Infinite Stratos - Volume 3, page 15
However, it was hard to slice off both wings. Besides, the 2nd strike got dodged. During this time, the [Gospel] regrew its lost wing and continued to launch a barrage of attacks at me.
"Ugh—"
--Energy left, 20%. Estimated time left: 3 minutes.
(Damn it! If this keeps up...)
I can't tell how much energy a military use IS that doesn't have a limiter has.
In contrast, my machine's almost at its limit. Thinking about this, I started to feel anxious.
"ICHIKA!"
"HOUKI? YOUR WOUNDS—"
"I'm alright! Don't talk, take this!"
Houki's—[Akatsubaki] touched my [Byakushiki].
An electrical-like surge and a burning sensation immediately passed through my body, and my vision started to waver for a bit.
"Wha-What...? My energy—recovered? Houki, this is—"
"Don't think about this now! Go on, Ichika!"
"O-Okay!"
Gathering my concentration, I let [Yukihira Niigata] increase the energy output to the maximum, and brandished the huge sword with both hands as I swung it around.
"OOOOOOH!!"
The [Gospel] spun once and dodged my horizontal slash. It then locked me within its vision, and the wings of light turned around—got it!
"HOUKI!"
"LEAVE IT TO ME!!"
The [Akatsubaki] used both swords to slice down on the [Gospel]'s wings that were aimed at me.
"DON'T YOU GET AWAY!"
She deployed the [Fold-Out Armor] on her feet, causing the [Gospel] to take a roundhouse kick with emergency acceleration.
Not expecting this initial hit, the [Gospel] lost its balance. I slashed off the remaining wings of light with an uppercut.
And just when I wanted to finish it off, the [Gospel] grew out all its wings on itself and fired at me.
(It's come down to this. No going back!)
While my body took the rain of bullets, I swung [Reiraku Byakuya] at the [Gospel]'s body.
"OHHHHHHH!!!"
I felt the energy sword's contact as I increased the boosters output to the maximum.
Even when it's being held down, the [Gospel] continued to reach its hand for my neck. But before the fingers could touch it, this silver IS finally stopped moving.
"Haa, haa, haa...!"
Having lost her armor, the pilot in IS suit fell down to the sea.
"Damn it--!"
"—Really, your efforts went to waste, you."
Rin finally managed to recover from her injuries and saved the pilot before she reached the sea surface. Also, Charl and Laura seem to be alright, even though they aren't completely unscathed.
"It's over."
"Yeah...it's finally over."
Houki and I stood side by side as we looked at the sky.
The blue sky of just now was no longer present. Instead, the sunset gently covers the world.
◇
"Mission completed—though I want to say that, you people acted on your own and broke the school rules. Once you get back, write a letter of remorse. I've already prepared a special schedule for your punishment, so you people better get ready."
"...Yes."
Welcoming back the warriors who came back, isn't that a little too cold?
Seeing Chifuyu-nee lecture us with both arms folded in front of her chest, it really made me feel like we didn't win at all. All of us were kneeling in the hall, and it's been 30 minutes already. Cecilia's face went from red to white, and that's a danger sign.
"We-Well, Orimura-sensei, that should be enough...be-besides, there are injured people, alright?"
"Humph..."
In contrast to the fuming Chifuyu-nee, Yamada-sensei was panicking. Up till now, she had brought a first-aid box and a bucket of water. She sure looked busy.
"Th-Then, everyone, please rest for a while before continuing with treatment. Remember to take off your clothes when we do a full body check on you—ah! Guys and girls are to be separated! Do you understand, Orimura-kun?"
...I do.
Speaking of which, the moment she said 'Take off', the girls subconsciously covered their own bodies, and that really hurt me. Do I look like a pervert who would peep on you...
"Then, everyone, please rehydrate yourself. It'll be a big problem if you don't rehydrate yourself in the summer."
Yes ma'am--as we echoed back in unison, I reached out for a sports drink. For health reasons, I chose a non-icy one. It's not good to gulp down an icy drink at one shot.
"OWWWW...UWAH! I cut my mouth!"
It's rare to have a metallic taste in my mouth. So this is the taste of blood. Maybe I was too excited in battle? I didn't even know that I bit my mouth. Anyway, I better not dip my dinner into wasabi and soy sauce, or I'll feel like I entered hell.
"..."
"Wha-What's wrong, Orimura-sensei?"
As she's been staring at me, I could only feel awkward and ask...uu, will I get scolded?
"...Speaking of which, you people did rather well. Luckily, all of you managed to return back safely."
"Huh? Ah..."
Chifuyu-nee seemed to look rather embarrassed. However, I couldn't tell what her expression was as she quickly turned away.
Seeing Chifuyu-nee who's still worried about us, I secretly thanked her inside my heart. I guess she would find it irritating if I were say it to her.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
Hm? Why are the girls staring at me—or rather, glaring at me?
"Well...Orimura-kun? I'm going to start treatment on everyone, umm—"
"""""HURRY UP AND GET OUT!!"""""
As the five girls shouted out, I frantically escaped to the corridor.
I lean my back on the sliding door and closed it, exhaling deeply.
"Hooo..."
Anyway, this battle's over.
There's a lot of things I have to think of, to arrange. Anyway—
(I...protected my friends, didn't I?)
I—and [Byakushiki] did it.
◇
"O, O, what's the result? Tell us~"
"...Nope, that's classified."
Sitting in front of me, Charl continued to eat in large gulps as she continued to be questioned by the 1st years. They probably feel that Charl's the easiest to talk to, right? However, that's a misjudgment on their part. Charl's the one amongst the personal IS pilots with the strongest sense of responsibility. That's one thing I can be certain of.
"Che~ Charlotte's mouth is really tight."
"I say, you people will be forced to keep quiet after knowing it, you know. Is that alright with you?"
"Ahh...that's really troubling."
"So that'll be all. I won't say anything about this."
"Bu—"
As expected of Charl, she sure can handle girls of the same age easily. Yep, Charl's really suited to be a big sister.
"Wha-What's wrong?"
Suddenly noticing my stare, Charl asked.
Though it's nothing, for some reason, if I don't say anything, it seems that her mood would worsen...erm.
"Charlotte, your yukata is undone."
The girl besides her seemed to say something. Uu, I have a bad feeling about this. Recently, it seems that any bad premonition about girls would come true for me.
"HUUH...!"
As expected, Charl blushed and quickly covered her yukata with her hand...hm? What's with Charl-san's look of complete protest in her eyes?
"I-Ichika no ecchi..."[3D 2]
"Ah?"
WHY ARE YOU FRAMING ME! SPEAKING OF WHICH, WHY'S THAT? HUH? HUH, HUH?
"...I lied. The yukata wasn't open."
"!"
The girls beside her whispered something to her as well.
After hearing those words, Charl blushed as she stood up. Wha-What's wrong?
"..."
"Oh my, this sashimi's really delicious! Ahahaha, ufufu."
Charl's protesting eyes turned from me to the other girl, but the person involved didn't mind as she continued to gulp down her food.
"Charlotte's pretty ecchi."
"I'M-I'M NOT! I-I JUST...THAT...!"
This time, Charl's the one who looks in panic as she got teased by the girl beside her...um, I'm completely left out here.
"I-I-Ichika...? Erm, well, sorry about that...?"
"Hm? Okay."
I don't know what's going on, but I answered honestly. Well done, me.
After that, I heard a slam, and Charlotte sat down. She smiled and casually pinched the stomach of the girl beside her...uwa, seems like she's really angry.
--Oh well, let's just leave that aside for now. The problem right now's the girl beside me.
"..."
*Nibble nibble*, *chomp chomp*.
Having tied her hair into a ponytail again, Houki's chopsticks never stopped ever since the beginning.
For some reason, I feel that she doesn't want to talk to me, which is why she continued to eat...am I thinking too much?
"Well...Houki?"
*Chomp chomp*...stop.
"Well...is your body alright? You aren't hurt, are you?"
...Nods head.
After a second's pause, she nodded her head and started eating again. *Nibble nibble*, *chomp chomp*.
...
Hm.
"Ahem, Houki."
She got shocked.
After curling her body a bit, Houki put down her chopsticks and turned to me. She looked rather stiff for some reason, and even if it's not me, anyone could tell that something wasn't right with her.
"Is-Is-Is there something wrong...?"
"Nothing. It's just that you look weird, so I just wanted to ask what's going on."
"Is-Is it strange...for me to do that?"
*DONG!*
Ah damn it, I tripped without hiding it. Wh, why, why must she be so courteous...?
(Nonono, that's too weird! Ever since the battle ended, Houki's been so composed it's really weird, even the cat that's borrowed[3D 3] is more lively than her...)
But how should I put it. From everyone's reaction, I understood something. When 'Something is strange to you and you mention it, the girls will get angry for some reason'.
Hm, I really don't understand at all...but as this is a fact, I better not comment.
"Erm, well, never mind. It's nothing."
"Huh...ah, umm..."
Ugh, I suddenly felt that I said something wrong.
I can tell that Houki became even more listless as she continued to eat her food at half her speed...so, sorry...
"..."
"..."
After that, I didn't talk to Houki as I continued to eat my meal silently.
Really, this meal should be delicious, but I couldn't even remember the taste.
◇
*Gya*...*gya*...
"Fuu..."
Standing on the coast, I knock my head slightly and turn my head both sides to clear the water in my ears. I then walk to a nearby rock to sit down.
After dinner, I had walked out of the resort to rest a little, and arrived at the seaside in the night.
As it's a full moon today, even at midnight, the moon's still extremely bright. I listen to the heavy sounds of the waves as I stare blankly at the bright sky with the moon in it.
(Speaking of which, I dreamt of something at evening, but...what kind of dream was it?)
I did remember it clearly when I woke up, but now, the dream feels fuzzy to me.
Though dreams are always like that, I feel that there's something important in the dream, something I just can't forget.
"I-Ichika...?"
With my name being called, I turned around.
Under the bright moonlight, it was Houki in a swimsuit.
"Houki...? Speaking of which, I didn't see you at the beach yesterday—"
"Do-Don't stare at me like that...I-I can't stay calm like this..."
"So-Sorry."
I frantically turn my body around.
Though it was a mere few seconds, I managed to see Houki in the swimsuit, and that image's fresh in my mind.
A white swimsuit—and a rare one at that. To put it in a way, that's a bikini that Houki definitely wouldn't wear.
Black straps alongside the swimsuit, revealing lots of skin—how should I put it. Well, sexy...yeah, it is sexy.
(No, no wait. This is too embarrassing...)
I try to hide my emotions that are unable to calm down, but it didn't seem to be working.
Besides, after noticing that Houki's sitting just 1 meter away from me, I couldn't calm down.
"..."
"..."
"Huh, that...yeah."
"Y-Yeah..."
I try to talk about some unrelated things, trying to ignore the heart that's beating non-stop for some reason.
But things aren't going as planned, as what I say is completely different from what I thought.
"Tha-That swimsuit, it suits you...yeah, that's good, isn't it?"
"Uu..."
I know that Houki backed away. I secretly took a glance, and her entire face was blushing.
"Th-Thi-This, well...I, I just thought of buying...but-but it really feels embarrassing to wear it...so..."
Maybe that's the reason why I didn't see Houki on the first day of free time.
And it seems that she's feeling awkward about looking over here and talk, so Houki and I continued to talk with our backs facing each other. The moon that's above us shines upon us.
"...Hey, Houki."
"Is-Is there anything...else?"
"No, why are you using such courteous words? Just talk as if it's normal."
"Uu..."
I've been mindful of that since dinner started, so I started asking her first. After a moment of silence, Houki seemed like she couldn't spit it out and stammered,
"You-You said that...you like dignified and elegant girls..."
--Uu, damn it. That's...
"No, well, I see. Houki, I think you just need to be yourself. You don't have to force yourself, right?"
"Uu...okay."
Though she looked rather unhappy, Houki coughed dryly a few times before moving her calm mode.
"Is-Is this good...?"
"Yup, the original Houki's good. Oh yeah, is your hair alright? I think it got slightly burned, right?"
"I-It's alright. I just lost my ribbon. It's nothing. And, well...I got a new ribbon anyway..."
"Oh, yeah. Let me say this to you again. 'Happy Birthday'."
"Uu, yeah...tha...thank...you..."
Though I couldn't hear the last bit of the voice, I know what she wanted to say.
And—hm, the ponytail goes well with Houki.
"That, well...I-I want to ask. Are you alright? Are-Are you hurt?"
"Hm? Oh, looks like I completely recovered!"
"Wha-What?"
"Well, the moment I opened my eyes, the IS activated. Before I noticed it, my wounds were healed completely."
"Do-Don't say such silly things! How is that possible—"
Saying that, Houki grabbed my shoulder and turned me over to look in the moonlight.
"It's gone...there are no wounds on you...?"
"Yup, I recovered. Huh, you see. Isn't there something? The IS pilot protective system."
"That's only used for protection, right? I've never heard that it could heal wounds..."
Timidly touching my back, Houki used her fingers to check if I had any wounds on me gain. While checking, I could hear her say 'That's strange'. Anyway, it just feels weird.
"Well, the wounds are healed well already anyway, aren't they?"
"Tha-That's not good! Because of me, you...Ichika, you got hurt..."
"What? Are you saying that it's better not to be treated?"
"NO, THAT'S NOT IT!"
After saying that, Houki realized that she increased her volume.
"It's not like that...it's not like that...it'll bother me if I'm easily forgiven like that..."
She sounded really listless, so I start to wonder what she's thinking about.
Seems like she felt that she had to take responsibility for me getting injured, but since the wounds disappeared, she could be forgiven without being scolded, and this seemed to make her unable to accept it.
How should I say it? She's really hard to understand.
(But she seemed to have some goosebumps on her.)
Can't be helped then. I decided to give Houki a little punishment.
"Houki, I'm beginning with the punishment then."
"Uu, okay..."
I turn to Houki and look her straight in the face.
She closes her eyes, being all prepared now.
(Really, she...)
I flick a finger on her forehead.
"Erm...?"
"Alright, that's enough. If you got the message this time, don't be overconfident and act on your own next time."
"Wha-What?"
Houki looks troubled as she blinks her eyes. She then blushes and turns to me.
"Are-Are you making fun of me? Flicking my forehead with a finger...!"
"Okay, okay, calm down. Don't get excited."
"SHUT-SHUT UP! I'M A WARRIOR! MY PRIDE GOT STAINED. HOW DO YOU EXPECT ME TO CALM DOWN—"
"No, well...can you back away from me a little bit? Huh, they're touching me..."
Your breasts.
"!!!"
After realizing how close we were, Houki quickly pulled away from me.
After pulling her distance, she wrapped her arms around her chest, glaring at me with complete protest. Uwah...
"You, you...! I'm talking to you seriously, yet, you, you're so indecent!"
Yes, that's the case. I'm sorry that my mum gave birth to me as a boy.
"...Well, that...do-do you have any feelings...?"
"Haa?"
"It's-It's that!"
My hand suddenly got grabbed, and then—WHAT!? STRAIGHT IN HER BREASTS? HER CLEAVAGE!?...AHH, HOUKI...SAN?
"I-I just want to ask if you see me as one of the opposite gender..."
While Houki continued to maintain that fierce look, she suddenly lowered her volume, and even her ears were blushing. It seems that she's really shy.
"Y-eah..."
Even though I'm not forced by the situation, I still couldn't help but make the decision.
However, with the waves, hurriedly moving near and far, acting as the background music. With my childhood friend in front of me in a sexy swimsuit, and the clear moonlight shining down on us from the sky. It's because of this atmosphere that I'm moved, there's nothing to feel weird about.
"Ugh—"
--Energy left, 20%. Estimated time left: 3 minutes.
(Damn it! If this keeps up...)
I can't tell how much energy a military use IS that doesn't have a limiter has.
In contrast, my machine's almost at its limit. Thinking about this, I started to feel anxious.
"ICHIKA!"
"HOUKI? YOUR WOUNDS—"
"I'm alright! Don't talk, take this!"
Houki's—[Akatsubaki] touched my [Byakushiki].
An electrical-like surge and a burning sensation immediately passed through my body, and my vision started to waver for a bit.
"Wha-What...? My energy—recovered? Houki, this is—"
"Don't think about this now! Go on, Ichika!"
"O-Okay!"
Gathering my concentration, I let [Yukihira Niigata] increase the energy output to the maximum, and brandished the huge sword with both hands as I swung it around.
"OOOOOOH!!"
The [Gospel] spun once and dodged my horizontal slash. It then locked me within its vision, and the wings of light turned around—got it!
"HOUKI!"
"LEAVE IT TO ME!!"
The [Akatsubaki] used both swords to slice down on the [Gospel]'s wings that were aimed at me.
"DON'T YOU GET AWAY!"
She deployed the [Fold-Out Armor] on her feet, causing the [Gospel] to take a roundhouse kick with emergency acceleration.
Not expecting this initial hit, the [Gospel] lost its balance. I slashed off the remaining wings of light with an uppercut.
And just when I wanted to finish it off, the [Gospel] grew out all its wings on itself and fired at me.
(It's come down to this. No going back!)
While my body took the rain of bullets, I swung [Reiraku Byakuya] at the [Gospel]'s body.
"OHHHHHHH!!!"
I felt the energy sword's contact as I increased the boosters output to the maximum.
Even when it's being held down, the [Gospel] continued to reach its hand for my neck. But before the fingers could touch it, this silver IS finally stopped moving.
"Haa, haa, haa...!"
Having lost her armor, the pilot in IS suit fell down to the sea.
"Damn it--!"
"—Really, your efforts went to waste, you."
Rin finally managed to recover from her injuries and saved the pilot before she reached the sea surface. Also, Charl and Laura seem to be alright, even though they aren't completely unscathed.
"It's over."
"Yeah...it's finally over."
Houki and I stood side by side as we looked at the sky.
The blue sky of just now was no longer present. Instead, the sunset gently covers the world.
◇
"Mission completed—though I want to say that, you people acted on your own and broke the school rules. Once you get back, write a letter of remorse. I've already prepared a special schedule for your punishment, so you people better get ready."
"...Yes."
Welcoming back the warriors who came back, isn't that a little too cold?
Seeing Chifuyu-nee lecture us with both arms folded in front of her chest, it really made me feel like we didn't win at all. All of us were kneeling in the hall, and it's been 30 minutes already. Cecilia's face went from red to white, and that's a danger sign.
"We-Well, Orimura-sensei, that should be enough...be-besides, there are injured people, alright?"
"Humph..."
In contrast to the fuming Chifuyu-nee, Yamada-sensei was panicking. Up till now, she had brought a first-aid box and a bucket of water. She sure looked busy.
"Th-Then, everyone, please rest for a while before continuing with treatment. Remember to take off your clothes when we do a full body check on you—ah! Guys and girls are to be separated! Do you understand, Orimura-kun?"
...I do.
Speaking of which, the moment she said 'Take off', the girls subconsciously covered their own bodies, and that really hurt me. Do I look like a pervert who would peep on you...
"Then, everyone, please rehydrate yourself. It'll be a big problem if you don't rehydrate yourself in the summer."
Yes ma'am--as we echoed back in unison, I reached out for a sports drink. For health reasons, I chose a non-icy one. It's not good to gulp down an icy drink at one shot.
"OWWWW...UWAH! I cut my mouth!"
It's rare to have a metallic taste in my mouth. So this is the taste of blood. Maybe I was too excited in battle? I didn't even know that I bit my mouth. Anyway, I better not dip my dinner into wasabi and soy sauce, or I'll feel like I entered hell.
"..."
"Wha-What's wrong, Orimura-sensei?"
As she's been staring at me, I could only feel awkward and ask...uu, will I get scolded?
"...Speaking of which, you people did rather well. Luckily, all of you managed to return back safely."
"Huh? Ah..."
Chifuyu-nee seemed to look rather embarrassed. However, I couldn't tell what her expression was as she quickly turned away.
Seeing Chifuyu-nee who's still worried about us, I secretly thanked her inside my heart. I guess she would find it irritating if I were say it to her.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
Hm? Why are the girls staring at me—or rather, glaring at me?
"Well...Orimura-kun? I'm going to start treatment on everyone, umm—"
"""""HURRY UP AND GET OUT!!"""""
As the five girls shouted out, I frantically escaped to the corridor.
I lean my back on the sliding door and closed it, exhaling deeply.
"Hooo..."
Anyway, this battle's over.
There's a lot of things I have to think of, to arrange. Anyway—
(I...protected my friends, didn't I?)
I—and [Byakushiki] did it.
◇
"O, O, what's the result? Tell us~"
"...Nope, that's classified."
Sitting in front of me, Charl continued to eat in large gulps as she continued to be questioned by the 1st years. They probably feel that Charl's the easiest to talk to, right? However, that's a misjudgment on their part. Charl's the one amongst the personal IS pilots with the strongest sense of responsibility. That's one thing I can be certain of.
"Che~ Charlotte's mouth is really tight."
"I say, you people will be forced to keep quiet after knowing it, you know. Is that alright with you?"
"Ahh...that's really troubling."
"So that'll be all. I won't say anything about this."
"Bu—"
As expected of Charl, she sure can handle girls of the same age easily. Yep, Charl's really suited to be a big sister.
"Wha-What's wrong?"
Suddenly noticing my stare, Charl asked.
Though it's nothing, for some reason, if I don't say anything, it seems that her mood would worsen...erm.
"Charlotte, your yukata is undone."
The girl besides her seemed to say something. Uu, I have a bad feeling about this. Recently, it seems that any bad premonition about girls would come true for me.
"HUUH...!"
As expected, Charl blushed and quickly covered her yukata with her hand...hm? What's with Charl-san's look of complete protest in her eyes?
"I-Ichika no ecchi..."[3D 2]
"Ah?"
WHY ARE YOU FRAMING ME! SPEAKING OF WHICH, WHY'S THAT? HUH? HUH, HUH?
"...I lied. The yukata wasn't open."
"!"
The girls beside her whispered something to her as well.
After hearing those words, Charl blushed as she stood up. Wha-What's wrong?
"..."
"Oh my, this sashimi's really delicious! Ahahaha, ufufu."
Charl's protesting eyes turned from me to the other girl, but the person involved didn't mind as she continued to gulp down her food.
"Charlotte's pretty ecchi."
"I'M-I'M NOT! I-I JUST...THAT...!"
This time, Charl's the one who looks in panic as she got teased by the girl beside her...um, I'm completely left out here.
"I-I-Ichika...? Erm, well, sorry about that...?"
"Hm? Okay."
I don't know what's going on, but I answered honestly. Well done, me.
After that, I heard a slam, and Charlotte sat down. She smiled and casually pinched the stomach of the girl beside her...uwa, seems like she's really angry.
--Oh well, let's just leave that aside for now. The problem right now's the girl beside me.
"..."
*Nibble nibble*, *chomp chomp*.
Having tied her hair into a ponytail again, Houki's chopsticks never stopped ever since the beginning.
For some reason, I feel that she doesn't want to talk to me, which is why she continued to eat...am I thinking too much?
"Well...Houki?"
*Chomp chomp*...stop.
"Well...is your body alright? You aren't hurt, are you?"
...Nods head.
After a second's pause, she nodded her head and started eating again. *Nibble nibble*, *chomp chomp*.
...
Hm.
"Ahem, Houki."
She got shocked.
After curling her body a bit, Houki put down her chopsticks and turned to me. She looked rather stiff for some reason, and even if it's not me, anyone could tell that something wasn't right with her.
"Is-Is-Is there something wrong...?"
"Nothing. It's just that you look weird, so I just wanted to ask what's going on."
"Is-Is it strange...for me to do that?"
*DONG!*
Ah damn it, I tripped without hiding it. Wh, why, why must she be so courteous...?
(Nonono, that's too weird! Ever since the battle ended, Houki's been so composed it's really weird, even the cat that's borrowed[3D 3] is more lively than her...)
But how should I put it. From everyone's reaction, I understood something. When 'Something is strange to you and you mention it, the girls will get angry for some reason'.
Hm, I really don't understand at all...but as this is a fact, I better not comment.
"Erm, well, never mind. It's nothing."
"Huh...ah, umm..."
Ugh, I suddenly felt that I said something wrong.
I can tell that Houki became even more listless as she continued to eat her food at half her speed...so, sorry...
"..."
"..."
After that, I didn't talk to Houki as I continued to eat my meal silently.
Really, this meal should be delicious, but I couldn't even remember the taste.
◇
*Gya*...*gya*...
"Fuu..."
Standing on the coast, I knock my head slightly and turn my head both sides to clear the water in my ears. I then walk to a nearby rock to sit down.
After dinner, I had walked out of the resort to rest a little, and arrived at the seaside in the night.
As it's a full moon today, even at midnight, the moon's still extremely bright. I listen to the heavy sounds of the waves as I stare blankly at the bright sky with the moon in it.
(Speaking of which, I dreamt of something at evening, but...what kind of dream was it?)
I did remember it clearly when I woke up, but now, the dream feels fuzzy to me.
Though dreams are always like that, I feel that there's something important in the dream, something I just can't forget.
"I-Ichika...?"
With my name being called, I turned around.
Under the bright moonlight, it was Houki in a swimsuit.
"Houki...? Speaking of which, I didn't see you at the beach yesterday—"
"Do-Don't stare at me like that...I-I can't stay calm like this..."
"So-Sorry."
I frantically turn my body around.
Though it was a mere few seconds, I managed to see Houki in the swimsuit, and that image's fresh in my mind.
A white swimsuit—and a rare one at that. To put it in a way, that's a bikini that Houki definitely wouldn't wear.
Black straps alongside the swimsuit, revealing lots of skin—how should I put it. Well, sexy...yeah, it is sexy.
(No, no wait. This is too embarrassing...)
I try to hide my emotions that are unable to calm down, but it didn't seem to be working.
Besides, after noticing that Houki's sitting just 1 meter away from me, I couldn't calm down.
"..."
"..."
"Huh, that...yeah."
"Y-Yeah..."
I try to talk about some unrelated things, trying to ignore the heart that's beating non-stop for some reason.
But things aren't going as planned, as what I say is completely different from what I thought.
"Tha-That swimsuit, it suits you...yeah, that's good, isn't it?"
"Uu..."
I know that Houki backed away. I secretly took a glance, and her entire face was blushing.
"Th-Thi-This, well...I, I just thought of buying...but-but it really feels embarrassing to wear it...so..."
Maybe that's the reason why I didn't see Houki on the first day of free time.
And it seems that she's feeling awkward about looking over here and talk, so Houki and I continued to talk with our backs facing each other. The moon that's above us shines upon us.
"...Hey, Houki."
"Is-Is there anything...else?"
"No, why are you using such courteous words? Just talk as if it's normal."
"Uu..."
I've been mindful of that since dinner started, so I started asking her first. After a moment of silence, Houki seemed like she couldn't spit it out and stammered,
"You-You said that...you like dignified and elegant girls..."
--Uu, damn it. That's...
"No, well, I see. Houki, I think you just need to be yourself. You don't have to force yourself, right?"
"Uu...okay."
Though she looked rather unhappy, Houki coughed dryly a few times before moving her calm mode.
"Is-Is this good...?"
"Yup, the original Houki's good. Oh yeah, is your hair alright? I think it got slightly burned, right?"
"I-It's alright. I just lost my ribbon. It's nothing. And, well...I got a new ribbon anyway..."
"Oh, yeah. Let me say this to you again. 'Happy Birthday'."
"Uu, yeah...tha...thank...you..."
Though I couldn't hear the last bit of the voice, I know what she wanted to say.
And—hm, the ponytail goes well with Houki.
"That, well...I-I want to ask. Are you alright? Are-Are you hurt?"
"Hm? Oh, looks like I completely recovered!"
"Wha-What?"
"Well, the moment I opened my eyes, the IS activated. Before I noticed it, my wounds were healed completely."
"Do-Don't say such silly things! How is that possible—"
Saying that, Houki grabbed my shoulder and turned me over to look in the moonlight.
"It's gone...there are no wounds on you...?"
"Yup, I recovered. Huh, you see. Isn't there something? The IS pilot protective system."
"That's only used for protection, right? I've never heard that it could heal wounds..."
Timidly touching my back, Houki used her fingers to check if I had any wounds on me gain. While checking, I could hear her say 'That's strange'. Anyway, it just feels weird.
"Well, the wounds are healed well already anyway, aren't they?"
"Tha-That's not good! Because of me, you...Ichika, you got hurt..."
"What? Are you saying that it's better not to be treated?"
"NO, THAT'S NOT IT!"
After saying that, Houki realized that she increased her volume.
"It's not like that...it's not like that...it'll bother me if I'm easily forgiven like that..."
She sounded really listless, so I start to wonder what she's thinking about.
Seems like she felt that she had to take responsibility for me getting injured, but since the wounds disappeared, she could be forgiven without being scolded, and this seemed to make her unable to accept it.
How should I say it? She's really hard to understand.
(But she seemed to have some goosebumps on her.)
Can't be helped then. I decided to give Houki a little punishment.
"Houki, I'm beginning with the punishment then."
"Uu, okay..."
I turn to Houki and look her straight in the face.
She closes her eyes, being all prepared now.
(Really, she...)
I flick a finger on her forehead.
"Erm...?"
"Alright, that's enough. If you got the message this time, don't be overconfident and act on your own next time."
"Wha-What?"
Houki looks troubled as she blinks her eyes. She then blushes and turns to me.
"Are-Are you making fun of me? Flicking my forehead with a finger...!"
"Okay, okay, calm down. Don't get excited."
"SHUT-SHUT UP! I'M A WARRIOR! MY PRIDE GOT STAINED. HOW DO YOU EXPECT ME TO CALM DOWN—"
"No, well...can you back away from me a little bit? Huh, they're touching me..."
Your breasts.
"!!!"
After realizing how close we were, Houki quickly pulled away from me.
After pulling her distance, she wrapped her arms around her chest, glaring at me with complete protest. Uwah...
"You, you...! I'm talking to you seriously, yet, you, you're so indecent!"
Yes, that's the case. I'm sorry that my mum gave birth to me as a boy.
"...Well, that...do-do you have any feelings...?"
"Haa?"
"It's-It's that!"
My hand suddenly got grabbed, and then—WHAT!? STRAIGHT IN HER BREASTS? HER CLEAVAGE!?...AHH, HOUKI...SAN?
"I-I just want to ask if you see me as one of the opposite gender..."
While Houki continued to maintain that fierce look, she suddenly lowered her volume, and even her ears were blushing. It seems that she's really shy.
"Y-eah..."
Even though I'm not forced by the situation, I still couldn't help but make the decision.
However, with the waves, hurriedly moving near and far, acting as the background music. With my childhood friend in front of me in a sexy swimsuit, and the clear moonlight shining down on us from the sky. It's because of this atmosphere that I'm moved, there's nothing to feel weird about.
