked.
He was a male.
Male couldn't use I.S.
Not only was he using one, but he also had a personal unit to boot.
He might be as well have been a walking, living, and breathing nuclear bomb that could explode anytime.
He was a time bomb.