Episode 5: Boy Meets Boy

That's one way of knocking

Ichika has gone to his friend’s house from Middle School. They are busy playing on the computer while they both talk about Ichika being in IS Academy. Dan highlights that Ichika is in a school full of girls and wonders if he can have passes. Ichika tells him no, but he is glad that Rin transferred into the school. Suddenly, the door bursts open; kicked by Ran. She tells her brother Dan that lunch is ready and then notices Ichika next to him. She looks down and realises her shorts were undone and quick hides herself to fasten it. Embarrassingly she tells Ichika that she did not know he was here. Ichika tells her that he is taking a short off-campus vacation, so that he can check upon his house and he ended up coming here. Dan asks Ran to knock next time, but she gets angry at him for not letting her know that Ichika was here. Later Dan and Ichika are having lunch with Ran serving them. Ran tells Ichika to make himself at home, while he notices that Ran has changed. He assumes that Ran is going on a date, which is strongly denied by Ran. Dan adds that Ichika probably acts the same way in school; dense.

Where's Wally?

Back at school, Maya is in Ichika and Houki’s dorm and tells them that she has solved the roommate problem. She announces that Houki would be moving to a new room, with Houki objecting that it doesn’t have to be done immediately. Ichika tells her that he would be fine without her as he would get up on time and brush his teeth. This angers Houki and tells Maya that she would switch rooms at once. Maya and Houki leave; slamming the door leaving a puzzled Ichika. Later Ichika gets a knock at the door and opens to a stern-looking Houki. She tells him about the grade individual tournament next month, if she becomes champion, Ichika would go out on a date with her. This is overheard by three other students. The next day, rumours are going around the class about if anyone wins the tournament, they go on a date with Ichika. Cecilia wonders what is going on with Houki denying any knowledge. Ichika arrives to the class and wonders why everyone is excited, with the several of the class replying that they are not excited about anything. Chifuyu arrives and tells everyone to take their seats.

Give a few seconds it will turn purple...

Maya announces that a new transfer student has started. The door opens and the new student is another male. The new student is called Charles Dunoa and he is from France. This announcement makes the whole class scream over the arrival of a new male student to the class. Chifuyu tells the class that they would be doing IS practice with class 2. They are to change quickly and proceed to school ground 2. Chifuyu tells Ichika that he is responsible for Charles as he is also a boy. Charles greets Ichika, which is cut short by Ichika who motions Charles to leave as the girls are changing; he grabs his hand and leads him to the arena’s changing rooms. On the way, they are surrounded by several groups of girls. Ichika and Charles make their escape down an empty hallway. Charles asks Ichika why everyone making such a fuss. Ichika tells him that they are the only male IS operators in the school. They finally make it to the changing rooms. Late, Ichika tells Charles to change quickly and immediately takes his top off, making Charles yelp. Charles tells Ichika not to stare at him while he changes. Ichika turns away for a moment and looks back at Charles, who is now completely changed. Ichika complains about having to get naked in order to put on the body suit, which makes Charles turn bright red. Ichika notices that Charles is wearing a special outfit. Charles tells him that the suit is made by the Dunoa Company. Charles adds that his father is the president of the company and they are responsible for everything to do with the IS.

He is getting a hold of things, literally...

Out in the grounds, Chifuyu tells the class they are going to watch a practice battle. She tells Cecilia and Fan to use their personal IS. Both of them feel less-enthusiastic using their IS. Chifuyu goes up to them and tells that this is a good opportunity to impress Ichika. Suddenly, they become very keen, with each of them labelling each other as their opponents. Chifuyu interrupts them that they will not be battling each other. Suddenly, out of the sky a IS comes tumbling down. It is Maya, who has lost control of the IS and is heading towards the ground. She screams for people to get out of the way, all except Ichika run as Maya crashes into him. As the dust settles, Ichika is lying on top of Maya, with his hand on Maya’s breasts. Realising his compromised position, he quickly withdraws as Cecilia misses shooting him. Ichika is then targeted by Rin, who throws her blade staff at him, but it is stopped by Maya who shoots at it. Chifuyu tells them that both Rin and Cecilia will go up against Maya. Rin and Cecilia think it is unfair, but Chifuyu tells them that they would both lose. Chifuyu commences the battle and the three of them take to the sky.

Need a hand?

They battle begins, with Rin and Cecilia attacking Maya. However, Maya successfully dodges and blocks the attacks. Chifuyu asks Charles to give a rundown on Maya’s IS. Maya uses the Raphael Revive from the Dunoa Company, developed at the end of the 2nd Generation. The specifications rival early 3rd Generation models, it went on sale last and it is the 3rd most used IS. As this commentary goes on, Maya shoots at Cecilia; who dodges the attacks. However Cecilia dodging ends up with her bumping into Rin. With them together Maya fires a rocket at them and are both sent crashing into the ground. As the dust settles, both of them argue over who is at fault, as Maya lands her IS. Chifuyu tells them to respect teachers more. Chifuyu then continues the lesson to group practice; with each personal IS holder to act as leaders. The class splits up, with most of them going to Ichika and Charles. Ichika, Cecilia, Rin, Charles and Chifuyu explain to their group about IS. Rin hates having a personal IS, so that she can be over in Ichika’s group, which Houki has joined. Next, Ichika has got the students to line up to have a go in a trainer IS. Kiyoka Aikawa is first, who introduces herself in great detail. This affects the rest of the group, with several girls greeting themselves to Ichika. This also happens to Charles in his group as Ichika thinks he would have a hard time here too.

Hide and Seek

Kiyoka completes her walk and Ichika calls for the next student, who turns out to be Houki. However, the cockpit is too high for her to get in. Maya suggests that Ichika carries her in, which shocks both Ichika and Houki. Maya tells Ichika to activate Byakushiki and use it to carry Houki into the cockpit. As Ichika carries Houki, she blushes; thinking it is like the princess-like carry. As she is getting into the cockpit, she asks Ichika if he has any plans for lunch today, which he replies he doesn’t. Houki invites him to have lunch with her today upon the roof, he accepts. However, Ichika has invited Charles, Rin and Cecilia as well (Dumbass!!!) which angers Houki. Rin, Houki and Cecilia are giving each other the evil stare as well as hiding a bento they made. Rin opens hers; Ichika recognises it as Sweet and Sour Pork. Cecilia also reveals hers; a hamper filled with sandwiches. Ichika has one, which immediately turns his face blue. He quickly decides to try Houki’s lunch. Ichika is amazed on how beautiful Houki’s lunch is, commenting that a lot of work must of went into it. Ichika tries some and finds it delicious. He then returns the favour by offering it to Houki, makes the other girls scream in shock. Houki eats it and finds it delicious. Charles suggests that they share each others’ lunch, they reluctantly agree resulting Rin and Cecilia trying to force feed Ichika. That night, Ichika and Charles are drinking tea, Charles wonders if he can join Ichika in his IS training after school, Ichika accepts. The next day, Maya announces that another transfer student is joining their class. The transfer student is Laura Bodewig from Germany; who calls Chifuyu as instructor. Ichika realises that she must have known his sister while she was in Germany. Laura then notices Ichika and walks up to him and gives him a backhand slap, which shocks everyone. Laura tells him sternly that she would never accept Ichika as Chifuyu’s brother.

Good episode, right until the end. We could have done without the slap, but I suppose much need emphasis was required for the scene to be effective. I wonder what the reason is behind Laura’s denial over Ichika, maybe we will find out next episode. Also maybe we will find out what secret Charles is hiding, as he does seem shifty (Yeah know the secret, but I not going to reveal it for those who don’t want to know!!!). Also, Ichika is a bit naive again. I haven’t come across any girl who offers their lunch to someone they like… they are too busy being with boyfriends who like chasing parked cars…. Well, the ED and OP theme CDs are on sale and I starting to like the ED theme with the OP not far behind. I probably blog it later… I’ll blog it before the other backlogs otherwise it would never get done.