Infinite Stratos - Volume 2, page 18
Of course, she had a towel wrapped around her, but it was a thin sports towel. The color of the skin behind could roughly be seen, and because of the backlight, I could see the body curves extremely clearly.
"Wh-Wha-What!?"
"...Do-Don't look! Ichika no ecchi..."
"So-Sorry!"
AHHH, why must I say sorry!!?
—AHHH!! I don't understand, but I better apologise!
Then, I quickly turned right at a rotation speed that could match an IS. The human body sure is amazing!
"Wh-Wha-What? Why are you here! Ah, I did ask you to come in, but that was when I was not in—why did you come in, Charles-san?"
Ahh, not good. My mind is in a mess now. Though I know what sort of situation I am in now, I couldn't control it now—or rather, how am I going to control myself now? Who could bring together, the gathering of a poltergeist? If there's one in the bathroom—yikes!
"You, you don't like...to be...with me...?"
"No, that's not it!"
That's not a case of liking someone or not. If I have to say it, I'm troubled! That's right, I am troubled! I'm a healthy 15 year old boy, and I have an interest in the opposite gender like others. I'd be lying if I said that I am not excited.
And at this moment, I'm in this large and sealed room (with high temperatures and echoes to boot) alone with a naked girl. This isn't good. I don't find that it's good at all. Right now, I can somewhat hear Charles breathing behind me, causing my heart to beat wildly.
"I still felt that it's better to come take a bath—if you, you're bothered by this. I'll just get out. Is it okay?"
"I-It-It's alright. I'll come out instead. I got enough of it, and besides—"
"WA-WAIT!"
She suddenly shouted for me to stop, and I stopped due to the shock.
"We-Well, I have something to say! It's important, so I hope that Ichika can listen..."
"I, I understand..."
If she has something important to say to me, I have to listen. Thus, I put my body that got up back into the bath pool.
But naturally, I couldn't stare at Charles, so I could only turn to the right side of the bath and listen to her with my back facing her.
"Well...do you still remember what you just said?"
"What I said before...are you talking about staying in the Academy?"
"Yes, that...well, I intend to stay here. Because I don't have any place to live, and..."
"An-And what?"
"..."
For some reason, she answered with silence. Our conversation suddenly stopped, and the entire bath went silent.
*Plop*.
"Kyah!"
"Wh-What's wrong?"
She just let out a cute sound, causing my voice to panic as well.
"I, I just got a water droplet on me...just scared me."
"Is, is that so..."
"..."
"..."
And then, the silence continued. The water droplets that would occasionally drop from the ceiling seemed to feel abnormally large.
Swoosh...
"Charles?"
As I heard the sound of water moving about in the pool, I turned my face to the source of the water instinctively.
"Do-Don't look here! Turn around!"
"So-Sorry!"
Though the steam was thick, both of us were less than 1 meter apart, so I could clearly see Charles facing me.
(Wh-What is she trying to do? No, is blood gushing into my head? I feel dizzy...)
But my wavering consciousness got shook up at the next moment.
*Swoosh*. Charles used her hands to touch my back.
"Cha-Charles—"
Her hands were hugging me from behind, and her slender body was pressing onto my back. My heart was pounding like crazy, it was as if it was about to jump out of my mouth.
"Ichika, I'll say it because it's here — I want to remain here because you are here."
"I, I see..."
Though it's nothing much to me, I find that it's enough that I could help Charles.
I feel that, depending on how the people around me treat me, I would treat them back in the same way. If others are to protect me gently, I wish to give the same gentleness to them and protect them. That's what I think.
"Also, that...I decided on something."
"Something...?"
"Yup, how I ought to live. Ichika taught me that, right?"
"Is, is that so?"
"Yeah. Fuuf, it seems like Ichika's so slow-witted whenever he's involved, that it's really irritating!"
"We-Well...sorry about that."
"It's alright, I forgive you. But can you call me Charlotte from now on? Just call me that when we're alone together."
"That's your real...?"
"Yes. My name. Mother gave it to me, my real name."
"I got it, Charlotte."
"Mn."
Charles—no, Charlotte happily answered like, as naive as a child. I could immediately imagine her completely worry-free expression.
"Th-Tha-That's right, well...if we continue to remain in this position, to be honest, something bad may happen..."
Though I didn't realise just now, when I noticed the parts she and I were sticking together, it couldn't be helped that I was mindful of the lumps on my back.
The size should be ordinary, but the springy-ness shape is rather good—WHAT IN THE WORLD AM I THINKING!!??
"Ah, ahh, oh! That's right! I, I have...to wash my body and hair first!"
Charlotte finally seemed to notice her situation as she got away from me with water splatting sounds, standing up from the pool.
"Do-Don't look here, okay!?"
"I, I won't..."
"...It would be alright even if you looked..."
She finally seemed to mutter something, but as the water splatters were too loud, I couldn't hear it.
Then, Charlotte and I continued to wash and bath, and then we left the bath after relaxing for 30 minutes.
—OF course, we put on our clothes separately. While I waited, Charlotte was putting on her clothes.
Guys just need a moment to put on their clothes, and I'm done—look, I'm done.
"Let's go back then."
"Mn."
Charlotte nods her head. Her head's flushed red, maybe because she just bathed.
Though she was wearing the bra as per usual, the hair that was wet and combed back caused my heart to beat ridiculously for some reason.
After returning to the room, we first talked about some pointless stuff, and then slept. I don't really remember what happened, maybe because I was too tired...maybe.
Let's just leave it as that.
◇
The next, day, Charlotte didn't show up at homeroom.
'I'm going then'. That's what she said to me before she left when we were at the cafeteria. What happened?
I look around the classroom. Besides, Charlotte, Laura wasn't around either. She was probably still recovering due to the injuries yesterday. Either that, or she got taken by the teachers for questioning.
"Go-Good morning everyone..."
For some reason, Yamada-sensei tumbled as she walked into the classroom. Maybe she got severely affected by something early in the morning or something. Maybe her poached egg wasn't half-cooked or something...that could make her feel so moody.
"Orimura-kun. I don't know what you were thinking, but you can't treat me as a kid! Sensei's angry. Haa..."
She's angry...but not forceful. That's all. Sorry sensei.
"Uhm, today...I will be introducing a new student. Umm..."
I really can't understand Yamada-sensei's introduce...what? Transfer student?
My classmates seem to respond at the same time, as there's a commotion. It's already this late into the term, and we already had two transfer students. Another one? What's going on?
"Okay, please enter."
"Sorry to intrude."
Huh? This voice is--
"I'm Charlotte Dunois. Everyone, it's nice to see you."
Wearing a dress, Charlotte gives a deep bow. Including me, everyone in the class is stunned, but they still bowed back politely.
"Erm, Dunois-kun san is actually Dunois-san, just like that. Haa...I have to reassign dorms again..."
I see, so sensei's bothered about this.
...Hold, on, a, minute!
"Wha? Dunois-kun was a girl...?"
"I always knew that it's weird! She's not a bishounen, but a bishoujo."[2D 4]
"Hey, Orimura-kun, you were sharing a room together, don't tell me--"
"Wait a minute! I remember the bath was being used by the guys yesterday!?"
*Zawazawazawazza!* The buzzing surrounded the entire room, and the next moment, it rushed out.
--Ah not good. I have a bad feeling about this.
*BAM!* The classroom door looked like it got kicked down.
"IIICCHHIIIKKKAAA~!!!"
Crashing in and saying hello was Huang Lingyin. Her expression was showing rage that was like burning fire, and there seemed to be a dragon behind her. Ahh, this is the 4,000 year old history of China!
"GO AND DIE!"
She deployed the IS armor and opened the [Impact Cannons] on both shoulders with full force.
--Ah, I'm sooo going to die now--
Tomorrow's headlines will be decided.
"A 1st year high school male student was unfortunately killed by a girl of the same year. His body was completely blown to bits, and the classmates screamed out in shock."
'MEAT SAUCE!' 'TOMATO SAUCE' 'A PERSIMMON DROPPED ONTO THE GROUND!' 'A FIG!' 'A TRASHED CAN OF COKE!' 'OR PES(beep)COLA!'
Hey, the last two are the same--
*BZZT!*
"FU-AH, FU--AH, FU--AH!"
Rin's shoulders were rising and dropping due to anger, and she looked like a cat who was so angry that the fur was standing up--hm...huh? I'm...still alive...? I'm still alive?
"..."
I don't know if it was at the last second, but the one who arrived in between Rin and me was--that Laura.
She was covered in the black IS [Schwarzer Regen]. Maybe she used the AIC she specializes in to negate the impact waves, but on closer look, that large railgun wasn't there.
"Thanks for saving me...is your IS repaired? That's amazing."
"...Luckily, the core's alright, so I just used spare parts to reassemble it."
"Oh, I see--bku!?"
Suddenly--
Really, out of a sudden, Laura grabbed my chest and pulled me to her before--kissing me forcefully.
"!?!?!?!?"
SHOCKING NEWS! Can someone tell me what happened? Including Rin, everyone present widened their mouths in shock. They're showing the same expression; me too.
"You, you're going to be my bride! It's decided! I won't allow any objections!"
"Bride? Not groom?"
Being extremely confused, I commented calmly. Maybe I'm really a great artiste--okay, that's enough of my own ecstasy.
"I heard that the Japanese customs would say to the ones they like 'yome ni suru'[2D 5], so you're my bride."
Who told her all these rubbish!? Hey! Call the one responsible for this!
--Hn?
"Y-Yo-You...!"
Stuttering as she opened her mouth, Rin could only sputter some sounds like a goldfish. But for some reason, I couldn't get rid of the sense of danger. It's just like a goldfish sensor. Hold on.
"YOOOUUUU BBBBAAAASSSSTTTAAARRRRDDDD!!!"
*KLANG!* She activated the [Impact Cannons] again.
"HOLD ON A MINUTE! IT'S NOT MY FAULT! I'M THE VICTIM HERE!!!"
"IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT! ALL! ABSOLUTELY!! ALL YOUR FFFAAAAULLLLLTTT!!!"
THAT'S TOO UNREASONABLE!
But it seems like I can't talk sense into her. As I could feel my own life in danger, I tried to escape through the back door of the classroom.
*Bhew--!*
The laser grazes my nosetip, and I tremble as I turn around.
"Oh my, Ichika-san? Where are you going? I got something to say to you, you know? Well, it may be sudden, but it's necessary. Ohohohohoho..."
Eek! Cecilia has 1, 2, 3...at least 5 ruptured blood vessels! She's slowly getting up, the [Starlight Mk III] in her hands, the particles of light are forming BITs on her back. Too late, the IS armor is covering her body.
Things just got worse!
I gave up on escaping through the corridor and turned to the windows. As this is the 2nd level, I can just jump down. In the worst case scenario, I just need to deploy [Byakushiki]--
*DON!*
And right now(nanto)--here it goes (kanto). The south's (nanto) really great, and I mean exactly as what it indicates. It's good to complete it (kanto), and I mean exactly as what it indicates.
I got a katana stabbed right in front of me. Huh, is this the Sengoku era[2D 6]? Sengoku IS Academy...or something like that? Though it's not important, but Yodogimi's IS must be pretty powerful, I guess.
"...Ichika, how do you intend to explain?"
"HOLD IT HOLD IT HOLD IT! I'M THE ONE WHO WANTS AN EXPLANATION--OWOAH!"
I'M TOO LAZY TO LISTEN! The sharp slash echoed these words as it assaults me. AHH, YOU IDIOT! STOP IT! DO YOU WANT ME TO DIE!? STOP IT YOU IDIOT!
NO NO NO! I'll really die if this keeps up, so I bent my body down to escape without address--damn it, I don't even know what I'm saying now.
*BAM!*
"Huh?"
I knocked into someone. Who's that? I half-instinctively lifted my head.
"..."
It's Charlotte.
"Nikotsu."
"Ni-Nikotsu."
Ahh, is this the so-called angelic smile? It's like a buddha in hell, so I return an angelic smile at her. I'm rather good myself.
"I'm pretty shocked Ichika actually kissed another girl in front of me!"
"Well--...Charlotte? I was kissed, and I did not kiss someone. And why are you deploying your IS?"
"I wonder why."
[Rapid switch]--it doesn't really look necessary, as Charlotte didn't summon any weapons onto her hands.
That's right. That's because her strongest weapon and armor is deployed, so she doesn't need any other weapons.
*PAM!* With the sound of gunpowder exploding, the shield dropped off to show the .69 caliber battering ram [Gray Scale], also known as [Shield Pierce].
"Ha, haha, hahaha..."
When humans go past the limits, it seems like they can only laugh--a musician said this. Right, that's right...!
*DOKAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNN--!!!*
In this homeroom period today, loud noises, huge explosions, and continuous impacts shake the classroom as what the words indicate.
Epilogue: From the Crimson's Deep Sleep
"Hm—..."
It really was a mysterious area.
There was machinery stuffed all over the room, and the cables extended out like roots.
Moving up the metal, shaped like cables, was a mechanical mouse, and sometimes, screws could be heard dropping like rubber fruits.
*Tatatatatatatata*, it sounded like how ordinary people would use the keyboard to key in data in the first.
This was the only place in the world that had a squirrel that identified extraneous parts, analyzed the design, took it in and formed another shape.
Yes, this was Shinonono Tabane's secret base.
"Oh—okay—"
*Kla*, *kla*....
*Kakakakakaka*....
"Oh~"
Shinonono Tabane looked a lot more weirder than before.
She was wearing a western dress that was as blue as the sky, just like Alice in 'Alice in Wonderland'. The apron and the huge butterfly now behind her was also eye-catching.
As expected of Houki's own older sister, they were similar in appearance. However, what made them greatly different from each other was that Houki had bright, piercing eyes, while Tabane's eyes were lethargic looking due to lack of sleep. There were several years of black rings gathered below her eyes.
This may be what people meant by 'Geniuses can't be liberated from their thoughts'. Her dreamland got taken by the time spent in experiments, and thus she had never experienced sleeping soundly for once. Tabane didn't even know what a real sleep should be like.
Tabane was different from her sister. She didn't know any kind of sports, let alone kendo, and she had never done that before. But her body was very streamlined and curvy.
And what was most eye-catching were those huge breasts of hers.
The buttons on her chest were about to burst open, probably due to the misfit in size. Through the gap of the white shirt, one could see the tempting skin color of the woman.
Also, the hairband on her head could also be considered a problem. She had white bunny ears on them...basically, she had completely gotten into the role of 'Alice in Wonderland'.
It was already weird to dress up like Alice and a white bunny at the same time, but that was Tabane's interest, and the clothing she liked. Last month, she dressed up as all the characters in 'Hansel and Gretel'. Needless to say, that looked ridiculous.
And Tabane, who was dressed up like this, was waiting on the strange chair.
It may be weird to describe it as a chair, but it could only be described as that.
The silver chair was giving off a silver glow, and the body of the chair was large and curved, surrounding Tabane's body like a cage. It looked like a fossilized dinsosaur.
And Tabane just needed to move a finger, and the cables linked on the top would let the mechanisms move.
*Kla*, *kla*...
*Kakakakakakaka*....
Once she moved the fingertips slightly, each part of the chair moved like they were alive as they gave the orders to the small mechanical hands. And right now, the mechanical hands were quickly moving their tweezers to assemble smaller parts.
The chair was assembling something, attaching smaller parts with even smaller mechanical hands.
After repeating the process numerous times, they finally stopped, and what was formed was a plastic IS model that was created from nano-units.
It was weird, and useless, and it was so stupid that anyone would want to give her a punch. This was probably what 'wasting time' meant to her.
"Ah—done."
It was complete! The painting and the surface streamlining were perfect. Tabane said so in a bored manner and walked out of the chair.
