Infinite Stratos - Volume 4, page 4
"Sucesss!!!"
"Geh!"
Rin and Cecilia jumped backwards to distance themselves from them, but since it was a floating island, there wasn't any route for retreat.
"If it's like this......Cecilia!"
"What?"
"I have a countermeasure for that! Charge!"
"Wha!? Do you want me to be the herald?"
"Yes! There's no time to hesitate."
"Aaah I don't care anymore."
Cecilia single-handly faced the charging medalist pair.
"Cecilia, turn here."
"Wha?"
Being called by a loud voice, Cecilia turned her head by reflex, and ended up seeing Rin's----foot palm.
"Huh? Ugh!!"
Entirely, perfectly.
Her own face has been entirely and perfectly trampled on.
"Great!"
Stepping on Cecilia as a board, Rin swiftly flies towards the terminal point, taking the flag.
"Victory!!"
After that, the little island where Rin was seconds ago and Cecilia with the other medalist pair, who lost balance, fell together into the few meters deep water.
*Ping!!*
The highly splashing water column was especially shining in Rin's eyes
"Thank you, Cecilia, you were indispensable."
And at that point, Cecilia's smiling face seemed to emerge from the sky. ......her expression was the same as if she was looking at her past comrade.
"He, he, he......"
From beneath the ground a sheer laugh came. Immediately after that a two times greater water column rose up.
"I cannot forgive you today! My face, by a foot, ------Rin-san!"
Dressed with her swimsuit, Cecilia summoned Blue-Tears and full of anger, charged towards Rin.
"Huh, do you really wanna do it? ------Shenlong!"
Rin swiftly summoned Shenlong, posing as if to to express that she accepts the challenge.
"What? Are these two people students from the IS Academy? I didn't know that there would be two IS machines in this competition. Huh, but what do the rules state......"
The big sister host, crossed by confusion and excitement at the same time, starts to rattle on, her body and her arms waving wildly, and her voluminous chest bouncing out again.
"Aaaaaahhhhh!!"
"Yyyyyyyyyaaaaaaa!!!!!"
*DONG!!!!!!!*
The crossing of their blades made fire sparkles.
"Tears!!"
"It's too much to be true!"
Facing Cecilia's bullets coming straight at her, Rin used the boosters from her legs to maintain distance. When the enemy came closer, she increased the distance between them, and when she retreated, Rin caught up to her.
"Geh!! Is it the anti-sniper brake? It's as powerful as always."
Cecilia couldn't lock her target up precisely and could only repetitively move her muzzle. However, Rin didn't let go of this opportunity.
"My Impact Cannon is way quicker than you! Take this! and this!"
Immediately after three consecutive attacks, Rin closed up the distance. However, it was all within Cecilia's calculations, and the sword that was about to cut her stopped.
"If only I could lock your movements, then I would get the edge."
After saying that, she aimed at Rin's back and shot twice.
"At this distance, my Impact Cannon is even quicker!"
Both of them let out all their weapons' powers respectively at a fingertip of each other, and none of them wanted to retreat, then--------------
"Ah."
"Huh?"
"Uuu......"
*Bang.......!*
Waterworld ended up crumbling because of the explosion.
◆
"In short! Such a thing! No matter what! Please do not do it ever again."
""Yes....""
Rin and Cecilia were being lectured by the big sister host, who was wearing a swimsuit just before, in her office. The two of them had shrunk a little.
Even though not getting anyone injured was a miracle, the arena's pool got half-destroyed, and the skylights had been shattered.
"Ah, I really can't stand it."
"Th-that."
"What is it?"
"Nothing, I don't know how to say it but the prize........."
"Do you think that we can have it?"
The big sister's eyes were full of killing intent.
""Sorry, it's nothing.""
Like this, Rin and Cecilia IS match made a mess at the competition place, and the competition was obviously invalidated. Which means that the winners don't get the prize. The two of them who bore a tiny hope by asking, were even more miserable after it was formally announced. In front of their eyes was pitch black.
"Anyways, it seems that the Academy will send someone here take you back, so behave for the time being."
""Yes...""
Though she said that, it's already past 5:00, and the landscape is getting painted by the orange color of the sunset, and the cicadas' noise outside is getting more clear.
*Drriiinng*...., the internal telephone rang loudly, and the big sister took it.
"Yes, this is the office. ......Aaaah, yes, I got it."
The big sister put down the telephone in a *klang*, and waved her hand to drive away Rin and Cecilia.
"The one getting you guys has arrived. Get out quickly."
"Sorry..."
*Badang!* At that time even if the two of them heard the noise of the door closing, they still stood there stupidly staring the floor while walking.
"You two look really down, you were just lectured miserably, weren't you?"
""Huh?""
The two of them lift their heads at the same time.
"Yo!"
In front of them was standing the one who was supposed to accompany them today, Ichika.
"Yamada-sensei was the one supposed to come here, but due to some urgent issues she couldn't come. And since I just finished the data collecting, I took her place and----Waah!"
Before Ichika could finish up his sentence, Rin and Cecilia took a step towards him, got right in front of his face and grabbed his chest.
"You......"
"It's all Ichika's fault! Ichika's fault!"
After catching just a glimpse of those two 100% resentful sights, even Ichika couldn't help but say something quickly.
"Wa-wait a moment. I'm at fault, though I don't know what did. ----------OK, I'll invite you to eat something, how about a desert?"
"........."
Rin and Cecilia took a few seconds thinking before saying it in a little voice.
".......@cruise."
"......The most expensive limited ice cream ."
"Gwaa."
Each was worth 2500 yen. This amount was higher than what Ichika thought and made him press his head.
"What, are you backing down?"
"Do you think you have the right to refuse?"
"I know it... Ah......"
After Ichika's decision, the pair of girls immediately reversed the switch, and the depression of just before disappeared beyond the clouds, put on large smiles and rolled their arms around Ichika's.
"Then let's go."
"Ah! Cecilia, why are you pulling his arm! Ichika! I also want to pull yours!"
"What is it? By the way-----"
""It's painful to walk.""
Rin and Cecilia's voices merged together.
"Yeah!"
"It's like that."
"........."
Ichika sighed after the pair said it in simultaneously, and stepped while bearing the inconvenience of walking towards the families@cruise.
"Meh, I'll let you go this time."
"Though there isn't a next time."
"Yes, yes......"
Under the sunset there were three people's slender shadows, and the above was an anecdote which happened one day during the falling heat month of August.
Chapter 2: The Rhapsody of Two Kittens
"Laura Bodewig, 2nd Lieutenant, currently an IS test pilot."
Inside this dark room, the humidity's really so great it's unbearable. To clarify, this room is underground.
--oh yes, this...is the darkest part in my memories. This is the 'Anti-Interrogation Patience Training' I hated most in my military training.
This training facility was even used as an interrogation facility up until a few years ago...no, it was used as an interrogation facility. The black stain on the floor is likely unrelated to the humidity.
Then, it's the sound of water dripping. The water droplets would drop from the ceiling in beads from time to time, making her feel really irritated.
"How does it feel? Fufu, you don't look too good."
Weary and unable to stand up, Laura didn't bother answering such a question.
The woman should be the owner of this damned room, but her face couldn't be seen clearly. She was standing at a position opposite from where the light was shining in, and her hands were crossed behind her waist.
Her coarse voice sounded really clear. Maybe the humidity in this room caused the voice to feel really clear.
"How do you feel about not being able to eat for three days? Laura-kun? Hm?"
She hated to respond at this point in time because it would really drain her. She's really that tired now.
"Well, this is a classic interrogation. It's something that was used since a long time ago. In a room where the concept of time ceases, I won't let you sleep nor eat. I'll just make you listen to the water drop."
*GAK* *GAK*. As the hard soled shoes clattered, the woman took a few steps forward.
"Do you mind if I sit down?"
Do whatever you want. That's right. She still muttered even though she had very little strength in her.
The woman who sat down on the chair twisted her neck slightly and slowly raised her leg up.
Extending out slight from the light was a shocking bare pair of legs.
--No uniform? Who-Who's she...
She's not a normal instructor. No, it's highly doubtful that she's even a soldier.
She thought the woman was the owner of the room, but it seemed like she was wrong. After considering for a while, she realized that the woman's tone was different from how the instructors would normally speak, and the volume was slightly louder.
(Who...is she? Why is she here?)
Unlike how they would wake my wavering thoughts, she became motivated all of a sudden. At this moment, she should consider how to take down the opponent.
(Oh yeah, first--)
"Flip the chair and then choke her on the neck—I wouldn't do that if I were you."
(Wh-Why--)
"Why do I know what you're thinking? That's because..."
The woman's face peered out from the light.
Just the mouth section, as her eyes couldn't be seen.
A beauty—she's a beauty, right? Her jaw line's rather refined.
The nicely shaped lips say.
"... "
Unbelievably, that's something she couldn't hear.
To Laura, who's well versed in reading lips, she could easily understand even though it was mouthed silently.
But for some reason, she couldn't process those words.
Even so—
(Ahh...so that's the case.)
She understood it completely.
If that's the case, it couldn't be helped. A certain 'Factor' gave her this idea with regards to those words.
"Alright, then let's begin our interrogation. Laura-kun, do you have a patriotic heart?"
"Of course I do."
"Fufu, it sure is easy for you to lie—you don't have a patriotic heart at all, right?"
"There's no such thing."
Oh well, never mind. The woman didn't care as she pulled out a notebook.
"Alright, where are your comrades? The scale? Armament level? And support is?"
"I can't say that."
"I see, well, as for this problem."
The woman's lips curled as she smiled.
Laura didn't care about the change in facial expression as she started to wonder how to take down the enemy in front of her.
"You have someone you like, right?"
Laura stopped thinking.
"What?"
"The name's Orimura I—"
"WHAT? ID-IDIOT! DO-DON'T SAY IT!!"
"Ahahaha! You're blushing. Really, that's cute."
"I'LL KILL YOU, I'LL KILL YOU!! I'LL KILL YOU!!!"
Having lost her fatigue and weakness, Laura stood up and leaped at her opponent.
And then—
◆
"Ah, erm...Laura?"
"Uu...?"
The person whom she was pressing down on with a knife to her neck was her roommate Charlotte.
The location's the 1st year dormitory room in IS Academy, and it seems to be morning as the sparrows outside the window are all chirping away.
"Huh, well, I saw you having a nightmare, Laura, so I intended to wake you up."
"Is-Is that...so."
Now that Charlotte mentioned it, Laura found that she was sweating profusely, and the strands of hair sticking on her skin were making her feel irritated.
"...So, how long are we going to maintain this position?"
"Ye-Yeah, that's right...sorry."
Laura let go of the dagger that was pressing against Charlotte's carotid artery and backed away.
She couldn't remember what was in the dream, but it wasn't about something happy, right? Her flustered heart's telling her that.
"Well, never mind. I don't mind, really."
"Really? Thank you."
Even though she didn't know what to do about the room arrangement at the beginning, her roommate Charlotte's someone who understands others well, so right now, Laura's really grateful for this arrangement.
After that battle, Charlotte didn't seem to mind either as she stayed with her as a roommate and friend.
(I actually raised my knife at Charlotte...what was I thinking?)
Fuu. She sighed as she gets off the bed, and Charlotte gets off as well.
"Speaking of which, Laura."
"What is it?"
"Well—aren't you intending to putting on some clothes?"
Charlotte again mentioned this. The reason why she would say this is because this Laura has the habit of not wearing anything when sleeping. Her reason is—
"I don't have clothes to wear when I sleep."
"No, maybe that's the case...but, ahh, you'll get a cold."
The towels that were normally hung around here were prepared for this. As usual, Charlotte draped the towel onto Laura.
"Fuu, sorry. Oh yeah, I'm going to take a shower. How about you?"
"Mn, I'll have one too. I have a bit of cold sweat too."
"How about we do it together?"
"No, that's not it! I'm talking about showering after you're done, Laura! Really!"
"I was joking."
Hearing her say this with a cold tone, Charlotte was stunned for a moment.
At this moment, Laura walked into the bathroom, and she heard the sound of the door being locked.
(She's not one who would really joke about. What's going on?)
Did she change emotionally? As her friend, this really bothered Charlotte.
(Oh well, better find a way to make her wear some nightwear.)
Mnn. Charlotte pondered early in the morning.
◆
"Buying something?"
"Mn, that's right."
Laura and Charlotte were chatting away in the dorm cafeteria as they ate the breakfast a little earlier than usual.
Besides them, there were only a few students who took part in the club morning run, so it wasn't too crowded.
Their breakfasts were macaroni salad, toast and yogurt.
But Laura had an additional item.
"Ea-Eating steak so early in the morning...can your stomach take it?"
"What are you saying? When eating a lot in the morning, the efficiency to work will be greater. There's scientific proof for this. Strictly speaking, those who sleep—in other words, those who eat a lot during dinner are the weird ones. All the excess energy that can't be digested will become fat. I won't stop you if you want to grow fat."
"—Laura, where did you hear this from?"
"Ichika (My Bride) said so."
"Haa...I guess so. That tone doesn't sound like Laura at all."
A person with an impressionable personality is really unexpected Charlotte thought as she poked the macaroni through with her fork.
"Mu, what's that?"
"This...macaroni?"
"I know. I'm asking why are you letting it pass through the fork? Why didn't you just stab it in instead of letting the fork tip pierce through?"
The serious expression nearly caused Charlotte to be overwhelmed by Laura's presence, and she stumbled before she swallowed the macaroni.
"Even if you ask me, I...maybe I feel that I have to do this?"
"Oh, so you feel that you have to do it..."
"How about you, Laura? It's rather interesting, you know."
After saying that, Charlotte mysteriously noticed—
(U, was I a little too childish...? It's Laura, maybe she--)
"Oh, it is interesting—"
"Re-Really? That's great!"
"—If you think that's interesting, your mind really has a problem."
"..."
(No, no no, that's not true! Yeah! Laura definitely won't say such things!)
"Charlotte."
--*BYU!!*
"That's really interesting. Uu...since it's rare, I'll try to use all the tips of the fork to pierce through the macaroni."
After saying that, Laura immediately started playing with the other macaroni bits.
It seems that Laura really found it interesting, and this made Charlotte heave a sigh of relief.
"Mu, ku, this is a lot harder than I imagined it to be...over here."
The last macaroni just wouldn't go through, and Laura was in a tight fight.
For some reason, Charlotte remembered the cat she used to keep, and looked at Laura.
(That cat was really clumsy in the same weird aspects. It kept chasing the ball of thread and even showed a look of disbelief after finding that it wasn't a ball anymore.)
"I SUCCEEDED!"
"WAHHH!!!"
Laura gently raised the fork that pierced through the macaroni, and Charlotte applauded her. The other girls in the cafeteria just blinked and looked around, wondering what happened.
