Infinite Stratos - Volume 5, page 8
"Ya~ the girls of class 1 are really sporty. I'm really happy as a photographer."
"Kaoruko-chan, I'll leave it to you at the Student Council."
"Of course, leave it to this Mayuzumi Kaoruko!"
Mayuzumi-san patted her chest as she said that. Why is it that even though she's in an Arts Club, her mannerisms are like those of the Sports Club...
"Oh yeah, Ichika-kun, I'll be helping out here for the time being. Why don't you check out the other stalls in school?"
"Huh? Can I?"
"Yup, you can. This is Onee-san's special service."
"Th-Thanks, but my classmates will scold me if I disappear..."
"No problem! I'll help you deal with it and cover up."
(Hmm—it's true that Tatenashi-san's really popular, so I guess the customers won't be unhappy, right?)
After thinking through this, I accepted Tatenashi-san's goodwill.
"I'll leave it to you for the time being then."
"Okay, be careful."
I took off my butler outfit and arrived on the corridor. It's still crowded, but with Tatenashi-san's help, the flow of the crowd felt a lot smoother than before.
"Ah, it's Orimura-kun!"
"Huh, where are you going to? Rest?"
"Yup, sort of."
I answered the girls as I headed to the corridor.
"May I bother you for a while?"
"What?"
Someone suddenly called me on the platform of the stairs.
"Sorry, but I'm from this industry."
The lady in suit quickly passed me the namecard.
"Erm...IS armament development company 'Mitsurugi' representative, Makigami Ayako...san?"
She's really a beauty, and the flowing long black hair really suits her.
She's been smiling ever since she called me. Well, she does have the 'Professional' look.
"Yes, we'd like to have Orimura-kun use our company's equipment."
(Ahh...that again...)
To be honest, there're a lot of companies who were willing to supply [Byakushiki] with equipment, and I spent more than half the time of my summer vacation facing these people.
Basically, as the only guy in the world who can pilot an IS, if my [Byakushiki] is willing to accept some company's equipment, the commercial effect would be more than what I can imagine.
Up till now, the [Kuratokugi-ken] that developed [Byakushiki] hadn't developed any more equipment after that, so invitations were flying in from all companies all over the world like snowflakes.
(Even so, it can't be helped that [Byakushiki] wasn't willing.)
The expansion range of the secondary armaments is decided on the equalizers in each suit, but it seems that the IS core also has its own favorites and would decide on whether it's willing to accept the equipment.
[Byakushiki] hates any ranged weapons and shields, and it even refuses fighting weapons other than [Yukihira Niigata].
But I used a ranged weapon when I fought against Laura, so as a result, the second phase created the [Setsura] that can shoot, fight and defend...
"Ah—erm, sorry, but I can't make the decision...anyway, please ask the school for permission."
"Don't say that."
Unlike her appearance in a suit, Makigami-san's manner of interaction was rather intrusive. She grabbed me on the arm and made me unable to leave.
"How about this additional armor or thruster? Also, if you decide to use it now, we'll even add a leg blade!"
"No, well, I don't really need that...besides, there's someone waiting for me. I'm really sorry, but I have to leave."
"Ah!"
While Makigami-san's taking out the product catalogue, I shook her hand off and dashed off.
(Ahh—that took up more time than I thought.)
Thinking about that, I rushed to the meet-up point.
◆
"Fu, fu, fu..."
Right in front of the main entrance to IS Academy, a guy's holding onto a ticket with one hand and smiling.
He's Ichika's friend, Gotanda Dan.
"Finally, finally, finally! The land of the girls, IS Academy...HERE I COOOMMMEEEE!!!"
This started 3 days ago.
Dan was at Ichika's friend Mitarashi Kazuma's house practicing the bass.
"Oh yeah, has Ichika gotten a girlfriend yet?"
"Ahh—he said that he isn't interested in girls. Such dreamy words"
"He's still saying those things..."
Kazuma's adjusting the sound box beside Dan, who's tweaking the bass.
These two didn't join a band. They're just members of the 'Want to learn how to play musical instruments group' (private). There are only 2 members.
"Oh yeah, Dan, what's your class doing this year for the school anniversary?"
"Our class? The rugby team would probably play the 'Squashed by Muscles' game."
"What in the world is that..."
"What about you? Aren't there any instruments you want to perform?"
"Can I even perform at this level?"
"Ah--, that's true~ even though we've been training for a year, it doesn't feel like we've gotten any better."
"Yup. We haven't improved at all. It'll be bad if we can't think of a way."
After ending their conversation in a tone that clearly indicated that they had no intention of dealing with the problem, both of them laughed.
"But Ichika really has it good, isn't it? IS Academy's famous for having so many beautiful girls, right? I want to study there too."
"Yeah. Ichika even said that he's not interested in girls. How stupid."
"He's a complete moron!"
WAHAHAHAHA! After laughing a few times, both of them went silent.
They're now imagining how it would be like to date a bishoujo.
""...""
*Pinpirori~ pirori~♪*
"Hm? Oh, got a call...oh! It's from Ichika!"
Dan picked up the ringing phone and put it at his ear.
"Yo."
"Yo, Ichika, how've you been? What's up? Got something on?"
"You said that you wanted to come to IS Academy, right?"
"I did, I did. What? You got some tickets there?"
"Yup."
He froze. Two seconds later, Dan reacted as if he was going to jump out.
"AR-ARE-ARE YOU SERIOUS!!?"
"It's true. I only have one ticket, so I guess if you're bored, you might want to come over."
"I'LL GO!"
He immediately answered. There's no need for hesitation.
"I see. I'll send it to you through mail. Remember to bring it with you, or else you can't get in."
"Right, I got it!"
Dan energetically answered, and his tone immediately became earnest.
"Well, Ichika, you're really a great guy! It's nice to have a friend like you."
"What's with you? That's disgusting..."
"Anyway, that's the case! I'll leave it to you then!"
"Okay, I got it, I got it. See you next time."
After hanging up the phone, Dan again shouted at the ceiling,
"YEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!"
And thus, Dan arrived at IS Academy today. It's been over ten minutes since the arranged time, but he didn't really mind.
(Ahh, I can see lots of girls here...the standard's really high-really.)
Even though Dan's wearing casual clothes that were just chosen, other than that, he's just an ordinary teenage guy standing there, and it seems that he's getting quite some attention, as everyone's starting to gossip about him.
"Is that guy someone's boyfriend?"
"I don't know. He looks okay."
"Huh—I find that Orimura-kun's better."
Dan noticed the girls discussing intensely about something, and his heart started to beat wildly.
(Wow, everyone's looking at me...is-is-is-is this the sign of a new development!?)
"The guy over there."
"Yes?"
Suddenly, Dan got shocked after being called, and he straightened his back.
Turning around, he saw a bespectacled and meticulous-looking Nohotoke Utsuho standing down there with a file in her hand.
"Who invited you? May I check your ticket?"
"O-Okay."
Dan frantically passed over the ticket that was squashed flat.
"The one who gave it was...ara? Orimura-kun?"
"The-Then, you know him?"
"I don't think there is any student in this school who doesn't know him. Okay, let me return this to you."
(Th-This girl's really pretty...no, cute! I've got to find some way to know her more...something I can talk about, something...)
"We-Well!"
"? What is it?"
"The-The weather's great today!"
"Yeah."
After the conversation ended, Dan felt depressed that he wasn't interesting enough. Utsuho looked at him weirdly and then left.
(U-Uu, I'm so useless...I'm so useless...)
If there's a bass guitar with him, Dan would be performing a sad tune.
Feeling like he had half a foot in the coffin, he just waited for Ichika to arrive.
◆
"Oh, I see him. HEY, DAN!!"
"Oh..."
Seeing Dan's liveless response, I was shocked.
"Wh-What's wrong?"
"It's nothing...I'm really uninteresting..."
"I see. So that's how it is."
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN THAT'S HOW IT IS!? YOU BASTARD!!"
"Hold on hold on, don't cause a ruckus. You'll be chased out."
Having been hit hard, Dan finally recovered as he now follows me from behind.
"Let's go over to where Rin is. She'll be shocked."
"Ah, you're talking about Rin? How's she?"
"Way better than good."
"Speaking of which, Ichika."
"Hm?"
"What's with that dress-up?"
...
"Rin's class is doing a teahouse."
"Hey, don't change the topic."
"My-My stuff's not important!"
"Oh well. I'll leave it as that then."
Fufun, I brought the slightly unmoved and humming Dan into the school.
"How about we check out where Rin is?"
"Mn? Well, there's no need to go there. Since it's a rare chance, I want to walk around."
"Okay, I haven't gone there either. Let's go."
Dan and I walk out side by side.
"Ah, it's Orimura-kun! Yahoo~"
"I'll go to your shop later!"
"Huh, taking photos of Orimura-kun in a butler outfit! Success♪"
No matter where I went, girls were talking to me, and I had to wave my hand and answer back. It's really tedious.
As I continued to repeat these actions, Dan could be heard murmuring from beside me.
"You're really popular..."
"No, well, this is like the situation with the Axolotl[5C 5]."
"Is that so? Even if that's the case, I'm really jealous of you. Hey, let's switch."
"I would if we could switch. But try your best, since the IS training's really tough."
"Hahaha! If I can get surrounded by girls, I won't be afraid even if I'm in the midst of fire and water!"
"You might even die in IS practicals."
"...You need to treasure your life more."
"Don't say it like you're telling me to care for the world!"
"Nope, I don't want to die!"
"Same here, okay?"
"That's true. Things don't always go as we want."
Both of us sighed in unison with regards to this inexplicable situation, and we swayed our way into the arts classroom.
"Art's an explosion!"
...I have a bad feeling about this.
"So the Arts Club will be presenting a bomb defuse game!"
"Ah, it's Orimura-kun!"
"And his male friend!"
"Now now, here's the bomb defuse game. Ready, start!"
After saying that, a girl with a group leader armband pushed the bomb to me. Arts Club, is this alright? You let such a person become the President.
"Erm...first, let's make some sensor-like thing fail."
I check the wiring and slip the pliers between the gap.
Then, I cut the wire linking to the impact sensor.
"Good. This means that it doesn't matter even if it's rewired now. Next, it's..."
"...Ichika."
"What?"
"You learn about this too?"
"Yeah."
Speaking of which, I remember that Laura taught me a lot of things the first time I defused a bomb.
As expected of the soldier and commander of a Special Ops Squad, it seems that Laura's specialty is to neutralize dangerous objects.
"...I think I would rather study at a normal high school."
"? Really?"
"Yeah..."
I don't know the reason, but it seems that Dan gave up on studying in IS Academy.
Well it doesn't matter anyway. There's no need to talk about anything if he can't even activate an IS.
"Ohh! As expected of Orimura-kun, you're now in the final phase!"
The final phase—that's to 'Completely Neutralize the Bomb'.
Basically, it's the scene in those movies when I have to choose between 'blue or red'.
Right now, this game has only two wires left, red or blue. This will be over once I cut one of the wires, but it'll explode if I mess up.
"Dan, which one do you think it is?"
"You-You're asking me?"
"Well, it's a game anyway. Just choose a color you like."
"Uu, oh, oh...blue...red..."
Hm? Speaking of blue, I remembered Cecilia's [Blue Tears]
If red...Houki's [Akatsubaki]?
"Dan."
"Wha-What's up?"
"Which kind do you prefer? Blond or black?"
"Blond!"
"Okay, got it."
Bak! I cut the blue wire.
At the next moment, BEEEEEEPPP!! The alarm rang.
"Ah, I failed."
"Y-Yo-You bastard! Why did you cut the blue wire out of a sudden?"
"Well, you said that you prefer blond."
"WHAT HAS THAT GOT TO DO WITH BLUE!?"
"Well, [Blue Tears]."
"THAT'S RIDICULOUS!"
I comforted the screaming Dan as I took the consolation prize, a candy.
They're giving candy even at high school...
Is this alright? Arts Club, is this really alright?
"Ahh—I'm sweating now. Let's find a place to drink, Ichika."
"Hm? Oh, you're right. Let's go to Rin's class. How about that?"
"Oh yeah, you said that their class was doing a tea house. Alright, let's go take a look."
Things got easier after we decided on that. We climbed up the stairs and walked into class 1-2.
"Welcome~"
"GUHA! Ri-Rin, you, what's this...what are you doing?"
"What? Why's Dan here!?"
"Th-The cheongsam really doesn't suit you. Anyway, why—GUU!!?"
Dan got interrupted forcefully since Rin threw the tray.
Uwaa...it went all the way into the face...
"G-GO-GO BACK!"
"WHAT'S WITH YOU! IT HURTS! Ahh—you're so different from that cute woman I just met."
"What? Who are you talking about?"
"Fu fu fu...not telling you."
"Ichika, it's this idiot's fault."
"DON'T CALL ME AN IDIOT!"
"You're one in the first place."
"WHY ARE YOU AGREEING WITH HER!!"
This trio of middle school diehard friends started squabbling, and the outcome was that we got lectured by the second years who couldn't take it.
Anyway, we found a seat and opened the menu.
"So?"
"So what?"
"How's it going between you and Rin? Tell me."
"What? What are you saying? Anyway, who did you just meet?"
"Oh, there's a cute woman."
"A cute woman? Not a cute girl?"
"Yup, she seems to be older than us."
"Heh—"
"You don't know that person?"
"Who?"
Sometimes, I really don't understand what this guy's talking about.
"Take this, water!"
"Wah! What are you doing, Rin? Just put it down nicely."
"That's right, that's right."
"You're too noisy, Dan! I'll punch you away!"
"...Don't move. I saw on TV before. You're a cadet or something, right? I'll die."
"That's right, so you have to respect me more."
"Hahaha. You're really funny."
"I wasn't joking. Really..."
Just when the three of us were chatting away, my phone rang.
"Oh, hello?"
"Where are you right now, Ichika? The customers are grumbling, asking where you went. It's getting busy now, so hurry up and come back."
Charl sounded really anxious, something that doesn't fit her character, and I had to go back.
"Sorry, I'll be going back now. I'll be in the classroom next door, so I'll be there soon."
"Mn, I'll leave it to you then."
After ending the conversation, I told Dan and Rin that I'm going back.
"Work properly, butler."
"That's right."
"Shut up."
But well, to put it this way, I remembered the times in middle school when the three of us were often playing together.
My thoughts ended there, and I went back to class 1.
"Ahh, Ichika, it's good that you're here. Hurry up and play games at table 3, and also, serve the food here to table 4."
Immediately after coming back, I received the tray Charl passed me.
"I-I understand. Speaking of which, where's Tatenashi-san?"
"She said that she had things to do at the Student Council, and then ran off somewhere."
How, how irresponsible...
"Anyway, the shop's really busy now. Work fast!"
"I-I got it!"
I moved around busily.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, ojou-sama."
"Kya! It's Orimura-kun~!"
"A game! Let's play a game!"
"I ordered the reward set meal, so hurry up and sit down, hurry!"
I check out the other people, and found that everyone's rather popular.
Most notably, Laura, who normally felt like she's hard to approach, became very popular after she dressed up as a maid, and she got called around to play games everywhere.
(Speaking of which, this is severe overwork to the body...)
While working, I felt that it got hotter, so I rolled up the sleeves of the shirt.
