Infinite Stratos, Volume 5, page 4
“Hey, Laura? You okay?”
“I’m perfectly fine! Don’t look at me!” She slipped past under the hand I’d reached out to put on her shoulder, caught it, and twisted it back. Oww! That hurts!
“Now, if you two lovebirds could pay attention. Charlotte and Cecilia are ready to go, so watch closely.” Tatenashi slapped her fan against her palm.
I’d finally managed to disentangle my arm from Laura’s grip, and was still trying to rub the pain away as I turned toward the arena field.
“Here goes.”
“Ichika. Watch well.”
The Rafale Revive Custom II and the Blue Tears faced each other across the field.
But when they started to move, rather than rushing toward each other, they each strafed counterclockwise. Their movements formed a circle, with each IS keeping its gun trained on the other as it kept its back to the wall.
“Here I come, Cecilia.”
“Ready when you are.”
As they sped up, each began to fire. They kept their circular motion, sporadically accelerating to evade the other’s shots. At the same time, they continued to fire, spiraling ever-faster around the arena.
“You’re good, Cecilia— Ooh, close one!”
“You as well, Charlotte. I never realized a second generation IS could move so fast.”
As they spoke, their fire only increased in intensity.
“This is...”
“Yeah. I thought you’d understand how impressive it was. They’re maintaining precise control over their movement while firing. More importantly, they’re focusing on both evasion and hitting the target. That’s almost impossible if you haven’t mastered your IS.”
The PIC driving the IS is set to automatic control by default. However, this makes precise movement difficult. On the other hand, setting it to manual means you have to split your focus and pay attention to piloting as well. Honestly, it’s something I’d been having a lot of trouble with. Staying calm, not getting caught up in my emotions, paying attention to two things at one time... Just thinking about it made my head hurt.
“You need more experience, but that’s not all you need. You need precise manual control too. Understand?” came a breathy whisper entered my ear. When did she get behind me?!
“I-Ichika?!”
“What are you doing?!”
The duo’s voices rose uncontrollably as they turned toward me.
“Ah—”
Shortly, it was followed by an exclamation of dismay, as they were bathed in each others’ fire. Because they were using manual control, the shock was enough to send them crashing into the wall.
“Are you guys okay?!”
“We’re...”
“Most certainly not!”
They both rocketed upright and flew straight for me.
“We were taking this so seriously!”
“And there you were, fooling around!”
“I don’t think I was fo—”
“Oh yes you were!” Cecilia and Charl resounded in unison.
“Okay, okay...”
I was trapped. Between Charl and Cecilia in a rage, grinning and chuckling Tatenashi, and a sighing Laura.
Chapter II: The Student Council President’s Sign is a Felis
I’d spent two grueling days and nights under the tutelage of Tatenashi. Now it was after school, and again I was in the third arena practicing manual control.
“You just can’t control yourself around older women, can you.”
I thought back to the sneer on Houki’s face. No matter how hard I tried to convince her that it wasn’t true, I didn’t do any better convincing her than I had with Cecilia, Charl, or Laura. Dammit, it wasn’t like that, though!
“You’re slowing down, Ichika. Focus.”
“Understood.”
I focused on maintaining control as I turned my vision to the balloon in the center of the arena. The Setsura pack on my left arm was standing by in cannon mode. In 20 seconds, its energy recharge would be complete. My PIC was set to manual control. That meant that I’d manually have to compensate for the recoil.
This is tougher than I thought it’d be... If I miscalculated, I’d bounce off of the wall behind me headfirst. It’s hard enough just staying in Shooter Flow... I ran through Charl’s instructions in my head as I gingerly moved my—and Byakushiki’s—legs.
“It’s like ice skating, I guess? You have to cling to the surface while letting yourself glide.”
“I don’t really get it...”
“You control yourself using centrifugal force. Does that help?”
“I don’t get it, teach.”
“If only I had a better student.”
“Sorry...”
“Ah well. I don’t mind students who’re a bit of a handful. Actually, I... I kinda... Like... them.”
“Oh, really? Thanks.”
“You need to get better at this, Ichika...”
“...Huh? What just—”
“Oh, I just remembered, I need to go run metrics for my new equipment. See you.”
What had set her off all of a sudden? I still couldn’t figure it out.
“C’mon, Ichika, focus!”
“O-Okay!”
“You must be thinking about a girl. What a perv.”
“No, it’s not like that!”
“Oh, a boy, then? Ewwww.”
“It’s definitely not like that!”
It was exhausting dealing with Tatenashi. The one thing I’d learned about her was that I hadn’t learned anything about her. Some things about her seemed so mature, and on the other hand, some things were just childlike. She was like a cat who’d rub against your neck while you were sitting on the couch, but go sprinting under the bed when you lifted a hand to pet it.
It wasn’t even that I didn’t get her, it was that she didn’t want me to. She wouldn’t show herself. At least, not her true self. And how am I supposed to deal with that? Whatever. Right now I had to focus on piloting. I put my weight on my toes as if I was ice skating, and let my momentum carry me with small adjustments. This is still for shooting types, though, right? What’s it supposed to do for me?
“You, there. Don’t overthink it. Just stay focused.”
“Sorry, Ma’am...”
At least Tatenashi is actually a really good coach. Charl and Laura aren’t half-bad either, but even the parts that I couldn’t quite grasp when I practiced with them, I pick up easily with Tatenashi. Somewhere I read that ‘the smartest person in the room is the one who can make everyone else understand,’ and she definitely seemed like that kind of person.
“Okay. You’re getting up to speed. Now try using Ignition Boost.”
“Eh?”
“Ignition Boost. Change over from the circular motion of Shooter Flow directly to cutting a chord through. You’ll be able to break through your opponent’s suppressive fire, and take a close-up shot with your particle cannon.”
“W-Wait! I’m not ready to just jump into that!”
“Hurry up!”
“Y-Yes, ma’am.” Rushed along, I changed my focus to readying Ignition Boost. Hm? Oh. Crunch! “Owww...”
I’d lost track of maintaining Shooter Flow, and slammed backward into the wall.
“Come on, Ichika. You need to keep up Shooter Flow while charging Ignition Boost.”
“This is tough.”
“Doesn’t matter. You need to figure this out. Houki’s the only other one who hasn’t.”
I had no way to argue with that.
“Okay, then get up. Give it one last try.”
Her explanations may make more sense than any other coach, but she was also stricter than any of them. My training with Sarashiki Tatenashi continued.
◇
“Why, hello there.”
“Oh, hi, Nohotoke.”
On my way back from training, I happened to run into Miss Casual and her sister Nohotoke Utsuho in the hall. While I was thinking about what to say, she spoke first.
“Just call me Utsuho. After all, there are two Nohotokes here, right?”
“Oh, right. Utsuho, then.”
“Perfect,” she nodded.
It was strange. The only way she resembled Miss Casual was in her face. I guess she’s kind of like Takatsuki. I nodded to myself as I recalled Takatsuki Shizune, the most serious member of my class. While we were talking, I tried to slip in a question I’d been curious about.
“Mind if I ask you something, Utsuho?”
“No problem, if it’s something I can answer.”
“Um... What’s Tatenashi like as a person?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, uh. Why’d she pick me for training?”
“You shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth.”
“I didn’t mean it that way! Just...”
“I was joking,” Utsuho chuckled as I ran out of words to say. It surprised me that someone like her would joke around like that. “Young mistress... Tatenashi takes an interest in many things. I don’t personally know about every one of them.”
“I see.”
They’d know each other for a long time, but I guess they still didn’t know each other perfectly. Still. The Nohotoke sisters should at least have some insight on the side of Tatenashi that me and the other IS Academy students had never seen. It was strange. Ah well. It’s not like it isn’t working for me, so I should go along with what Tatenashi says.
I asked Utsuho whether she agreed, and she replied, “I’ll warn you about one thing. She absolutely will have you wrapped around her finger. Don’t burn yourself out.”
“I-I see...” I’d been afraid of that, but I guess it helped to have advance warning.
And if even Utsuho, who was a year older than Tatenashi, said so, it had to be true.
“So you’re saying I should eat as much as I can, then.”
“Exactly. But make sure none sticks in your throat.”
That sounded ominous. Could Tatenashi really manipulate people that well? It sent a chill down my spine.
“See you later, then.”
“Yeah, see you later.”
I said goodbye to the sisters and headed back to my room.
◇
Click. I dragged my exhausted body to the threshold of my room and opened the door.
“Welcome home. Would you like dinner? A bath? Or maybe... Me?”
Slam. I closed the door and took stock of the situation.
“Um...”
I was in the first years’ dorm. In front of my room. It even said ‘Orimura’ on the nameplate. There was no way I was in the wrong place. No way at all. I must have been seeing things. It’s absolutely impossible that Tatenashi would be waiting for me in my room, wearing nothing but an apron. I mean, are you kidding me? Reassuring myself, I opened the door.
“Welcome home. Would you like me? Me? Or maybe... Me?”
“At least give me a choice!”
“But I did. That’s exactly one choice.”
Tatenashi was waiting for me in my room, wearing nothing but an apron. What on Earth was she thinking?
“I’ve decided to move in here.”
“Wait, what......?”
“I’ll be able to show off to everyone. Only two other girls have ever spent a night in this room. So I’ll be your third woman.”
“But, uh, you’re a second year. How can you stay in the first year dorms?”
That wasn’t my actual problem with it, but it was all I could come up with in my confusion.
“Executive privilege.”
Oh no. She had to go straight to the top, didn’t she.
What’s wrong with her? Is the student council even working right?
“Your reactions are so adorable.” As Tatenashi grinned, she snapped open her fan. On it was written ‘Sic transit gloria mundi.’
Um, I’m pretty sure you’re the sick one.
“Anyway! Put on some clothes!”
I didn’t want to look directly at her while she was dressed like that, so my eyes darted around the room as I spoke. Tatenashi laughed as she spun around, revealing...
“Huh?!”
“Too bad! It’s just a swimsuit!”
“.........”
“Tee-hee. Disappointed, aren’t you?”
“Of course not!”
I think, at least.
“This is just my revenge for not getting to show it off this summer.”
Revenge on who exactly? And that may be a swimsuit, but wow, it’s not much of one... Ugh, no! I shook off the instinct to get at much of an eyeful as I could.
“Oh dear. Are you blushing?”
“N-No...”
Tatenashi, still posing with her butt poked out of her apron to show off her swimsuit, grinned. I knew I had to be; between her calling me out on it, and just having a girl in a swimsuit in front of me to begin with, there was no way I wasn’t. She doesn’t have to actually say it, though... My face just turned redder, and I began to seriously try to figure out how to get her out of my room.
After a few seconds, though, I gave up in resignation, realizing her things were already here. She didn’t just have a few boxes piled up, she’d already unpacked everything. There was no way to argue with that.
“Haaaah...” I gave a deep sigh, as if my soul itself was flowing out of me.
◇
“This is it!” Houki strode through the halls of the first year dorms. In her hands was a wrapped box, and as she walked, she occasionally looked down at it and smiled. “This is the day!”
The first meal she’d cooked this month had come out great. So good, in fact, that the thought of Ichika’s reaction as they shared it spurred her into a near-jog. He always used to like this. It was her mother’s own inarizushi recipe. The tofu skins were just a little on the thick side, and stewed low and slow until intensely flavorful, with the rice perfectly seasoned. The intensity of the rich dark soy sauce and the brightness of the vinegared rice meant that little Ichika couldn’t resist stuffing his face with them after practice.
He’s changed, though... The Ichika in her memories was still a boy. But now, while shades of that remained, he was growing to become a calm and reliable adult. In truth, getting closer and closer to her type of man.
Hmm. I should try to grow into more of a woman, too. I don’t know what kind of woman he likes, but it can’t hurt to be a bit traditional. As Houki thought to herself, she embraced her excitement.
Ichika had a terrible time at practice today, he needs something to cheer him up. Yeah. That’s it! That was a perfect reason to be alone with him. So perfect, Houki forgot about its one potential downfall: another girl thinking the same thing. Almost running, she was at Ichika’s door in no time at all. I just need to calm myself down... After clearing her throat, she knocked on his door. Knock, knock.
“.........”
Huh, why isn’t he answering? Houki decided that she must have been too quiet, so she proceeded to knock a bit harder.
“W-Who is it?”
“It’s me. I brought snacks.”
“Ugh, Houki?!”
Ugh? Did he just say ugh?! She wasn’t exactly pleased at the phrasing. But there was no point in ruining the whole meal over it, so she pressed on, “Can I come in?”
“Uh... Sorry. Not right now.”
That was enough to set Houki off. In anger, she pushed against the door. But it wouldn’t open. Ichika must have been holding it shut from inside.
“Ichika...”
“Listen, I’m sorry. Maybe later? But please, not right now.”
Just as Houki really began to notice the tension in Ichika’s voice, she heard a girl in there with him, “What are you doing, Ichika? Oh, I know. You’re trying to not get caught cheating, right?”
“......!” Houki didn’t recognize the voice, but that didn’t matter. If Ichika was doing that, it was time to materialize Akatsubaki and slice through the door with a katana.
“Whoa!”
“Ichika, you...!”
“Hey! I can explain! This isn’t what it looks like!”
“Then what is it?! Sit right down over there!”
In contrast to Houki’s rage, Tatenashi was completely calm, “Calm down. I was just joking.”
“.........”
Houki’s problem wasn’t the joke. It was Tatenashi’s outfit. From the front, it looked like she wore nothing at all but the apron, and Houki raised her blade in response.
“ICHIKA!”
“Why me?! Why me again?!”
Ichika barely managed to dodge the slashes, and slowly but surely he was forced back to the wall.
“Bringing a girl back to your room, and engaging in who knows what sort of lewdness... You should be ashamed of yourself!”
Her katana whooshed through the air as it swung downwards. Ichika had already accepted his death, but Tatenashi suddenly stepped between them.
“Oh my. You’re quite the impulsive one.”
Clang! The blade stopped midair, intercepted by a massive lance which materialized in Tatenashi’s right hand.
“......?!”
“Sorry! But it’d be a little inconvenient for me right now if Ichika turned into Ichicorpse.”
As carefree as she sounded, there was absolutely no slack in her movements.
The lance spun around, parrying the katana, then slipping over it and pressing it down before slapping it upward again.
“Wh—?!”
Houki was at a loss for words as Tatenashi nimbly twisted her katana from her hands. It spun through the air before embedding itself in the wall.
“That’s that, then.”
“Grr...”
Just as Laura had, Houki dematerialized her IS and submitted. Tatenashi’s face wore a smug grin of superiority, over Houki and Ichika alike.
◇
“Oh, I see. You put as much energy into everything else as you do into martial arts, don’t you? So you’re a good cook, too.”
“I don’t think I’m that good at it...”
“There’s no reason to be so humble about it. Ah... The inarizushi really are great. Aren’t they, Ichika?”
“Yeah. They’re delicious.”
After Tatenashi made it very clear to Houki where she stood, she changed back into her uniform and ate with us. They inarizushi were almost exactly like her mother’s that I remembered from the dojo as a kid, but it wasn’t just the nostalgia speaking—they honestly tasted really good.
