Infinite Stratos - Volume 1, page 16
"Ichika..."
"Rin?"
"Uu?"
I know the voice belonged to Rin, but I was shocked when I opened my eyes--Rin's face is 3cm away from my face.
"...What are you doing?"
"Yo-you-you'r-you're awake?"
"I got woken up by your voice. Why so frantic all of a sudden?"
"I-I'm not panicking! Stop uttering rubbish, idiot!"
Is this person really the kind who would end a sentence with 'idiot' as a verbal tic? It's somewhat too much to say that so many times! A peculiar role that fails won't have a good end!"
"Ah--that's right, I heard the match was null!"
"Of course!"
Sitting beside me on the bed, will Rin peel an apple for me? Though I don't see an apple...
"Ah!"
"Wh-what?"
"What was the result!? We haven't got the rematch, confirmed, right?"
"It doesn't matter!"
"Huh? Why?"
"Anyway, it doesn't matter!"
Such a ridiculous reason. But since she said so, I'll just listen to her! But that matter is that matter, men have to be partial.
"Rin."
"What?"
"That...well, I'm sorry, for a lot of things...sorry."
I honestly lowered my head in apology. No matter what happened, nor what happens, once I realize that I did something wrong, I have to apologize.
Seeing me like this, Rin reveals a shocked expression before recovering.
"I was too agitated at that time...it's not a problem now!"
Seems like she voluntarily forgave me. Even the most intimate friends have to abide the rules, as I don't want to lose the bonds I have with others.
"Ah, I remembered."
For some reason, the promise I had with Rin suddenly awoke within me. If I was right, we were in grade 6. The place was the classroom, and like now, it was at sunset.
"More accurately, it was 'if my cooking gets better, you'll eat my sweet and sour pork everyday, right'? Or something like that? How is it? Did your cooking improve?"
"Huh? Ah, erm..."
Rin seems to be at a loss of words as she looks around and nods her head. Is it my imagination? her face seems really red.
"Even though I just thought of it, that promise doesn't have any other meaning, right? I always thought that you would treat me to free--"
"Tha-That's right! You remembered correctly! If, if I let others eat what I cook, wouldn't my cooking improve? So...that, that's right!"
Rin suddenly rattled off like a machine gun. I feel like I got nearly overpowered by her momentum.
"I see. Sigh, I thought it would be some promise like 'drinking miso soup everyday~!' Good that it's not, seems like I thought too much.
"..."
"Rin?"
"Huh, that, that's right! You thought too much! Ah ha, ahhahahaha!"
Laughing out in a ridiculous manner, Rin seems like she's trying to hide something. But if she's deliberately trying to hide it, there's no need to go after it!
Speaking of which, there's still something I'm concerned about,
"Are you going to reopen the shop? Your dad's cooking great, I still want more!"
"Ah...that, the shop...won't be opened again."
"Huh? Why?"
"Because my parents divorced..."
...What? I thought they were a lovely couple? What happened?
But it seems like this isn't a joke. Seeing Rin's face look so empty, I'm hesitating on what I should say.
"That was the reason why I returned to China."
"I see..."
Now that I remember, at that time, Rin's emotions were unstable. Back then, it seemed like she wanted to hide something as she often acted cheery. I always felt that it was weird.
"Basically, my mom got my custody. Right now, in whatever aspects, females are superior, and they get treated better, so..."
I thought that she would try to assure me, but her tone deepens.
"It's been a year since I last saw dad. I suppose he should still be energetic!"
I don't know what to say to Rin, the fact that Rin's parents divorced left a deep impact on me.
It's definitely a bad thing for a family to break up, but something must have happened to cause them to break up!
I recall that easy-going uncle and the energetic aunty.
Why--why did it end up like that?
But I can't ask Rin, because she's even more hurt than anybody else.
"Each family has their own skeleton in the closet."
I...don't know what sort of people my parents were. To me, who only has Chifuyu-nee as family, I really can't embrace the feelings in Rin's words.
"That...Rin."
Hm? What is it?"
"Where are we going out to next time?"
"Wha? Does this mean, a da--"
"I'll get Gotanda over. We haven't met together for a long time."
"..."
"I'm not going."
Rin puffs her cheeks as she said this. What! I just invited you! You really don't know the value of being a friend!
"If, if it's just both of you going, if I had to accompany you, it'--"
*BAM!*, the infirmary door got slammed open.
"Ichika-san, how's your body? I'm here to nurs--ah!?"
Striding in, Cecilia stopped the moment she saw Rin at the bed.
"Why are you...? Ichika's from class 1, there's no need to be visited by someone from class 2, right?"
"What are you saying? It's alright since I'm his childhood friend! You're just a real outsider!"
"I-I'm a classmate, so it's alright! And I'm now Ichika-san's special coach!"
She just emphasized on the 'special'. However, the moment Cecilia said that 'because I'm a representative candidate', she just dug her own grave.
"Then I'll be his special coach from tomorrow onwards, I'm a representative candidate as well."
"That, that won't do?"
"Why? Is there any reason? Ichika agrees, right?"
"No, no you can't! Right, Ichika-san!?"
Why do you ask me? To be honest, I'm fine with anyone, as long as I'm taught about IS...ah, Rin should be better, right? She's a mixed long/close ranged fighter, but she's of the same energy type as me.
"Rin is definitely more suitable."
"Wha...?"
"Humph, isn't that right?"
"Because we're both power types"
"..."
"..."
That's strange? Why did they just widen their eyes? There shouldn't be any other special reason, right?
"That's right! It's just that you're both power-types, right? However, don't worry! Even if I, Cecilia Alcott, am a mid-ranged type, I'll be an excellent special coach for Ichika-san!"
And just now she emphasized on the 'just'.
Is this what made Rin feel bad? On first glance, she seems angry. Or rather, she's glaring at me. Eh? Am I the problem here?"
"Okay, let's analyze the battle today! Just you and me."
"What are you saying! Ichika fought together with me, of course he has to analyze it with me! Are you an idiot!?"
"Id...? Humph, because of that, classless people can really be troublesome."
"At least they're better than pretentious people."
"What did you say!?"
"What?"
Ah, these two people's personalities really don't match...or I should say, doesn't Cecilia want to be at least a bit friendlier to Houki or Rin--even if I say that, it's because she didn't that this happened!
(Ahh, really...I just want to go back to my room and sleep...or I should say, I want to take a shower...)
They completely ignore my troubles. Right between the two of them who're quarreling loudly, I sighed.
◇
50m below the school grounds is a secret place that only people with level 4 authority can enter.
The IS that stopped functioning was immediately transported there. In those two hours, Chifuyu continued to rewatch videos of that battle.
"..."
The lights in the room are off,. and Chifuyu's face, which was lit by the screen lights, looks extremely cold.
"Orimura-sensei?"
A pop-up suddenly appears on the screen. The image that appears on the pop-up shows Maya, who's holding a flatscreen computer.
"You may enter."
After being allowed in, when the door opened, Maya moves in with much more vigor than usual.
"The IS analysis is complete."
"Ah, so how is it?"
"Yes, it's--an unmanned drone."
There are IS technology that the world is still developing, and either or both these technology--remote control, stand-alone movements were used to commanding this. This is a fact that all the people related to the Academy were ordered to keep quiet.
"We don't know how it was operated. The core was burned by Orimura-kun's last attack, and it's unlikely that we can repair it."
"The core?"
"...It's not registered."
"Is that so?"
Chifuyu then mutters 'as expected'. Seeing her declare this with a confident attitude, Maya reveals a surprised look.
"Have you thought of something?"
"No, nothing. Nothing--yet."
Saying this, Chifuyu turns to look at the image on the screen again.
That's not an expression of a teacher, but more like a warrior. That expression would make one think of the 'legendary pilot' who once stood at the top of the world; however, those sharp eyes of Chifuyu are merely staring at the image on the screen.
◇
"You're too slow!"
This is the first thing I heard the moment I returned to the room. Is this childhood friend of mine the devil?
"What the heck were you doing? Really...I waited for you with a hungry stomach!"
"Waited for me--huh, what? You haven't had dinner yet?"
"I TOLD YOU I WAS WAITING FOR YOU!"
No, you could have gone first...even though I really want to say it, I didn't most likely because it would anger Houki! Hm, I am learning after all!
"Then let's go to the cafeteria then! It's about time they close down."
"Hol-Hold on!"
Houki stops me just as I'm going out. What's going on? There's already no time, is there really something important? On a side note, the cafeteria closes at 8, we can't even get anchovies after that time."
"To-Today, is, that...erm..."
"Hm? Do I smell food?"
And it seems like it was just cooked. Right now, my sense of smell is 20% stronger, 'cause I have an empty stomach.
"There seems to be something on the table...ohh? Isn't that fried rice? What's going on?"
There's a magical smell to it. It's the smell of being fried with sesame oil. This smell can induce my appetite.
"I-I...cooked it."
"What? Really?"
"Why do you look so surprised?"
No, well, it's surprising...
But the fact that it's not Japanese cuisine makes me even more surprised. What's the wind blowing today!? Is she going to demand money from me? Don't worry, I don't have any money with me.
"Ar-Are you going to eat or not; which will it be?"
"Well, I'll eat, but...why are you angry?"
"I-I'm not!"
She sounded angry, but seems like she's not. Since she said this, she shouldn't be angry, right? To trust before suspecting, this is the basis of building a human relationship.
"Anyway, can I eat?"
"Wash your hands first. Also, rinse your mouth, too."
As expected of Houki, she's really someone who emphasizes on the customs. Though I can't just brush it off as common knowledge, since people of all ages with lack of common sense are increasing in numbers, it's nothing much to mention it as a common knowledge.
As this is something I will normally do even when not being told, it won't take too long, and I quickly finished it.
The moment I walked out of the bathroom, Houki's already at the table telling me to sit down. I quietly sit down and palm my hands together in thanks.
"Well then, itadakimasu."
"Hm, help yourself. Eat as much as you want."
I start to gulp it down.
"..."
"How is it? Is it good?"
Houki looks delighted, but I haven't given out a definitive answer.
"It's...bland."
Houki snatched the ceramic spoon away from me and takes a large bite out of it.
"...It's bland."
"Isn't it?"
From the appearance...it's just ordinary fried rice, but I couldn't taste the flavor. Why is that so? Most likely, there's not enough flavorings--no, she probably did not add in any condiments at all. If so, I'm amazed that she could actually cook it to such a color. Is the slightly charred brown that increases the appetite a form of magic?
"This, this is just an accident...that's right! Usually, I would never forget to add it!"
"No, forgetting to put in seasonings isn't something that should happen often."
"You're too noisy! If you don't want it, I'll just eat it all!"
"I never said that! Here, give me the spoon."
I grabbed the spoon from the angry Houki and started to wolf down the fried rice. Even if it was bland and I couldn't enjoy it, I still carefully chewed it before swallowing.
Even if it's bland, I still have to be thankful to the person who cooked this personally. I can't be called a man if I leave leftovers!
"Thanks for the meal."
After polishing off the rice, I put down the spoon and brought the palms of my hands together in thanks.
"..."
"Wha-What?"
Houki wordlessly stares at me as she reveals a hard to describe expression--one of the many emotions, but not really of it.
"Don-Don't be mistaken!"
"What?"
"Today, that, was...just an accident, a really seldom moment in which I failed. Normally, I'm successful!"
Is that so? I don't really know, but at least I can trust her...however, this seems to be the first time I've seen Houki cook. But then again, the last time we met was in 4th grade, so it isn't that weird.
"But why Chinese cuisines? Aren't you more skilled in Japanese cuisine?"
"The, the way of the cuisines isn't divided by countries, I just want to prove that."
But since you failed, in the end you couldn't, right!? This is a dish that doesn't even have a nationality!
"Bu-But, no matter what, if you're unhappy with it, I can still cook it instead of you."
"YOU, YOU DON'T WANT TO EAT WHAT I COOK FOR YOU!?"
"No, I never said that...what's with you? You've been acting strange so far!"
"...I said that I wanted to cook for you every day..."
What happened to the roaring voice? Houki just curled back suddenly and moved her mouth softly. Of course, I can't hear what she's saying.
"I-It's all your fault! You made a promise with someone, how do you intend to settle it?"
"The promise...is it about Rin? I settled that already!"
"Wh-What...?"
"I said 'I settled that' already. I apologized to her, and she forgave me."
"..."
Why are you looking so suspicious, am I not trustworthy?
"That's not something that can be settled with an apology!"
"Didn't I say that it's settled already!?"
Why is this person so obstinate? How ridiculous!
"Besides, when can a lifetime vow be settled that easi--"
The angry machine gun-like voice of Houki got drained out by the casual opening of the door
"Are Shinonono-san and Orimura-kun in?"
This slow response comes from Yamada-sensei, as she forcefully opens the door. See! It's her.
"What's wrong, sensei?"
"Oh, you have to change rooms."
"What?"
Change rooms? Yamada-sensei? This room is a two-persons room!
"...Sensei, please tell us what's going on."
"Ye-Yes! Sorry!"
The sharp gaze from Houki causes Yamada-sensei to shrink away like a small animal. Really, stop bullying her, she's a teacher!
"Well, the one changing rooms is Shinonono-san. The rooms are finally arranged, so you two don't have to live together from today onwards."
No need to live together--oh, Yamada-sensei's pretty capable.
"Ichika!"
"Oh, ohh!"
Found out again! Why, just why?
"I'll help out as well. Hurry up and get ready!"
"Wa-Wai-Wait a minute, do I have to move out now?"
Houki just said something unbelievable, and Yamada-sensei blinks in surprise, probably not expecting that.
"That...that's true. There would be many problems if a boy and a girl live together in the same room. Besides, Shinonono-san, you haven't been able to relax, right?"
"No, that, I--"
Houki continues to stutter as she glances at me--ahh, I see! So that's the reason.
"No need to be bothered. Don't worry, I will obediently wake up and brush my teeth even without Houki around."
"--!"
*PA!*...huh, that's strange? I seem to hear something weird, like someone going crazy or something...
"SENSEI, I'M MOVING OUT NOW!!"
"O-Okay! Then let's start!"
As Houki prompted her, Yamada-sensei's body trembles again
"Can I help out?"
"NO NEED!"
Wah, she's really angry, just like a katana that will slice on touch. Seems like I'd better shut up first.
"...I was so worried about you, and yet you..."
She muttered as if anger's mixed into it, but that's just it. As expected of Houki, the packing is done in less than an hour.
"Umm..."
Now that my co-habitant is suddenly gone, the room seems to feel like it's twice as large.
Speaking of which, it's really lonely to be alone.
If possible, I really want to take a bath. However, the sad thing is that they're still adjusting the guy/girls time schedule--I remember Yamada-sensei's face when she said that she will try to settle this during this month.
(But about that...because of IS, I reunited with Houki and Rin, and met Cecilia...that's unbelievable.)
People normally say that 'the fate between people is inexplicable', and truthfully, it's even more fantasical as compared to a novel, and light novels have more graphical than novels--I won't continue on, that's too overboard.
