However, before the events of the Shinonono festival (at the end of episode 12 season one), they had practically dated and nearly kissed, implying that he may have some sort of emotions regarding Houki. He is willing to do things for her that he probably might not do for others. Ichika, due to his nature, sees Houki in the light of an extremely strong childhood friend of his. Six years later, Ichika and Houki are reunited when Ichika is enrolled at the IS academy being the first and only male to be able to use an IS. Due to this, Houki's family was put in the protection program if the machines were used for wrong and evil purposes and thus Houki and Ichika have been separated. When a important Kendo match was approaching, Ichika promised to become her boyfriend if Houki won the match, but at the same time, Houki's older sister introduced the IS machines.

Houki has always had romantic feelings for Ichika, but is nervous when expressing her feelings and uses her short temper to hide how she really feels. Ichika and Houki first met each other when they began attending Kendo classes together and have always been the same classes together in Elementary school from the 1st to 4th grade. Houki is Ichika's first childhood friend. Ichika is also quite intelligent as while in the beginning he still didn't understand the IS, being the first and only male in history to operate one, he continues to study and learn more about and is also a quick learner. However when they girls become mad at him, Ichika is in fear of his life as their anger can get severely out of control and completely doesn't understand when they think such ridiculous and eccentric thoughts and ideas about him. While Ichika can be annoyed, nervous and extremely confused when the girls are mad at him, he knows how to defend himself against others whether they are engaged in a physical fight or if someone is simply being rude and unfair towards him. Ichika is also extremely dense and clueless regarding when girls harbour romantic feelings for him, but on rare occasions he seems to slowly become more aware (most likely implied towards Houki). However, when he first arrived at the IS Academy, Ichika felt extremely nervous and uneasy being the only male and hate getting attention. Due to his kind personality, many female characters have come to fall in love with Ichika and make attempts to have him for themselves. He cares for his friends greatly and protects them when they are in danger. He is also kind, considerate and polite to those he meets.

Ichika is friendly and kind to anyone he meets.

Infinite stratos kiss