Infinite Stratos - Volume 5, page 10
"Well, even if you ask me..."
Sort of, that's about right.
"A lot of things happened to you today as well, right? I really pity you, you know?"
"Wha..."
"Then, I'll take the love fortune for the phantom member Shinonono-kun, okay?"
"Pl-Please?"
Why didn't the Club President lash out at Houki for her low attendance?
Unfortunately, the face was covered, so I couldn't see her expression.
"Huuh,,,Shinonono-kun, you got the 'Tsukimi-shu'[5C 14]. So, you're looking forward to activities, right? Your lucky point is the dojo?"
"No, well...I'll try my best to show up..."
"Really? I'm really happy to hear you say that~"
Ignoring the last bit of the conversation, it seemed that Houki's divination was done.
"Ah, that's right. I'll see your fate through divination, okay?"
"Divination of fate?"
"Is-Is that so? That's good!"
Houki got worked up suddenly as she popped out.
The President calmed Houki down and explained,
"Erm, can you two hold each other's hands together? At each other? Mn mn."
Houki and I reached our right hands out and put them at each other.
"Then, can you maintain this position for 10 seconds?"
"Ah?"
"Ca-Can this really tell what's going to happen?"
Houki asked the President in a slightly nervous tone.
"Who knows?"
"Who knows...?"
"Well, you see? You'll feel irritated if you put your hands together with someone you don't like for 10 seconds, right? So you don't hate each other? Okay, divination's over."
Wow, that was really slipshod.
"Is-Is that so..."
Hm? Why do I feel that Houki's really happy?
Is there something worth being happy about? I don't understand at all.
"Ah, rest time's over. Houki, let's go back to the classroom."
"Ye-Yeah."
...
"Houki?"
"Wha-What?"
"Can you let go of my hand now?"
"Tha-That's right!"
Houki finally realized this after I reminded her, and the hand that was holding tightly onto mine quickly backed away.
"Good bye then. Thank you for today."
"Yes, is it tough? Ah, Orimura-kun, can I take a photo?"
"Ah? Oh well, go ahead."
"Yes, thank you!"
Another photo got taken. For some reason, it seems I got used to it.
"Okay, let's go back then."
"...Compatible, compatible..."
"Hey! Hello, Houki?"
"Wh-Wha-What?"
"Nothing, well, let's go back to the classroom."
"Y-Yeah, that's true."
Houki put forward her right hand and right leg as she walked back to the classroom with arms and legs in sync[5C 15]
Class 1-1's stall is still as busy as ever, and I returned back to the scene where there's a lot of people squeezing through.
(But since everyone's working hard, I wouldn't feel so irritated.)
To be able to work hard with someone, that's something I'll be happy with.
(Okay, time to work hard!)
"*KLANG KLANG KLANG!* Tatenashi-san appeared!"
"..."
The person who abandoned her duty appeared!
Command Escape, escape, escape
"But you can't run away!"
"WHAT! Don't get in my way!"
"Well well, don't say that. Speaking of which, Orimura-kun, since I came to your classroom to help, please help the Student Council with an event."
"You're not saying that as a question?"
"Nope, I'm saying a definitive sentence."
"What about my opinion..."
"Can't I make any decisions for you? I'm the Student Council President."
DON'T IMITATE AIDA MI*SUO'S MANNER OF SPEAKING![5C 16]
"...What do I have to help with..."
"Ara, not resisting now?"
"I know it's useless to resist."
"Oh my. Do you really think you understand what onee-san's thinking? Long way to go, first-year-kun."
She pointed her finger on my nosetip. Now what do I have to do...
"Ahaha, it's really fun to make fun of Ichika-kun."
"And, the activity?"
"Mn, don't be angry. It's a play."
"A play...?"
Contrary to what I thought, this feels normal.
"A play where the audience gets to take part."
"What?"
A play where the audience gets to take part...well, what's that?
"Anyway, follow onee-san. Yup, I decided."
Pointing at me with the fan, Tatenashi-san proudly declared.
"Well—sempai. We'll be troubled if you take Ichika away..."
Ohh, Charl! That's right, keep talking!
"Charlotte-chan can come along too."
"Huuh?"
"Onee-san can let you wear pretty dresses, you know~?"
"Dre-Dress..."
Do your best, Charl! I know girls look forward to wearing dresses, but do your best for me!
"Th-Then, well...just a little."
Charl got captured...why did that happen?
"Mn~ so honest and cute! Then, Houki-chan, Cecilia-chan and Laura-chan, come over as well."
"""What?"""
The three girls who pricked their ears to eavesdrop answered with a tone of surprise.
"I'll let everyone wear dresses."
"If-If that's the case..."
"Oh well, a trip's..."
"Mn, mn, it can't be helped..."
Houki, Cecilia and Laura were captured too.
"Erm, if I may ask, what are we acting as?"
"Fufufu."
*Pak!* Tatenashi-san opened her fan, and there's the word 'Hakugeki'[5C 17].
"Cinderella!"
◆
"Ichika-kun, are you done yet?"
"..."
"I'm opening the door."
"DON'T SAY THAT AFTER YOU OPENED THE DOOR!"
"What, aren't you all dressed up already? Onee-san's really disappointed."
"...What?"
Right now, I'm in the fourth arena changing room, where I normally change my IS suit.
The costume...well, it's actually a prince's outfit...
"Here, the crown."
"Haa..."
"Why, you don't look too happy. Do you want to act as Cinderella?"
"NO!"
This person, really...she really likes to create lots of troubles, and I've really gotten a migraine over it.
"Then it's time to act."
I secretly peeked out. The stage on the fourth arena's really glamorous. Of course, it's full of people, and I could hear cheering from inside the changing room.
"Then, as for the play later, I haven't even read anything like a script yet."
"No problem. I'll be the one hosting, so just perform as I say. Ah, please come up with your own lines."
Is it really okay...I really have to ask.
With an unspeakable anxiety, I moved towards the stage.
"Then, let's begin!"
The buzzer sounded, and the lights reined in.
"A long long time ago, in a certain land, there was a girl named Cinderella."
Very good, that's a normal beginning. Speaking of which, who'll be acting as Cinderella?
Thinking about this, I headed towards the stage.
"No, that's no longer a name. Having snuck out of many parties, they defeated many enemies no matter how much dust they got. The title most suited for them...is 'Cinderella'[5C 18]!"
...Huh?
"Tonight, the bloodthirsty Cinderellas will again take action. The girls will aim for the neighboring country's military secrets that are hidden in the prince's crown, and they shall dance on this death arena called the stage!"
"WAI, WHAT!?"
"GOT YOU!"
With a sudden cry, Rin appeared in a silvery white Cinderella dress.
"WAH?"
"HAND IT OVER!"
Rin glared at me, who dodged in reflex, and threw the Chinese flying dagger— Y-YO-YOU IDIOT!!!
"WHAT WOULD HA-HAPPEN IF I DIED!?"
"I'LL KILL YOU IN A WAY THAT YOU WON'T DIE!!"
"I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT MEANS AT ALL!"
No, how can I die here!
I flipped the teaset on the table and used the tray to block the flying knife.
"KILL!!!"
Rin kicked away the tray that had the flying dart on it...WAAH, YOU IDIOT! I'LL BE ABLE TO SEE YOUR PANTIES!!
(Ah, she put on some slacks?)
NOW'S NOT THE TIME TO RELAX!
...Speaking of which, RIN'S ABOUT TO KICK ME WITH THE HEEL OF THE SHOE!
"YOU'RE WEARING GLASS SHOES, RIGHT!?"
"NO PROBLEM! IT SHOULD BE HARDENED GLASS!"
"YOU IDDIIIOOOTTT!! THAT'S DANGEROUS!!"
Just when Rin and I were fighting, I saw a red light moving.
(What's that? Why does it feel like it's moving towards me--)
At the next moment, the object that's near my face got hit.
"WAH!?"
(A sniper? That means, Cecilia!)
As it seemed that she put the silencer on, I couldn't hear the gunshot or see the muzzle flash from the triggered rifle.
It seems that she's using some powerful rapid-fire skill as she again snipes at my head.
"I-I-I'LL DIE!! I'LL DEFINITELY DIE!!!"
I kept my body down to cover myself...whose act is it now!?
◆
(Ku...he got away.)
As the metallic sound of the bullet shell could be heard, Cecilia's eyes left the scope.
Following the principle of the sniper, to 'Shoot and Move', she headed off to the next sniping point.
(I must win this time!)
Only the female actors know the secret prize, and that is 'The girl who gets the crown from Ichika will get the right to stay with him'.
Even though everyone was stunned when they first heard that,
"The Student Council President has the authority to do that."
On hearing Tatenashi's words, everyone got motivated.
(Live in the same room as Ichika-san, live in same room as Ichika-san...)
Already thinking about it, Cecilia smiled.
(It's a good thing that I can run to the stage from here, and I can use all other equipment other than IS equipment.)
She intended to snipe the crown and grab it to win it like that.
(That's right! Those who win at the times they need to win are the real winners!)
The Cinderella dress on Cecilia dressed. Immediately after reaching the second point, she took her rifle out and got ready.
(Got you!)
*Pew pew!* The gunshots that were muzzled with the silencer rang again.
◆
(I should be safe here, right...?)
Several seconds later, I, who was hiding behind the background, had to show myself after Cecilia started sniping me.
On a side note, as the protagonist, I can only dodge around, so every time I returned to the stage, the crowd audience would applaud me and cheer for me.
"Ha-Haha...thank you."
I bowed politely to the crowd in appreciation, but Cecilia didn't let this chance go as she sniped me.
I immediately ran away onto the stage that's ridiculously wide.
"Ack, no place to run?"
So her sniping was to lure me here as a trap.
"Ichika, hurry up and get down!"
"?"
Armed with a riot shield, Charl suddenly appeared in front of me.
Like everyone else, she was dressed in a Cinderella dress.
However, why are blonds so suited for this kind of dress? Is it a culture difference?
"Ch-Charl, you saved me..."
*KLING KLANG!* The sharp sounds of the bullets being blocked could be heard.
"That's enough. Hurry up and run!"
"Oh, okay! Thanks!"
"Ah, we-well, wait a minute!"
"Wha-What is it?"
"The-Then, I'll be happy if you leave the crown behind..."
"Uu, un? Well, okay."
I won't be sniped if I don't have this on my head. Let's do this then.
Thinking about this, I put my hand on the crown, but Tatenashi-san stopped me.
"To the prince, the country's everything. If he loses the important secrets in the crown, the thought of guilt will turn into an electric shock."
"WHAT!?"
I was stunned, but my hand was already reaching for my head subconsciously and took the crown off.
"GYYYYYAAAAHHH!!!"
*BAK BAK BAK!!* An unexpected sound resounded, and the electricity flowed through my body.
The current passed through my body, and it felt really hot.
"Th-Thi-This..."
My clothes were burned and tattered, even giving off smoke.
"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS!?"
"Oh my, what's going on? Does the ouji-sama[5C 19] worry about his country that much? But we can only look at him. What's going on?"
"YOU DON'T HAVE TO REPEAT THAT TWICE!"
Anyway, I couldn't take a second electric shock, and thus quickly put the crown back on.
Speaking of which...things just got really bad. Tatenashi-san really looked excited. What am I supposed to do now?
"So-Sorry Charl, but you just saw it."
"Huh? Then what? I'll be really troubled!"
"Even if you say that...sorry!"
"Ah! I-Ichika!"
I scampered away like an escaping rabbit.
However, the black-haired and silver-haired Cinderellas appeared in front of me.
"Hold it right there, Ichika!"
"I'll take the crown!"
Houki's wielding a Japanese sword, while Laura's holding a combat knife in each hand...UWAAAHHH!!
"DA-DAN-DANGER!!"
At the last minute, I dodged their attacks from the side and rolled on the floor.
"DON'T GET IN MY WAY. LAURA!"
"I SHOULD BE THE ONE SAYING THAT, RIGHT? SEEMS LIKE I HAVE TO ELIMINATE YOU FIRST!"
"Interesting...BRING IT ON!"
Both of them started fighting for some reason.
Now, I have Rin Cecilia and Charl behind me...Hmm? What? There's an earthquake...
"Now, everyone present can take part in this! Everyone, please work hard for the prince's crown!"
"WHAAATT!!?"
The real reason for the earthquake was that more than ten Cinderellas came rushing over, and the numbers continued to increase...I feel like I saw this in a movie before...haha...
"ORIMURA-KUN, SURRENDER QUIETLY!"
"WALK WITH ME TO HAPPINESS! OUJI-SAMA!"
"HAND...IT OVVVEEERRR!!!"
I continued to think of how to get away from the Cinderellas who were rushing to me as I continued to run through the stage sets.
"I FOUND YOU, ICHIKA!"
NOT GOOD! IT'S HOUKI!
"HAND ME THAT CROWN! IF THAT...that happens..."
"So-So what will happen?"
"UU! ANYWAY, JUST HAND IT OVER TO ME! I'LL SLICE YOU IF YOU REFUSE!"
WHAT KIND OF WORDS ARE THOSE!? THAT'S REALLY SCARY! SOMEBODY SAVE ME!
"Please head this way."
"Huh?"
My foot got grabbed and I rolled and fell below the stage sets.
◆
"We're here."
"Wha-What....tha-thanks..."
I was led by this person out of the stage set and into the changing room—
This is the side room I was using, and my uniform's still here.
Speaking of which, as it's too dark, I don't know who brought me here.
As I looked at her again, I realize that it's Makagami Ayako-san. She's still smiling.
"Huh, huh? Why's Makigami-san..."
"Yes, I want to use this chance to get [Byakushiki]."
"Wh-What?"
She's still smiling, and she hasn't changed her expression at all.
"Alright, hand it over, brat."
"Erm...well, you're kidding, right?"
"Why would I joke around with you, brat? You infuriate me."
Though the tone's completely different, she's still smiling at me.
I couldn't respond to her sudden change in attitude, and my abdomen suddenly got kicked. The hard impact smashed me into the cupboard.
"Ah-ahh, you bastard! The face can't change back. My face."
"Hoo, hoo! Wh-Who are you..."
"Ahh? Me? I'm a mysterious beauty who disguised as a company worker. Well, are you happy now?"
She again stepped on my legs.
...The pain that came clearly told me that 'She's the enemy'. Why am I still an idiot who loves peace now?
"Ku...[Byakushiki]!"
As the situation was bad, I summoned my IS.
I used up a lot more energy than usual as it was an emergency summoning that splits the clothes up, but there's no time to mind about the technical details, because she's an enemy with an unknown identity.
"I was waiting for you to summon it."
Makigami-san finally lost her smile...hold it. The long narrow eyes of this woman in front of me seemed to be distorted because of the evil presence. She is like a snake every time she stretched her long tongue out.
"Because it's finally time for this to come up!"
"?"
A sharp 'claw' appeared from behind the woman, ripping the suit in the process. The spider legs like thing had ominous matching colors of yellow and black, each having a blade-like tip.
"Take this!"
The 8-legged armor deployed the tips of the legs, revealing cannons.
"Damn it!"
I tried my best to burst the thrusters on my legs at the floor, exerting the maximum output.
[Byakushiki] and I used the reaction force of the [PIC] to do an emergency dodge.
"Oh, not bad."
Before knocking into the ceiling, I activated the [Setsura] of [Byakushiki]. It'll be faster to attack with the internal weapon [Setsura] than [Yukihira Niigata].
"Who are you?"
Flying backwards to dodge, the woman dodged the beam claw, and continued,
"Ah? Don't you know? I'm a member of an evil organization!"
"Stop messing—"
"I'm not messing around, damned brat! I'm a member of the secret organization Phantom Task. You must call me Autumn-sama, understand?"
This woman—Autumn completely deployed her IS, and her delicate control of her [PIC] dodged my attacks and shot live rounds at me.
"Eat this!"
