Infinite Stratos - Volume 2, page 11
"What's wrong?"
"Huh, we--ll..."
"The food will go cold if you don't eat it. Since other people specially made it for us, it would be bad if you don't eat it while it's hot."
"Ye-Yeah...well, itadakimasu."
Just as I'm laughing at Charles' insecurity, I realised the reason why she showed such an expression.
"Ah..."
*PAK*.
"Ah, ahh..."
*Pak* *Pak*.
Dropping the food again, Charles lets out a dejected voice.
She had no problems separating the fish from the bones, but for some reason, she couldn't pick it up. Speaking of which, I believe this is the first time I see Charles using a pair of chopsticks.
"Are you bad with chopsticks?"
"Um, yeah, I did try to practice using it, but I still can't get it. Ah..."
The fish dropped. There was no wastage since she dropped the food on the plate, but no matter what, she won't be able to eat if this continues.
"Sor-Sorry. I'll get a spoon for you."
"Huuh? It, it's alright. No need to take another trip, I'll find a way to use the chopsticks."
"Even if you say that, it's still difficult for you to do that, right? Didn't I tell you not to be so hesitant?"
"Bu-But..."
"Charles, you should be more dependent on others. It's because you're so courteous that you lose out."
"Uu..."
"Hm, it's probably difficult for you to change so suddenly. How about you start relying on me...maybe it's a bit besides the point, but including the family problems, I'll stand on your side, so just rely on me."
"Ichika..."
Though she hesitates for a while, it seems like she still can't eat, so she says while seemingly decided,
"Th-The-Then..."
"Okay, you just need a spoon, right?"
"Huh, well, then...Ichika, please feed me."
What's with the stuttering, sure seems like you really can't say it out--just as I thought about this, I heard an unexpected sentence, causing me to be stunned. At this moment, Charles lowers her jaw and looks up at me with a begging expression, and says,
"You said that I can rely on you..."
"That, that's right. Men keep their word. Alright, let's do this."
I seem to feel that something's amiss, but I can just ignore that for now. Charles herself finally asked a favor. If I don't grant her this request, I can't even be considered a man--let me just think of it this way.
(No, but that looking up and begging expression must be criminal...)
Her eyes were just like those of an abandoned puppy poking its head out from a cardboard box at me in the middle of a rain. Those who would reject such eyes are either brave warriors or a demon king, and I don't want to be either of them.
I received the chopsticks from Charles and picked up the bits of mackerel meat she just dropped.
"The-Then...say ahhnn."
"Ah, ahhnn--"
Never would I have dreamed of Charles letting me do an 'ahh--' action. Maybe I'm thinking too much, as Charles, who's chewing seriously, looks a bit red.
"Is, is it good?"
"Yup, yeah, it's delicious."
"Good for you then."
"Umm...I want rice next..."
"Oh, okay."
Thus, I used the chopsticks to pick up a serving of rice that a girl can mouth and used my other hand to cover the bottom to prevent it from dropping as I delivered it to Charles' mouth.
"Here, ahnn--"
"N..."
Seeing Charles eat all of that at one go, I start to feel nervous for some reason. What's going on? Is this the feeling of a hen feeding her chicks? I started to get quiet for some reason.
"Now it's the cold dish."
"I, I got it."
Anyway, even though I feed her until the end, we started to talk less and less. After finishing, both of us just said a few words before going to bed.
A lot of things really happened today. Maybe it was the physical and mental strain that caused me to fall asleep immediately the moment I snuck into my bed.
◇
It's dark. In this heavy darkness, a person is staying there.
"..."
She didn't know when she started to become like this, but when she was born, she knew the blackness of darkness. It's said that humans will see light when they're first born, but this girl was different. She was brought up in darkness, born amongst the shadows, and this fact hadn't changed.
In the room that was without light, her silhouette lurked in the darkness and the red eye was shining darkly.
Laura Bodewig.
She knew that this was her name, but at the same time, she didn't understand the significance behind it.
But there was one exception, that was when she was called by the instructor--only when she was called by Orimura Chifuyu that she felt that the name had a special significance, and lifted her spirits.
(That person's existence...that strength, has always been my goal, and my reason to live...)
It was like a ray of light.
When she first met Chifuyu, she was stunned by that indomitable strength. Fearful, moved and delighted, the feelings revebrated within her, making her feel hot. She then made such a wish.
Ahh, I really want to be be like--her.
I want to be like such a person.
The originally empty places within her quickly filled up, forming her everything.
She was her teacher and also had absolute strength. She was the complete incarnation of her ideals.
That was the only existence, to be 'like her'.
So she can't forgive those who aren't complete.
(Orimura Ichika--the person who caused the instructor to be blemished...)
She can't agree with that person's existence.
(I must eliminate him, no matter the means...)
With burning dark will, Laura silently closed her eyes and merged with the darkness as she sank into a slumber without dreams.
◇
"I-Is that true?"
"You are not lying, are you?"
On Monday morning, as I headed towards the classroom, I got shocked by the sudden noise that could be heard on the corridor.
"What's up?"
"Who knows?"
Charles (male version) was walking beside me.
"I'm telling you it's true! This rumor is the hottest topic in school! If you're victorious in this month's division tournament, it seems like you can go out with Orimura-kun--"
"What's with me?"
"""KYAAAHHH!!!"""
What, what? I just walked in to talk to everyone normally, and they're giving me cries. Hey hey, that's too classless.
"So what are you talking about? I think I heard you people mentioning my name."
"U-Ugh? Did we?"
"Wh-Who knows what we were saying just now?"
Rin and Cecilia continued to laugh as they changed the topic. What now? Is it something that I can't know?
"No-Now then, I should return to my class."
"Th-That's right! I should return to my own seat now."
Both of them left with a somewhat fake smile. Maybe everyone else who had gathered here are trying to use this opportunity to escape and return to their classes and seats.
"...What's going on?"
"Who knows...?"
◇
(Why, why has it become like this...)
Sitting at the table at the window, Houki's trying to act calm, but she's boiling up deep inside.
She knew of the rumor that seemed to be related to the individual division tournament.
But the problem was with the content.
"If you're victorious in this month's division tournament, it seems like you can go out with Orimura-kun--"
(That should be something only I should know!)
Ichika couldn't have spilled the beans, so who leaked the information? Recalling it, she remembered that her voice may have been too loud. Even so, she always thought that it was a secret between both of them and felt relaxed about it.
(...)
But the fact is that most of the girls already knew, and even sempais came running into the classroom with questions: 'so how about the winner is from a different grade?', 'can we hand the award out at the ceremony?'
(Things have gotten out of hand now...)
That's to be expected. She's vehemently against Ichika going out with girls other than herself, and that's to be expected. But when that happens, news will spread that she's going out with Ichika.
To be honest, Houki finds 'the secret relationship that only they know' fits her agenda, and she always had this goal.
She finds that the feeling of 'those who are normally aloof, but when alone with someone' is good.
But those feelings went amok on a 10+ year old girl who's growing up, and nobody can blame her.
Even if her tone's more traditional than normal and that others don't think that she'll do such things, Houki's wishes aren't any different from Cecilia and Rin.
(An-Anyway, I've got to win! It'll be alright once I win! It won't be like that time. It's alright, it's alright...I guess.)
Houki made the promise with Ichika when she was in fourth grade.
At that time, it was during the national kendo competition, and all the elementary school students were banded together, so 5th years and 6th years were participating as well, but in terms of the difference in experience, everyone viewed their hometown dojo's Houki as the favorite. In fact, Houki's ability was a lot stronger than the rest, so naturally, she should be able to win--logically, that should have been the case.
However, they had to move out on the day of the finals, and the one who caused her to forfeit because she couldn't attend it was her own sister, Tabane.
The IS that Tabane developed was so overwhelmingly powerful that many people felt that it could be used as a weapon. Thus, they[2C 3] could only follow the counsel of the government and move away for the sake of protection.
Ever since that day, Houki never liked Tabane. Or rather, she hated her.
After that, their family still had to move under the VIP protection plan, and it was a rush to get everywhere. They couldn't do anything about it. She once received a letter from Ichika, but was told that 'there will be problems if a 3rd party knows where you are', so she couldn't even reply due to the pressure from the government.
Then, before she realized it, she was forced to stay apart from her parents, and the culprit behind this, Tabane was still missing. As her older sister was involved, Houki had to undergo many invigilations and investigations, and her heart and soul crumbled, unwilling to go on.
In those days, the only thing she hadn't given up was kendo, for she felt that kendo was the only thing that linked herself to Ichika. But even though she won the national championship, it didn't really satisfy her.
The reason is fast and simple. That's because kendo was 'just a way for her to blow off steam'.
--She just wanted to beat anyone down into the ground.
That's right, that was what she thought.
However, the blade is a mirror that will reflect her expression, and once that extremely ugly look of hers heavily struck back to her, she was so mortified that she felt like she wanted to leave the prize award ceremony.
And what drew her into deeper despair was when she saw her opponent cry after losing to her in this state.
--What was I doing...
Her actions were just violence, not strength. Strength doesn't refer to this, and she knows of this...very clearly--that's what she thought.
"..."
She again shakes her head. It would be great to dump the adhesive-like memories away, but the human heart can't do such a simple thing.
(This time, I will...I should be able to win without misunderstanding the meaning of the word strength...)
No, I have to win! For myself.
Unknowingly, she started to desire getting back her old self more than Ichika.
◇
"Ho--can't anyone change the distance..."
In the school compound where there are only 3 toilets for guys (i.e. me) to use, I immediately dashed out once the bell rang. Of course, I had to sprint at full speed in order to catch up to class. But I got mercilessly scolded a few days ago 'don't run on the corridor'. What else can I do but to run!?
(But thinking about it, Charles was the most worst off...)
She's a girl but she has to go to a guy's toilet. In other words--
(Nope, don't think about it. It's better not to.)
Anyway, I have no time to dilly-dally. The next lesson will be about basic IS battle technical knowledge and response. To me, that's something that I have to attend no matter what.
"WHY ARE YOU A TEACHER HERE!?"
"What a headache..."
Hm? I seem to hear a voice down the corner, and I try to notice. Those are voices I'm familiar with. One of them is Laura, the other should be Chifuyu-nee's.
"Don't let me repeat this again. I have my duties to perform, that's all."
"What kind of duties can you possibly have in this small far-east country!?"
I guess there's nothing else that can cause the ice-like transfer student Laura Bodewig to be so agitated. From what they're saying, Laura seems to be expressing her discontent about Chifuyu-nee's current job and her idol worship like emotions of Chifuyu-nee.
"Please instructor. Please come back to Germany to guide us. You can't even show off half your abilities here."
"Oh?"
"Basically, the students over here aren't worth teaching."
"Why?"
"They aren't prepared enough. They have too little sense of danger, they think that IS is a trendy thing, those low-class people aren't worth the time for instructor to te--"
"--End of the line, little lady."
"Ugh...!"
Chifuyu-nee's voice has a terrifying presence, and even Laura seems to be afraid of the huge intent hidden in the voice as she stops, unable to continue.
"To think that you believe you're rather good after we haven't met in a while, is it? Just 15 years old, and you think that you're superior to others. I'm impressed."
"I, I'm..."
Even I can hear the trembling in her voice. She probably felt terrified, I suppose? Feeling fear from the overwhelming force in front of her, and feeling irritated that it can't be helped.
"Alright, it's time for lessons. Get back to the class."
"..."
With Chifuyu-nee's voice reverting back to normal, Laura silently leaves quickly...ah, man!
"Are you eavesdropping, the boy over there? I can't allow that abnormal fetish."
"WHO, WHO HAS SUCH A WEIRD FETISH! CHIFUYU-NEE, YOU--!"
*PAM!*
"In school, call me Orimura-sensei."
"Ye-Yes..."
Just like that, I couldn't even lift my head in front of Chifuyu-nee, as I got knocked on the head before I could even do so. We're not playing whack-a-mole here...
"Alright, hurry up and move along, you low-grade student. If this keeps up, you'll be eliminated on the 1st round of the individual tournament. Don't forget to work hard."
"I get it..."
"Is that so? That's good."
Chifuyu-nee smiles. It seems like she just said that as an older sister.
"I'm going back to class then."
"Mn, then move fast. Oh yes, Orimura."
"What is it?"
"Don't run on the corridors...I won't say that. If you want to run, make sure no one finds out."
"Got it."
I turned my back at Chifuyu-nee. It seems like she's letting me off the hook this time.
I cautiously sprinted back to the classroom without anyone noticing.
◇
""Ah.""
Both of them let out dumbfounded voices--the time's after school, the place is at the 3rd arena, and the people involved are Rin and Cecilia.
"What a coincidence, I'm about to do some special training for the divisional tournament in order to win."
"What a coincidence. I'm thinking the same thing."
Invisible sparks fly between them. It seems like both of them want to win.
"Now's a good opportunity to decide here, once and for all, who's better."
"Ara, it's rare for us to have a common agreement. Now we can use this chance to see who's stronger, and at the same time, who's more elegant."
Both of them summoned their main wapons and aimed them at each other.
"Then--"
At that moment, a supersonic cannon blast came from above, blocking out their voices.
""!!""
After doing emergency evasions, Rin and Cecilia looked up at where the beam was shot from, only to see a pitch black machine standing over there.
The machine name was [Schwarzer Regen], and the registered pilot was--
"Laura Bodewig..."
Cecilia looks unhappy as she braced herself, one reason being that another European Union competitor was here.
"...What are you doing? Firing a shot over here, that's really amazing."
*DONG!* Rin raises the attached [Souten Gagetsu] up onto her shoulder and moved her [Impact Cannons] into standby mode.
"China's [Shenlong] and England's [Blue Tears] ...humph, I actually felt that they were only stronger on the data."
Hearing the sudden taunt, Rin and Cecilia scowled.
"What's the matter? You really like to fight, don't you? Coming all the way here from Germany just to get beaten. You must love being bullied. Is this really something trendy in the potato fields?"
"Ara ara Rin-san, that Missy doesn't seem to have much vocabulary, so don't bully her too much or it'll really seem pathetic. Even a dog can whimper."
Laura's sharp glare of arrogance seemed to offend those two. Even so, they still tried to vent their anger with words.
But unfortunately, that was futile.
"Sigh...so they let two people who're so weak that they would lose to a mass-produced machine be personal IS pilots? It seems like they really lack talent despite the numbers--your weak countries that can only be redeemed by your history."
*BOOM--!*
With the sound of something being cut off, Rin and Cecilia remove the final safety on their equipment.
"Yeah, yeah, I got it, I got it! She wants to be trashed--Cecilia, let's decide who should go first with janken[2C 4]!"
"Mn, well, I don't really care whether I go first or last--"
