Infinite Stratos, Volume 4, page 9
“You were never any good at this, were you.”
“Shut up! If this was a bow I’d have made every shot!”
“And put an arrow through each of the prizes while you did it. Jeez.” Ichika handed his own gun, with shots still remaining, to Houki. “See, your problem is that you’re holding it wrong. You need to straighten your arms like this, and make sure that you’re looking straight down the sights.”
“.........”
As he spoke, he reached out and touched Houki to gently pull her into the proper stance, and beneath her sour scowl, her emotions began to run wild. Waaaaait! Too close, too close! You’re touching me! I can feel you breathing on my face! Get back— Was not what she wanted.
“See, like this. Think you’ve got it?”
“Okay.”
“Give it another try then. Ready, aim...”
“I know!” As she snapped back, she pulled the trigger while barely realizing it.
Thwap. Thump.
“Oh! And a stuffed animal for you!”
Her prize was a rather large penguin, all face, big enough to be used as a cushion. Its innocent gaze almost seemed to be protesting its use at target practice.
“You’re not half bad either, miss! Looks like I’m going hungry tonight!”
“Actually... I wanted the daruma next to it...”
“Huh?”
“Oh, nothing.”
Houki took the plush, with a surprisingly contented grin on her face even though she’d missed her choice of prize.
◆
“Ran’s taking a really long time.”
“I guess.”
They had walked the night market, playing and eating. The time was almost eight o’ clock, and the fireworks were about to begin.
“I hope she didn’t get lost.”
Ran had left the shrine grounds for a few minutes, having decided the TV was too much to carry around, and called Dan to get him to come pick it up. Ichika and Houki both felt it would’ve been too awkward to tag along, so they waited by the water fountain—and kept waiting. Just as Ichika was about to go look for Ran, his phone rang.
“Hi, Ichika?”
“Yeah. What’s up, Ran? Did you get lost?”
“No way!”
“Hahaha, I was just kidding.”
“Hmph...”
Ichika laughed off the half-feigned indignation he’d seen used many times on Dan.
“Anyway, well... Dan already found me...”
“Oh, Dan’s here too? Why don’t we all hang out?”
“He’s being really, really insistent that we leave right now.” Ran let out a defeated sigh as she complained. “So I’ll be heading home now.”
“Oh, okay. Take care!” Ichika hung up and turned back to Houki. “Ran’s leaving.”
“Oh!”
Houki felt a pang of shame at the enthusiasm obvious in her voice. I’m so terrible... The more she thought about it, the more it turned into embarrassment, and she cast her eyes downward as she twiddled her fingers.
“Anyway, let’s go.”
“Ah...”
Ichika firmly took her by her hand and led her toward the wooded area behind the shrine. Somewhere we can be all alone... Nah, that can’t be what he’s thinking. Ichika would never be that forward. Plus, there was a special spot they both knew about with a perfect view for fireworks. Somewhere out amongst the pines, where the foliage opened up above like a window on the sky. No matter what the season, whether the glow of spring dawn or the sparkle of summer fireworks, the luminous harvest moon or the quiet beauty of falling snow, its beauty was framed there like a picture. Only Chifuyu and Tabane, and Houki and Ichika, knew it.
“Wow, it’s still just like I remember back here, too.”
Houki was too lost in thought to hear Ichika’s words. The evening cries of the crickets washed over her in the deserted woods. A cool wind carried away the summer heat. Being alone with one’s crush in a place like this was almost making her lose her mind. It’s only me and Ichika here... It feels... It feels so good...
Houki peered over at Ichika, half-expectantly. But, true to himself, he was just gazing up at the sky excitedly. M-Maybe this is my chance to tell him how I feel? If anyone asked her, she’d surely give that advice.
“Find out how I really feel...”
Mmmm? She stared at Ichika. Her face reddened, and she broke out in a sweat that had nothing to do with the heat. I can say it.
I should say it.
I just have to say it.
Now’s the time to say it...
Say it... NOW!
She repeated to herself over and over, trying to work up the nerve. In her mind, an army of tiny Houkis tried to kick one hesitant one forward. Do I have to say it? Me? Do I have to be the one? Isn’t it supposed to be the guy? But it’s Ichika. He never would. Does he not like me? No! He has to! I know he has to! I just know it...
As she argued with herself over and over, her face turned a deeper blush. The sound of the festival crowds was far away, and she couldn’t hear it anymore. Now’s the time! Houki had found her courage, and opened her mouth to speak.
“I-Ichika!”
“Hm?”
“I-I lo—”
BOOOOOOOM!
“Huh? Ooh, the fireworks are starting!”
“I lo......”
“Mm? What’s up, Houki?”
“.........”
Houki hid her clenched fists behind her. Ugh... Interrupted by the fireworks... She felt miserable, but there was no way around it. It was her fault for not saying it before they started. The festival’s fireworks display was famous for its never-ending barrage. Once it began, the roar of explosions would fill the sky for over an hour. Maybe today isn’t the day... Sigh... The thought drained her emotion, and the passion which had welled up in her ebbed away.
“Wow, this is amazing.”
The bursts of light in the sky illuminated the smile on Ichika’s face. Seeing that look of innocent joy, Houki couldn’t help but want to laugh. Just being by his side is good enough. She looked up at the sky with him. Bursts of red and blue, green and yellow enthralled.
“It’s beautiful...”
“It really is.”
Gazing at the heavens, she regained a little bit of courage, and reached out and took his hand.
“Mm? What?”
“Just let me.”
“Okay, fine.”
She looked over at him, and back at the sky. Houki’s face glowed under the light of the fireworks, not from shyness, but from pride. Her summer memories of her sixteenth year were bathed in vibrant flame.
Chapter IV: Quintet in Disharmony
“.........”
Her heart pounding, she looked again at the nameplate. Charlotte took a deep breath as she read the word “Orimura” over and over. It’s okay. He told me he’d be here, so it’s not like I’m bothering him by dropping by... I think... I hope...
Charlotte wasn’t standing in a dorm hallway, but on a residential street. As she stared at the doorbell, she could feel the sun beating down on her blonde hair. Ahh, it’s so sunny out today... No! I can’t get distracted by that! Her finger hovered over the button as she was, in fact, distracted by that. As she stood, her will wavering, she heard a voice.
“Charl? What’s up?”
“Fwah?!”
She spun around in something a little more than a panic to face the voice behind her. It was Ichika, carrying a bag from the local hardware store.
“Ah, uh, hello! It’s so sunny out today— No, wait!”
“Huh?”
“Er, um, uh...” As she sputtered, she searched the bookshelves of her mind for something to say. An entire team of 25 mini Charlottes, all frantically tearing through the card catalogue. “Ahhh—”
“Ahhh?”
“Ahhh, there you are.” She gave a cheery smile, and immediately regretted it.
Agh! I look like such a dweeb!
“Oh. Anyway, come in! Sorry if it’s a mess.”
“I-I can? I can come in?”
“Of course. Why would I turn you away? Or did you have something else planned?”
“N-No! No way! Not at all! Absolutely nothing!” Ichika was a little bit taken aback by her insistence. Noticing, she blushed and turned away. “Really, I didn’t...”
“Hahaha. You’re so weird sometimes. Anyway, come on in. Hold on, I’ll get the door.”
“Okay.”
Charlotte nodded even as, internally, she wanted to curl up into a ball from embarrassment at the description. Still, though, the excitement of visiting Ichika washed that feeling away. So this is Ichika’s house... As she stepped inside, she realized two things: that this was her first time going to a boy’s house, and that her heart rate had climbed through the roof.
“It’s really hot today. Sit down, I’ll get you a drink.”
“Oh, thanks.”
Charlotte sat down on the sofa and looked around the living room. Ichika’s house was a normal Japanese-style home, with an open plan between the living room and kitchen. Chifuyu had picked up used furniture on the cheap, so it was a bit out of fashion. But Ichika had worked his hardest keeping the place clean until he moved into the dorms, so even though it was old, it certainly wasn’t beat up.
Wow. He really is handy around the house. Thinking back to her classmates in elementary school, she couldn’t remember any French boys who were the same. Charlotte appreciated it. Ichika’s probably going to make a great husband someday. A husband, huh... The word sprang to mind unsummoned, and carried with it thoughts of her own future marriage. As her cheeks flashed red, her expression blanked.
“Here, here’s some iced tea.”
Her heart pounded.
“I made it this morning so it’s probably pretty weak, sorry.”
“Y-Yeah. Thanks anyway.”
Charlotte, yanked back to reality, quickly raised it to her lips to hide the grin she broke out in as Ichika sat down next to her. The tea was a bit weak, but she didn’t mind, or didn’t even notice in her excitement. I’m alone with Ichika... I’m alone with Ichika... Her heart beat faster and faster. I need to say something... What do I say...
Ding-dong! Just then, the doorbell rang.
“Oh, must be the mailman. I’ll go get it.”
“Mm.”
As Ichika rose and disappeared down the hall, Charlotte took another deep breath. She couldn’t let herself panic. Casting back and forth for a topic to use at the next opportunity, she soon settled on something. You know, I wonder what his hobbies are. I should ask.
◆
Ten minutes prior.
“This positively has to be it.”
Cecilia looked between the maps app on her phone and the nameplate on the door. It read ‘Orimura.’ She was in the right place. Bwahaha. My sources in class told me Ichika would be at home today. What a splendid chance to be alone together! And if we’re alone, then we can— As Cecilia thought of the implications, her face flushed red. We can, if the mood is right, maybe we can... For reasons she didn’t understand, images of her sitting on Ichika’s bed next to him filled her mind. And the thoughts of what would happen next made her glow even brighter.
“It’s only natural, Cecilia. We’re in love.”
“I... I can’t... I don’t know if my heart is ready...”
“I’ll make sure your heart and body are both ready.”
“Ahh...”
Wouldn’t that be just perfect if it actually happened? Tossing her phone back and forth in her hands, Cecilia reached toward the doorbell to make her fantasies a reality. I should clear my throat, too.
“Ah— Ahem.”
With throat clear, she pressed the button. A chime sounded, and a couple dozen seconds later, after the sound of footsteps, the door opened.
“Hello? Oh, Cecilia?”
“Hello there! How are you this fine afternoon? I was passing through the neighbourhood, so I simply had to pay a call.”
She tried to keep her words and tone as cool, almost haughty as ever, but her emotions were anything but. He... He looks even better than normal in street clothes... I’m wearing my good perfume today, I hope he notices too. The excitement in her heart shone through in her voice.
“Oh. Anyway, come in!”
“My pleasure. Oh, and I’ve brought something from a patisserie which I’ve heard is simply marvelous.”
“Oh, thanks. I should probs make some tea then.”
“That would be wonderful.”
Cecilia’s glee was palpable as she stepped inside. Slipping on a pair of guest slippers, she walked in toward the living room.
“Charl, Cecilia came over too.”
“Eh?”
Charlotte and Cecilia’s gasps overlapped perfectly. Each was caught completely off guard. Cecilia in particular, who had failed to notice Charlotte’s shoes by the door, clamped her mouth shut, wanting to say something but not wanting to say what she had in mind.
“Let’s check out that cake. Ooh, three pieces! It’s pretty hot today, so iced tea’s okay, right? Just gimme a minute.”
“O-Of course...”
“Oh, and feel free to take a seat.”
Cecilia brusquely plunked down next to Charlotte.
“.........”
“.........”
They had nothing to talk about—was the furthest thing from the truth, but neither one wanted to speak up first. From the kitchen came the clatter of plates.
“What a coincidence, Charlotte.”
“Yeah, what a coincidence, Cecilia.”
In response came a pair of awkward chuckles.
“.........”
“.........”
The silence continued.
What’s Charlotte doing here? Wait, is she trying to steal a march on me?
Ugh, Cecilia’s here? I thought we’d finally get to be alone... I should’ve come earlier...
The study of two drastically different blondes seated side by side would make wonderful art, but sadly, there was neither a painter nor a photographer at Ichika’s house that day.
“Sorry about the wait. So, who wants which piece?”
Along with the iced tea, Ichika had set out the cake Cecilia brought—one slice of strawberry shortcake, one of layered cheesecake, and a pear tart.
“Cecilia, you brought them, you should get to pick first.” As he spoke, Ichika pulled a chair out of the kitchen and sat down in it.
—He could just sit on the sofa...
The sofa sat four, and each of the girls had an open space adjacent to them. Yet Ichika’s firm sense of how to be a gracious host shattered each of their dreams.
“So, Cecilia, which one do you want?”
He laid out a pair of cloth coasters before placing glasses of iced tea on them. The ice cracked and popped as it melted in the hot tea.
“I suppose I’ll have the tart, then.”
“Gotcha. What about you, Charl?”
Ichika turned to her as he passed Cecilia the plate with the tart. It seemed like he just defaulted to assuming he’d get to pick last.
“You can go ahead and go first, Ichika. I’m fine being last.”
“C’mon, don’t say that. You’re the guest.”
Charlotte sighed at having to make a decision, but quickly acquiesced to Ichika’s insistence, “Then... How about the strawberry one?”
“Oh? Okay, here you go.”
“Thanks. And thank you, Cecilia.”
“Oh, it was nothing.”
Cecilia’s half-smirk made Charlotte feel even more embarrassed about having brought nothing. I was so excited about visiting Ichika that I lost track of everything else... Charlotte had already been starting to spiral downward into self-recrimination, and this only pushed her further. What if he decides I’m just an airhead? He probably already thinks that... Ugh, picking the strawberry cake probably made me look like a little kid, too...
While Charlotte stared at her cake, lost in thought, Ichika and Cecilia dug in.
“What’s wrong? Aren’t you going to have any?”
“Eh? Ah, yeah! I am! See?”
Charlotte lopped off the tip of her slice with her fork and took a bite. A delicious but not overpowering sweetness spread through her mouth as the cream melted smoothly. The sponge cake itself was airy but tender, and with a noticeable dash of liqueur.
“This is really good! Where’s you get it?”
“Lip Trick, in the underground mall by the station. I was lucky enough to get there early today, it’s normally so crowded.”
As she listened, Charlotte felt even more guilty. Thinking of how Cecilia had probably expected to share it just with Ichika, she felt almost apologetic.
“Yeah. This stuff’s great. There’s no way I’d be able to make it at home.”
“You’re a good cook in your own right, but I can’t disagree. The pâtissier is a master. He’s been awarded at an international concours,” Cecilia chuckled to herself, boastingly.
Ichika let out an ‘ooh’ before thinking for a little bit and speaking again, “Hey, why don’t we all share? Don’t you two want to try a little of each?”
“Eh? Well, um...”
“Like when we fed each other?”
Two forks froze, and two gazes locked inquisitively onto Ichika, who gave an unhesitant nod.
“Sure.”
“......!”
Each of their faces filled with joy, shining as if bathed in heavenly light.
“You don’t have to, I know it’s probably icky eating something a boy took a bite of.”
“Ah, no! I was just thinking that I’d like to try the cheesecake!”
“Of course not! Here, have a try of mine!”
With a moment’s eye contact as firm as a diplomat’s handshake, the two shucked off their own not-so-ancient rivalry and entered an Entente Cordiale. There may as well have been ‘Congratulations!’ typeset in glowing letters behind them.
“Let’s try Ichika’s first.”
“Indeed. If you could cut me a piece?”
Charlotte and Cecilia opened their mouths like hatchlings waiting to be fed. A bit shyly. A bit hesitantly. With fingers clenched to hold back the pounding of their own hearts. Like a princess waiting for a kiss from their prince.
