Infinite Stratos - Volume 4, page 5
"When are we going shopping?"
"Ah, yeah, I planned to go out around 10. What do you think? An hour of shopping, and then we'll go eat at a nice shop."
"I see. Since it's a rare chance, I should invite my bride along. Yup, I'll be a good husband."
"Ah, ahaha...that's right..."
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"Not in the room, and he didn't answer his phone. Where did he go to—is he cheating on us?"
"No, huh, it can't be helped if he's not around."
"I can contact him if I use the IS private channel, right? Let's do that then."
"WAH! NO! DON'T DO THAT, LAURA! I mean, even if it's part of the IS function, using it like that isn't good, you know."
"Forget about that. It's more important to find my bride."
"...Orimura-sensei will get angry."
*Pyu!* Laura stopped.
"Tha-That's right. Private time is necessary at times. Okay, Charlotte, let's go there on our own."
"Okay, let's go."
They return back to their room as they prepare to leave the Academy.
Of course, they have to change into casual clothes—logically, that should be the case.
"Erm, Laura, what's with that military uniform?"
"Uu, this is a uniform for formal occasions, unfortunately, I don't have any casual clothes."
"..."
Even Charlotte was about to hug her head. Speaking of which, she never saw Laura dressed as an ordinary girl even though they're in the same room.
"Laura, just wear the school uniform...your country won't be happy if you wear that uniform out, right?"
"That does make sense. Okay, I'll change into the uniform."
Laura then changed clothes at a speed that was not what a girl would change at, and they spent only 15 minutes changing before they left the room.
"Let's take the bus ride to the station."
"Okay."
The bus arrived at the station as they reached there, so the two girls boarded the bus first. It was summer vacation and past 10am, so the bus was rather empty.
Unlike Laura who was dressed in uniform, Charlotte was wearing casual clothes. It was a white dress with light blue color, and it had the presence of summer as it radiated a cooling and casual feeling.
Amongst the buses in this city, this bus was rare. There was no air-conditioning, so the wind blew in through the window, giving a cool sensation.
(Speaking of which, I haven't admired this scene properly. Since it's rare, let's just go out more.)
The breeze gently passed through the window and grazed Charlotte as she looked out of the window. Her hair was fluttering slightly, glowing blonde under the bright summer sun.
Beside her, Laura was seriously looking at the houses in this city.
(...That building can be used as a sniping location, and if it becomes a dragged out battle, the mart opposite can become a place to maintain supplies. Also, just in case, I should check the underground sewers and subways map, and I need to check if there are any independent electrical generators nearby.)
Laura, with her silver hair glittering under the bright sunlight, along with those sharp eyes of hers, was giving off a rather out of place presence.
"Hey, hey, look at both of them."
"Uwa, they're really pretty!~"
"Those girls are rather cute. Are they models?"
"Really? The silver-haired girl's wearing...a uniform? I've never seen that before."
"Idiot, that's IS Academy's uniform! It's custom made!"
"Huh!? I heard that only 1 out of millions are chosen to enter IS Academy?"
"That's right. Only the elites get to enter."
"Uwa~ so outstanding yet so pretty. Isn't that too unfair..."
"Well, gods are unfair. That's always the case."
The female high school students are staring at Charlotte and Laura as they create a ruckus.
In the cramped space of the bus, such intense conversations naturally spread to the two girls' ears.
"..."
Charlotte lowered her head in embarrassment, probably because she was never praised like this before.
On the other hand, Laura just ignored their ramblings as she continued to 'Check the statuses of wartime street fights'.
(IS are the most powerful and incomparable force in the world. However, a war can't be decided with just one person's battle ability. In troop fighting in the streets, we have to deploy our defensive line as troops.)
If they could level this entire street into wasteland, the IS would be useful.
(--While taking down the entire city, if we can consider using large transport aircraft to bombard this place, we need some anti-air weapons that can be mobilized independently. Also, it's best if we can supply the troops with some anti-air missiles. Javelin and Starstreak missiles can be used to attack vehicles. And most important--)
"Laura, Laura."
"Hn? What?"
"We're at the station. Alright, stop thinking and get off."
"Got it."
Both of them get off the bus with some other passengers, and walked into the shopping center in front of the station.
Charlotte took out a magazine from her bag, looking at it and the directory to check where they were.
"Okay, I got it. If we go in this order, we won't waste too much time."
"Oh."
"We'll first look at clothes, and then we'll go get lunch. After that, I want to shop for some life accessories and little decorations. Don't you agree, Laura?"
"I don't understand any of these, so I'll leave it to you then."
Laura was still alien to what girls in their teens would do. Though she's a teenager herself, she doesn't understand all these at all, so it couldn't be helped.
--Even so, Laura still felt weird.
Laura's naturally a stubborn girl, but even so, she couldn't resist Charlotte's words at all as she easily agreed to what Charlotte would say. Normally speaking, this girl called Laura would forcefully decide on what she wants to do even though she doesn't understand it.
(Unbelievable.)
Charlotte has an indescribable charisma.
If there's a need to describe it, maybe it's similar to a mother Laura didn't know of.
"Are you listening, Laura?"
"Hm? Ohh, sorry, I wasn't listening."
"Really~ I'm asking you if you want skirts or pants."
"Mn, both of them will—"
"Don't say that both of them will do...speaking of which, Laura, you're really like Ichika in this aspect."
Charlotte inadvertedtly sighed, and Laura showed a happy look for some reason.
"It's good that both husband and wife are alike."
Thinking that it's stupid to get angry at Laura with regards to this, Charlotte sighed again and ended this conversation.
"Anyway, let's go to the 7th level. The 5th and 6th level are also for females, so we'll just go according to order."
"Hm? Why must we go from the top? Can't we go from bottom to top?"
"It's easier to shop if we go from top to bottom. You see, aren't the shops designed like that as well?"
Hearing Charlotte say this, Laura looked at the book she opened. However...
"I don't understand at all."
"~Uu, well, I'm telling you that there's winter clothing sold in the lower levels! It should be a change of seasons soon, but there's still summer wear at the clearance sales, so let's go there first—"
"Hold on, I don't need winter clothing."
"Huh? No need...why?"
"It's summer now."
Laura said it so casually, yet Charlotte was completely dumbstruck.
"I can just wait until winter to buy winter clothing."
"No, well...listen to me. Girls would normally prepare their clothing before the season changes."
"I see—well, it would be too late if we prepare our supplies and soldiers once war starts. Is that what you're trying to say?"
"Huh...yeah, I guess you can say that."
"So it's called preparing for rainy days."
Though this was purely what a girl would think in a feminine manner, Laura thought this through using her own logic.
Since it was weird to deny Laura's views, Charlotte accepted it.
"Anyway, let's just go in order. If you have things you don't understand, just ask me."
"Okay, it's good to have Charlotte around. You're really reliable."
They took the elevator to the 7th level. As it still was summer vacation, there were many teenage girls in the mall with the air conditioning turned on at full blast.
"It would troublesome if we get lost. How about we hold hands?"
"Y-Yeah."
In contrast to the carefree Charlotte, Laura felt shy as she nodded her head, but she still agreed even though she felt weird.
"Then let's start from here."
"'Third Surface'...that's a weird name."
"This shop seems to be popular. See, there are a lot of girls inside."
Now that Charlotte mentioned it, Laura noticed a lot of high school and middle school girls inside.
As there's a closing sale, the shop's really bustling, so it's to be expected that the shop would accommodate the customers more. However—
"..."
*PAKII!!* The paper bag the shopkeeper was handing over to the customer dropped.
"Blond hair and silver hair...?"
Noticing the shopkeeper acting rather abnormal, the other shop attendants turned to look over.
And then, everyone looked mesmerized as they say,
"They look like dolls..."
"Are they filming...?"
"...Yuri, I'll hand the customer over to you..."
Seeing both of them, the shopkeeper stumbled and went over. It seemed that she just became mesmerized by the devil, or at least she had heatstroke.
"Hol-Hold on, huh? Wha-What about me? Speaking of which, the clothes...are still on the floor..."
After seeing Charlotte and Laura, the female customer who was about to complain just shut up.
The two beauties seemed to just walk out of a painting. Not to mention their slender fingers that are held together mesmerize all.
They're not holding hands tightly, but they're still together.
This made both of them emit an indescribable feeling.
"Ma-May-May I know what kind of clothing are you looking for?"
The shopkeeper let out an excited voice, and anyone could tell that she was excited. She didn't look like a mature woman who was used to wearing summer attire.
The interesting attitude of the shopkeeper made Charlotte forget about leaving the shop due to the overwhelming stares.
"Huh, I'm looking for clothes for this girl. Do you have any recommendations?"
"Yes, this silver-haired girl, right? I'll look for it now, no problems!"
Immediately after saying that, the shopkeeper took the clothes off the fake model that's obviously used for display only.
--Also, even though these are summer clothes, but clothes that would be sold out anyway would be hung on the display at the shop's doors to attract customers. These clothes are obviously meant to be sold, but since they're prepared for 'Important Customers', normally speaking, they wouldn't be removed for first-time customers.
That's right, normally speaking.
"How-How is it? This white summer shirt should match your beautiful silver hair, Miss."
"Heh, light and translucent. I can see the clothes underneath. What do you think, Laura?"
"I—"
"Don't say that you don't know."
"Uuu..."
As what she wanted to say was blocked off, Laura pouted, a rare sight at that.
That childish expression made the shopkeeper who felt that the silver-haired girl was silent blink a few times in surprise.
"White? It's nothing bad, I'm wearing this color now anyway."
"Ah, yes."
On hearing this response that's not feminine at all, the shopkeeper couldn't help but respond blankly.
"Since it's a rare chance, don't you want to try it, Laura?"
"No, it's too—"
"Don't say that it's troublesome."
As her words were blocked again, Laura remained silent.
During this time, Charlotte and the shopkeeper chose a lower-half clothing and a matching shirt.
"I'll have the denim pants. As for the shirt..."
"How about a V-neck woolen sweater?"
"Ah, that's nice. Should I choose the same type of color or a contrasting type...hm."
Both of them happily chose Laura's clothing.
Realizing that resistance was futile, Laura could only stand slightly far away and look at them.
(Really, what's so interesting about that?)
I just need the clothes to fulfill their function. That's really how Laura would think.
"Okay Laura, try this."
"I understand."
"The changing room's over here."
As the shopkeeper lead her to the changing room, Laura sighed.
(This can't be helped, but since it's a rare chance to wear casual clothes, I really hope that Ichika can see it.)
Thinking about this, Laura took off her uniform.
The white silky skin was lit by the lights, making her look like an ice beauty.
(...)
She again examined her own body. Even though her body with only underwear on it was beautiful, there's a refined feel to it as she trained herself physically.
(I'm not too sure about this, but is my body lacking charm to the opposite gender?)
Especially to Ichika.
(Uu...)
She tried to pose according to the poses she saw in those photo galleries.
The images in those photos were really alluring, and the body that was wearing underwear made it really alluring to the opposite gender.
"...Baka baka!"[4B 1]
Feeling really embarrassed about what she just did, Laura continued to change after saying those words.
Looking through the clothes Charlotte and the shopkeeper chose for her, she found that they were all the 'Cool' type.
(If I have to wear it, I should choose the cute one. Then Ichika would praise me--)
* * *
...
"Laura's clothing is really cute."
"Just the clothing?"
"Laura's still the cutest of all."
"Ba-Baka..."
"Your underwear's cute too, right?"
"Huh, ah..."
"Let me see, Laura."
"U-Uu..."
...
* * *
Even though this was all just her imagination, Laura still blushed as she remained silent.
"No, that's not it! Well...how should I put it? I don't think it'll be that successful, but..."
However, the probability's not zero.
"How is it, Laura? Have you changed yet?"
Behind the door, the familiar voice of Charlotte rang out.
Laura quickly put on the uniform and opened the door.
"That's strange. Why are you still in uniform...?"
"Charlotte."
"Y-Yeah. Well, you didn't like that,,,?"
"No, that's not it. Even so..."
It was rare to see Laura stutter, and Charlotte had a question mark above her head.
"Make-Make it a little cuter..."
Laura really looked childish as she said that, stunning Charlotte.
But she immediately recovered and nodded her head hard.
"Mn, mn! It's better to be cute! I'll prepare it for you. Just wait!"
Laura, who was lacking enthusiasm a while back, just said something really unexpected, making Charlotte agree with an even more enthusiastic tone.
"Th-The-Then, what kind of clothing will be better? Color, build, what's your view?"
"We-Well, it's better to have a suitable amount of skin revealed..."
"Mn, I got it!"
Charlotte immediately went back to the shopkeeper and looked through the colorful clothes.
"I'll take that strapless dress, and a ring as decoration. And let's see..."
Charlotte looked absolutely delighted as she chose the clothes, seemingly choosing them for herself.
"If you want clothes that show a lot of skin, the black one will be a steady bet! It matches your hair, Laura."
"I-I'll be troubled if it's too glamorous."
As Laura was feeling somewhat nervous on seeing Charlotte work so hard, she couldn't help but warn her, but Charlotte's response was full of drive.
"No problem at all—! Just relax and leave it to me!"
"I-I understand."
Seeing the normally reliable and mature Charlotte become this determined, Laura could only obey her.
(But her tastes are better than mine, so there shouldn't be any problem.)
20 minutes later, as Laura changed and walked out of the changing room, everyone in the shop gasped.
"UWA, SHE'S SO PRETTY..."
"SHE'S JUST LIKE A FAIRY..."
After receiving the stares of everyone in the shop, Laura couldn't help but be embarrassed.
She was wearing a black strapless dress with some frills on it, creating a cute look.
Like everyone mentioned, the way Laura was dressed in a slightly-shorter-than-a-mini-skirt dress matches her refined presence like a fairy.
"You-You even prepared the shoes? I'm shocked."
"It's rare anyway. It'll be a pity if you don't wear any mules."
Wearing heeled shoes for the first time, Laura lost her balance.
While everyone went 'Ah!', Charlotte picked her up.
"So-Sorry."
"Don't worry."
Supporting Laura's hand, Charlotte bowed.
The two people who looked like a prince and a princess looked like they fit into a scene in a fairy tale.
"Can-Can I take a photo?"
"Me-Me too!"
"Please shake hands with me!"
"Me too me too!"
Both of them were surrounded all of a sudden. Everyone, the people in the shop and the people outside looking in at the commotion all squeezed in, and there was a commotion for quite a while.
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"Hoo, that was tiring."
"To think that we would end up spending so much time here."
At just past noon, both of them are having lunch at the open-aired café.
Laura ordered the pasta that was of a different flavor everyday, and Charlotte ordered lasagna. Both of them are enjoying their food.
