LIKE VERY MUCH! [INCOMPLETE]

2.LIKE VERY MUCH!

"...How've you been?" Ichika asked, a little caught off guard. 'Idiot you fought off flying mechs together and that's what you start with!? She might still seriously hate me for lying to her...'

That's probably why he came here. Ichika didn't even realise himself, but lately he couldn't get her off his mind no matter what he was struggling with.

Kanzashi meanwhile was more preoccupied with her haywire motor functions; with folders slipping out of her grasp whilst she ironically collected herself.

Ichika got up and reached out his hands in an attempt to help the poor girl carry her work. "Can we talk? I'm glad to see you seem to be doing okay." he said with a faint smile trying to display his usual hardy attitude. She tried to speak again, forgetting her mouth was otherwise occupied with her lunch, only getting out a few muffled words. As realisation hit the girl, her face went so red Ichika had to make an effort to conceal the grin in the corner of his mouth. 'Oh she's dangerous' He mentally noted.

Kanzashi's mental state wasn't enjoying this so much. 'I-I-Ichika why is he here!? Did he come just to see me? I wasn't ready yet!' "Can we talk?" he asked.

'He sounds serious, I should ask if there's something he needs! Yeah, yeah offer my assistance to a fellow classmate- well he's not my classmate but w- we're tag team partners. Right, this should break the ice between us.' "Ish-" 'or it could have if I didn't have a 6 inch sub stuffed in my face- IDIOT! I must look so stupid right now.' She fretted, noticing Ichika covered his mouth.

'Ahhh! This is so embarrassing.' "Ischuka thweres au perfuctlly ghud reahon" She choked out before Ichika took hold of her files. 'Whoa, almost thought he was gonna e- embrace me for a second' Kanzashi shuddered pleasantly at the thought.

"M- Miss Kanzashi" Ichika addressed, putting down the paperwork. "Just..." she whispered. "Huh?" "I- I already told you, you don't have to call me Miss anymore." 'Being in a life or death situation together tends to bring people closer together right? H-he was there the second I needed him when that I.S charged at me.' she recalled.

"Oh that's a relief" he said blatantly. "E-eh?" 'He really does speak his mind' she thought enviously. However his demeanour then changed to a sincere one all of a sudden.

"Kanzashi, I really am sorry about going behind your back like that. It's just- I heard you and your sister seem to be getting along a little better now... you are good now right?"

"H- huh yeah I guess, we're talking more now y'know" she said with a melancholy undertone. 'So he did come to find out about my sister...'

"Hmmm, Sounds nice." He said, deep in contemplation "What?" Kanzashi picked up on the pensive mood it brought down on him. "It's just... Well I guess I kinda get where you're coming from- Big sisters... such a pain right?" Ichika asked in a sombre joking way.

"Right!" She blurted out in agreement. Orimura and Sarashiki were both shocked by her outburst... a brief moment passed before they could only gently laugh at their... family situations.

*15 minutes later*

"Hahahahaha so- so then I cried Oneee-Chaaan! and she vaulted over the aisle!" Ichika snickered "In the supermarket?" "Yeah haha." The two reminisced- or maybe complained about their older siblings whilst Kanzashi was repaired her I.S from the recent attack. The time flew by as an electric bell rang signalling last period.

"Ori- Ichika, don't you have a class to get to?" He froze up at the mention of class. Kanzashi assumed he just had a free period like herself? "Don't tell me... O-r-i-m-u-r-a." she glanced at him, he didn't make eye contact.

Kanzashi looked kinda concerned in the corner of his eye, man... how long had it been since anyone had looked at him like that? Like a person, not a soldier or test subject or hell; a screw up. It was so comforting. "I was... let out early" He lied.

"I- Ichika, you don't get let out early..." She stated, tugging at Ichika's sleeve. Why'd she have to be so prett- perceptive! Yeah perceptive, it really threw him off. *Stomach Growl* "Right! Can you believe them, well I gotta go! You look pretty done with this sandwich so I'll finish it for you, later Kanzashi!" He exclaimed, finishing the end of her lunch.

"Ichika that's my-!" she blushed before the escaping pilot swiftly made his exit before she had time to reply (or regain her sandwich).

*Later*

The sun was setting and all the students were leaving the main campus. All except for Houki Shinonono.

'Ichika, where's that idiot been... I wasn't too hard on him during training, was I?' Houki briefly thought, doubting her methods. "N- no it's his fault for not listening to a word I say" She assured herself. "When I find him I'll- I'll..."

Houki lost track of whatever she was cursing when her gaze locked onto a young man in an upper floor window swiftly passing through the maintenance ward. Her suspicion was only overshadowed by her frustration for the young man's total lack of appearance for class, and without even a word to her.

*Later that evening*

Houki stormed to Ichika's room with a firm grip on her bokken. She stood in front of the door plated 1025, thinking to herself; perhaps she'd be merciful if his explanation was adequate, though she very much doubted it would be.

However as she took a deep breath to give Ichika an earful she staggered herself. This scene always played out the same; Houki would invite herself in and brutalisation followed, leaving her in a sour mood (and Ichika sore) for the rest of the day and maybe even the rest of the week.

'No, this time I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and wait till tomorrow to hear his side of the story. After all I'm his childhood friend, who else would he confide in?' she thought to herself smugly, sheathing her aggression.

*Morning*

"Right, this is it I have to let him know just how I feel." She told herself quietly in front of Ichika's room door. A moment passed and she thought herself ready, knocking on his door. Ichika came to open it.

"Kanzashi what's up?" He greeted her in pleasant surprise. Kanzashi collected her thoughts being taken aback by seeing him in a loose dark T-Shirt and shorts~ discreetly showing his toned physique wherever her eyes wandered unconsciously... She'd heard from class chatter that the Orimura's had a knack for pulling off black... But wow.

'Eyes front soldier!' Her mind told her. She handed him a thin paper bag with a gift inside. 'I hope that was a good call'. "Umm, here this is for you Ichika." '*Gleeful* Ah~ I can say his name so casually!'

"What's this, anime?" He pulled out the DVD she gave him, looking it over. Her stomach began to twist. 'Why am I doubting myself now? He's going to think it's lame! M- maybe I can play it off!' Her eyes were glazing over with a teary look. "Y- yeah I don't know what I was-"

"Man, I used to watch this all the time!" A joyous relief swept over the dandere. "You never know what you love till you find it, you too huh?" "Kinda..." She responded, fidgeting. 'H- how do I move forward from here? Think Kanzashi, what would a shounen protagonist do??? Right! A- a bold declaration!'

"And I- like- like- LIKE! VERY MUCH!"