Infinite Stratos - Volume 6, page 8
*Supapan!* Chifuyu-nee hit the head of us five. Incidentally, she especially used her fist for me. ....Wa, it really hurts.
"Alcott."
"Y-Yes!?"
"Don't forget to submit the reflection essay."
"O-Okay..."
"And Orimura"
"Y-Yes?"
"I'll let you have the disciplinary room for three days. Be happy."
"T-Thank you very much....."
Wh, isn't that too harsh? This really is my sister!
"Now! How long are you going to eat slowly like that! Quickly, eat your breakfast and go to the classroom! That's all!"
*Pan!* *Pan!* With Chifuyu's clapping sign, the girls in the cafeteria that had been preparing to flee started to move in haste.
I also started to slurp my miso soup from the grilled salmon set meal.
It seems like the saltiness has slightly thickened.
Is this what they call the taste of tears I wonder.
It could be that, from having that stupid thought found out, I got hit once again.
♦
"Okay, everyone. Today we're going to have a lesson concerning high-speed maneuvering."
The assistant homeroom teacher, Yamada Maya-sensei's voice echoed at arena no.6.
"I said last week that this arena no. 6 is connected to the central tower so we can do a self-study on high-speed maneuvering, didn't I? Well then, let's have the personal-IS users perform first!"
After saying that, Yamada-sensei flashily directed her hand at me and Cecilia.
"First, equipping the high-speed maneuver package [Strike Gunner] is Alcott-san!"
The 4 firing bits that are usually equipped on the side binder, and also the missile bits connected to the hip part, so as to simultaneously use the propulsion power from these bits, totaling 6 units, seemed to be the package's special feature.
It achieved the high-speed & high-mobilization, by sealing every cannon mouth from each bit, and connecting them to the hip parts.
At a glance, the bits looked like a blue skirt.
"And then, using normal equipment, but managed to create a virtual high-speed maneuver equipment by adjusting the thruster maximum output, Orimura-kun! Let's have these two perform one lap for us!"
Good luck! Those kind of cheering was heard all around us. Cecilia and I lightly raised our hands to answer the cheering, and then returned to concentrating our senses on our ISs.
Umm let's see, what should I do with this auxiliary visor for high-speed maneuver?
[Ichika-san, is there anything you don't understand?]
Immediately, in the private channel, Cecilia gave a timely help.
"Right on time. This visor, I have to change the mode to use it, right? How do I do that?"
[Ah, you have to change the mode to high-speed. And also, do a synchronized surveillance set-up on each thruster.]
[Got it. Like this right?]
Changing the mode using Eye Touch (Look Designation), for an instant, a light membrane spread out and covered my whole vision field. After that, the scenery that I've been seeing until now became more clearly projected into my eyes.
[You can get dizzy if you're not used to it. Be careful.]
"Yeah, Thank you."
[N-No. It's nothing... A-After all, I'm Cecilia Alcott.]
While listening to Cecilia's words, who seemed to have gotten embarrassed, I also pointed my unit towards the sky.
"Then, ......3, 2, 1, Go!"
Along with Yamada-sensei's flag signal, Cecilia and I soared to the sky at once, and then increased our speed to break past the speed of sound.
The flowing scenery should have only been seen for an instant, but thanks to the auxiliary visor, everything can be seen clearly.
E-Even so, this really is amazing....!
Even now, I still get surprised by the speed of the IS, but this speed already matches the speed of a regular Ignition Boost (Instant Acceleration).
[See you later♪]
Only glancing at me, who's still perplexed at the speed, without even turning her head, Cecilia moved ahead. And then she immediately ascended, moving along the outer circumference of the central tower where the academy's monument resided.
As expected of someone who is used to this. Yosh, me too.
To compensate for the difference from the usual circumstances, I control the suit with even more prudence than usual.
We're currently on ultrasonic state, so if we hit something, it won't end with just some pain. There's also the possibility that the tower itself will be destroyed from the shock wave.
In any case, while being careful with the speed and the suit's inclination, I chased after Cecilia.
"Alright! I caught you."
[Hmm? I thought you were captivated by my charming hip.]
"S-Stupid."
[Just joking. Ufufu♪]
Exchanging that kind of conversation with Cecilia, who was in a good mood for some unknown reason, we turned back from the top of the tower.
And just like that, we returned to the arena's surface side by side.
"Okay. Good work! You two were really excellent."
Yamada-sensei praised me and Cecilia with a happy face.
I wonder if having your student doing an excellent job can make you very happy, because Yamada-sensei was jumping up and down from it which made her voluptuous bust bounce along with her.
Uuu, just as usual, she's really a person who makes it hard to find a place to direct your gaze at.
"Hey, Ichika, hey!"
"W-What is it, Laura?"
"You also, that's....well..... Do you like a bigger chest better?"
"Wh!? No, you're wrong! I-It's not like I've done something to feel guilty about you know!?"
"Fu, fun! Is that so. .....It's good then, if it's like that....."
"Y-Yeah?"
"N-Nothing! -Eeei, don't look this way!"
I was mowed down by the hand of Laura in her deployed IS form. Having done that, the mentioned AIC(Inertia Blocking Barrier) was put into work, and my neck got locked in a weird angle.
Y-You were the one who talked to me first, weren't you!
During this time, Chifuyu-nee clapped her hands and everyone turned their attention to her.
"Listen here. We have an exception this year so the first years will participate, but more than just doing it, I hope for each individual here to leave some results too. The experience you'll get in this Cannonball Fast will surely live on. Well then, the training IS users, go and start choosing your suit, and immediately board your assigned unit. Do it fast. Start!"
This regular yearly event, Cannonball Fast, was originally an event for the second years who had already arrived at the preparation chapter of the curriculum. But this year, since there are unexpected circumstances, such as the large number of personal IS users, students starting from first year will also be participating.
The training unit group seemed to use the usual prize in order to make the whole class completely get into the rivalry battle.
"Alriight, let's win this~"
"I have to show my good points to onee-sama here!"
"Win and get a free dessert coupon! I have to get serious here!"
Could it be that from being swamped by all these spirited girls, all of the teachers were also coaching earnestly.
Especially Yamada-sensei, who had really gotten her spirit into it. Today she used the usual IS suit which is a little revealing in the chest area.
The person herself probably opened it only because the chest compartment doesn't fit her.
It's too stimulating for a 15 year old.
-while thinking that kind of absurd thing, the girl in question, Yamada-sensei herself approached me.
"Orimura-kun, the performance back then was really magnificent. Especially for someone who uses that visor for the first time, to be able to pilot the unit like that was really amazing."
"T-Thank you very much!"
Since my IS is in the deployed form at the moment, my line of sight is higher than usual.
If I wanted to look at her face, her chest would inevitably be seen too, so I let my gaze roam around while scratching my hot cheek with my finger.
"Orimura-kun? Ah...."
Up until now, it seems that unless she is warned, Yamada-sensei can't see anything else around her when she's excited about something.
Yamada-sensei, who has just realized about my gaze, folded her arms as if to hide her chest, and also turned her body to the side.
"U-Umm, maybe It would be better to buy a new IS suit?"
"Really?"
"B-But, Orimura-kun can't concentrate during the lesson..."
"Ha, haa...."
"B-But, in that case it would have to be a specially ordered one, wouldn't it.... I had just semi-ordered the one I use now to be made too, so, it seems like a waste to change it so soon..."
Yamada-sensei was murmuring as if she's swallowing her own words. That embarrassed face is strangely charming.
While she was troubled by what she should do, Chifuyu-nee turned up.
"Orimura."
"Y-Yes."
*Dosu!* My neck was chopped. It really hurts.
"To look at your teacher like that is impudent, you know."
"T-That's not..."
"If your unit doesn't use any additional thrusters, discuss with Shinonono-san there about tuning the energy distribution. Got it?"
"O-Okay..."
A consideration from my kind older sister. .....I'm moved to tears.
I moved to Houki's place just like I was told. Since my IS is deployed at the moment, I don't have to walk using my feet. It's really comfortable.
"Heeyy, Houki."
"......"
Talking about Houki, could it be that because the energy distribution is quite hard, she's been staring at the holographic projection screen?
I raised the volume of my voice, and called her once again.
"Heey, Houki. Heey"
"!? W-What!?"
"Well, I'm also in the no additional equipment group, so Orimura-sensei told me to exchange opinions with you."
"I-Is that so! Then, Ichika, sorry for rushing you so suddenly, but look at [Akatsubaki]'s energy distribution!"
Houki, whose face brightened up because she felt that she has been saved with my arrival, moved to my side and showed me the display.
It seems like when the [Fold-Out Armor] is turned on, the energy is not enough.
"[Byakushiki] has the big thruster for speed, but [Akatsubaki]'s all-roundness sure is amazing isn't it. Since it can achieve high-speed maneuver by just releasing the fold-out armor in the back and leg parts."
"But, it's meaningless if there not enough energy to use it. Really, that person's creations are always like this..."
Whenever the topic of the conversation becomes Tabane-san, Houki always frowns. At such times, I can't help thinking about how sisters should be nice to each other.
"What about [Kenran Butou]?"
"T-That one....I still can't use it."
"Is that so. This is just from an amateur perspective, but I feel like somehow, [Akatsubaki] was created with the basis of using [Kenran Butou] as the energy supply."
Houki's IS, [Akatsubaki]'s one off ability, [Kenran Butou], has the ability to refill and multiply energy.
Thereby, matching it with the situation when releasing the high-energy consuming fold-out armor to supply it - or something like that I guess.
[Akatsubaki]'s fold-out armor seems to use [multiple energy]. Like the BT weapon, it's capability when diverted to offensive and defensive, and even mobility role is first class.
But, if they're not steadly supplied by using [Kenran Butou], the unit would immediately run out of energy. ....How do I say this, it seems very similar to [Byakushiki].
"Then, how about deactivating the leg part and only activating the back part? For balance control, use the unit's common thruster."
"Well, I also thought about it, but the fold-out armor's output will become too weak. I also thought about completely deactivating the fold-out armor altogether but -"
"You won't be able to win the race right?"
"That's right.... Ununu."
It's the hate-to-lose Houki we're talking about, since she's already participating, it's just normal for her to seek victory, isn't it?
And neither do I like losing, just like her. That's why I completely understand her feelings right now.
"Ichika, how do you plan to adjust your unit for the race?"
"Me? I plan to seal [Yukihira Niigata] and redirect the energy completely to the thrusters."
"Completely? What will you do if you get attacked?"
"Avoid it."
"What about when you want to initiate an attack?"
"I'll ram them."
It was the final conclusion after a long consideration, but Houki bursted out laughing from my answer.
"Hahaha. You're just like an inoshishi-musha[6C 15] aren't you."
"Gu.... Even though I've thought about this earnestly."
"Fufu. It's very like you so it's okay isn't it. .....I'm going to think longer about this alone. Thanks for the help, Ichika."
"Yeah, you're welcome. I won't lose to you on the match day."
"It's the same for me."
"Then, see you later."
"Aa."
Parting with Houki, this time I headed into the thruster-expansion group where Charlotte and Laura reside.
By the way, once sorted, it becomes like this.
High-speed maneuver group : Cecilia, Rin.
Adjusting the unit's output group : Houki, me.
Thruster-expansion group : Charlotte, Laura.
Now that I think about it, that Rin, she seems brimming with confidence.
[That package is made better than I had expected. Just wait for it, I'll beat you completely at the race!]
I remembered Rin's figure when she folded her arms and arrogantly announced that.
As I thought, the package is nice. I wish I could get it, even if only once.
But after all, my dear unit, [Byakushiki], seems to have quite the spoiled personality. Even its former development place, Kuramoto research institute, has already given up on developing any expansion equipment for it. It's a lost cause already.
If I really want to get an equipment expansion, it seems there's no way other than asking Tabane-san for it.
.....But, I wonder where that person is right now?
After the incident with the Gospel during the summer, Tabane-san whereabouts are still unkown. As usual, it made quite a commotion in the world though. Haah...
"Ah, Ichika♪"
Charl, who discovered my presence, waved her hand.
While raising my hand lightly in response, I arrived at the two close friends, Laura and Charlotte's group and returned my IS into standby mode.
"How are you two doing?"
"We've just finished installing the thruster-expansions. We're going to start adjusting it now, right?"
"Aa, that's right."
Indeed, now that they mention it, both of them are still wearing their IS suit while only deploying the head part of their IS.
Charl's headband-like gear, and Laura's rabbit-ear like head parts, both of those look like some kind of cosplay[6C 16] gear and they somehow look a little cute wearing those.[6C 17]
It seems like because it's in the middle of reading the installed data, both of their headgears wiggled once in a while. That makes them looks even more like animals, somehow making my heart feel ticklish.
"Could you show me a little too?"
"Yeah, of course. I'll do a lap with Laura. I'll forward the images to you. It's on channel 304."
"Ooh, thanks. Just as expected, to be able to see the point of view of a first-rate pilot is really nice isn't it. This really is an useful function."
That function called [Direct View], is the sharing of the field of vision information - in other words, I can see the world that Charl see through my IS. It's like a television, or rather a live image stream.
"I'll show you the view from my point of view too. It's on channel 305."
"Ooo, thank you. But, Laura's field-of-vision-movement-level is too high so it's hard just to follow."
"You idiot. Devote yourself in learning to keep up."
"I know. Please let me learn from you, Laura-sensei."
"Fu, fun. Who is a Sensei[6C 18]?"
Even while saying that, Laura's cheek was dyed red as if she wasn't that unhappy with that title.
It seems she was just shy about it.
Now then, connect to the channel and..
"Ichika, are you prepared?"
"Aa, perfectly. .....huh, to be able to see your own face on live broadcast sure feels strange isn't it."
"Huh!? No, well, it's not like I keep looking at Ichika's face all the ti...."
"Hmm?"
"I-It's nothing."
Gazing strangely at Charl, who was waving her hand repeatedly, Laura deployed her IS, [Schwarzer Regen], first and started to float.
"I'll go first."
"Ah, wait for me! Lauraaa!"
Although late by one step, Charl also deployed her IS, [Raphael Revive Custom II].
Both of them safely controlled their units to run through the arena no.6 course, and then ascended to the central tower's outer circumference.
I see.... So that's how you accelerate.
Charl and Laura, I grasped their piloting method while looking at each of their terminal screens.
They have different methods of acceleration, but the similarity in their brake timing becomes a very good reference for me.
"Ichika, how is it?"
Laura and Charl returned a few moments later.
"Yeah, welcome back. As expected, you're good aren't you? Both Charl and Laura?"
"Just this much is basic stuff. I didn't do anything special."
"Just as expected of the representative candidate students. I've learned a lot."
"Yup. You should dedicate yourself to learning."
After briefly visiting each personal IS users (Rin is in class 2 so she's not here), I started to tune my unit again.
"Orimura-kun, how was it?"
"Ah, Yamada-sensei. Well, Just as expected, everyone's really amazing aren't they?"
"Orimura-kun should do his best too. Cannonball Fast is a battle race where you can obstruct the other participant, that's why dogfighting[6C 19] is also important for winning the race."
