Infinite Stratos - Volume 1, page 11
"Whatever. I'm going to sleep now."
"Wha-What? It's just 10.30pm!"
"I'm already tired! It's best to sleep now."
After I said that, I snuggled into my bed; and then, a pillow suddenly came flying over at me.
"Hey—what's with you?"
"That, that is something I should be asking, right? I'm going to change into my sleepwear, so face the other direction!"
Though we've been living together for more than a week, why is it that she always wants to change into her sleepwear when I'm around? Couldn't she have done it when I'm brushing my teeth? Really, I wonder that myself.
"Hey, Houki. I did tell you before that you should change clothes when I'm not around—"
I got glared at.
"I get it, I get it. I'm turning over now."
That's why I said that girls are hard to understand. Anyway, I turned to face the other side.
"..."
"..."
That's right, I hate this silence. It feels strangely long, and the sound of clothes rubbing together really bothers me. I'm a healthy 15-year-old, it's hard to get used to this uncomfortable feeling.
I heard the sound of clothes being put on, and my mind recalled the time when I saw her finish bathing, which made me unable to calm down.
After that, the sound of her changing clothes affected me, and I couldn't sleep at all.
"I-It's fine now."
After gaining permission, I again turned my body around. Though I do feel that there's no need to deliberately switch around like that, but after I said that just now, Houki got angry for some reason, so I decided not to mention it again.
"Oh? Is that a new sash?"
Houki changed into a bedtime yukata. She's really one traditional-styled person. However, I do feel that it looks good too.
Anyway, since the sash is different from what it was yesterday, I pointed that out without thinking much further.
"You, you sure are perceptive."
That's strange? Is it my imagination? For some reason, I feel that the sharp attitude of hers is gone now, and, did her mood improve just now? I really can't understand her.
"No, it's not that. The color and pattern are different, so of course I would notice it. I look at Houki every day after all."
"Is, is that so? You were looking at...me? I get it, I get it."
Why is she nodding about it so happily?
"Okay! Let's sleep!"
Is this the enthusiasm that a person who's about to sleep should have? She's really strange.
Anyway, Houki snuggled into her bed and turned off the lights. The room was filled with silence.
(Uuu...I missed the opportunity to sleep.)
Sleepiness is something that occurs in moments. Once I miss it, it'll be hard to sleep before it occurs again. Maybe that's just for me though.
"...Ichika."
"Hm?"
"Just, just now, about what happened...I'm sorry."
What is she talking about? Since I couldn't recall, I simply replied,
"It's fine, don't worry about it."
"Is, is that so? Then that's fine...then, goodnight."
"Ah, goodnight."
Being sleepy right from the beginning, I never let go of this sleepiness now as I gradually slipped into dreamland.
In that night's dream, for some reason, I started to recall what happened in the past.
◇
"Good morning, Orimura-kun. Have you heard about the rumor of the transfer student?"
In the morning, just as I was about to sit down, my classmates started talking to me. It's been several weeks since I entered school, and I can talk with the girls normally, so this should be considered a huge improvement, right? Besides, it would be lonely if I were left alone in class.
"A transfer student? At this time of the year?"
It's just April. Why isn't it an enrollment but a transfer? Besides, I heard that the conditions required to enter this IS Academy are rather strict. An exam's definitely required, and without a country's recommendation, it's impossible to enroll here. Which means—
"That's right. I heard that it's a transfer student from China!"
"Woah, is that so?"
Since we're talking about a transfer student.
"Oh my, so is she wary of my existence and decided to transfer in?"
Class 1-1's representative from England, Cecilia Alcott; like usual, the pose of putting her hand on her hip really fits her this morning. Don't tell me that all English folks would do this pose?
"She can't possibly transfer into this class, right? There's nothing to get worked up over."
That's strange. Houki was definitely walking to her seat (at the front row near the window), and somehow she appeared beside me who knows when. Since Houki's a girl, she should be rather sensitive about this sort of rumors, right?
"What sort of girl is she?"
Since she's a representative, she should be rather strong, right? And she's also like Cecilia. What, is she an arrogant person? Really, I'm sick of it. Oh well, at least she's going into another class, so doesn't concern me.
"Uu...are you concerned about that?"
"Hm? Yeah, a little."
"Humph..."
After I answered honestly, for some reason, Houki's mood worsened as she shows an unhappy look. Nowadays, it seems like her mood will swing from good to bad; such a troublesome person. Is her mind unstable? Or maybe that's the rebellious mood that commonly appears among youths, right?
"You don't have the time to think about other girls? The class representative tournament is coming up next month."
"That's right! Just like that, Ichika-san. In order to get ready for the class representative tournament, we'll be having more practical lessons. As for the opponent, allow me, Cecilia Alcott to take that place. Besides, the only ones with a personal machine in this class are me and Ichika-san."
She forcefully emphasized the 'only'...but that's right. If it were the other classmates, requesting a training suit, getting authorization and optimizing it would take a whole day, so if I want a quick mock battle, asking Cecilia would be the fastest way.
On a side note, the class representative tournament is just what the name implies, it's a battle between the class representatives, and a chance to give everyone a realistic goal before they really start learning how to pilot an IS.
Besides, this also seems to allow the classes to act as units and allow each other to work together.
In order to motivate everyone, the class that gets the first prize will earn half a year's worth of free dessert coupons. I see, no wonder the girls are so excited.
"Oh well, I'll do what I can."
"Doing what you can isn't enough! Ichika-san, you have to win!"
"That's right! As a guy, how can you not have some self-confidence!?"
"If Orimura-kun wins, the entire class will be happy!"
Cecilia, Houki and all my classmates, they are all saying nice things. But even if you say that, though not too serious, the obstacles I've faced in my basic IS training won't allow me to confidently answer everyone's expectations.
(I did have a nostalgic feeling when I first activated it...)
The feeling I first experienced was like a rebirth, and now it's completely gone. Even so, I'm steadily getting used to piloting an IS because [Byakushiki] is getting optimized to my characteristics...or something like that, right?
One, two, very soon, everyone started to gather, and I was surrounded by girls. Since this is something that happens normally, I've gotten used to it.
However, the one thing I really can't get is that girls really like to gossip.
"Do your best, Orimura-kun!"
"This is for the free coupons!"
"At this point, only the representatives from class 1 and class 4 have a personal IS, so it should be easy to win this!"
As I didn't want to ruin my classmates' exciting mood, I merely replied with a 'yeah'.
"—Your information is outdated."
Hm? A voice came from the entrance of the door. Why do I find that voice familiar...
"The class representative of class 2 also has a personal IS, you know! You can't win that easily."
The person who folded her arms in front of her chest as she puts a leg on her other kneecap and leans on the wall is—
"Rin...? You're Rin, right?"
"That's right. I'm the representative candidate from China, Huang Lingyin. Today, I came here to declare war."
She gave a little smile as her trademark twin ponytails swayed about left and right.
"What are you acting cool for? It seriously doesn't suit you."
"Wha...? Why are you saying something like that?"
Ohh, at least she finally reverted back to her normal way of talking. What was that tone about just now? Really, I can't understand that.
"Hey!"
"What was that for—"
*PA!* Asking that, Rin got hit viciously by the attendance book—the instructor from hell has arrived.
"It's time for SHR. Head back to class."
"Chi-Chifuyu-san..."
"Call me Orimura-sensei! Hurry up and go back, don't block the door here. You're a bother"
"So-Sorry..."
Rin trembled as she retreated from the door; that attitude clearly shows that she's afraid of Chifuyu-nee. She's always been afraid of Chifuyu-nee, but I just don't know why.
"I'll come again later. Don't run away, Ichika."
Why must I run away?
"Hurry up and get back."
"Ye-Yes!"
She dashed towards class 2. Hm, still the same Rin I know. However, why must she purposely come all the way here just to act cool? Is she trying to change her image after entering High school? That really doesn't suit her at all.
"So, she's an IS pilot? This is the first time I heard of that..."
I subconsciously uttered out what I was thinking...this is bad.
"...Ichika, who was that? Someone you know? You two seem rather familiar with each other."
"I-Ichika-san? What sort of relationship do you have with that girl—"
Everyone else started to gather their fire as they aim and fire questions at me. Sigh, I was so stupid...
*PA!* *PA!* *PA!* *PA!*
"HURRY UP AND GET TO YOUR SEATS, YOU BUNCH OF IDIOTS!"
Chifuyu-nee's attendance book puffs out fire...is it my fault?—yes it is.
(Hm—but why am I reuniting with all the people I know? What they call life is really inexplicable.)
And then, a whole day of IS training begins.
◇
(Who was that girl just now...seems like she's very familiar with Ichika...)
Getting so concerned about the girl that appeared this morning, Houki has been unable to concentrate during class.
(Besides, Ichika seems like he—)
It seems like they're childhood friends.
—She got infuriated.
(I should be his ONLY childhood friend, right...!?)
She continued to try and suppress her anger as she glanced at Ichika. But maybe he was really affected badly by the setback he had yesterday, as he was studying seriously.
(I can't even concentrate on the lesson, and you even...!)
She started to feel a lot angrier, and started to develop a little 'notice me some more!' feeling.
"..."
However, calming down and thinking about it, it's really nothing.
Besides, since she's living in the same room as Ichika, like yesterday, they can have time on their own.
(Really, such a worthless guy, I'll be the one to teach him more IS stuff!)
She folded her arms in front of her and smiled heartily. Her advantage won't change, this remains the same even with the presence of the girl that just appeared. Same goes for Cecilia, and the other classmates.
(Looks like we need more special training from today onwards.)
Houki nodded in happiness, her face unable to suppress the happy-look.
"Shinonono, what's the answer?"
"Yes! What?"
Having her name called out, Houki accidentally raised her voice. They're having lessons now, and Orimura-sensei, not Yamada-sensei, is giving the lesson now.
"What is the answer?"
"...I, I wasn't paying attention to the lesson..."
*PAM!* The sound of a painful impact echoed throughout. The attendance book remains as hard as ever!
◇
"..."
At the back of the classroom, Cecilia was drawing in her notebook with the mechanical pencil. However, she was just drawing some random lines, unable to create any phrases.
(Who was that? That person just now!)
She was really bothered by that girl who was obviously close to Ichika. Right now, she already has the strongest opponent in Houki, and she couldn't let the number of competitors rise.
Besides, in terms of relationship—with Ichika, the girl just now is obviously closer to him. Right now, she feels like she's like a marathon runner who has almost finished, only to have a runner overtake her from behind.
(That's too despicable! She should be fighting with me fairly!)
Though she doesn't really know if she intends to fight fairly in a relationship battle, this is what Cecilia thought.
She has enough confidence that if they were to fight over something under identical conditions, she wouldn't lose, but since this is the first time she's fighting over a guy with someone else, things aren't developing as she had hoped. This fact made Cecilia really anxious.
(And that girl's actually a representative candidate—)
In this IS Academy, there are little more than twenty representative candidates. However, this should mean that each grade should have four of them. And subtracting Ichika, the number of people who have a personal IS should be 2. This is an advantage Cecilia should have, but now...
(She said that she has a personal IS as well...)
This is bad, this is really bad. It's like she had let the medal in her hand be forfeited and rendered useless.
(This, this is cheating, right!?)
But then, it doesn't matter right now. She has to fight for the driver's seat, and it'll be useless if she can't deal the deathblow to Houki and Rin.
(An IS mock battle won't be enough, I have to find something much more definitive—)
"Alcott."
"...How about I ask him out on a date. No, if I want an effective..."
"..."
*PAM!* The blond hair on her head got flattened by the attendance book.
◇
"It's all your fault!"
"It's all thanks to you!"
When lunch started, the first thing Houki and Cecilia started to do was to scold me.
"What did I do now...?"
Just this morning alone, they got warned by Yamada-sensei 5 times and slammed by Chifuyu-nee 3 times. Don't they want to study?
Blanking out in front of Chifuyu-nee is like spreading barbecue sauce on their bodies in front of a ferocious tiger, as if trying to emphasize 'come, come eat me'.
"Oh well, if you have anything to say, we'll talk through lunch. Let's go to the canteen first."
"Uuu...well, since you said it, let's do it."
"That, that's right, it's not like I can't go along with you."
Okay okay okay, thanks girls.
Including the other girls from our class, our entire clique moved off to the canteen.
Like usual, I bought a Japanese set at the lunch voucher vending machine. It continues to reasonably provide different types of food, which I am truly grateful for.
On a side note, Houki got a beancurd skin udon, and Cecilia got a Western-styled lunch. Eating that again? You should try some other types as well. But for me, I don't really have the right to say that.
"I've waited for you for a long time, Ichika!"
*DONG!*, with a single sound, the one blocking me was the famous transfer student, Huang Lingyin. Adding on to that, I'll normally just call her 'Rin'.
But this person over here really hasn't changed a single bit. Her hairstyle's still the same twin pigtails (or more accurately, they should be called high-side ponytails)—hm? Oh, I can tell that it's the same person, just like Houki! Deep inside, I pat on these two childhood friends of mine who have such a common trait.
"Okay okay, just stand aside. I can't hand the voucher over if you continue to stand here, and you'll be blocking everyone as well."
"How, how long-winded! I know that!"
On a side note, she's holding onto a bowl of ramen.
"The noodle will lose its spring."
"I, I know that! Seriously, it's because you made me wait for you for so long! Why didn't you come over earlier?"
How should I know? I'm not an esper.
Oh well, it's not like she's not talkative for once. Anyway, I hand the voucher over to the madam.
"Speaking of which, it's really been a while. We haven't met for exactly a year, right? How are you doing right now?"
"O-Okay. What about you? At least get sick for once!"
"What kind of wish is that..."
The people of the opposite gender around me...I'll cut that short, please read the above. Why am I surrounded by so many people with such offensive power? Is it because I'm inconsiderate? I'm really sorry for that.
"Ah—ahem!"
"Ahem! Ichika-san, your lunch is ready, you know?"
Houki and Cecilia immediately coughed loudly to interrupt my conversation with Rin. Ohh! So today's lunch set is salt-grilled mackerel. The appearance of that slightly charred skin really increases my appetite.
"The table over there is empty. Let's go over there."
Including Rin, I prompt everyone to follow along. Since this is a group of almost 10 people, it'll take us some time to move there.
Good thing we managed to move over to the table quickly. We're lucky.
"Rin? Since when have you been in Japan? How's aunty? When did you become a representative candidate?"
