After I finish washing, I’ll put on some rose perfume. She had really wanted to bathe with rose petals, but had given up on it as too impractical. Still, for the boy she fancied, she wanted to make the best impression possible. But what shall I wear for lingerie? Cecilia pondered whether to wear the sexy ensemble she’d purchased while at home in England over the summer, but the advice she’d received from her maid and close confidante Chelsea ate at her: “I must advise you, overly-showy lingerie rarely does what it’s supposed to.”

  I wonder if she may be right... But wait, isn’t she single as well? Still, Chelsea’s knowing laugh as she spoke made Cecilia suspect there was a hint of truth to her words. Perhaps the best choice is no choice at all. Quite risqué, to be sure, but more tempting the longer she thought of it. That’s it. Clothing would only get in the way of a massage, anyway... Something down below, though, of course!

  She stepped out of the shower, having settled on a decision. In her dressing area, she chose only a pair of low-rise panties and a silk blouse. This is... a bit too risqué... Suddenly overcome by embarrassment, she buttoned her blouse.

  The sensation of her arms brushing against her breasts only fanned her discomposure.

  “I must, of course, comport myself as a proper lady.”

  It took Cecilia another 30 minutes to finish choosing her outfit.

  Finally, before Ichika’s door, she cleared her throat and announced her presence with a timid knock.

  “Hey. I’ve been waiting for you, Cecilia.”

  “Of course. My sincerest apologies for the wait.”

  In the end, she had made the safe choice of a pair of pajamas. They were silk, of course, and their luster gleamed in the soft light. I went with rather conservative lingerie, in the end... I hope it’ll be fine. ‘Safe’ and ‘conservative’ were, of course, relative terms when speaking of a wardrobe easily three times the cost of an average high school student’s, but this was simply a question of her class.

  “Let’s get started, then?”

  “What?! I-I thought we’d relax with tea first...”

  “Oh, right. Sorry.” Ichika patted the empty bed to indicate Cecilia should sit down, and walked toward the kitchen area. “I only have bagged black tea, is that all right?”

  “I-I suppose I’ll endure, just this once.”

  “Thanks.”

  Ba-dum.

  As casual as her words were, her emotions were anything but. Her heart was spurred on by thoughts of making her crush hers and hers alone. He... His workouts lately have certainly been quite effective. Ichika had improved as an IS pilot, as well, and was even getting the hang of energy management. Cecilia had watched his progress with mixed emotions.

  I’m quite glad he’s becoming strong, but as for my own position... Lately, he hadn’t needed help from her at all, and it stung. When he had asked for training in high-speed combat, she’d turned him down in a fit of pique, but perhaps now was the time to reconsider. As she mulled it over, Ichika returned with the tea.

  “Here.”

  “Why, thank you.”

  It was slightly cooler than normal and easy to drink as she let its taste fill her mouth. Because a hot tea requires such careful sipping... The gracious consideration only made her heart pound harder.

  They sat in silence, drinking their tea, for ten minutes.

  No. No! I can’t let him think I’m so dull that I can’t even carry on a conversation! Ichika, of course, was just as silent, but Cecilia abhorred the vacuum between them and cast about for a topic.

  “I must ask, Ichika. How are you finding the student council?”

  “Huh? Hmm. I had been helping out until now, but now I’m being rented out to other clubs. Honestly, it’s hard work.”

  “It must feel wonderful to be in such demand.”

  “Really? Does it even make anyone happy that I’m there?”

  “Well, I certainly was!” Cecilia, without thinking, leaned forward enthusiastically.

  “I guess. But calm down a little, okay?”

  “Understood...”

  As she sat back down on the place Ichika had patted, she finished her tea.

  “Hmm? Are you done with your tea too? Let’s get started with the massage, then.”

  “O-Of course!” Embarrassed by her stutter, Cecilia lay down on the bed. “Er, Ichika...”

  “Yes?”

  “Well, umm...”

  Shall I say it? Wait, will he think I’m strange? No! Just let it out!

  “Shall I take off my drawers?”

  “Wha—”

  “I-I thought it would make it easier to massage!”

  “It’ll be fine. Don’t worry about it, Cecilia. And please don’t start sounding like Tatenashi.”

  Hmph. So he’s heard that from her before? Simply unforgivable. Just—I mean, just as a lady!

  “Cecilia?”

  “What is it?!”

  “Try to relax a little bit more. You’re all tense.”

  “Understood.”

  She took a deep breath and relaxed. Just as she began to calm down, though, her pulse raced again at the realization that Ichika was about to touch her.

  “All right, I’ll start with your legs.”

  “Very well.”

  As her heart raced, he laid a palm on her leg. Ba-dum!

  The massage slowly began, accompanied by the sound of her silk pajamas rustling as they rubbed between her legs. It was all she could do to hold back her excitement, as even the sensation of the massage barely reached her racing mind. Ahh... It still feels so good... His palms released the stress and exhaustion which filled her legs. Not just through the touch alone, but through it being his. Cecilia, filled with a satisfaction beyond words, let out a warm sigh.

  “Ahh... Ichika, you’re quite good at this...”

  “Mm. Thanks.”

  With her calves done, Ichika moved to her thighs. The touch raced up her spine like a bolt of lightning, and she struggled to form a coherent sentence.

  “So, ur, what do you think? About my figure.”

  “Hmm? Your legs are nice and long. Have you ever modeled?”

  “A number of my duties as a national cadet have been quite similar. Lately, we’ve been treated almost as idols.”

  “I see. You’ll have to show me pictures sometime.”

  “Of course. I’ll bring some by later.”

  Cecilia’s words were nonchalant, but her mind raced as she thought of which to bring. There are some in gowns, but many in my usual clothes as well... And a few in swimsuits... She regretted not having taken the photoshoots more seriously now that this moment had come. In fact, she could barely remember what she had worn this summer at her family manor. In other words, it was a complete failure.

  It’s no fair only asking me now, Ichika! Cecilia, irked, puffed out her cheeks. But the massage felt so good that the frustration lasted not even two minutes. It feels so wonderful... She sighed languidly as he moved from her knees to her thighs. Finally, with her hip joints done, Ichika hesitated for a moment before moving on.

  “Ahh... Um, er... Shall I move on to your lower back?”

  “Not at all! I’d like you to massage it all, even... Even my rear...”

  “Okay.” Ichika nodded as if working up his own gumption, and took a deep breath.

  Perhaps he’s beginning to notice me, too? That she was a woman. That she was a potential partner. Still, it’s embarrassing to be touched there...

  “We-Well, Cecilia. Here goes.”

  “As you will.”

  The pounding in her chest was becoming painful. Cecilia swallowed nervously, cautious to not be noticed, as she waited for Ichika’s touch. I’ve done 30 minutes of lower-body stretches a day. That... That should be enough, right?

  Ba-dum, ba-dum, ba-dum.

  Smoosh.

  “Mm?!”

  Ichika’s fingers sunk into the soft flesh. Cecilia, thinking more of it being Ichika’s hands on her butt than of the massage, felt her mind begin to boil over as her face flushed bright red.

  “Am I tense there?”

  “A-A bit, I guess. Wait, I know. Cecilia, do you play the piano?”

  “Yes. When I perform, I’m intensely focused, and of course... During practice, I’m seated for hours on end...”

  “I see...”

  “Indeed.”

  Ichika and Cecilia both hunted desperately for something to speak about. Meanwhile, in Ichika’s brain... Wow, it’s so soft! It’s even softer than Tatenashi’s! Oh man, I gotta focus... And so on.

  Hoping to move on to her lower back quickly, Ichika sped up. But it just made the sensations on his palms more intense, as he blushed while leaning over her.

  “Should I move on to your back now?”

  “Very well.” Cecilia longed to be touched just a little more, but realizing she was approaching her own limits, she nodded along to Ichika’s suggestion. Any more and... Well, any more should happen after we’re dating...

  “If it hurts, tell me.”

  “Of course.”

  As he practiced shiatsu on her back, she was enveloped in pressure, but also in the comfort of his light touch. Unlike her rear, for her back, he worked each joint intently, and soon another sigh of relaxation and something more wafted from her lips. Ahhh... It feels so good... Like my exhaustion from today is floating away...

  Her euphoria stretched out another five or ten minutes. Then, as his hands reached her neck, Ichika suddenly spoke, “Cecilia?”

  “Mmm?!”

  He had whispered directly in her ear. The sensation of his breath on her skin almost made her leap.

  “Your hair is beautiful. And it smells so nice.”

  “Well, er, I use a quality shampoo, and— Ahh!”

  Ichika wove his fingers into her hair, twirling it back and forth. The sensation of his touch on the back of her neck sent Cecilia’s world spinning. Ichika? What are you doing all of a sudden? Ha-Have you noticed my beauty? Cecilia’s chest ached as her heart pounded so fast she didn’t even have time to add a ‘finally.’ Ichika had laid himself over her gently, as if to cover her, and she could feel the warmth of his body.

  “Cecilia...”

  “Y-Yes?”

  “Can I touch you directly?”

  “Go ahead...”

  At Cecilia’s timid response, Ichika slipped a hand under her pajamas. Eek! Shock and passion ran as one through her nerves. Ichika... Ahh, this is like a dream...

  “It’s not a dream.”

  Ahh, it’s really happening! Wait, that’s strange...

  “It’s not strange at all.”

  There it is again! He’s replying to things I didn’t say!

  Cecilia pushed herself up in confusion. And before her eyes was—

  “And after all the advice I gave you to choose modest lingerie?”

  “Chelsea?!”

  Her personal maid, Chelsea, was here all the way from England.

  “This is...”

  “Yes. It’s a dream.”

  Cecilia heard a sound like a balloon popping. As the world faded to white around her, all she could see was Chelsea’s grin.

  ◆

  “...Just terrible. That’s just terrible!”

  Cecilia awoke with a start. Glowing from the side of her bed was an illuminated clock, the hands pointing to 2:00 in the morning.

  “Where am I?”

  Her bed felt different than usual, and she glanced around, trying to figure out where she was. In the next bed, there was someone sleeping.

  “Ichika?” That meant that getting the massage wasn’t a dream. The question was... When did it turn into one? She’d definitely won the tennis tournament, earned a massage as her reward, drifted off during it, and awoken in Ichika’s room. “Phew.”

  Somehow, a wave of exhaustion came back over her, and she slumped back into bed. On the other side of the room, Ichika slept quietly. This was such a failure... Cecilia couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of it all, before glancing over at Ichika affectionately. Someday, someday I’ll steal your heart.

  She formed her fingers into a gun, and aimed carefully.

  “Bang.” A playful smile drifted to her face.

  ◆

  “WHAAAAAAT?!” A shout echoed through the morning cafeteria.

  Ssh! Ssssshhh!

  “Shh! Charl! Rin! Quiet down!”

  “B-B-But! But!”

  “Ichika! Explain yourself!”

  There were tears in Charl’s eyes, while Rin was glaring at me questioningly.

  “Why did Cecilia leave your room in her pajamas this morning?!”

  It seemed there had been a grave misunderstanding.

  “Why, he was a perfect gentleman. Isn’t that right?” Cecilia flicked her hair with a giggle.

  Cecilia! Why do you have to pour gas on the fire?! With a sneer at me, she continued speaking, “We simply spent a wonderful evening together. That’s all.”

  “I can’t believe you!”

  “Ichika!”

  “Gah! Wait! Come on! I just gave her a massage! She fell asleep during it, and I wasn’t going to wake her up to kick her out! That’s all!” I was telling the truth and nothing but the truth. With that, Charl and Rin were at least assuaged enough to sigh in relief and sit back down.

  “That’s it?”

  “I figured it was something like that.”

  They turned their attention back to their meals: Charl was having a cream stew, while Rin had chosen the house yakisoba.

  “You didn’t need to tell them the truth, you fool.”

  “Hm? Didn’t hear you, Cecilia.” Cecilia had muttered something at me over her BLT bagel. I looked over at her, trying to figure out what.

  “Oh, nothing at all.”

  Huh? What was she mad about? I didn’t get it. I was just glad Houki and Laura weren’t around. They’d definitely have very loud opinions about the whole mess.

  “.........”

  “.........”

  Huh? That’s funny. I could feel two cold stares on my back. Sure enough, turning around, there the twin terrors were with arms crossed.

  “Ichika... You’ve broken the rules of the dorms.”

  “The rules?”

  “Special Rule Number 1! Girls must not stay overnight in a boy’s room!”

  “Calm down, Laura!”

  “Shut up! If you’re so into that kind of thing, fine! I’ll stay over tonight!”

  “Wha?!”

  “Wait, what are you talking about? If that’s going to happen, I’ll stay over as a chaperone! We need to strike a balance!” Houki chimed in too.

  Why me...

  “Ooh! No fair! I will too then!”

  “Ichika! Take me first! We’ve been friends since childhood!”

  Ugh, even Charl and Rin were getting in on the act. What was going on here?!

  “And just what is this commotion?” The room froze over as everyone recognized that voice. Standing in a jet-black suit which perfectly fit her personality, with arms crossed and finger tapping, was my sister, Orimura Chifuyu. “I’m surrounded by idiots, aren’t I.”

  That was five slaps in one swift motion. And one knuckle-on punch for me. It hurt. A lot.

  “Alcott.”

  “Yes?!”

  “I expect a written note of contrition.”

  “Y-Yes, ma’am...”

  “And Orimura.”

  “Yes?”

  “Three days in the brig. Feel grateful it isn’t anything more.”

  “T-Thank you...”

  That was plenty harsh. But that’s just how my sister was. “Now! How much longer are you going to waste stuffing your idiotic faces? Finish eating, and get to class! Dismissed!”

  With a clap of her hands, the girls moved from on the tips of their toes to clearing out of the cafeteria in disarray. Meanwhile, I slurped up the miso from my grilled salmon meal. Is it just me, or is this a bit salty? It must have been the salt of my tears.

  I ate another punch, maybe because she realized I was thinking something so stupid.

  ◆

  “Very well, everyone. Today we’re training in high-speed maneuvers.” The voice of Class 1-A’s assistant homeroom teacher, Yamada Maya, sounded through the sixth arena. “You’ll remember that last week, I mentioned that Arena Six is connected to Central Tower so we can conduct high-speed maneuver exercises. To begin with, I’d like those of you with your own IS to demonstrate for the class.”

  With that, Ms. Yamada made a show of pointing at Cecilia and me before continuing, “First, Alcott, with the Strike Gunner high-mobility package!”

  It looked like the big difference in this package was its use of both the four cannon bits which normally attached to her side binders, and the two missile bits which rested on her hips as auxiliary thrusters. Each cannon was disabled, and they mounted on her hips for high speed and high mobility. At first glance, they looked like a blue skirt.

  “Second, Orimura! While he isn’t using a specialized package, his thrusters have been tuned for increased output to provide an ersatz high-mobility mode! I’d like you each to complete one lap!”

  Cheers of encouragement arose from the rest of the class. We each waved a hand in acknowledgment, then focused on materializing our IS. Hmm, what do I do with this high-mobility assist visor?

  “Ichika, is there anything you’re having trouble with?” Cecilia’s voice over a private channel was as relieving as a passing ship to an adrift sailor.

  “Good timing. Do I really need to change visor modes? What do you think?”

  “Yes, that mode’s specialized for high speeds. You also need to set each thruster to linked vision.”

  “Got it. Like this?”

  A quick shift of focus, and a veil of light washed over me. Suddenly, the world was so much clearer.

  “It may make you a bit queasy if you’re not used to it. Be careful.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Oh, it’s nothing. Did you really think I wouldn’t be able to help you with that?” I could almost hear her blush over the private channel as I floated into the air.

  “Then... Three, two, one, go!”

  At Ms. Yamada’s signal, we soared into the air, and quickly broke the sound barrier. The scenery below streaked by, but thanks to the assist visor I could make it out clearly. This is really amazing! I was astounded at the speed of our IS, even though it really wasn’t much more than a standard Ignition Boost.

 

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