Infinite Stratos - Volume 6, page 6
How does a kiss feel I wonder...
While she absent-mindedly thought that, their meal was finished, and the time for dessert came.
"Huh? These complementary ice creams, the three of us got different flavors."
"It really is. I wonder why?"
"U-Umm let's see now, mine is strawberry, Ichika-san's is vanilla, and Charlotte-san's is chocolate flavored right?"
"Looks like it."
While looking at the nodding Ichika, a wild idea that crossed Ran's mind started to develop.
T-This, could it be this will become the situation where we feed each other ice cream to taste the different flavors.....
While day-dreaming about Ichika doing a "Okay, Aaaan"[6B 7] scene, Ran let out a slightly flustered smile for an instant.
Shaking off that thought hastily, Ran gazed at the dessert's ice cream again.
"Since it's like this, how about we feed each other?"
"Huh!?"
"Hmm?"
"Wha, no, well, just now, what did you..."
"No, well, maybe we should feed each other or something..."
"!!"
I-Is this a dream?....That's right, if this is a dream then it won't hurt even if I pinch my leg.
*Gyuu~~*
"Ouch ouch ouch."
"What's wrong!!"
"N-No! Nothing! Nothing at all!"
-It's not a dream!
Ran, whose consciousness was called back to reality by the pain, confirmed that the words that Ichika said earlier were real.
Aah! It's looks like a lie! It's like a dream! To be fed by Ichika-san!
"Then, let's start from my vanilla ice cream. Charl, aaaan."
"A-Aaan."
Charlotte drank the vanilla ice cream. Her face, dyed red just like Ran's, confirmed her as Ran's rival in love.
"T-This is tasty."
"Is that so. I'm glad then. Then, next is Ran."
"Y-Yes."
"Aaan."
"A-Aaan...."
*Pakun*[6B 8]
Aaah, what should I do. What should I do!? I'm not even tasting it anymore-. Uuu, but, but....this could be happiness.
The dazed Ran didn't realize that there's no longer any ice cream on the spoon and kept holding it in her mouth.
"Ran."
"Hmm?"
"Is there still any ice cream left on the spoon?"
"!? N-No! That's, thank you for the meal."
Ran hastily separated her mouth from the spoon.
Uuu, I did it again
Usually, Student Council President Gotanda Ran would never show this kind of unsightly appearance.
But right now she is only a girl in love that you can find anywhere, who wants to be in front of the person she likes.
♦
Uuun, this girl also likes Ichika, doesn't she.
Seeing their conversational exchange, she confirmed her own thought of "It's just as I had suspected"
Ichika really is a natural ladies-man, isn't he...
Haa, she sighed to herself, then scooped her ice cream.
Fight, Charl!
"I-Ichika, then I'll give you my ice cream next."
"A-Alright."
"Okay, aaaahn...."
"Ahn"
*Pakun*
"H-How is it? Is it tasty?"
"Nn! This, there's cocoa powder inside. It's really tasty."
"H-Hee! Is that so."
That tongue, as usual, tasted things in detail, and Charl felt depressed inside by that.
Jeez, Ichika....you don't have to taste it in that detail when I feed you, right? Even if it's a little, I wish he wouldn't feel the texture of the ice cream.[6B 9]
The little Charl inside her head was mad at Ichika.
In any case, the upright Charl didn't forget about Ran.
"Then, Ran-chan too please have some. Aaahn."
"A-Aahn."
*Pakun*
H-Huh?
"It's really is delicious isn't it."
Ran was smiling. But, inside Charlotte's heart wasn't calm at all.
T-T-This is, indirect kiss with Ichika!? Aaah.....Ran-chan is so lucky...
Charlotte looked at Ran enviously. Unconsciously, she was struck by the urge to lick the spoon too.
N-No no. As expected, that is too unladylike.
Charlotte, who restrained herself using her steel-like will, suddenly realized something and it's like a light bulb in her head lighted up.
T-That's right! Next, is my turn right!? an i-indirect kiss with Ichika....
Charlotte was looking at the spoon in Ran's hand while her heart throbbed. Her eyes were burning, and her cheeks were dyed pink.
"T-Then, Ichika-san! A-Aaahn!"
"Ahn"
*Pakun*
"Nn! This one has the fruit flesh inside! Delicious."
Thump, thump, thump....
Charlotte's heart was beating fast.
"T-Then, Charlotte-san too. A-Aahn."
"A-Ahn."
*Pakun*
I-I-I just indirectly kissed Ichika! I really just indirectly kissed Ichika! W-W-What should I do!
Suddenly, she no longer knew about the ice cream's taste.
The good texture from the sherbet-shaped strawberry was conveyed, but even that was only vaguely felt.
"It's tasty."
"Is that so! I'm glad."
Charlotte is gazing at the spoon that left her mouth like she reluctanly had to part with.
But, even thinking that to herself is just too unladylike. She lowered her blushing face.
E-Even so, Ran-chan really is a good kid, isn't she.
Feeding Ichika first to make the indirect kiss happen. Of course, it might be purely her wanting to let Ichika eat first, but Charl took that act as consideration.
T-This is bad. What should I do.... this throbbing won't stop at all.
Her heart seemed to be about to burst from the happiness and delight.
After that, just as expected, she can't feel the taste of her choco ice cream at all.
♦
"T-Thank you for walking me home."
"Yeah. Please say hi to Dan for me."
"O-Okay."
The time was past 4 o'clock. Under the sky where the sun had almost set, Ichika, Charlotte, and Ran were in front of the Gotanda restaurant.
After lunch, the three of them, after visiting all the stores they wanted to, were at the store's front because of Ichika's words (Then, let's accompany Ran until she reaches her house).
Ran wanted to invite them in for dinner, but since it was only 4 o'clock, she gave up on that idea. As expected, it's still too early for dinner.
"T-Then, that's, see you at the birthday party."
"Yeah. Please cheer us on during the race too."
"Y-Yes! I will certainly do that! G-Good luck in the race!"
While saying that, Ran, who couldn't look at Ichika directly, seemed to be unable to calm down while glancing upwards at her house. Probably, she's trying to not be seen by her family, so she doesn't end up being talked about.
Please don't let that stupid brother come out.....! Also, please also don't let father come out....!
While thinking that, she looked at Ichika once again.
He really is cool isn't he.....
She remembered the first time they met. That day when she fell in love in 0.1 seconds.
- There's no way love at first sight exists. Are you stupid or something.
That day was when she started thinking how unbelievably stupid she was for thinking like that.
Simply, people do fall in love.
The reason can always be added after, and the impression is always vivid.
And also, once it starts, it can no longer be stopped. Unstoppable, an awakening of love.
"I-Ichika-san."
"Hm?"
"Ah.... Erm, that's..."
She entwined the fingertips of her hands behind her back.
Fidgeting, fidgeting. Ran was enveloped by a stifling feeling of wanting to say something, but being unable to do so, and ended up saying "Good night!"
Uuuu, stupid me! Stupid stupid!
She entered her house, and while climbing the stairs with quick steps, she started berating herself in her mind.
"Oh? Is that you Ran? So, you're home already."
While going to the second floor, she ran into Dan.
And in his hand was a certain high grade cup ice cream that she had preciously saved.
"This stupid brother!"
Finding an outlet to release her frustration, Ran settled it with a dropkick.
♦
Alone with I-Ichika on the road home.... Alone.....alone.....
Charlotte and Ichika were on their way home, but somehow a strange silence stretched between them.
The main reason was Charlotte's temper, but Ichika being Ichika, was concerned about Charlotte and ended up not talking either.
"Today was fun wasn't it."
"Huh!? Ah, yeah! It was fun!"
To Charlotte, who wanted to make use of this chance, her head had been filled with impatience and confusion from the moment they arrived at the bus stop in front of the academy. Those little Charlottes inside her brain had been making a fuss in a meeting.
Aaa, we've arrived in front of the gate. This is bad, this is really bad, the chances of meeting someone are large since we've arrived at the school site, isn't it. N-Need some kind of topic.... topic...
"B-By the way Ichika."
"Hmm?"
"Do you like listening to music?"
"Aa, my friend used to lend his music to me during middle school, but I haven't been buying any new music lately. And you see, we're also busy with IS related things right?"
"I-Is that so. Now that you mention it, speaking of IS!"
"Yeah."
"The new equipment that they sent from my home country last time is quite nice isn't it! Like the rapid-fire speed, or the number of bullets loaded."
"Hee. Is that so. Charl's shooting ability is getting even stronger then."
"T-That's right isn't it! Aha, ahahahahah......"
Aaaaah, I'm so stupid stupid stupid! That topic was completely something a girl would not talk about! Think about a better topic to talk about, my brain!
If Ichika had not been around, she would have hit her own head.
"Ah, it's Houki."
-It's over.
Charlotte hung her head inside her heart.
"Heeeyy, Houkiii."
Sure enough, Ichika called out to Houki.
And then, Houki, also noticing being called so suddenly, went to their side.
"Ichika and Charlotte. Did you go somewhere outside the school?"
"Aa, we were shopping. Right?"
"Y-Yeah."
"W, just the two of you!?"
"No, Ran was also there. We met her by chance on the way. Right?"
"Y-Yeah."
Houki frowned toward Charlotte, who had been giving answers as if she was somehow feeling guilty.
"W-Well, if wasn't just the two of you, then it's okay."
Houki cleared her throat, and then crossed her arm.
"Even so, since you went shopping, why didn't you invite me too? Since I also need to buy daily necessities and some other things too."
"Alright. I understand. Next time I'll mail you when I want to go shopping."
"U, umu. That's good then."
Houki nodded. Her cheeks got little red.
"Now then, since we have returned just before dinner too, how about we have dinner together?"
"Y-Yeah!"
"N-Now that you mention it. Since you've asked about it, I guess I'll join you."
"Then, let's return to our own rooms first and then gather at the cafeteria entrance. How about in 10 minutes?"
"Ah, can I also invite Laura if she's in our room?"
"Alright. The more the merrier right? I'll invite Rin too."
"W-Why do you mention Rin's name suddenly!?"
"Well, actually today Rin had also planned to tag along. She said she had an emergency then, but it should be over by now I think."
"....That Rin, how cunning...."
"Hmm?"
"N-No, nothing at all!"
Hastily clearing her throat, Houki tried to change the topic.
"Then, see you later."
"Yeah!"
"Aa!"
The vigorously answering Houki and Charlotte nodded in a smile.
Chapter 3: Cannonball Fast
Monday, after school. I'm on the side of the tennis court in a gloomy mood.
The reason for this was that it has been put into motion, the Student Council Executive Orimura Ichika Lending Campaign.
"Haaaa..."
A bingo tournament was held in which all clubs participated. The one who managed to acquire the no. 1 spot was the tennis club.
And the reason for my gloomy mood was the Tournament to Acquire The Right For Orimura Ichika's Massage that's being held on the court at both sides.
"Haaaa!"
"I won't lose!"
"That massage that Cecilia boasted so much about, I will certainly win it!"
...Cecilia, what have you done?
Or rather, for that to be the main reason they're so fired up, is a little troubling.
"I'm going!"
"....Guh! W-What a heavy ball!"
"What an easy return!"
"Aah!"
Cecilia is showing her unreasonable stubbornness isn't she....
Well, it's better than being depressed I guess. Seems that lately, she had been training individually at the arena until closing time. If a massage can take away her fatigue, then I guess it's a small price to pay.
After that, Cecilia smoothly advanced to the finals, where she clinched the win with a splendid straight.
As for me, I was distributing towels and sport drinks to the girls in the order that they were eliminated.
"Cecilia, good work. You won splendidly, didn't you?"
"Ha, ha, ha.... It's only.... natural.... Ha....."
"Here's, a towel and also an energy drink."
"Uhmmm...ah, Ichika-san? Right now, my arms feel like lead pipes.....ha, ha,.....that is, if you, could you wipe my face for me...."
"Alright. Got it."
Certainly, being the winner means she had to play more matches, so it's no wonder she's become so tired.
I did as I'm asked to and proceeded to wipe the sweat off her face.
While doing that, the surrounding people screamed out all at once.
"Aaaaaaaa!"
"Cecilia, what are you doing?!"
"You've already won the tournament, that's not fair! Not fair!"
A chorus of booing emerged from all the other tennis club members present at once.
This is Cecilia we are talking about, so of course she took all the complaints head on and even pridefully flicked her hair back.
"It's not unfair! This is just the privilege of the winner!"
With the same pose as usual, she put her hand at her hip while somehow emitting a seemingly dazzling aura.[6C 1]
"Gunununu...!"
"So mortifying! Losing to that princess-like behavior is so mortifying!"
"Orimura-kun! If it's like this, then you must give that service to everyone else too!"
"Wh!?"
Why did my name come up at this point!?
"That's right.... How about, wiping everyone's back while we're changing?"
"Ahh! That sounds good! Really good!"
"I'm also drenched with sweat, please do so."
"""It's okay isn't it, Orimura-kun?"""
Being surrounded in just an instant, I'm troubled with how to deal with the nearing crowd.
"T-There's no way it will be okay! In the first place, if we're talking about when you change then....underwear..."
I unintentionally imagined about that scene.
The girls of the tennis club in their underwear. In the midst of this, I'm walking around wiping their backs. Not good, I can't do it! I definitely can't do it!
"T-That kind of service is not included!"
"""Eeeeehhhhh!?!"""
A bigger booing than the one Cecilia received occurred.
"It's okay, isn't it?!"
"We're wearing sports bras[6C 2], so it's not embarrassing!"
To all the girls who still insisted on refusing to back down, I shouted while making an X mark with my arms.
"No way! Definitely no!"
And then another booing echoed on the after school's tennis court.
♦
Aah, to be able to receive that massage again.... what bliss.
Cecilia thoroughly soaped her body, and then washed the foam while humming.
Once, right after club activities, and now once more in her own room, she showered.
The shiatsu[6C 3] hurts a little bit, but the lymphatic massage[6C 4] after that feels unbearably good
Remembering the feeling of relaxation by the whole palm, Cecilia narrowed her eyes in a trance.
"~~♪~~♪"
She hummed a famous classical song, Vivaldi's Four Season. Just as expected from someone who performed on the piano[6C 5] and violin[6C 6], even while humming, from the rhythm [6C 7] to the tempo[6C 8], there's no disorder at all.
Cecilia's voice is also lovely in itself, which makes the sounds echoing in the shower room seem musical.
After this, since I've wiped my body thoroughly, I'll use rose perfume.
Truth to be told, Cecilia would actually like to soak in a bathtub with rose petals floating in it, but in the end she gave up on the idea.
But, she wanted to appeal with all her might to the boy she lost her heart to.
W-What about the underwear?...
Cecilia hesitated on whether to wear the sexy lingerie she bought when she went back to her home country or not.
But, what crossed her mind was her maid and childhood friend Chelsea, and her words:
"Ojou-sama[6C 9], I think underwear that's too gaudy might have the opposite effect."
.......
I wonder if that would be the case...... But, Chelsea doesn't have a boyfriend, does she?
Somehow, she felt that the precocious smile that was drawn on her face, brought some kind of confidence, and she became even more troubled.
H-How about not wearing any underwear?...
