Infinite Stratos - Volume 3, page 13
(PLEASE! PLEASE! [BYAKUSHIKI]! COME ON!)
In the midst of this slow moving world, my vision did capture the movement of the light bullets. The next moment, I rushed between the [Gospel] and Houki.
"GUUUUUAAAAHHHHH!!!"
The moment I covered Houki by hugging her, all the explosive light bullets hit my back.
The shields weren't able to completely negate the continuous volley of attacks, and I seemed to hear my bones crack as my muscles also let out a cry of agony. After the armor got destroyed completely, the burning sensation hit my skin.
The endless pain that was about to drive me crazy remained, and during that time, I just glanced at Houki.
(Ahh...you're alright...that's great...haha, why do you look like you're about to cry...that's really not like you. Ah, the ribbon got burned...fuun, you look rather good with your hair down...)
"ICHIKA! ICHIKA!! ICHIKAAA!!!!"
"Uu...ahh..."
The entire world went upside down—ahh, wait, I'm the one upside now.
With my head below and legs above, I used my last ounce of strength to hug Houki tightly to protect her head.
After that, a huge splash of water could be heard, together with the impact that spreaded throughout. Through the sea surface, I looked up at the [Gospel], and immediately lost consciousness.
Chapter 4: Dressy White - Setsura
This happened when Ichika was in 2nd grade.
Having gone to the kendo dojo with Chifuyu-nee for one year, he finally trained quite a bit.
(Really—those guys--...)
For some reason, he just couldn't get along with the daughter of the kendo dojo owner, the girl who was of the same age as him. It was the same thing today. Both of them fought during morning practice, and it became a scuffle. In the end, Ichika got hit horizontally on the side and lost.
(Ah-- damn it--...can't I even beat her...I really want to win...)
Thinking about this, Ichika swept the classroom unhappily. The sunset after school was extremely bright. Ichika knew that everyone other than himself went off to play, but he didn't mind. He often felt that if there's a need to do things, he'd do it himself.
"Hey—tomboy~. You didn't bring your bokutou today."
"...That's a shinai."
"Hehe, that weapon sure fits you as a tomboy~"
"..."
"Even the way you speak is weird~"
The girl didn't respond.
The three boys surrounded the girl, mocking her.
Even in this situation, the girl just casually glared back at them, not letting aside one bit—the girl's name was Houki.
"Ya—ii ya—ii, tomboy~"
"...You guys are really noisy. If you have so much time, just come over and help out. Ahh?"
Ichika felt that this meaningless harassment was really irritating, so he spoke up for his classmate.
"What's with you, Orimura? You want to stand up for her?"
"Heheh? You like this tomboy?"
No matter the times, the way kids make fun of others is illogical. Even though they're of his own age, this mockery made Ichika really unhappy.
"You guys are blocking me, I'm sweeping! Move aside!"
"Oh~you're actually sweeping so seriously. What an idiot—OWAHH!"
Houki suddenly grabbed the boy on the collar. Even though they were the hands of a second grader, they were rather firm due to the training everyday. If she were to fight seriously, those 3 boys would most likely lose to her easily.
Houki didn't respond to how they laughed at her, yet she responded to that statement.
"WHAT'S IDIOTIC ABOUT SOMEONE DOING THINGS SERIOUSLY? AT LEAST HE'S A LOT BETTER THAN YOU GARBAGE!!"
"WHA-WHAT...WHY ARE YOU SO ANGRY? LET GO! LET GO OF ME!
Unlike the boy whose collar was grabbed by those strong arms, the other two boys revealed sinister smiles.
"Ahh—I see! Those two are a couple. I know, you two flirt with each other every morning."
(Wah, here we go! What couple? These guys really love to play this. I had enough of it.)
Ever since he went to Houki's dojo, Ichika was told this a few times. Speaking of which, this didn't hurt Ichika at all because he didn't have parents, and thus didn't have any real concept of a couple.
"Oh yeah, this guy even tied a ribbon a while back! This tomboy's really funny—FUU!"
This time, the one who got enraged was Ichika, who slammed a punch into the boy's face. Ignoring the dumbstruck boys around him, Ichika grabbed that boy who fell to make him stand up.
"FUNNY!? WHAT'S SO FUNNY ABOUT IT? IS IT FUNNY FOR HER TO WEAR A RIBBON? IT SUITS HER WELL, RIGHT? AH? SAY SOMETHING, YOU RETARD!!"
"Yo-You--!! I'll tell the teacher!"
"FINE BY ME, YOU BASTARD! I'LL BEAT ALL YOU GUYS UP FIRST."
Having fought again with the three boys, Ichika got caught by a teacher who overheard the commotion, and this incident ended just like that.
As Ichika practiced Kendo and also martial arts from Chifuyu, he was able to beat the three boys without so much as a scratch.
But this was where the trouble began.
Dastardly parents are still bastards, and this seemed to be a logic that doesn't change. Thus, the three bastards said that they wanted to report him to the police and even sue him.
Ichika didn't mind, but Chifuyu had to go to them and apologize to them, which made him unable to accept it.
"I'll cause Chifuyu-nee problems if I get into trouble."
Ever since then, Ichika learnt his lesson, and would deal with the dumb boys in a safe manner.
"...You're really an idiot."
"Ah? What? I'm not an idiot!"
After a few days, Ichika went to wash his face after the after-school training, and Houki spoke to him, a rare feat at that.
"Have you ever thought about how much trouble that would cause later?"
"Hm? About that? Yeah, I didn't. I just wanted to beat up people who can't be forgiven."
Though Chifuyu once lectured Ichika badly, he didn't feel that he was in the wrong. To the young Ichika, that was something he couldn't back away from.
"Besides, I hate the way they just used the fact that they had numbers. It's too despicable to gang up on one person like that. They're scum amongst men."
"..."
"So don't mind. That ribbon really suits you. Tie it up next time."
"Hu-Humph! I won't listen to your orders!"
Folding her arms in front of her chest, Houki turned her head at another direction. Ichika said 'I see' and continued to wash his face. He really liked to use the icy cold well water to wash away the sweat after practice.
"I'm going home then. Bye then, Shinonono."
"—It's."
"Hm?"
"My name's Houki. Shouldn't you remember that already? Besides, my dad, mom and sister have the same surname Shinonono. You'll just confuse me that way. Just call me by my name, got it?"
"Got it. I prefer to listen to what my acquaintances would tell me to do— well, the name's Ichika."
"Wha-What?"
"My name. There's also two people whose family name is Orimura. Just call me Ichika."
"Uu...mu."
"Got it, Houki?"
"I-I got it! I-I-Ichika! Is that alright?"
"Oh, that can do...would you accept it if it's a request instead of an order?"
"Hu-Humph!"
Houki tried to act tough before leaving. Looking at her leave, Ichika felt that she was really strange.
It was June, and summer was about to arrive.
◇
"..."
It was one of the rooms in the resort, and the clock on the wall pointed at just before 4pm.
Ichika had already laid on the bed for more than 3 hours.
Waiting beside him, Houki continued to look distressed, and the hair without its ribbon showed her emotions.
(It was my fault...)
She remembered the smile Ichika unconsciously showed her.
However, Ichika had lost his smile now, and right now, he was just lying there lifelessly.
Ichika got the [Absolute Barrier] of his IS shattered, and he got burned hard as he was now covered with bandages all over.
(It's because of my uselessness that Ichika became like this--!)
Houki grabbed her skirt forcefully, and the force exerted on it caused her palms to turn pale. She continued to clench her fists tight as if she was punishing herself.
"Mission failed. I'll call you if there's a change in the situation. Before that, wait here for now."
After being rescued from the sea, Houki heard these words the moment she got back to the resort. After Chifuyu gave instructions on treating Ichika, she immediately went back to the planning room. Houki felt even more miserable that she didn't get scolded.
(Why...am I always, this careless...)
She always got carried away after obtaining power.
She really wanted to use it.
She would always feel the impulse of wanting to use force.
(Why did I train for...!)
To Houki, kendo was not a tool to train herself, but to discipline herself.
--A seal.
A seal to control her violent impulses.
But...she knew of the limit that restrains this danger.
Like thin ice, it will break if she exerted a little force.
(I've already...IS...)
Just when she was about to make this important decision, the door got opened violently.
*BAM!!* The sudden opening of the door shocked Houki, but she had no strength to look over.
"Ahh— ahh— you're really easy to understand."
The girl who barged into the room without restraint walked over to the devastated Houki.
This voice belonged to— Rin.
"..."
"Hey, you!"
Rin said to her, but Houki didn't respond. She couldn't.
"You think you're the reason Ichika's like this, right?"
The [Absolute Defense] on the IS pilot, due to this fatal defense mechanism, Ichika became unconscious.
The IS used all the energy on the defense, saving the pilot's life in this manner. With the IS supporting, until it can recover, the pilot won't be able to wake up.
"..."
"So are you going to remain like this— DON'T MESS AROUND WITH ME!!"
Suddenly burning with rage, Rin grabbed the devastated Houki on the collar, forcing her to stand up.
"YOU SHOULD HAVE SOMETHING YOU MUST DO RIGHT? RIGHT NOW! HOW CAN YOU NOT FIGHT!!"
"I-I...well, I don't want to...pilot the IS again..."
"--!"
*PA!!*
Houki took a slap to the face and lost her balance, falling onto the floor.
Rin again grabbed Houki and glared straight at her.
"STOP MESSING AROUND...SINCE YOU'RE A PERSONAL IS PILOT, I WON'T ALLOW YOU TO BE STUBBORN! OR ARE YOU—"
Rin glared straight into Houki's eyes.
Her eyes were burning with determination, similar to a burning passion.
"—ARE YOU A COWARD WHO CAN'T FIGHT EVEN WHEN IT'S TIME TO FIGHT?"
Those words lit up the fighting will in Houki's eyes.
"—That's..."
The voice that was so teeny-weeny soft became louder due to anger.
"WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO!? WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THE ENEMY WENT! I WANT TO FIGHT THE ENEMY IF I CAN FIGHT!!"
Seeing Houki finally getting motivated again, Rin sighed slightly.
"At least you have the will now...ahh, that's so troublesome."
"Wha-What?"
"We know where the enemy went...right now, Laura's—"
As Rin spoke halfway, the door opened. Standing at the door was Laura in a black military uniform.
"It appeared. According to the recent confirmation, the target's more than 30km away above the sea. It's in stealth mode, but it doesn't seem to have used optical camouflage, so the satellites could pick it up."
Seeing Laura walk in with the tablet PC, Rin finally smiled as she awaited Laura's entrance.
"As expected of the German special forces, you're really something."
"Humph...what about you? Are you ready?"
"Of course, [Shenlong]'s special attack [Packet]'s installed. I wanted to ask how were Charlotte and Cecilia doing."
"Ahh, about that—"
Laura's eyes turn to the door, which opened again.
"Just finished."
"All preparations are A-Okay, we're ready to move out."
As all the pilots with personal IS gathered, they all turn to look at Houki.
"Then, what do you intend to do?"
"I...I—"
Houki clenched her fists tight. Unlike the remorse she showed just now, this was a show of determination.
"I want to fight...I must fight, I must win! I can't allow myself to lose now!"
"Then it's decided!"
Rin folded her arms in front of her chest, revealing a fearless smile.
"Then, let's begin the battle planning! We'll take down the enemy for sure this time!"
"Yes!"
◇
*Gya*...*gyann*...
(This place is...?)
Attracted by the sound of waves from afar, I'm walking alone on the unfamiliar beach.
As I step forward, the white sand below my feet would let out a sandy sound.
My feet feel the sand and the heat directly. There's the smell and sound of the tide and waves from the seas, and there's a cool breeze blowing at me, and the bright sun that's burning me slightly but painfully.
(Is...is it summer? Now...)
Where is this place? What's the occasion now? I have no idea at all.
For some reason, I'm wearing my uniform. My pants are rolled up as I'm walking barefoot on the beach. I'm even holding onto the shoes that were taken off, though I don't know when.
"--.--♪~--♪."
Suddenly, I hear singing.
A singing voice that's full of clarity and vibrancy.
Feeling somewhat mindful of it, I head towards where the singing's coming from.
*Kisu* *Kisu*
*Kisu* *Kisu* *Kisu*
The sand below the feet respond carefreely.
"La, la~♪,lalala♪"
A girl's standing there.
The waves dampen her toes slightly, as the girl continued to sing and dance about.
Her shiny bright white hair dances around.
The white one-piece dress dances under the sea breeze, occasionally flipping up.
(Fum...)
For some reason, I didn't want to call her out, but sat down near a floating log. This log should have been washed ashore a while back, since the bark's almost completely peeled, and the colour's almost white.
I sat on the white sofa with an irregular shape, staring blankly at the girl.
*Gyagya*, the sound of the waves can be heard.
The occasional breeze felt comfortable, and I stared at the scenery in front of me in a trance-like state.
◇
"..."
Awaiting 200m above sea surface, the [Silver Gospel] curled itself up like a baby.
The wings that extended out from its head covered the curled up body.
--?
The [Gospel] suddenly looked up.
The next moment, a supersonic bullet hit it on the head, causing a huge explosion.
"First bullet is a hit. Keep shooting!"
Floating 5km away, the [Schwarzer Regen], with Laura piloting it, fired the first shot before the [Gospel] could counterattack.
The [Schwarzer Regen]'s exterior was a lot different from usual, as two .80 caliber railguns [Purizushi] were each installed on both shoulders.
Also, to allow for long-range sniping with cannon fire, 4 physical shields were covering its left, right, front and back as protection.
This is the [Panzer Cannons] packet with the cannons installed on the [Schwarzer Regen]
(Enemy closing in...4000...3000...ku, faster than I expected!)
The next moment, the distance between both of them was 1000m, and the [Gospel] continued to close in.
Even though Laura continued to attack, the [Gospel] used both wings to shoot out energy bullets to take out the cannon bullets and close in on Laura.
"Che!"
To avoid recoil, the [Panzer Cannons] packet didn't allow much mobility.
In contrast, having its mobility customized, the [Gospel] suddenly accelerated from 300m away and reached out for Laura's right hand.
--She couldn't dodge it!
However, Laura curled her lips and smiled.
"—Cecilia!"
The [Gospel] reached out its arm to block the machine that descended from above.
A blue IS— [Blue Tears] launched a strong attack in stealth mode.
Unlike how it was normally, the 6 BITs were all arranged like a skirt on its waist, and the cannons were covered to act as thrusters.
Also, the high BT laser rifle [Stardust Shooter] was more than 2m long, more than enough to make up for the lack of firepower of the BITs.
Cecilia's head had the Hyper Sensor [Brilliant Clearance] installed on it to respond to speeds over 500km/hr to go along with her high powered mobility packet [Strike Gunner]. With the information it processed, she suddenly turned at a high speed and aimed at the [Gospel] ready to attack.
"Enemy B confirmed. Proceeding with elimination."
"Too slow!"
After the [Gospel] dodged Cecilia's attack, another machine attacked from behind.
It was Charlotte, who climbed onto Cecilia's back when she launched the sneak attack in stealth mode.
The two shotguns were shot from behind at close range, causing the [Gospel] to stumble left and right.
But that was for a moment. It immediately launched a counterattack at the 3rd machine with the [Silver Bell].
"Oh sorry, but this [Garden Curtain] won't to be taken down so easily!"
The [Revive]'s defensive packet used the physical shields and energy shields to block the [Gospel]'s rain of bullets. Its figure seemed to resemble a normal [Revive], as both physical and energy shields blocked the front like a curtain.
While defending, Charlotte used her specialty [Rapid Switch] to summon an offensive Gatling cannon, using that time to counter.
With Cecilia moving at high velocity and attacking, and Laura shooting while pulling her distance, the [Gospel] began to look damaged as it was attacked from three directions.
