Infinite Stratos - Volume 3, page 16
And well...how should I put it. I...actually find Houki cute.
"Is-Is that so...uu, then..."
As if chewing on her words, Houki reflected on the meaning behind these words, and then digested them.
While being kept close, her body temperature spread to me.
Houki and I are so close I'm worried that I might hear her heartbeat.
"..."
*DOKI DOKI!* Even I feel that my heartbeat's way too loud.
Suddenly, Houki and I exchange looks.
(Ah...)
I'm completely mesmerized.
Her face really looks beautiful under the bright moonlight.
(Da-Damn it...well. Yeah, that's bad...right?)
Even though I'm thinking that it's bad, my heartbeat's getting even faster—
"CE-CECILIA!? WHY ARE YOU HERE!?'
"YOU TOO, RIN-SAN! COM-COMING OUT OF THE RESORT ON YOUR OWN LIKE THAT! I DON'T CARE IF YOU'RE SCOLDED."
"OKAY, ICHIKA'S..."
"HUH, LAURA, YOU...RIN AND CECILIA? WHY, WHY ARE YOU HERE...?"
ACK!!
Rig-Righ-Right now, these voices definitely belong to Rin, Cecilia, Laura and Charl.
From the audibility, they should be somewhere far away from us. But if I continue to remain here, I'll definitely be spotted by them.
And right now, there's only Houki and me here. I have no guarantees of what they would say after seeing me.
"Ho-Houki...let's go to the other side."
"Huh? Kya..."
Trying to escape from the voices that are getting closer, I pull Houki's hand and walk up the giant rock on the headland.
(Hoo...better hide here for a while. I think it should be alright if I head back to the resort later?"
"I-Ichika...that's too sudden. Well...bringing me to such an isolated place...I-I'll feel bothered..."
"U?"
As I have no idea what Houki's whispering, I turn my face to her.
"Nn..."
--Huh?
WHAAAAT!!? HO-HOUKI, SAN? WHY MUST YOU CLOSE YOUR EYES AND CURL YOUR LIPS!?
"..."
Houki's silent expectant face is definitely pretty.
--Uu, damn it...damn it, damn it...
(Damn it...I'll be sucked in like this...)
As I put my hand on her shoulder, Houki's body jerked.
Then, Houki leans her body over, and I slowly close in on her face—
*GOOSH!*
(...Hm? What's that?)
I again move my face close to hers—
*GOOSH!*
(That's irritating. What was that? Did something hit my head!?)
I thought as I opened my eyes—actually, it would have been better if I didn't.
Appearing right in front of me is a floating fin-shaped object, and there's also a rectangular opening.
"...[Blue Tears]..."
That's the BIT.
It pokes its cannon in my face.
*Kyuuiiii...*
"AHHHHHHHH!!!"
*BAM!*
That was close, I managed to dodge it. Well, my hair got burned.
"Hau..."
"—Very good, LET'S KILL HIM!!"
"ICHIKA, WHAT ARE YOU DOING...?"
"FUFU, FUFUFUFUFU."
The four needle-like stares are waiting for me as I turned around to dodge.
On a side note, the ones who spoke in order were Laura, Rin, Charl and Cecilia.
"HO-HOUKI! WE GOT TO RUN!"
"HUH? AHH? KYAHH!?"
Houki let out a scream as I carried her, but there's no time to bother about her.
Like an escaping rabbit, I run away from the four personal IS pilots.
(...AHHH)
WHY DO I FEEL THAT SOMETHING SIMILAR HAPPENED LAST MONTH!?
--Sounds of gunfire continued to chase me. STOP IT, I'LL DIE!! I'LL REALLY DIE!!!
◇
"[Akatsubaki]'s operational rate including [Kenran Butou] is about 42%? Hm, that's about it?"
The female stared at the numerous values shown on the screens in the air as she gave an innocent smile.
Like a kid, like an angel.
The bright moonlight shines on that face that's no different from usual.
The person who often has a bored look, the person called Shinonono Tabane.
"Nn--...mn, nn."
As she continued to hum, she summoned another screen. It's [Byakushiki] as he's fighting in second phase.
Tabane's sitting on the fence at the headlands, shaking her feet and looking at that image.
In front of her, there's only the wide sea that's 30 meters in depth. But even though she may fall and hurt herself, her expression didn't change.
"Ha~[Byakushiki]'s really amazing. To think that it can allow the pilot to revive. Just like—"
"—Like the [White Knight], right? Core number 001 was the first frame in action, and the one you spent the most effort on, right?"
Chifuyu walked silently through the forest and came out. Covered in the black suit, her figure looked like she was about to take away the darkness in the night, as it's full of silence and majestic feel.
"Yaa, Chi-chan."
"Oh."
Both of them aren't looking at each other as they turn their backs on each other. Tabane continued to shake her feet like that, while Chifuyu leaned on the tree.
Even without looking, they can understand the expressions on each other's faces.
It's the trust between them.
"Oh yeah, Chi-chan, let me test you. Where did the [White Knight][3D 4] go?"
"...You'll get the answer by reading [Byakushiki] as [Shirokishi], right?"
"Bingo, as expected of Chi-chan, the one who piloted the [White Knight] before."
The frame that people called the [White Knight] was dissimilated, leaving the core behind. It had a huge contribution to the production of the first generation IS. However, its core disappeared after a certain research lab was raided, and then unknowingly, it was installed in the machine called [Byakushiki].
"And then...hoho. For example, someone exchanged messages through the Core Network, Chi-chan's first [White Knight] and her second frame [Kurezakura]. If that's the case, even if they develop the same [One-off Ability], there's nothing weird about it, right?"
"..."
Chifuyu didn't answer.
But Tabane didn't care about her answer and continued.
"Speaking of which, it was really unbelievable...that machine's core was set back to the default form when it was dissimilated. How did that happen? It should be set back to the default setting because I made it, right?"
"There're a lot of unbelievable things happening in this world."
Chifuyu doesn't understand.
And neither does Tabane.
But there's no problem.
"...Oh yeah, let me give an example."
"Huh, Chi-chan? That's rare of you."
"For example, a certain genius deliberately made a boy mistake his high school entrance exam location and put the IS there such that it could only be activated at that time. If that's the case, the IS that shouldn't be operated by men becomes pilotable, right?"
"Hm~? But if that happens, he can't continue to pilot it, right?"
"That's right. You won't waste so much time to do such a thing anyway."
"Hehehe, because I'll get tired of it."
"...Then what's the truth? A certain genius?"
"Who knows? Fufufu, actually, I don't understand why [Byakushiki] activates. Logically speaking, Ii-kun and IS research are completely unrelated, right?"
"Humph...forget about it. Next hypothesis then."
"You really have a lot."
"Are you happy?"
Tabane answered 'That's right' and continued to listen to Chifuyu.
"A certain genius wanted to let her beloved imouto's[3D 5] IS grace the stage, so she prepared a personal IS and an IS going rampant."
Tabane didn't answer, and Chifuyu continued on.
"As the incident happened, the new model hi-capability machine could take part in battle. This genius' imouto could gracefully enter the stage as a personal IS pilot."
"Heh~ that's a really unbelievable assumption. It seems like such an amazing genius exists."
"Yup, such a genius exists. That genius once hacked 12 countries' military missiles to create a famous incident in history."
Tabane didn't answer, and Chifuyu didn't continue,
"Hey, Chi-chan, is the world you're living in interesting?"
"Ordinary, I guess."
"I see..."
The strong wind that blew up the headland let out a roar.
"---"
After saying a few words in that wind, Tabane disappeared.
Suddenly. She vanished.
"..."
Chifuyu sighed and leaned the back of her head on the tree branch.
The voice in her mouth disappeared together with the sea breeze.
Epilogue: Your Name is...
The next morning, after we finished breakfast, we started packing the IS equipment.
Everyone was busy until past 10. Then, everyone began to board the buses, and lunch seem to be provided at a rest point on the way back.
"Yes ma'am~..."
Right now, as I sit down, I can only describe myself using the word 'Tired'.
I got chased for almost an hour, and the fact that I snuck out of the resort was found out. I got scolded by Chifuyu-nee, and in the end, I only slept for about 3 hours. I feel like I'm about to die carrying out such heavy activity.
"Sorry, anyone got a drink...?"
I asked because I was tired, but—
"...Drink your own saliva." That's what Laura said.
"I don't know." That's what Cecilia said.
"I have it, but I'm not sharing it with you." That's what Charl said.
Rin's from class 2, so she's not around here.
With my last ounce of hope, I turn to Houki.
"Wha-What are you looking here for?"
Just when I'm wondering if she's blushing, she suddenly karate chopped me. WA IT HURTS!!
"Uu, Humph..."
Seems like nobody wants to give me a drink. Is it because of my misconduct? Uu...
◇
(Hm—he really looks pitiful...)
Though Charl's response was cold, she felt that her conscience was pricked on seeing Ichika that tired.
(Oh well. Besides, nothing happened last night. I should forgive him.)
Charlotte pulled out the tea from the PET bottle. She bought it before boarding the bus, and it seemed to be useful now.
(Everyone doesn't seem to be taking action yet. Good!)
◇
(Was I too cold to him...?)
Seeing Ichika really dejected, Cecilia felt rather anxious.
It was a rare chance to be gentle to Ichika, yet she couldn't help but show that attitude because of what happened yesterday.
But thinking about it now, all the girls are unhappy with him. Now's a good chance!
(If that's the case--)
She reached for the PET bottle in her bag. She prepared it for herself, yet unexpectedly, it came to good use here.
(Time to seize the opportunity...fufu.)
◇
(Why didn't I say it in another way...?)
Thinking about this was Laura, who took a new step on this beach expedition.
She's really remorseful that she was petty about what happened yesterday.
In that situation, I should smile to him as a good woman!
Laura thought as she wondered how to patch things up.
(Oh yeah, he looks really thirsty. Might the tea I bought this morning be useful?)
She played with the PET bottle she just took out, wondering how to give it to him.
It was rare for the other girls not to take action, and Laura felt that now was a good chance.
(Hm, I'll just sneak to him and pass the tea to him...if-if that's the case, I can remain with him all the way until the end of the trip.)
◇
(Ahhh! I messed up...)
It's rare for the atmosphere to be as good as yesterday's, yet nothing happened in the end. Not only that, Houki's feeling unhappy that Ichika's been hiding from the other girls, so she responded like that accidentally.
(Thi-This is bad...do I have the habit of taking action subconsciously...?)
To be honest, this isn't good.
It was still okay up till last month, but right now, Charlotte's in the same class.
In front of that strong enemy, once she uses violence, he would push her ranking to the back.
(O-Okay! Time to show gentleness to Ichika!)
Houki holds the PET bottle tea that she bought before the bus ride, and stands up.
◇
"Uu...I'm tired..."
""""I-ICHIKA!!""""
"Yes?"
Hearing the 4 girls call me at the same time, I turn around. At this moment, an unfamiliar girl walked into the bus.
"Excuse me, is Orimura Ichika-san here?"
"Ah, yes, that's me."
It just so happened that I was sitting at the front-most seat, and I immediately responded once my name got called.
That female's about 20+. She should be older than us alright. Her glamorous blond hair is shining all the more brightly under the summer sun.
As for attire, she's dressed in a cool-looking blue summer suit. However, it's not the professional kind Chifuyu-nee wears, but a casual trendy windbreaker. The open front cleavage allowed me to see a mature woman's ample breasts.
She hung the sunglasses on the shirt, right in front of the cleavage, and bent over to look at my face.
"So you look like this. Oh—"
The woman said that she stared at me in an interested manner. She's not sizing me up, but observing me out of curiosity.
The fragrant orange perfume on her reminds me that 'She's a woman', making me unable to remain calm.
"The-Then...you're...?"
"I'm Natasha Fairs, the pilot of the [Silver Gospel]."
"Huh—"
Just when I felt puzzled by this unexpected answer, I got kissed on the cheek!
"Oo...this is a present. Thank you, [White Knight]-san."
"Huh? Ah, uu...?"
"Then, that'll be my farewell—bye bye~"
"Oh, oh..."
Facing this Miss Natasha who waved at me and left, I could only watch her leave as I waved my hand blankly.
...Huh...
"..."
For some reason...for some reason...a bad premonition caused me to turn around.
"You cheating man."
"Ichika's rather popular."
"Sure looks like he's very lucky no matter where he goes."
"Hahaha."
The 4 of them closed in onto me. Ahh...I seem to hear the sound of army boots.
""""DRINK THIS!!!!""""
They threw 4 PET bottles of 500ml each at me. To be honest, these bottles can kill.
◇
"..."
After getting off the bus, Natasha found the person she wanted to talk to, and walked over.
"Hey hey, stop spreading unnecessary sparks. It's troublesome to deal with those brats."
Chifuyu said that.
Natasha felt somewhat shy on hearing that.
"Because this guy's a lot better than I expected, so I accidentally..."
"Really...anyway, more importantly, is it really okay for you to walk around like that after 1 day?"
"Mn, it's not a problem. That kid saved me anyway."
The 'Kid' she mentioned about is the [Gospel] that went rampant in this situation.
"—So it was like that?"
"Mn, that kid entered that battle it didn't want to take part in to protect me. Forcing itself into second phase and cutting off the Core Network...that kid sacrificed her world for me."
Natasha continued on, and the carefree tone of hers is no longer present. Right now, she's giving off a vicious presence.
"So I won't forgive her! The one who took that kid's decision making ability! Making it as the enemy of all IS—I must find that person and make her pay!"
Even though the core wasn't damaged, because of the rampancy, the [Gospel] was ordered to be frozen at dawn this morning.
"...That kid loves flying more than anyone else, yet her wings got taken away...I won't forgive that person no matter who that person is."
"Don't do something foolish now. There's still the investigations, right? Anyway, watch patiently for now."
"Is this your advice to me? Brunhilde?"
Brunhilde—that's the title given to the winner of the IS [Mondo Grosso].
Chifuyu was the first winner, but to be honest, she didn't like others calling her that.
"Just a suggestion."
"I see. I'll just wait and see...for the time being."
The two who only met each other for the first time didn't talk any more as both of them went on their way.
The next time—these words are etched on their backs.
Afterwords
The 3rd volume of IS was sold successfully.
But, well, I dragged on, and on, and on. I'm really sorry to the people involved and the readers. The reason why this happened was...my health wasn't good. Ever since summer started, I've been resting on the bed.
Right now, my body's gradually recovering, but once, I couldn't drink for four consecutive days. I thought I was about to die! However, I'm still alive now...anyway, I'm really sorry.
This time, I'll like to thank Okiura-san for providing the wonderful illustrations. It's really hard to draw the images corresponding to the pages, but Okiura-san drew them seriously for me, and I'm really grateful for that.
Huh, when writing the script, I would often get a mind block. It's not that I didn't have any motivation, but I ran out of battery. At this moment, I would read fulfilling things to recharge myself.
To me, the work with the most fulfillment was 'G Senjou Heaven's Door' by Nihonbashi Yoko-san. This book really helped me out a few times. Thank you. This work was my bible ever since I started small.
As for other works...recently, I've read Fujita Kazuhiro-san's 'The Black Museum: Springald'. I really like stories which involve flowers. Alright! Now I have to work hard alone!
Oh yeah, now for the Q&A. I once said that I would 'increase the role of the most popular person', so I did that in the 3rd volume.
That's right, it's Cecilia. But did she get too much time...? I'm reflecting on it.
