Infinite Stratos, Volume 7, page 12
“Establish direct link! Manual lock, activate!”
The missiles flew as one toward the Golem III, not in a straight line but in a complex swirling cloud. The drone watched quietly. Deploying its shield unit, it began to fire heat rays at the cloud.
But under manual control, the missiles could weave and dodge to match its fire, before changing direction and blowing away its shield. With its defense compromised, the Golem III turned to evade, darting nimbly backward, but a second volley pursued it like a coyote running down its prey. All over the drone, its legs, its arms, its shoulders, its hips, its head, its torso, explosions welled up like a sudden storm.
Still, silently, the Golem III focused its energy to its left arm for one final breakout. With her missile under manual control, Kanzashi was defenseless, and it fired a heat ray directly for her.
“I won’t let that happen!” Houki sprung in front of her, cramming her fists in the way as she unleashed her variable-sweep armor. An energy blaster shield absorbed the fire. Seeing this, the Golem III switched to high-output mode, hoping to pierce through. “Tch! Akatsubaki! Show me what you can do!”
As if responding to her words, Akatsubaki’s shoulders slid open, metal sliding along metal, revealing weapons in the shape of a crossbow loaded with a massive bolt.
“What the hell is...?”
At the same time as the panels slid open, a window popped open in front of her.
[OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE GOAL REACHED. NEW WEAPON SYNTHESIS COMPLETE. THE VARIABLE-OUTPUT BLASTER RIFLE UGACHI IS A PRECISION RANGED ARMAMENT SPECIALIZING IN LONG-DISTANCE—]
“Ugh! I don’t need an explanation I don’t even understand!”
Snapping the window shut, Houki settled into a crouch with her blaster shield still open. A high-powered ranged weapon... But without her PIC fully devoted to handling the recoil, she wouldn’t be able to land a shot. Realizing this instantly, Houki called forth a targeting scope in front of her right eye.
“I’ve got your left arm!”
BWOOOM!
Short, concentrated beams of the same energy which emanated from the Akatsubaki’s variable-sweep armor sprang forth from its shoulders. Scorching the earth in their wake, they flew toward the Golem III, blowing its left arm off.
Again, always, impassive silence. The Golem III was a drone. It felt no pain. Immediately springing back up from the ground, it rocketed toward Houki with an Ignition Boost.
“Houki... Cover me.”
“Roger!”
Leaping over her head, Ichika activated his own Ignition Boost. The Yukihira Nigata in his right hand burned bright with the energy of Reiraku Byakuya.
“RAAAAAAAAAARGH!”
The Golem III’s blade swung up, crossing over to its left. In response. Ichika raised his own sword over his head, bringing it down with all his might. Clang!
Silent defiance. Ichika’s Yukihira Nishiki shore through the Golem III’s blade raised to parry.
“This is over!”
A second slash, from side to side. The drone’s armor was torn apart, and the core within was exposed. Inside was a shining golden cube. Ichika punched it with all his might, and the Golem III went flying.
One last moment of silence. An IS’ core was built from a particular rare metal, and not even a power-assist punch would normally be enough to smash it. But—
“This’ll keep you safe...”
Wedged between the core and the rest of the drone, a light shone clearly. Its name was the Aqua Crystal. Capable of creating aqua nanomachines. The IS Mysterious Lady’s main armament. And controlling it was—
“Phew...”
Sarashiki Tatenashi. Still wavering, half-conscious, from blood loss. But holding her hand in the air as if cradling an invisible detonation switch.
“Click.” Tatenashi flicked her fingertip. A moment later, an explosion enveloped the Golem III from the inside. “Yaaaay...”
With her last ounce of strength, Tatenashi managed a thumbs up. Ichika, Houki, and Kanzashi, dumbfounded, all responded with their own—then broke out in laughter.
◇
“Mmm...”
Half-conscious, Tatenashi slowly blinked once, then twice. The white light of day had turned to the orange rays of sunset.
“Tatenashi...” Hearing her name, she turned her head. There, Kanzashi stood up from the chair in which she had been patiently waiting. “Are you awake now?”
“Yeah... Where am I?” Tatenashi asked slowly, still not fully aware.
“The school hospital.”
“Not even the nurse’s office... Owww!”
She shook her head, trying to gather her senses. As she did, Kanzashi, worried, steadied her and said, “You shouldn’t move around... You’re stable now, but you’re still badly hurt.”
“Mmhm.”
Time passed silently between them. How many years had it been since they’d talked, sister to sister? Both wondered silently to themselves. The big sister, always concerned for her little sister. The little sister, always afraid of her big sister. But all that floated away like a lie, as they sat in silence.
It’s thanks to Ichika... Tatenashi thought back to when she’d asked Ichika to team up with Kanzashi. The more she thought, the stranger it seemed. Why did I even ask him? She hadn’t been sure then, but somehow, she had believed. That everything would turn out right if she left it to him.
I... Her cheeks began to redden. Was I just flirting with him? Realizing her blush, she turned away from her sister, toward the window.
“Tatenashi...”
“W-What?”
“What’s wrong? Your face is red...”
Yikes. Looked like she’d been caught red-faced.
“It... It’s just the sunlight in here...”
“I see...”
Silence, again. Ten minutes and many sighs later, Kanzashi suddenly spoke, “Um... Tatenashi...”
“Hm?”
“I’m sorry... About everything...”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“But...” She’d built her own idea of Tatenashi, built a wall around it, and always been running away. She couldn’t stand the embarrassment at how she’d acted. “I... I’m a terrible little sister...”
“That’s not true at all.” Tatenashi turned, enduring the pain, and embraced Kanzashi, who was about to cry. “You’re my dear, dear little sister. My strong little sister.”
As Tatenashi patted Kanzashi’s head, she couldn’t hold back her tears any longer.
“Tatenashi... My sister...”
“Mm.”
Alone, together, in the hospital. Under the gentle rays of the setting sun. They finally made their peace after long, long years. Finally accepted each other.
◇
“Uhhhh...”
Why on earth did it end up like this?
“My turn, then. Pair of fives.”
“I have a pair of sevens.”
“Gah, I was gonna play that!”
“I pass.”
“I’m next? Pair of aces.”
Houki, Cecilia, Rin, Charl, and Laura were playing President in my room. They’d all showed up at once, insisting in unison that I redeem myself for not teaming up with them by doing one thing they say. When I tried to beg off by telling them I couldn’t do it for all five, they decided to compete to see who would get the privilege, and then settled on a game of President as the competition.
“Listen, can we at least put this off until tomorrow? We all have to be pretty worn out after today. And some of us are— Bwuh!”
I was hit by a thrown pillow. It had come from Rin. Likely thrown from her wounded right arm, as she whimpered and scrunched down in her seat. What’s she up to, here?
“Does that even count as wounded?”
“Indeed! How shameful for a national cadet.”
“Hm. I dunno, it seems like a matter of pride.”
“Passing yourself off as wounded, really. Not one of the Schwarze Hase flight would lower themselves to that.”
“Anyway! I definitely think I’m wounded, so you should be nicer! Get me something to drink! Get me a snack!”
Yep, Rin was back to herself. Everyone was, really. Even myself, though I was pretty beat up.
“I-Ichika, if you’ve got nothing better to do, you should massage my shoulders.”
“Huh? Oh, sure, whatever, Rin.” I nodded and stepped behind her. “Your shoulders are okay, right? Like, you’re not hurt there or anything? Wow... Your cards suck.”
“S-Shut up! I’m going to come from behind to win! Now be quiet and start massaging!”
“Fine, fine.”
This girl, sometimes... Just as I started, I heard a piercing yell from Charl, “Ahhhhh! You can’t do that yet, Ichika! We don’t even have a winner! No fair, Ling!”
“Yeah! Charlotte’s right! That’s the kind of thing the winner gets to do!”
“Just be quiet! Stop trying to get between me and Ichika!”
“You idiot. Do you want me to slit your throat?”
They kept up a lively conversation as they whittled down their hands. Finally, the game worked its way back around to Charl.
“Okay... Here! Four eights... So—”
“A Revolution! It’s the French Revolution!”
“ICHIKAAAAA!”
Everyone was mad at me, for some reason? The white-hot card battle continued well into the night.
◇
Deep below IS Academy, in a secret area unknown even to most teachers, Maya was examining the wreckage of the drones.
“You look like you need a break.”
“Oh, Ms. Orimura?” Chifuyu, walking into the room, tossed a can of milk tea to her. As she sipped, Maya looked over a screen showing the results of the analysis. “Take a look at this. They have to be improved versions of the drones from before.”
“What about the cores?“
“Unregistered. Again.”
“...How many did we recover?”
“Two. The rest were destroyed in the battle. What should we do with them?”
Chifuyu thought for a moment, then replied brusquely, “Tell the government they were all destroyed.”
“B-But that’s...”
“Think about it. Every country in the world is drooling to get their hands on more cores. If we hand them over, it’s just going to create more conflict.”
Chifuyu was right, of course. But keeping the cores would be risky for the Academy. Sensing Maya’s discomfort, she continued in a livelier tone, “C’mon, who do you think I am? I’m Brynhildr.”
“Yes, ma’am...”
“I can keep a school or two safe.” Chifuyu’s lips curled upward, “With my life, if need be.”
◇
“Ugh, I’m still exhausted... They never even finished their game last night. The RA ended up kicking them out for being too loud. Oh well.”
It was the morning after the attack. I was washing my face at the sink in my room.
“Oww...” Every time I moved my body, it ached. According to the examination I’d received after the battle, I had seventeen bruises, a fractured right clavicle, and two broken ribs. It hurts, but it’s not bad enough to go to the hospital. And besides, I have things I need to do today. First was the school festival with Ran at St. Marianne’s, and then the dinner at the hotel with Houki. I should double-check where I’m going to need to transfer.
Knock, knock.
“Mm?” Hearing someone at the door, I called back as I continued washing my face. “Who is it?”
“It’s me!”
Oh, Ms. Yamada. It seemed like she was in a good mood today. Must’ve had a good breakfast. Today’s special was the egg with natto over rice, and that was some good stuff. I couldn’t really understand why Cecilia poked at it like she couldn’t believe it was food.
“Orimura!”
“Yes?”
“It’s almost time for your debriefing!”
“...Huh?” Did she just say ‘debriefing’?
“It starts in twenty minutes, so come to the counselor’s office.”
“Umm... I really have to go somewhere...”
“What? No, that’s no good. We can’t write up the report if we don’t know what happened, so we’re going to need everyone with their own IS there.”
“Uhh... How long is it going to take?”
“Oh, not long! Only two hours!”
Wait, what. Two whole hours?
“And what happens if I opt out?”
“Confinement.”
“By who?”
“By the secret service.”
Welp.
“And probably some personal lessons from Ms. Orimura after.”
Personal lessons... Like the ‘sparring’ that leaves students knocked out cold? I’d heard about it from someone caught spending the night off-campus, and they’d described it as ‘Hell on Earth.’ I definitely didn’t want the opportunity to find out if that was true.
“So, then. Be sure to be on time.”
“Okay...”
Finished, Ms. Yamada pattered off with short steps. Well, this was a mess. I guess I should text Ran. She might be angry about it. So I’d better apologize.
“Haaah...” Just as a sigh left my lips, I heard another knock. “Ms. Yamada?”
“U-Um...”
I opened my door, revealing Kanzashi.
“Hey, what’s up?”
“Well... Um...”
“Oh, did you want to go to the debriefing together?”
“Y-Yeah...”
As I watched Kanzashi, wondering what was making her so nervous, she suddenly glared at me. Oh, right, she said she really didn’t like it when guys stared.
“Hold on, let me get my blazer.”
“Okay...” Kanzashi swallowed nervously and nodded. She really had changed a lot since we first met. For the better, in my opinion.
“Sorry about that. Let’s go.”
“Mmm...”
Leaving my room, we walked side by side. It was just before nine in the morning.
“Yesterday sure was a mess, wasn’t it. You feeling okay?”
“Mostly. What about you, I-Ichika?” For some reason, she had a hard time calling me by my first name. I didn’t really get it, it’s not like it’s hard to pronounce or anything.
“Yeah, mostly.” That... Was close enough. I was still ambulatory, at least. “How about Tatenashi?”
Kanzashi had refused to leave her side at the hospital, so she should know.
“My sister... They’re going to keep her under observation for a while.”
Meaning, she’s hospitalized. I should remember to bring her something. But what?
“Does she have any hobbies?”
“Hmm... Shogi, I guess.”
“Wow, that’s pretty old-school.”
The problem was, it wasn’t exactly something she could do alone. And I’d just get in the way if I hung around the room. So I needed to think of something else. While I was brainstorming, Kanzashi spoke up, a bit louder than usual, “A-Are...Are you worried about my sister?”
“Huh? I was just thinking I’d bring her a get-well present.”
“A get-well present?”
“She’s gotta be bored out of her mind lying in that bed, right?”
“Ah... Right, that...” Kanzashi was visibly relieved. Huh, what’s up with her?
“Kendama.”
“Eh?”
“A kendama would be good. She always liked playing with those...”
Huh. That wasn’t what I would have expected.
“Okay, that and... Maybe knitting needles?”
“She’s terrible at knitting.”
“Wow, I didn’t think she was bad at anything.”
That was the real surprise, though. I could barely even imagine her messing up knitting.
“It’s like you said. There is no hero. No one’s perfect...”
“Oh, right. That makes sense.”
People aren’t perfect. They can’t do everything. They’re weak. They’re fragile. But that’s why they want to become stronger. So that they can smile. So that they can make someone else smile.
“I’m going to bring her a book...”
“Oh, I see. Then I’ll go with the kendama. And hey, maybe it’s a good opportunity for her to finally learn to knit.” Honestly, I just wanted to see her face when she was put on the spot like that.
“Ichika...”
“Hm?”
“You meanie...”
“Aww, c’mon. I just wanted to get mine in, for once. Turnabout is fair play.”
“Hahaha...” She smiled, maybe imagining me teasing Tatenashi for once. Walking together with her, I smiled too. The hallways were nearly empty. It was almost beginning to feel like something from a movie.
“Um...”
“Mm?”
“H-H-Here...” Kanzashi handed me a paper bag she’d been holding since she’d arrived at my room.
“What is it?”
“T-Take a look...”
“Okay.” I unfolded the top and peeked inside. It was a stack of DVDs. Magical girl anime, mecha anime, romance anime, and... Hero anime. “Oh, hey, I think I saw this one.“
“W-Which?”
“This one here— Whoa!” At the same time as I had started pulling it out, Kanzashi had leaned in closer to get a look. Our faces had come almost close enough to touch, and noticing, I nervously pulled away.
“S-Sorry!”
“You don’t need to apologize.”
Looking at her up close made me realize just how much softer, more tender she seemed now. Honestly, she was kinda cute.
“I-If you don’t mind... I’d like you to watch them...”
“Sure. They look interesting, I’ll give them a watch later.” While I evened the stack in the bag up a bit, I asked her something I’d been curious about for a while, “So, that’s what it takes to get your interest?”
“Eh...?” She sounded shocked. I was still looking in the bag, so I couldn’t see her face. “Y-Yeah... It is...”
“Huh.”
“.........”
“Okay, all sorted. Well, I was the one that mixed them up to begin with anyway.”
“.........”
“Kanzashi? What’s up?” Her face was glowing red, and she was staring at the floor, the folds of her skirt bunched up in her hands.
“Um...”
“Yeah?”
Kanzashi took a deep breath and looked up. Suddenly she shouted, “I... I CAN’T STOP THINKING ABOUT—”
The missiles flew as one toward the Golem III, not in a straight line but in a complex swirling cloud. The drone watched quietly. Deploying its shield unit, it began to fire heat rays at the cloud.
But under manual control, the missiles could weave and dodge to match its fire, before changing direction and blowing away its shield. With its defense compromised, the Golem III turned to evade, darting nimbly backward, but a second volley pursued it like a coyote running down its prey. All over the drone, its legs, its arms, its shoulders, its hips, its head, its torso, explosions welled up like a sudden storm.
Still, silently, the Golem III focused its energy to its left arm for one final breakout. With her missile under manual control, Kanzashi was defenseless, and it fired a heat ray directly for her.
“I won’t let that happen!” Houki sprung in front of her, cramming her fists in the way as she unleashed her variable-sweep armor. An energy blaster shield absorbed the fire. Seeing this, the Golem III switched to high-output mode, hoping to pierce through. “Tch! Akatsubaki! Show me what you can do!”
As if responding to her words, Akatsubaki’s shoulders slid open, metal sliding along metal, revealing weapons in the shape of a crossbow loaded with a massive bolt.
“What the hell is...?”
At the same time as the panels slid open, a window popped open in front of her.
[OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE GOAL REACHED. NEW WEAPON SYNTHESIS COMPLETE. THE VARIABLE-OUTPUT BLASTER RIFLE UGACHI IS A PRECISION RANGED ARMAMENT SPECIALIZING IN LONG-DISTANCE—]
“Ugh! I don’t need an explanation I don’t even understand!”
Snapping the window shut, Houki settled into a crouch with her blaster shield still open. A high-powered ranged weapon... But without her PIC fully devoted to handling the recoil, she wouldn’t be able to land a shot. Realizing this instantly, Houki called forth a targeting scope in front of her right eye.
“I’ve got your left arm!”
BWOOOM!
Short, concentrated beams of the same energy which emanated from the Akatsubaki’s variable-sweep armor sprang forth from its shoulders. Scorching the earth in their wake, they flew toward the Golem III, blowing its left arm off.
Again, always, impassive silence. The Golem III was a drone. It felt no pain. Immediately springing back up from the ground, it rocketed toward Houki with an Ignition Boost.
“Houki... Cover me.”
“Roger!”
Leaping over her head, Ichika activated his own Ignition Boost. The Yukihira Nigata in his right hand burned bright with the energy of Reiraku Byakuya.
“RAAAAAAAAAARGH!”
The Golem III’s blade swung up, crossing over to its left. In response. Ichika raised his own sword over his head, bringing it down with all his might. Clang!
Silent defiance. Ichika’s Yukihira Nishiki shore through the Golem III’s blade raised to parry.
“This is over!”
A second slash, from side to side. The drone’s armor was torn apart, and the core within was exposed. Inside was a shining golden cube. Ichika punched it with all his might, and the Golem III went flying.
One last moment of silence. An IS’ core was built from a particular rare metal, and not even a power-assist punch would normally be enough to smash it. But—
“This’ll keep you safe...”
Wedged between the core and the rest of the drone, a light shone clearly. Its name was the Aqua Crystal. Capable of creating aqua nanomachines. The IS Mysterious Lady’s main armament. And controlling it was—
“Phew...”
Sarashiki Tatenashi. Still wavering, half-conscious, from blood loss. But holding her hand in the air as if cradling an invisible detonation switch.
“Click.” Tatenashi flicked her fingertip. A moment later, an explosion enveloped the Golem III from the inside. “Yaaaay...”
With her last ounce of strength, Tatenashi managed a thumbs up. Ichika, Houki, and Kanzashi, dumbfounded, all responded with their own—then broke out in laughter.
◇
“Mmm...”
Half-conscious, Tatenashi slowly blinked once, then twice. The white light of day had turned to the orange rays of sunset.
“Tatenashi...” Hearing her name, she turned her head. There, Kanzashi stood up from the chair in which she had been patiently waiting. “Are you awake now?”
“Yeah... Where am I?” Tatenashi asked slowly, still not fully aware.
“The school hospital.”
“Not even the nurse’s office... Owww!”
She shook her head, trying to gather her senses. As she did, Kanzashi, worried, steadied her and said, “You shouldn’t move around... You’re stable now, but you’re still badly hurt.”
“Mmhm.”
Time passed silently between them. How many years had it been since they’d talked, sister to sister? Both wondered silently to themselves. The big sister, always concerned for her little sister. The little sister, always afraid of her big sister. But all that floated away like a lie, as they sat in silence.
It’s thanks to Ichika... Tatenashi thought back to when she’d asked Ichika to team up with Kanzashi. The more she thought, the stranger it seemed. Why did I even ask him? She hadn’t been sure then, but somehow, she had believed. That everything would turn out right if she left it to him.
I... Her cheeks began to redden. Was I just flirting with him? Realizing her blush, she turned away from her sister, toward the window.
“Tatenashi...”
“W-What?”
“What’s wrong? Your face is red...”
Yikes. Looked like she’d been caught red-faced.
“It... It’s just the sunlight in here...”
“I see...”
Silence, again. Ten minutes and many sighs later, Kanzashi suddenly spoke, “Um... Tatenashi...”
“Hm?”
“I’m sorry... About everything...”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“But...” She’d built her own idea of Tatenashi, built a wall around it, and always been running away. She couldn’t stand the embarrassment at how she’d acted. “I... I’m a terrible little sister...”
“That’s not true at all.” Tatenashi turned, enduring the pain, and embraced Kanzashi, who was about to cry. “You’re my dear, dear little sister. My strong little sister.”
As Tatenashi patted Kanzashi’s head, she couldn’t hold back her tears any longer.
“Tatenashi... My sister...”
“Mm.”
Alone, together, in the hospital. Under the gentle rays of the setting sun. They finally made their peace after long, long years. Finally accepted each other.
◇
“Uhhhh...”
Why on earth did it end up like this?
“My turn, then. Pair of fives.”
“I have a pair of sevens.”
“Gah, I was gonna play that!”
“I pass.”
“I’m next? Pair of aces.”
Houki, Cecilia, Rin, Charl, and Laura were playing President in my room. They’d all showed up at once, insisting in unison that I redeem myself for not teaming up with them by doing one thing they say. When I tried to beg off by telling them I couldn’t do it for all five, they decided to compete to see who would get the privilege, and then settled on a game of President as the competition.
“Listen, can we at least put this off until tomorrow? We all have to be pretty worn out after today. And some of us are— Bwuh!”
I was hit by a thrown pillow. It had come from Rin. Likely thrown from her wounded right arm, as she whimpered and scrunched down in her seat. What’s she up to, here?
“Does that even count as wounded?”
“Indeed! How shameful for a national cadet.”
“Hm. I dunno, it seems like a matter of pride.”
“Passing yourself off as wounded, really. Not one of the Schwarze Hase flight would lower themselves to that.”
“Anyway! I definitely think I’m wounded, so you should be nicer! Get me something to drink! Get me a snack!”
Yep, Rin was back to herself. Everyone was, really. Even myself, though I was pretty beat up.
“I-Ichika, if you’ve got nothing better to do, you should massage my shoulders.”
“Huh? Oh, sure, whatever, Rin.” I nodded and stepped behind her. “Your shoulders are okay, right? Like, you’re not hurt there or anything? Wow... Your cards suck.”
“S-Shut up! I’m going to come from behind to win! Now be quiet and start massaging!”
“Fine, fine.”
This girl, sometimes... Just as I started, I heard a piercing yell from Charl, “Ahhhhh! You can’t do that yet, Ichika! We don’t even have a winner! No fair, Ling!”
“Yeah! Charlotte’s right! That’s the kind of thing the winner gets to do!”
“Just be quiet! Stop trying to get between me and Ichika!”
“You idiot. Do you want me to slit your throat?”
They kept up a lively conversation as they whittled down their hands. Finally, the game worked its way back around to Charl.
“Okay... Here! Four eights... So—”
“A Revolution! It’s the French Revolution!”
“ICHIKAAAAA!”
Everyone was mad at me, for some reason? The white-hot card battle continued well into the night.
◇
Deep below IS Academy, in a secret area unknown even to most teachers, Maya was examining the wreckage of the drones.
“You look like you need a break.”
“Oh, Ms. Orimura?” Chifuyu, walking into the room, tossed a can of milk tea to her. As she sipped, Maya looked over a screen showing the results of the analysis. “Take a look at this. They have to be improved versions of the drones from before.”
“What about the cores?“
“Unregistered. Again.”
“...How many did we recover?”
“Two. The rest were destroyed in the battle. What should we do with them?”
Chifuyu thought for a moment, then replied brusquely, “Tell the government they were all destroyed.”
“B-But that’s...”
“Think about it. Every country in the world is drooling to get their hands on more cores. If we hand them over, it’s just going to create more conflict.”
Chifuyu was right, of course. But keeping the cores would be risky for the Academy. Sensing Maya’s discomfort, she continued in a livelier tone, “C’mon, who do you think I am? I’m Brynhildr.”
“Yes, ma’am...”
“I can keep a school or two safe.” Chifuyu’s lips curled upward, “With my life, if need be.”
◇
“Ugh, I’m still exhausted... They never even finished their game last night. The RA ended up kicking them out for being too loud. Oh well.”
It was the morning after the attack. I was washing my face at the sink in my room.
“Oww...” Every time I moved my body, it ached. According to the examination I’d received after the battle, I had seventeen bruises, a fractured right clavicle, and two broken ribs. It hurts, but it’s not bad enough to go to the hospital. And besides, I have things I need to do today. First was the school festival with Ran at St. Marianne’s, and then the dinner at the hotel with Houki. I should double-check where I’m going to need to transfer.
Knock, knock.
“Mm?” Hearing someone at the door, I called back as I continued washing my face. “Who is it?”
“It’s me!”
Oh, Ms. Yamada. It seemed like she was in a good mood today. Must’ve had a good breakfast. Today’s special was the egg with natto over rice, and that was some good stuff. I couldn’t really understand why Cecilia poked at it like she couldn’t believe it was food.
“Orimura!”
“Yes?”
“It’s almost time for your debriefing!”
“...Huh?” Did she just say ‘debriefing’?
“It starts in twenty minutes, so come to the counselor’s office.”
“Umm... I really have to go somewhere...”
“What? No, that’s no good. We can’t write up the report if we don’t know what happened, so we’re going to need everyone with their own IS there.”
“Uhh... How long is it going to take?”
“Oh, not long! Only two hours!”
Wait, what. Two whole hours?
“And what happens if I opt out?”
“Confinement.”
“By who?”
“By the secret service.”
Welp.
“And probably some personal lessons from Ms. Orimura after.”
Personal lessons... Like the ‘sparring’ that leaves students knocked out cold? I’d heard about it from someone caught spending the night off-campus, and they’d described it as ‘Hell on Earth.’ I definitely didn’t want the opportunity to find out if that was true.
“So, then. Be sure to be on time.”
“Okay...”
Finished, Ms. Yamada pattered off with short steps. Well, this was a mess. I guess I should text Ran. She might be angry about it. So I’d better apologize.
“Haaah...” Just as a sigh left my lips, I heard another knock. “Ms. Yamada?”
“U-Um...”
I opened my door, revealing Kanzashi.
“Hey, what’s up?”
“Well... Um...”
“Oh, did you want to go to the debriefing together?”
“Y-Yeah...”
As I watched Kanzashi, wondering what was making her so nervous, she suddenly glared at me. Oh, right, she said she really didn’t like it when guys stared.
“Hold on, let me get my blazer.”
“Okay...” Kanzashi swallowed nervously and nodded. She really had changed a lot since we first met. For the better, in my opinion.
“Sorry about that. Let’s go.”
“Mmm...”
Leaving my room, we walked side by side. It was just before nine in the morning.
“Yesterday sure was a mess, wasn’t it. You feeling okay?”
“Mostly. What about you, I-Ichika?” For some reason, she had a hard time calling me by my first name. I didn’t really get it, it’s not like it’s hard to pronounce or anything.
“Yeah, mostly.” That... Was close enough. I was still ambulatory, at least. “How about Tatenashi?”
Kanzashi had refused to leave her side at the hospital, so she should know.
“My sister... They’re going to keep her under observation for a while.”
Meaning, she’s hospitalized. I should remember to bring her something. But what?
“Does she have any hobbies?”
“Hmm... Shogi, I guess.”
“Wow, that’s pretty old-school.”
The problem was, it wasn’t exactly something she could do alone. And I’d just get in the way if I hung around the room. So I needed to think of something else. While I was brainstorming, Kanzashi spoke up, a bit louder than usual, “A-Are...Are you worried about my sister?”
“Huh? I was just thinking I’d bring her a get-well present.”
“A get-well present?”
“She’s gotta be bored out of her mind lying in that bed, right?”
“Ah... Right, that...” Kanzashi was visibly relieved. Huh, what’s up with her?
“Kendama.”
“Eh?”
“A kendama would be good. She always liked playing with those...”
Huh. That wasn’t what I would have expected.
“Okay, that and... Maybe knitting needles?”
“She’s terrible at knitting.”
“Wow, I didn’t think she was bad at anything.”
That was the real surprise, though. I could barely even imagine her messing up knitting.
“It’s like you said. There is no hero. No one’s perfect...”
“Oh, right. That makes sense.”
People aren’t perfect. They can’t do everything. They’re weak. They’re fragile. But that’s why they want to become stronger. So that they can smile. So that they can make someone else smile.
“I’m going to bring her a book...”
“Oh, I see. Then I’ll go with the kendama. And hey, maybe it’s a good opportunity for her to finally learn to knit.” Honestly, I just wanted to see her face when she was put on the spot like that.
“Ichika...”
“Hm?”
“You meanie...”
“Aww, c’mon. I just wanted to get mine in, for once. Turnabout is fair play.”
“Hahaha...” She smiled, maybe imagining me teasing Tatenashi for once. Walking together with her, I smiled too. The hallways were nearly empty. It was almost beginning to feel like something from a movie.
“Um...”
“Mm?”
“H-H-Here...” Kanzashi handed me a paper bag she’d been holding since she’d arrived at my room.
“What is it?”
“T-Take a look...”
“Okay.” I unfolded the top and peeked inside. It was a stack of DVDs. Magical girl anime, mecha anime, romance anime, and... Hero anime. “Oh, hey, I think I saw this one.“
“W-Which?”
“This one here— Whoa!” At the same time as I had started pulling it out, Kanzashi had leaned in closer to get a look. Our faces had come almost close enough to touch, and noticing, I nervously pulled away.
“S-Sorry!”
“You don’t need to apologize.”
Looking at her up close made me realize just how much softer, more tender she seemed now. Honestly, she was kinda cute.
“I-If you don’t mind... I’d like you to watch them...”
“Sure. They look interesting, I’ll give them a watch later.” While I evened the stack in the bag up a bit, I asked her something I’d been curious about for a while, “So, that’s what it takes to get your interest?”
“Eh...?” She sounded shocked. I was still looking in the bag, so I couldn’t see her face. “Y-Yeah... It is...”
“Huh.”
“.........”
“Okay, all sorted. Well, I was the one that mixed them up to begin with anyway.”
“.........”
“Kanzashi? What’s up?” Her face was glowing red, and she was staring at the floor, the folds of her skirt bunched up in her hands.
“Um...”
“Yeah?”
Kanzashi took a deep breath and looked up. Suddenly she shouted, “I... I CAN’T STOP THINKING ABOUT—”
