Infinite Stratos - Volume 4, page 2
"Well, I don't have any problems, what about Rin?"
"Ah, me too!"
Ah, I messed up again...this response without afterthoughts is obviously indecisive. My inner thoughts have been beautifully exposed.
"Where do we meet? If it's inside the academy we can only wear uniforms, so wouldn't it be better outside?"
"Hm, hm! Yes! Let's meet at the school gates since we don't get the opportunity!"
---Success! It really, really has the impression of a date!
(By the way, this is a date!) In my heart I quietly clenched my right fist. Recently, because of the increasing opponents, I've been pushed aside, but this time it is me who is ahead.
"When will we meet up? It should be in the morning."
"You're right, so how about 10 o'clock?"
"OK."
Great! Great! In my heart I don't stop making the winning pose. I drank in one gulp the barley tea that has just been brought to me, put the cup on the table with a *Dang*, then stood up. ––Huu, it's decided.
"Why are you acting so strange?"
"That's very rude! Anyway, don't be late tomorrow!"
I closed the door with a *Dang*, then immediately went to the corridor. After I got out from there I did an arm-stretching pose, not in my heart but in reality.
(SUCCESS!!!!!!!!!! Success! Success!)[4A 3]
Since I couldn't make any sound, this joy has already enlivened my body.
(I need to hurry to my room to prepare myself!)
I returned to my own room in large steps. The hot temperature of summer, when I noticed that everything has already gone alright. Usually, the walk to my room feels long, but it felt shorter today. I'm sure that wings grew on both of my legs, without a doubt.
In the passage my shoulders may have touched a few students, ------hmm, it should be an illusion.
"I~have~returned!"
With a *Pa*, I opened the door as if I wanted to blow up it up, and my roommate lying on the bed widely opened her eyes. The fry sticking out of her mouth made a clear sound after a half-beat pause.
"You, you have returned."
My golden haired and jade-colored eye roommate, Tina Hamilton, blinked mysteriously, holding a magazine in her hands while gazing foolishly at me. [4A 4]
"Fu, Fuu, fufufu......"
"Wha-? Hey, Rin? Did you short circuit because of the heat?
"Yeah."
Ah, really, everything between Tina and I goes well. I couldn't hide my joy and submerged myself on the bed, holding tightly my blankets...
"...Wh-what's that? Do you want to strangle your blankets?"
"Yeah~"
"Rin, are you seriously answering?"
"Yeah~"
Yeah, is it, huuhuu~~
Showing an unbearable altitude, Tina's sight returned to her magazines. After that she tended her arm to reach the French fries which she was about to eat.
Well, after all everything goes well! Ahahaha...
Not good, I can't be like that forever. If I don't prepare for tomorrow right now......
(Swimming suit, OK, the clothes are all newly bought, after that is...)
---there's also things like underwear.
(......)
Wait, hmm, don't we say that a very high impression of pressure would influence the people's heart, so if something happens, is it, is it? Yeah, this is for a preparation just in case. Preparation! Didn't the ancestors say that you can be in peace if you have prepared everything, that's right, the one who said that sentence is really mighty.
"Tina, very mighty, isn't it?"
"Yes yes, yeah."
*Pa!* The sound of a fry being bitten resounded. Tina, really, from the beginning she was the one talking about gaining weight, there's really nothing to do about her.
(And I don't have that issue!)
I already knew my free time last month during the sea school, so I started adjusting my consumption of snacks since June.
And the efforts I have made has a result, now I have a slender body. Yeah, there won't be a problem for when my body will be seen---
(But, there will maybe be the time when my body gets looked at.)
Not being covered by a swimsuit but the body directly.
.........
"That, Tina."
"Wh-what?"
"Summer is really hot, isn't it?"
"Yeah."
*Pa!* The sound of a fry being separated resounds again.
◆
"Fuuu. It's finally finished."
I, Yamada Maya, am sitting in the indoor training room tasting hot tea. In that hot weather, drinking hot tea with the AC in the room running, it is sumptuous as expected.
In this academy's funds there is a part in which you need to pay taxes, so there's a bit of guilt in my chest.
(But for now I'll allow myself. Finally......finally I finished a term of work.)
Though there are too many incidents this year.
With the 'male IS pilot' as center, abnormal numbers of personal machine pilots, frequent incidents, and the IS committee ordering the transfer of Orimura Ichika...
My head hurts each time I think about that.
Finally I finished a little more than a half of work, so I think I can rest a little bit.
(But, it's very difficult)
I looked at the two documents again and again, and then sighed. The document is about two students, but the problem is the names on them.
Orimura Ichika, Shinonono Houki.
These two---they are clearly not representatives, but they still have their personal machines, and it's the source of the problem. Orimura-kun is relatively OK, but Shinonono's IS doesn't have the national ownership rights---which is also the nationality register.
To say it in another form, every other country is recruiting its own exclusive pilots, so the IS became the other countries' accessories. Every country would even take an IS by stretching an arm from the mouth. Even if it's only one, it would greatly affect the country's military force.
Moreover, it is still the IS inventor, Shinonono Tabane, who uses the fourth generation skills by herself, so there are plenty of countries fantasizing about her. [4A 5]
"Haa......"
Why are these issues concentrating in my class.
Especially the transfer students are weird. Normally, a class wouldn't have that many personal machine users.
(---there should be some thinking done)
Even if it doesn't belong to any country's organization, but wanting to block the countries' attention is very difficult.
(Well, I shouldn't think too deep in this topic.)
After all, these thoughts won't change anything.
(Later, I'll finish all the work that is still remaining at once.)
After I drank the tea, I took a rest and dug in the files stacked in the form of a mountain. Then, I took one document from the files. *Shlaa*---
(*Shlaa*......?)
It was a document.
A document became two, no; it seems that in the beginning it was two stacked together, and then the bottom one came off.
"It scared me. But this document is..."
In a second, my mind froze.
"That, that is......"
It was to keep such things from happening that I looked over all the files, or so I intended. Does it mean that I didn't see its circumstances and its priorities, and I only took care of the other files?
"Shit......this is a very bad situation."
In a classroom with the AC running, I panicked to the point that I had cold sweat. And that sweat is very cold...with the both meanings.
◆
"Finally arrived."
In front of the IS academy door, I just got off from the white Roseloss , and a disturbing hot air came to me, but I'm still in high spirits.
(As expected, it's because I'm under the same sky as the people I missed.)
I, Cecilia Alcott finished the work in the United Kingdom, and finally returned to Japan.
Alcott family's job, representative contender student report, re-adjustment of my personal machine, participation at the violin competition, reunion with my old friends, and finally, paying respect to both of my parents' grave.
"........."
Every time I think about this, my chest faintly hurts.
---Why didn't they say anything before leaving.
---Why did they leave me alone.
---Why, at the end, these two were together.
(One day I'll understand too.)
"Milady!"
!!
After being called I turned my body around to face my personal maid and childhood friend Chelsea (?) who showed her usual smile.
"What is happening to you?"
"No, nothing."
Even if I'm somewhat in disarray, I forcefully tried to look calm. Chelsea's sight for a person's change of heart is still keen. She's always been like that, and her body shares a feeling that doesn't match the coolness of other 18 years old, and though I said she's my childhood friend, she's more like a big sister or something like that. That Chelsea is the one I yearn for, and also the goal for my efforts.
(After that, I want to---)
"Now, do you want to go see Orimura-sama right now?
"Chelsea! Didn't you go transport the suitcases?"
"Actually, there's something I need to confirm, so even though I'm a bit shy I returned just in case."
"It, is that right, so what do you need to confirm?"
"Is that white fabric underwear for Orimura-sama's personal use?"
"..............."
"Milady, if it's too fancy, it might have a reverse effect."
"That, that is..."
"So, I'll go first."
Without giving her time to find an excuse, Chelsea politely curtsied. [4A 6]
No it's not, it is, it is---huh?
"Wha?"
That thing which I secretly bought online was hidden in a double pocket in the suitcase. How can it be?
Chelsea's gentle smile, suddenly burst in my mind. A sudden wave of embarrassment came from me.
Ahahahaha......
(The so-called 'there's a needle so it can penetrate' is like that.)
My cheeks start to burn, and sweat without any connection to the summer starts to spew. And especially the palm of my hands, which I need to wash immediately.
"Hmm? Cecilia?"
Huh---
Wha? Wha? WHAT-?
(This voice belongs to Ichika-san? Why would he be here? Does it mean that he came here to welcome me?)
My hand holding my chest beating unstoppably, I turned to him as if it's nothing.
"Oh!"
"Ichika-san, I haven't seen you for a week."
I greeted him by twisting a part of my dress, but my heart couldn't calm down.
---Ah, it's really Ichika-san! He was really thinking about me so he came here to welcome me......ah, Ichika-san, really!
"When I thought that Cecilia was going to return, I couldn't sit properly."
"Really, Ichika-san......you really sweet talk."
"I'm serious. The week in which Cecilia wasn't there, it seemed that the time was running in a infinite cycle."
"Ichika-san...... Ah."
"We won't be separated again, 'my princess'."
Aha, aha, no, you can't, in this place! Someone might see us.
"Cecilia?"
"What?!"
Summer daydream---no, it was a vain thought.
"Are you OK? You were dazed. Is it because you got a heat stroke? You need to be very careful, having a heat stroke in the summer is very dangerous."
"No. No problem! Sitting in the car, I felt only a bit dizzy!"
"If that's all, then okay."
"Hm hm, it's like that."
!?
"Hm? And she would be?"
"This is the first time we meet. I am the maid serving Cecilia-sama, Chelsea Blackett. I'll be in your care."
Chelsea, who after taking care the luggage returned I-don't-know-when, was introducing herself to Ichika-san.
(Ara, why is Chelsea alone?)
After thinking carefully, I immediately understood. Seeing Chelsea come alone, she was probably hiding herself to peek somewhere, and appear at the right moment.
She's really good at reading people's feelings!
"Ah, the one Cecilia mentioned before, it was you. First time we've met. My name is Orimura Ichika."
"Yes, Orimura-sama, please allow the presumptuous me to ask, what has milady said about me?"
"Hmm......, a very understanding, outstanding, tender beautiful woman."
"Ah—"
She warmly smiled. That kind of polite speech is very beautiful, and at the same time has a warm feeling without any harm wrapping the person.
This kind of thing is undoubtedly clear to me.
(Ichika-san really, he hasn't said that I am a beautiful woman.)
Chelsea seemed to have looked through my jealous thoughts.
(Wuwu......, Chelsea is Chelsea.)
I can't win against that smile. It's always been like that.
"I've also heard things concerning Ichika-sama from Cecilia-sama."
-- - - - -!?
"Huh, is that right. May I ask you what has she said about me?"
Aaaaaaaaah, please Chelsea, don't get into details!
"Uhuh, actually......"
This time after feeling that Cecilia shook, Chelsea made the smile which she makes when she wants to make fun of someone. After slightly putting her finger in front of her mouth---
"That's a woman's secret."
That smile was, even towards girls, fascinating.
◆
"Ah~, Chelsea-san really is the beautiful woman whom Cecilia has talked about."
"......Yeah"
The scene moved to the café near the school canteen.
This shop has a good AC temperature, business all year, and even the drinks would eclipse the café in front of the station. Also, you can taste the four seasons' clothing, so during the summer vacations, the students were obviously flooding the place.
"Hey, isn't that the first-year Orimura-kun??"
"It's true! It's the first time I've seen him in person."
"Ayaa. He is really cute; I didn't think that the younger ones were bad either."
"But to me he has the first-year working hard attitude which makes people love him."
These kind of ridiculous comments were boiling around. Normally, everyone would fight to be in a picture with Ichika, and be happier and prouder than anyone. And now......
Cecilia is putting on a bad face, and boringly stirring her ice cream. The ice cube that has been in contact with the straw made a transparent crispy sound, and all that was non-important background noise to her ears.
(How can they be chatting so cheerfully when it's the first time that they meet each other......)
Thinking about the conversation that Ichika and Chelsea had, she again became irritated.
"Chelsea-san is great. And we can't see that you're in your teens."
"Orimura-sama, please call me Chelsea, and the way you speak to me, please consider me as a simple maid."
"No, how can I? To add –san to someone who's older is basic respect. Furthermore, even though it's not needed, to not add honorific suffixes is difficult. I would be nervous."
"Well, Orimura-sama can really speak. It seems that you really know how to please a woman."
"What? It's the first time that someone's said that to me."
"So it's like this, huhu..."
On one side, Ichika, who was a bit shy but joyful, and at the same time wouldn't expose that kind of behavior in front of herself, and on the other side Chelsea, who clearly knows her thoughts but is still getting close to Ichika, were making Cecilia even more disturbed.
(That rumor, is it true......)
At the end of the last month, she heard a rumor by chance. Until yesterday, it had not bothered her too much, but with things as they were now, she couldn't remain calm.
The rumor was --- 'Orimura Ichika likes older women'.
(I originally thought that it was a baseless rumor......)
But after seeing his attitude towards Chelsea, Cecilia started to wonder if it could be something more than just a 'rumor'.
(Becoming an older woman, that's impossible) (!)
Since the two of them were born in the same year, even if she gets older, the other one couldn't get younger. Making an effort to achieve this is like trying to climb to reach the sky.
Cecilia's mood oddly went down, feeling even worse.
"Ha..."
"Hey, Cecilia, why are you so down?......Is it because of me?"
"Indeed."
"Hey, that was fast!"
Looking at the dejected Ichika who seems to have taken a great blow, Cecilia's mood didn't get better. Even though he invited me to this café, I'm not that happy anymore.
(It's all Ichika san's fault.)
For the time being, pushing all this fury towards Ichika, Cecilia puts the straw in her mouth, and the usually tasty sugary milk pot now has also lost its taste. And because removing the straw from the side of her mouth would only make her sigh, Cecilia could only helplessly continue drinking.
"........."
"........."
Ten minutes later, or twenty was it, or just an instant. Anyway, after a silent moment, Ichika opened his mouth to talk.
"Cecilia."
"What is it?"
"Do you want to try coming to that place?"
"---Huh?"
◆
"Hn~~, today's weather is awesome! How bright is the sun!"
It's the so-called great weather for a date. Rin tightly held her fist, and used all of her strength to make an encouragement pose. Though the background was still her own room, but with the clothes all prepared, specially all new bought for today.
(Hu, hu, hu, finally I took a step before that Houki and Charlotte, this is my entire victory!)
To Rin, winning against these cohabiting girls is a great thing, before transferring she couldn't help being frustrated when she heard that Ichika was living with girls.
(Humph, even though I was wearing a swimsuit, but this time is different from the seaside school, to say it in the most basic way. This is a real date! It's the so-called boy-girl intercourse.)
Boy-girl, after pondering this term, Rin's head was suddenly dyed of a peach color.
(Hm, today I chose the cutest underwear between all of them as backup, hm.)
"Ah, me too!"
Ah, I messed up again...this response without afterthoughts is obviously indecisive. My inner thoughts have been beautifully exposed.
"Where do we meet? If it's inside the academy we can only wear uniforms, so wouldn't it be better outside?"
"Hm, hm! Yes! Let's meet at the school gates since we don't get the opportunity!"
---Success! It really, really has the impression of a date!
(By the way, this is a date!) In my heart I quietly clenched my right fist. Recently, because of the increasing opponents, I've been pushed aside, but this time it is me who is ahead.
"When will we meet up? It should be in the morning."
"You're right, so how about 10 o'clock?"
"OK."
Great! Great! In my heart I don't stop making the winning pose. I drank in one gulp the barley tea that has just been brought to me, put the cup on the table with a *Dang*, then stood up. ––Huu, it's decided.
"Why are you acting so strange?"
"That's very rude! Anyway, don't be late tomorrow!"
I closed the door with a *Dang*, then immediately went to the corridor. After I got out from there I did an arm-stretching pose, not in my heart but in reality.
(SUCCESS!!!!!!!!!! Success! Success!)[4A 3]
Since I couldn't make any sound, this joy has already enlivened my body.
(I need to hurry to my room to prepare myself!)
I returned to my own room in large steps. The hot temperature of summer, when I noticed that everything has already gone alright. Usually, the walk to my room feels long, but it felt shorter today. I'm sure that wings grew on both of my legs, without a doubt.
In the passage my shoulders may have touched a few students, ------hmm, it should be an illusion.
"I~have~returned!"
With a *Pa*, I opened the door as if I wanted to blow up it up, and my roommate lying on the bed widely opened her eyes. The fry sticking out of her mouth made a clear sound after a half-beat pause.
"You, you have returned."
My golden haired and jade-colored eye roommate, Tina Hamilton, blinked mysteriously, holding a magazine in her hands while gazing foolishly at me. [4A 4]
"Fu, Fuu, fufufu......"
"Wha-? Hey, Rin? Did you short circuit because of the heat?
"Yeah."
Ah, really, everything between Tina and I goes well. I couldn't hide my joy and submerged myself on the bed, holding tightly my blankets...
"...Wh-what's that? Do you want to strangle your blankets?"
"Yeah~"
"Rin, are you seriously answering?"
"Yeah~"
Yeah, is it, huuhuu~~
Showing an unbearable altitude, Tina's sight returned to her magazines. After that she tended her arm to reach the French fries which she was about to eat.
Well, after all everything goes well! Ahahaha...
Not good, I can't be like that forever. If I don't prepare for tomorrow right now......
(Swimming suit, OK, the clothes are all newly bought, after that is...)
---there's also things like underwear.
(......)
Wait, hmm, don't we say that a very high impression of pressure would influence the people's heart, so if something happens, is it, is it? Yeah, this is for a preparation just in case. Preparation! Didn't the ancestors say that you can be in peace if you have prepared everything, that's right, the one who said that sentence is really mighty.
"Tina, very mighty, isn't it?"
"Yes yes, yeah."
*Pa!* The sound of a fry being bitten resounded. Tina, really, from the beginning she was the one talking about gaining weight, there's really nothing to do about her.
(And I don't have that issue!)
I already knew my free time last month during the sea school, so I started adjusting my consumption of snacks since June.
And the efforts I have made has a result, now I have a slender body. Yeah, there won't be a problem for when my body will be seen---
(But, there will maybe be the time when my body gets looked at.)
Not being covered by a swimsuit but the body directly.
.........
"That, Tina."
"Wh-what?"
"Summer is really hot, isn't it?"
"Yeah."
*Pa!* The sound of a fry being separated resounds again.
◆
"Fuuu. It's finally finished."
I, Yamada Maya, am sitting in the indoor training room tasting hot tea. In that hot weather, drinking hot tea with the AC in the room running, it is sumptuous as expected.
In this academy's funds there is a part in which you need to pay taxes, so there's a bit of guilt in my chest.
(But for now I'll allow myself. Finally......finally I finished a term of work.)
Though there are too many incidents this year.
With the 'male IS pilot' as center, abnormal numbers of personal machine pilots, frequent incidents, and the IS committee ordering the transfer of Orimura Ichika...
My head hurts each time I think about that.
Finally I finished a little more than a half of work, so I think I can rest a little bit.
(But, it's very difficult)
I looked at the two documents again and again, and then sighed. The document is about two students, but the problem is the names on them.
Orimura Ichika, Shinonono Houki.
These two---they are clearly not representatives, but they still have their personal machines, and it's the source of the problem. Orimura-kun is relatively OK, but Shinonono's IS doesn't have the national ownership rights---which is also the nationality register.
To say it in another form, every other country is recruiting its own exclusive pilots, so the IS became the other countries' accessories. Every country would even take an IS by stretching an arm from the mouth. Even if it's only one, it would greatly affect the country's military force.
Moreover, it is still the IS inventor, Shinonono Tabane, who uses the fourth generation skills by herself, so there are plenty of countries fantasizing about her. [4A 5]
"Haa......"
Why are these issues concentrating in my class.
Especially the transfer students are weird. Normally, a class wouldn't have that many personal machine users.
(---there should be some thinking done)
Even if it doesn't belong to any country's organization, but wanting to block the countries' attention is very difficult.
(Well, I shouldn't think too deep in this topic.)
After all, these thoughts won't change anything.
(Later, I'll finish all the work that is still remaining at once.)
After I drank the tea, I took a rest and dug in the files stacked in the form of a mountain. Then, I took one document from the files. *Shlaa*---
(*Shlaa*......?)
It was a document.
A document became two, no; it seems that in the beginning it was two stacked together, and then the bottom one came off.
"It scared me. But this document is..."
In a second, my mind froze.
"That, that is......"
It was to keep such things from happening that I looked over all the files, or so I intended. Does it mean that I didn't see its circumstances and its priorities, and I only took care of the other files?
"Shit......this is a very bad situation."
In a classroom with the AC running, I panicked to the point that I had cold sweat. And that sweat is very cold...with the both meanings.
◆
"Finally arrived."
In front of the IS academy door, I just got off from the white Roseloss , and a disturbing hot air came to me, but I'm still in high spirits.
(As expected, it's because I'm under the same sky as the people I missed.)
I, Cecilia Alcott finished the work in the United Kingdom, and finally returned to Japan.
Alcott family's job, representative contender student report, re-adjustment of my personal machine, participation at the violin competition, reunion with my old friends, and finally, paying respect to both of my parents' grave.
"........."
Every time I think about this, my chest faintly hurts.
---Why didn't they say anything before leaving.
---Why did they leave me alone.
---Why, at the end, these two were together.
(One day I'll understand too.)
"Milady!"
!!
After being called I turned my body around to face my personal maid and childhood friend Chelsea (?) who showed her usual smile.
"What is happening to you?"
"No, nothing."
Even if I'm somewhat in disarray, I forcefully tried to look calm. Chelsea's sight for a person's change of heart is still keen. She's always been like that, and her body shares a feeling that doesn't match the coolness of other 18 years old, and though I said she's my childhood friend, she's more like a big sister or something like that. That Chelsea is the one I yearn for, and also the goal for my efforts.
(After that, I want to---)
"Now, do you want to go see Orimura-sama right now?
"Chelsea! Didn't you go transport the suitcases?"
"Actually, there's something I need to confirm, so even though I'm a bit shy I returned just in case."
"It, is that right, so what do you need to confirm?"
"Is that white fabric underwear for Orimura-sama's personal use?"
"..............."
"Milady, if it's too fancy, it might have a reverse effect."
"That, that is..."
"So, I'll go first."
Without giving her time to find an excuse, Chelsea politely curtsied. [4A 6]
No it's not, it is, it is---huh?
"Wha?"
That thing which I secretly bought online was hidden in a double pocket in the suitcase. How can it be?
Chelsea's gentle smile, suddenly burst in my mind. A sudden wave of embarrassment came from me.
Ahahahaha......
(The so-called 'there's a needle so it can penetrate' is like that.)
My cheeks start to burn, and sweat without any connection to the summer starts to spew. And especially the palm of my hands, which I need to wash immediately.
"Hmm? Cecilia?"
Huh---
Wha? Wha? WHAT-?
(This voice belongs to Ichika-san? Why would he be here? Does it mean that he came here to welcome me?)
My hand holding my chest beating unstoppably, I turned to him as if it's nothing.
"Oh!"
"Ichika-san, I haven't seen you for a week."
I greeted him by twisting a part of my dress, but my heart couldn't calm down.
---Ah, it's really Ichika-san! He was really thinking about me so he came here to welcome me......ah, Ichika-san, really!
"When I thought that Cecilia was going to return, I couldn't sit properly."
"Really, Ichika-san......you really sweet talk."
"I'm serious. The week in which Cecilia wasn't there, it seemed that the time was running in a infinite cycle."
"Ichika-san...... Ah."
"We won't be separated again, 'my princess'."
Aha, aha, no, you can't, in this place! Someone might see us.
"Cecilia?"
"What?!"
Summer daydream---no, it was a vain thought.
"Are you OK? You were dazed. Is it because you got a heat stroke? You need to be very careful, having a heat stroke in the summer is very dangerous."
"No. No problem! Sitting in the car, I felt only a bit dizzy!"
"If that's all, then okay."
"Hm hm, it's like that."
!?
"Hm? And she would be?"
"This is the first time we meet. I am the maid serving Cecilia-sama, Chelsea Blackett. I'll be in your care."
Chelsea, who after taking care the luggage returned I-don't-know-when, was introducing herself to Ichika-san.
(Ara, why is Chelsea alone?)
After thinking carefully, I immediately understood. Seeing Chelsea come alone, she was probably hiding herself to peek somewhere, and appear at the right moment.
She's really good at reading people's feelings!
"Ah, the one Cecilia mentioned before, it was you. First time we've met. My name is Orimura Ichika."
"Yes, Orimura-sama, please allow the presumptuous me to ask, what has milady said about me?"
"Hmm......, a very understanding, outstanding, tender beautiful woman."
"Ah—"
She warmly smiled. That kind of polite speech is very beautiful, and at the same time has a warm feeling without any harm wrapping the person.
This kind of thing is undoubtedly clear to me.
(Ichika-san really, he hasn't said that I am a beautiful woman.)
Chelsea seemed to have looked through my jealous thoughts.
(Wuwu......, Chelsea is Chelsea.)
I can't win against that smile. It's always been like that.
"I've also heard things concerning Ichika-sama from Cecilia-sama."
-- - - - -!?
"Huh, is that right. May I ask you what has she said about me?"
Aaaaaaaaah, please Chelsea, don't get into details!
"Uhuh, actually......"
This time after feeling that Cecilia shook, Chelsea made the smile which she makes when she wants to make fun of someone. After slightly putting her finger in front of her mouth---
"That's a woman's secret."
That smile was, even towards girls, fascinating.
◆
"Ah~, Chelsea-san really is the beautiful woman whom Cecilia has talked about."
"......Yeah"
The scene moved to the café near the school canteen.
This shop has a good AC temperature, business all year, and even the drinks would eclipse the café in front of the station. Also, you can taste the four seasons' clothing, so during the summer vacations, the students were obviously flooding the place.
"Hey, isn't that the first-year Orimura-kun??"
"It's true! It's the first time I've seen him in person."
"Ayaa. He is really cute; I didn't think that the younger ones were bad either."
"But to me he has the first-year working hard attitude which makes people love him."
These kind of ridiculous comments were boiling around. Normally, everyone would fight to be in a picture with Ichika, and be happier and prouder than anyone. And now......
Cecilia is putting on a bad face, and boringly stirring her ice cream. The ice cube that has been in contact with the straw made a transparent crispy sound, and all that was non-important background noise to her ears.
(How can they be chatting so cheerfully when it's the first time that they meet each other......)
Thinking about the conversation that Ichika and Chelsea had, she again became irritated.
"Chelsea-san is great. And we can't see that you're in your teens."
"Orimura-sama, please call me Chelsea, and the way you speak to me, please consider me as a simple maid."
"No, how can I? To add –san to someone who's older is basic respect. Furthermore, even though it's not needed, to not add honorific suffixes is difficult. I would be nervous."
"Well, Orimura-sama can really speak. It seems that you really know how to please a woman."
"What? It's the first time that someone's said that to me."
"So it's like this, huhu..."
On one side, Ichika, who was a bit shy but joyful, and at the same time wouldn't expose that kind of behavior in front of herself, and on the other side Chelsea, who clearly knows her thoughts but is still getting close to Ichika, were making Cecilia even more disturbed.
(That rumor, is it true......)
At the end of the last month, she heard a rumor by chance. Until yesterday, it had not bothered her too much, but with things as they were now, she couldn't remain calm.
The rumor was --- 'Orimura Ichika likes older women'.
(I originally thought that it was a baseless rumor......)
But after seeing his attitude towards Chelsea, Cecilia started to wonder if it could be something more than just a 'rumor'.
(Becoming an older woman, that's impossible) (!)
Since the two of them were born in the same year, even if she gets older, the other one couldn't get younger. Making an effort to achieve this is like trying to climb to reach the sky.
Cecilia's mood oddly went down, feeling even worse.
"Ha..."
"Hey, Cecilia, why are you so down?......Is it because of me?"
"Indeed."
"Hey, that was fast!"
Looking at the dejected Ichika who seems to have taken a great blow, Cecilia's mood didn't get better. Even though he invited me to this café, I'm not that happy anymore.
(It's all Ichika san's fault.)
For the time being, pushing all this fury towards Ichika, Cecilia puts the straw in her mouth, and the usually tasty sugary milk pot now has also lost its taste. And because removing the straw from the side of her mouth would only make her sigh, Cecilia could only helplessly continue drinking.
"........."
"........."
Ten minutes later, or twenty was it, or just an instant. Anyway, after a silent moment, Ichika opened his mouth to talk.
"Cecilia."
"What is it?"
"Do you want to try coming to that place?"
"---Huh?"
◆
"Hn~~, today's weather is awesome! How bright is the sun!"
It's the so-called great weather for a date. Rin tightly held her fist, and used all of her strength to make an encouragement pose. Though the background was still her own room, but with the clothes all prepared, specially all new bought for today.
(Hu, hu, hu, finally I took a step before that Houki and Charlotte, this is my entire victory!)
To Rin, winning against these cohabiting girls is a great thing, before transferring she couldn't help being frustrated when she heard that Ichika was living with girls.
(Humph, even though I was wearing a swimsuit, but this time is different from the seaside school, to say it in the most basic way. This is a real date! It's the so-called boy-girl intercourse.)
Boy-girl, after pondering this term, Rin's head was suddenly dyed of a peach color.
(Hm, today I chose the cutest underwear between all of them as backup, hm.)
