Infinite Stratos - Volume 6, page 12
"Huh? What did you say?"
"N-nothing! I'm done! I'll be going now!"
"Ah, hey, I said hey!"
"W-what is it!?"
"Thanks, Laura."
"!!"
I wonder if it's because my words were unexpected, or just because she was purely feeling shy, Laura became bright red up to her ears before she went away with a "F-Fuhn!" snuffle.
What's wrong with her, that Laura.
"So this is where you've been, Ichika."
"Aa, Houki? How was it? Did you eat enough?"
"It's your birthday isn't it. Or what? Do I usually look like I'm eating all the time?:
"N-no, that's not what I meant..."
"Fu fu, it's a joke."
I was taken aback by Houki who let a small laugh escape from her.
Somehow, it looks like her mood is remarkably good isn't it.
"Ichika, I'll give you this for your birthday present."
Saying that, she handed me a bag.
From that not so big bag, I can somehow see a wrapping paper in it.
"Houki, this is?"
"Open it."
Following her words, I took the present from the bag, and removed the wrapping paper. Inside of the wrapping paper was...
"Ooh? It's a kimono."
"I-I found a good cloth at my home. I had that sewn into this kimono."
"Ooh, I'll try it next time. Thanks, Houki."
"U, umu. I also put the obi inside right?"
"Ah, is it this one? It looks expensive."
"Don't worry about the price. That's.... I-It's a pair set with mine..."
"Hmm?"
"Y-you don't have to hear it!"
Houki suddenly became flustered. What's wrong with her?
"Let's wear it in the dorm next time."
"U, umu. Please announce it to me when you plan to wear it beforehand o-okay!?"
"Okay, okay. Even so, a kimono isn't it? I've always wanted one."
It got a calming pattern too. If it's like this it seems I can use it as a casual wear in my room.
You also always borrow a yukata when you go to an onsen too. That kind of clothing is really relaxing isn't it.
"Rather, somehow this present makes the one I gave you look really worthless doesn't it."
"N-Not at all. I really like this one too so it doesn't matter."
Saying that, Houki played with the ribbon in her ponytail. That white ribbon is the one that I gave as a present on her birthday on 7th July.
"........."
"You've been using it all the time since that day haven't you? I somehow feel happy about it."
"I-It's not like I use the same one every day you know!?"
"I know. Around two times a week right?"
"Uu.... You really pay a lot of attention to it didn't you."
"Because it's Houki after all."
"I-Is that so.... So it's because it is me isn't it...."
Could it be that she's happy being paid attention to, Houki's blushing at her cheek and fidgeting with her fingers.
As someone who knows her usual demeanor, when she shows this kind of meek demeanor somehow my heart would mysteriously throb.
"I-I-Ichika, next time, that's...."
"Hmm? Hey, that's Dan and Utsuho-san isn't it? I wonder what they're doing. I can't hear what they're talking about from here."
"H-Hey. Eavesdropping is not good you know."
"It's fine, it's fine, just a little."
I pulled Houki's arm and went closer to the living room where the two of them resided.
"S-So we meet again huh? Ahaha...."
"T-That's right..."
"....."
"....."
""Umm, hey""
After the silence, the two of them opened their mouth at the same time.
They respectively realized about this, and then averted their gaze from each other.
"P-Please go ahead..."
"N-No, you go first..."
"".......""
And then, the silence continued once again. Both of their faces became bright red.
"What are they doing?"
"Beats me. Usually people would ask for a contact address first aren't they?"
"Aa, something like an email address."
"Hey, this is enough isn't it. Let's go back while we still haven't been found out."
"Okay."
I, who left that place in a hurry, suddenly realized that I've been holding Houki's hand all this while.
"Ah, sorry."
"N-No, that's....I-It's not like, that's, it doesn't bother me at all....."
"Is that so. Then, let's go back to everyone shall we?"
"Y-Yeah!"
Houki and me returned to the sofa at the living room together. In there's the board game that Rin played with everyone spread out.
Just like this, these fun moments passed in the blink of an eye.
Epilogue: Reflection on the Water's Surface
"Ooh, what a relief. It hasn't run out yet."
The vending machine closest to my house. I bought around 10 cans of drinks there to replenish the stock that had run out at home.
In the beginning, Charl said "We can't have the birthday boy to do something like that!", but today I didn't do anything at all, so doing this was my own wish.
"Ummm, canned coffee for Tatenashi-san, ocha for Houki, Rin's is oolong tea and Charl's is orange juice, Laura's is sports drink, Cecilia's is red tea, and then...."
I picked up the drinks that I took from the vending machine's receive slot and carried them using both of my arms.
"Is this all? Well then, let's head back..."
But, from the place that I walked out from, on the spot that the vending machine's light barely reached, a person's silhouette could be seen.
"What the...?"
Even if that person wanted to buy some drinks, the place he's standing at was too far away from the vending machine.
On the other hand, it's definitely not someone I know too.
Thinking like that, when I took two steps forward, the silhouette also came forward a step.
"......."
The silhouette was a girl. Furthermore, it was a face that I recognized.
No, it's not something that can be said by "a face that I recognized".
"Chi-Chifuyu-nee...?"
A girl around 15- to 16 years old. But, that face abnormally resembled Chifuyu-nee.
"No."
The girl opened her mouth. A faint smile surfaced on that face, and that expression doesn't resemble Chifuyu-nee even a little bit.
"I am you, Orimura Ichika."
"Wh-what...?"
"Sorry to trouble you earlier..."[6E 1]
"!? You, could you be [Silent Zephyr]'s - "
"That's right."
The girl took a step toward me.
"And my name is - "
"Orimura Madoka."
Orimura....Madoka? I have never heard that name before, but why does she have the same surname as me?.... No, rather than that.
Why does she resemble Chifuyu-nee that much!?
"In order for me to be myself....I'll take your life."
The thing that she held out all of a sudden was a handgun that released a dull light.
Bang! A dry gunshot sound reverberated - .
Afterwords
Hello, hello, it's Yumizuru here. Everyone, how are you? As for me, you see, it's that. Getting admitted to hospital, getting out of hospital, having new medicine prescribed, trying new painkillers, there's a lot going on here.
No, that's not an excuse isn't it? I'm sorry for being late with volume 6. *Bow bow*
Well then, Cecilia's big part volume 6, how was it? This story wasn't in the plan originally. That's why this story is also not in the IS notebook. Because Silent Zephyrs appeared on volume 5, I have to think about this plot in a hurry. But, I think it turn out quite well.
Okiura-sensei is really great isn't he? For example, the color pages containing Cecilia in page 3 is really great. The Silent Zephyrs is also really cool. Please take care of me next time to. *Clap*
Good chance, I wonder if you also read the manga version of IS? The first tankoubon volume of the manga is sold on store starting from 22 December 2010. Let's look at Akahoshi-sensei's cool and cute characters together! The serialization is in the monthly Alive magazine. There's also the help from Zengo!-sensei for the structure so it turns out really well.
Also, the spin-off 4-koma is currently running in the monthly Alive magazine! The one in charge is Yamaguchi-sensei who draw the illustration for the Zero no Tsukaima Gaiden : Tabitha's Journey! The characters are super-cute.
And then, you can order Houki changing clothes' figure with the mail order inside Alive monthly magazine. Make sure you get the limited special part through the same mail order! Me? I bought 5 of them! Because it's being supervised by Kurashima-san you know?
My long dream of getting the figures of my work is also fulfilled. Uooohhh-
The anime version is also progressing well. I attended the after record quite a few times, it really is amazing. Everyone's ideas and interests are shining. Please enjoy the anime starting from January too!
And the casts are also wonderful aren't they. My hope is also mostly fulfilled so that's also something I'm happy about.
Lately, I'm always playing the anime OP and ED when I write my manuscript. Let's play this when there's an incoming call. I wonder if there will be one. I'm so excited.
The OP is by Kuribayashi Minami-san, the ED is by Hikasa Youko-san and other(it's a secret!). How extravagant.
Anime version and figurines are completed so I wonder if next is game version. It would be nice if it could join a war with super robot in the game isn't it. It might be hard because it's not a full bodied mecha though isn't it? No, I'm not going to give up!
Lately I played with fans of XBox 360. Voice chat is really interesting isn't it. My tag is put on the blog so if it's okay, let's be friends.
By the way, about the sign present plan on the blog, it becomes 10 times more than what's planned. Thank you for everyone signing up! It's to do this kind of thing once in a while isn't it.
There might be some people who already realized, Cecilia's "Bang!" from Okiura-sensei's old idea. Besides that one, there's also some scenes using old idea from Okiura-sensei's picture. Just as expected, interaction is really the way to go when making working isn't it!
By the way, about the anime DVD/BD, I also write a short side story of IS as a bonus with the DVD/BD. Of course it's a limited edition novel for the non re-recording DVD/BD.
Or rather, I have to write it from now ain't I. I haven't decided the plot. This is bad.
Now, there will be a new character again on volume 7.
It's [that] character's imouto. Note, it's not Ran. If it's Ran it wouldn't be a new character would it?
Well then, let's work hard writing the short side story shall we? Let's meet again on volume 7.
- Yumizuru Izuru, a certain day on November 2010.
Translation Notes and References
Chapter 1
↑ Isn't this a Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone reference. You know the Mirror of Erased
↑ Iris seems to always call Natasha as Natale, probably a nickname or something.
↑ Meaning Hurricane's Revival
↑ Regen meaning Rain
↑ Not in the pervert way, it's satisfying Ichika body's need of tickling.
↑ Basically there's 3 things going on at the same time. Charlotte is blankly staring at Tatenashi, Ichika is looking at Charlotte face, and Ichika noticed that Charlotte's expression disappeared while staring at Tatenashi.
↑ This is a literal translation of the Japanese proverb is 針のむしろ.
↑ Yubikiri Genman is Japanese pinky promise which is usually done by children at Japan. The original song they use when they do the promise can be seen at here
↑ T/N note : basically, Charlotte is describing that if Laura is a cat, then she's in the getting threatened state where the cat raises its tail and all its fur.
↑ This is a twist of たられば(Tarareba) which means "making excuses" and ニラレバ (Nirareba) which is some kind of beef, leek, and bean sprout stir fry [1]
↑ Nekomimi means "Cat ear". Here it means that the pajama has cat ears on them. See Volume 4 Chapter 2
Chapter 2
↑ Wajimanuri is a lacquer product from Wajima city [2]
↑ A Japanese pampas grass [3]
↑ A Japanese term for smiling
↑ T/N Note : The two men who happen to be there saw Charlotte's smile and thought that smile is for them(they thought she was flirting with them)
↑ She wanted to say "Hai" which means "Yes" and said "Hahi" instead which I roughly translated into "Yesh". The original Japanese word was 裏返って which means that she spoke wrong, could be because she spoke in high pitch tone, or like in this example, she misspelled one syllable.
↑ Meaning Ichika believes he is not yet fully aware of the feelings of girls. Japanese usually use the word "delicacy" to mean sensitiveness towards someone's feelings. This term and it's usage was probably influenced by the english word "delicate" as in fragile or sensitive.
↑ The english equivalent of this sentence is "Okay, Say Aaaaa".
↑ Sound of putting a spoon into a mouth.
↑ She wishes Ichika wouldn't feel the ice cream's texture because he gets nervous when being feed by Charlotte. So basically Charlotte is disappointed by the lack of flustering by Ichika when she fed him.
Chapter 3
↑ Ojou-sama mode activated
↑ Sports bras are a bras that provides additional support to female breasts during physical exercise.
↑ Shiatsuis Japanese for "finger pressure," and consists of finger and palm pressure, stretches, and other massage techniques.
↑ Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is a type of gentle massage which is intended by proponents to encourage the natural circulation of the lymph through the body.
↑ Musical instrument, do I need to say more?
↑ Same as above
↑ Rhythm is movement marked by the regulated succession of strong and weak elements, or of opposite or different conditions.
↑ Tempo is the speed or pace of a given piece.
↑ Ojou-sama is the term used to refer to ladies of high social standing. English equivalent is "Milady" or "Lady"
↑ Like at chapter 2, the original Japanese word used here is also 裏返って, but in this case, it's because she speak in high and squeaking voice instead of mispronouncing a word.
↑ In other words, she tried to make her words feels natural and befitting of a lady.
↑ Sound of butt being grabbed.
↑ Sound produced from mouth due to sudden surprise caused by physical sensations, like stroking or tickling
↑ Gome Yakisoba is a variation of yakisoba where they put beef, shrimp, carrot, bamboo shoot, shitake mushroom, and various other ingredients on top of it and then soaked and mixed with some kind of paste that's made from potato starch that's been diluted with water.For picture
↑ Inoshishi-musha means a soldier who only knows charging ahead like a boar. It's composed of 2 Japanese words, Inoshishi(猪) which means wild boar and Musha(武者) which means warrior.
↑ Cosplay, short for "costume play", is a type of performance art in which participants don costumes and accessories to represent a specific character or idea.
↑ Kemonomimi (ie: Animal-ears).
↑ Basically she is expressing that calling her sensei is ridiculous. It can also be translated it into "Sensei, my ass", but it feels too rude considering Laura wasn't cursing here.
↑ Dogfighting: A dogfight, or dog fight, is a form of aerial combat between fighter aircraft; in particular, combat of maneuver at short range, where each side is aware of the other's presence.
↑ "Ohime-sama dakko" or "Being carried like a princess" is a recurring action in anime, manga and light novels that occurs between love interests in which one party carries the other in his/her arms. It is considered a high level move and the fantasy/desire of all girls out there. English equivalent is the Bridal Carry.
Chapter 4
↑ Female Screaming Sound
↑ Shooting Sounds
↑ Coughing Sounds
↑ Sounds of metal against metal
↑ Light Surprise Exclamation
↑ Sighing Sound
↑ Dashi-shiru is a soup that contains dashi in it.
↑ Kaichou means president (thought it isn't as formal as it's English equivalent). In IS Academy the strongest IS user becomes the student council president. Tatenashi Sarashiki currently holds these titles.
Epilogue
↑ The sentence is said in a mocking manner. The original Japanese wording is 世話になったな(sewa ni nattana)
Prev [v d e]Infinite Stratos Next
Volume 1 Novel Illust. - Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Afterwords
Volume 2 Novel Illust. - Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Epilogue - Afterwords
Volume 3 Novel Illust. - Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Epilogue - Afterwords
Volume 4 Novel Illust. - Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Epilogue - Afterwords
Volume 5 Novel Illust. - Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Epilogue - Afterwords
Volume 6 Novel Illust. - Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Epilogue - Afterwords
Volume 7 Novel Illust. - Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Epilogue - Afterwords
Volume 8 Novel Illust. - Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Epilogue - Afterwords
Side Stories
SS 1 Novel Illust. - Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4
SS 3 Novel Illust. - Chapter 1 - Chapter 2
Izuru Yumizuru, Infinite Stratos - Volume 6
