Infinite Stratos - Volume 6, page 2
Although she's smiling while saying that, I noticed her face frown for an instant.
Now is not the time for something other than her own training. - it's a face that seems to tell that kind of story.
"I see. Then Laura, please teach me."
"Okay. I will train you, who's lately been only preoccupied by that woman, personally this time."
By the way, the girl that Laura mentioned is IS academy Student Council President, Sarashiki Tatenashi.
A few days ago, Tatenashi-san, who finally moved out from my room, continued to give me a hard after-school training, as usual.
Thanks to that, my skills have been improving, but according to Laura, it's still that of [a Rookie whose safety device has been removed].
As expected of Chifuyu-nee's disciple, even her words are sharp.
"Rather, talking about having the advantage, aren't you the same? [Byakushiki]'s specs, maneuverability wise, is on par with a high-maneuverability type unit."
"Well, when you mention that, [Akatsubaki] is also the same, I guess," added Rin.
As usual, she was very knowledgeable about IS. She didn't show that part of her even a bit during the middle school days, but it's probably from studying extra hard since returning to her home country.
Hmm. Rin is amazing, isn't she.
"Anyway, what's my country doing? In the end, [Shen Long]'s high-speed maneuver package didn't make it in time. What about Charlotte's country?"
"Since [Revive] is a 2nd Generation unit, it wasn't developed further in the first place, so thruster expansion will be done to cope with it. Well, it was made for easy expansion to deal with speed related things from the start. It kinda feels like ,'[Raphael]'s name is not just for show,' I guess."
Charl's beloved unit, Revive's, official name is [Raphael-Revive][6A 3].
I see, I also agree.
"Fuun, what about Laura's country? Your IS is a 3rd generation unit, right?"
"It will use the adjusted high-speed maneuver pack from its sister unit [Schwarzer Zweig]. Since that unit stays in the home country, the development of the equipment is also being continued."
Once the topic changed to IS' technical discussion, everyone's face becomes serious, as expected.
"[Schwarzer Regen]'s sister unit, huh? What kind of weapons is it equipped with?"
"Even though you're my wife, I can't tell you that. It's highly classified information."
Zweig - means [Branch] in German. Since it's a pair unit with Laura [Regen][6A 4], it's probably also an all-range IS, equipped with AIC.
"Fuun. So you're now able to make a nice expression, aren't you Rookie?"
Smile, Laura's mouth tip raised while gazing at me.
"I humbly accept your praise happily, Lt. Commander-dono."
I, who understands Laura's personality enough to joke back and forth with her, replied to her with jestful words.
Laura, who was in a bad mood until a while ago from talking about Tatenashi-san, is now cheerfully smiling - although her eyes still emit cool-headedness.
The ice from Germany - Laura Bodewig. Her cold eye is piercingly sharp like icicles, but beautifully clear.
"We haven't seriously practiced for a while, have we? Tomorrow after school, starting from 16:00, we will train for real battle preparations at arena no. 2. Got it?"
"Roger. I have to warn you, this time it won't be a one-sided game anymore."
"Fufun. Are you sure about that? I'll also show you my new equipment tomorrow."
Saying that, Laura turned her fork around.
The pointed end of the fork then thrusted at the macaroni in the salad pasta right at the hollow part.
"Let's expect the training to be meaningful..."
Maca-
"'To the macaroni'"
"Is what you want to say, right?"
"You were gonna say that, right?"
Rin and Charl read my mind first.... Ugh.
"Ha ha ha, that's impossible."
"Ichika, you..."
Ooh. Houki is giving me a cold look.
No! It wasn't me! It just surfaced in my mind! It's not my fault!
"Ma-, Let's leave aside a certain idiot."
An idiot, indeed. Sheesh.
"Ichika, has the borrowing agreement you have with the Student Council been put in motion?"
"Hmm? Last I heard, it seems they're currently drawing lotteries and making adjustments for that."
"Fuuun..."
Rin said that like it's not important, then stuffed her mouth with her Mabo Tofu, which is covered with a lot of Layou on top.
"By the way, I heard everybody already had joined a club now?"
A few days ago, word of it reached my ears. Since it's a good chance, let's confirm it now.
"I had already joined the Kendo club in the first place."
As a ghost member though, right? Although it seems lately Houki often attends to it. I'm sure it's because the club captain nudged her during the School Festival. Such a troublesome girl.
"What about you, Rin?"
"L-lacrosse."
"Heeey! Lacrosse, huh? It kinda suits you, doesn't it!"
Especially the stick wielding part. ... although I won't say it even though my mouth's split.
"I-I guess so. I'm considered a promising rookie newcomer, you know. What a hassle, right?"
Indeed. When talking about personal unit IS pilots, their physical capabilities are generally superior compared to normal students. I nodded in agreement when Rin's figure running along the ground floated into my mind.
"Then, what about Charl?"
"Huh? Me?"
"Yeah. Which club did you decide to enter?"
"Ummm, that's...."
"?"
Is it something that is hard to say? Charl is playfully fidgeting her fingers.
At times, it looked like she was checking my reaction by shooting me upward glances, then returning her line of sight downward.
"I-it's... the Cooking club."
"Cooking Club! Oh, the one that we visited when we walked around together during School Festival, wasn't it?"
"Waa, Ichikaa! Shhh! Shhh!"
Hmm? Why is Charl giving the "Don't tell anybody!" gesture?
I don't know why but somehow from the table in the back, I managed to hear the sound of people standing up from their seats.
"Huh, Cooking club is it?"
"Y-yeah. I want to learn to cook Japanese food."
"I see. Once you can make it, please let me have a taste."
"Y-yeah! Of course!"
Charl is nodding strongly while saying that. Her voice is loud enough to make her really look like a different person from the girl who was making the "your voice is too loud" gesture earlier.
"And? What about Cecilia?"
"Of course I joined the Tennis club, the sport that was born in England."
"Hmm, could it be you've played it since you were in England?"
"It's just as you say. Ichika-san, if it's okay with you, how about we play together next time?"
"Hmmm, but I've never played tennis before."
"T-then...!"
Her previous downed spirit seems to have gone somewhere else. Cecilia elegantly put her hands together and continued her words
"...How about I personally teach you? S-specially."
"Ooh, that sounds good. Then I'll be in your care when the time comes."
"Yeah!"
Seeing Cecilia's smiling face, I feel a little relieved.
Truth be told, lately there's been suspicion that Cecilia had started to close herself off from others, but if she can smile like this, there's no need to be worried anymore, right?
"By the way, I'm in the Tea Ceremony club."
Laura, who just said that, seems to have just finished her pasta.
"Tea Ceremony club, huh? Laura likes Japanese culture, don't you? ....Huh? Which reminds me, wasn't the tea ceremony club's advisor - "
"The Instructor... no, it's Orimura-sensei."
That's right. I feel like I've heard about it before.
Chifuyu-nee female student fans were rushing at once to sign up to the club, then got sieved by being forced to do seiza for 2 hours or something.
Hmm? Even so, Chifuyu-nee and tea ceremony club looks like a strange combination to me. I always thought she would become the advisor of a sports club instead.
"Laura, are you alright when doing seiza?"
"Of course. This level of numbness is nothing compared to torture."
Well, don't compare it please. What do they do during torture anyway?
"But, I can't imagine at all Laura's figure while wearing kimono. Show me sometime please."
"W-what? I-I see... okay then, if there's a chance, that is."
For Laura to wear kimono, she would have to tie up her long hair, wouldn't she? I think that it would somehow fit her nicely.
"Having a ribbon would be nice, wouldn't it.... let's buy one next time."
"Hmm? You would specially buy it?"
"Don't mind it. It's not like there won't be any more chances to wear it from now on."
"Fuun. Is that so. ...Ooo, if it's a kimono, it would be nice to wear it during hatsumode, wouldn't it? Ah, but are you going to go back to your own country during New Year's Eve?"
"N-no. I'll stay in Japan. ... since you're also here."
She muttered the last part so I couldn't hear it that well, but it looks like Laura will be in Japan during New Year's Eve.
"Oh, then everyone, let's all go together. Let's do it from the New Year's Eve bell while we're at it."
It seems like it would be more fun if there are more people coming after all.
"Oh, but what will everyone do during New Year's Eve? Will you return to your country after all?"
"I will stay."
The one who's speaking is Charl. As expected of Laura's best friend.
"T-then I will also stay."
"Well, there's nothing interesting even if I went back anyway."
Cecilia and Rin continued. Then that means only Houki is left - or so I thought, but I unintentionally realized something.
"Houki is going to help out at the shrine again, right? You also did that during the summer break, didn't you? Next time, once you're finished helping, why don't the two of us....(¡)
"Y-You idiot!"
*Beshi!* I was hit by Houki.
"Ouch! What was that for!!"
"Sh-sh-shut up! Don't say it so lightly!"
"[Next time]?"
The ones who asked were back are Rin, Cecilia, Charl, Laura - Wait, that's everyone beside Houki isn't it?
"Ichikaa! Fess up what you did during summer holiday!"
"Ichika-san! To do that kind of thing with Houki-san - I've misjudged you!"
"I-Ichika? What do you mean by 'next time'...?"
"To do something sneakily and hide it from me.... Unforgivable."
Those four are standing up while making "Gatata" noises.
"Waaa! Wait, wait! It's not like we did anything wrong... Isn't that right, Houki? Right?"
"...Why do you deny it that much..."
"Wha?"
*Bashin!* My head is struck.
Since Houki had also just finished her meal, she stood up while carrying her meal tray and ran away.
Hey, wait! Don't leave me alone in this situation!
"Then, since I've also finished eating, I'll return to my roo - Bube!"
Rin caught me just as I was about to stand up, and returned me to my seat.
It hurts, you know! But faster than me retorting that, the 4 of them start to get near me.
"Ichika! What happened during Summer Holiday?!"
"I demand an explanation!"
"Not fair. Ichika is playing favorites."
"It seems your damn body needs to experience my teachings once more."
W-wait! Please wait! Wa-Gyaaa!!
♦
"Fuun... Ichika is an idiot."
Houki, who already returned to her room, closed her door and leaned on it.
Luckily, her roommate Takazuki Shizune is still out so she can relax without reserve.
"Once it's over let's again, together..."
She recalled Ichika's words.
*Tokun*. Her heart started to throb.
His words reminded her about the summer. Just that is enough to make her heart start throbbing.
Her heart was throbbing violently, and her face reddened.
M-My training is not enough...
While suppressing her hot cheeks with her hands, Houki replayed the Shinonono sword style movements in her head.
Calm down, calm down. She repeated those words over and over again.
She repeats the movements she has learned in her head. She then compares those with the movements she remembers in her memories to ascertain her current mastery level.
That's right. The footwork should be faster, the rush should be deeper...
The figure of her father holding a real sword is strong and reassuring.
In his flowing movement, a certain sharpness could be felt.
As I thought, master is amazing.
Her real father, and also her sword teacher, Shinonono Ryuuin, is Houki's target.
She genuinely admires his ability.
Thinking about it, her father never got agitated, unlike Ichika.
As a man, he should have been able to profoundly set up things, shouldn't he?
Once she started thinking that, suddenly the image in her head of the person doing the training changed from her father to Ichika.
The Ichika in her imagination is sturdy, strong, clever, and keen. Furthermore, his conviction is strong, and there's no maliciousness in him at all.
No way! No way! That's wrong! He's not that splendid!
*Bun* *Bun*, she shakes her head.
Her ponytail, which wriggled while she shook her head, somehow looking like the tail of a sprinting horse.
"Shinonono-san, I can't get in unless you move away from the door."
"Uwaa!"
Called by the voice on the other side of the door, making Houki jump up and move away from the door.
"At last, I can get in."
"S-Sorry.."
"It's alright, don't sweat it."
Shizune smiles while saying that, then sits on her own bed and starts opening a paperback book.
The title of the book is "Everything You Need to Become A Soldier". Incidentally, the whole book is American taste's Comedy.
Contrary to her too-serious personality, Shizune likes this kind of books that are filled with trivial jokes that contains good meaning. The reason seems to be "my feelings become direct when reading these books."
"By the way, Shinonono-san.."
"W-What is it?"
"Another complaint. Personal IS users group is monopolizing Orimura-kun again."
"Even if you say that to me...."
"Ah, but it will start soon, won't it? The lending of Orimura-kun to the clubs?"
A few days ago, Ichika, who just entered the Student Council Executive Club, will from now on, under the guise of helping every club, be lent to do general routine tasks for them.
"Now is the time to operate ISs, even if just a little". Although there's a lot of that kind of objections, in the end, the Student Council President Sarashiki Tatenashi's "Now, now, the club with the most favorable attitude will get prioritized in borrowing Ichika" devilish murmur made everyone return to their seats at once.
Really, that person is..... Geez...
But, Houki is also a member of Kendo club. The thought of Ichika coming during club activities honestly made her very happy.
Seeing my gallant figure, Ichika will surely...
She shakes off her hand to erase the delusion that surfaces in her mind.
That's not it! That's not it all, umm.... I mean, that's....
'That's not something that people know anyway,' is the excuse she gave herself, but suddenly she starts to feel guilty.
Uuu.... I'm not like that. I'm definitely not like that. I'm not a woman who would think about superficial things like-
"Shinonono-san."
"W-What is it!?"
"Are you okay? You're making such a serious face, you know?"
"I, I'm okay. No problem at all. "
"I see."
Giving that short reply, she then returned to read her book.
For Houki, she feels that Shizune's no different than usual attitude on the contrary points out her unnatural attitude, and somehow she feels deeply embarrassed by that.
Uuu, it's Ichika fault... It's all Ichika's fault...
That was a complete burst of anger, but that day, Houki's mind kept wandering around that thought, until she finally went to sleep.
♦
"That was horrible..."
Finally released from the hellish interrogation of those four, I scurried back to my room cautiously.
"Welcome home. Ah, sorry to intrude."
"Tatenashi-san.."
*Gaku!* I reflexively hung my head.
Sarashiki Tatenashi. IS Academy Student Council President. The woman who holds the title of the strongest among the student body. One class year ahead of me.
Her personality could be described as wild, or maybe whimsical. She's a very cat-like person.
Somehow, I have the feeling that she's gotten used to opening my room's door lock now. She is currently lying in the bed while reading a fashion magazine.
"......"
"What's the matter? Ah, could it be that you're peeking at my underwear?"
"W-Well excuse me! Please don't flap your feet like that when you're wearing a skirt! I might see it even though I don't mean to, you know!"
"Fuun. So, did you see it?"
"U!"
"A question for you. The color of Tatenashi onee-san's underwear is...?"
"Pink."
"Aha. Ecchi."
Aaagh, this person is really...!
No matter what happens, it seems that she wants to tease me. Every time she visits my room it becomes like this.
"Now then, I've come today because there's something we need to talk about."
"What is it..."
"Don't be so paranoid. It's a pretty serious topic. It's about the aforementioned group."
Aforementioned group - that can only means one thing: Phantom Task.
My mood suddenly tensed up, unlike a moment ago.
