Infinite Stratos - Volume 3, page 9
"Mn, shoo..."
KYU~!!!
"OWWWW...IT HURTS! I-I-ICHIKA-SAN! WHA-WHAT ARE YOU DOING--AUUU!!!"
"What am I doing? A massage."
"Mas...sage...?"
"Yup? At the waist."
"Waist..."
Cecilia looked stunned as she repeated what Ichika said like a parrot.
"E-Erm, Ichika-san, did you invite me to your room for this..."
"Yup. I just wanted to give you a massage. You're living in a large room right, Cecilia? I can't focus if that was the case, so I called you here."
...
KAU~ It felt like a crow flew by from above as Cecilia started crying inside her heart.
"That-That was bad...I..."
"Hm? Wha-What is it? Is it that painful?"
"Yeah, it hurts...it hurts so badly that I feel like I will die..."
"I-I'm sorry then. I'll go lighter a bit."
"Anything will do..."
Cecilia sighed deeply, deeper than the darkness, that even the souls got sighed away as she had the look of fatigue, despair, cool and self-depreciation.
But the comfort of the massage and her conversation with Ichika caused her mood to naturally improve.
"Will this force do?"
"Mn...feels great..."
*Gu*, *gu*. Ichika pressed against her back with his thumbs as he started massaging on both left and right sides.
"Speaking of which, your waist's really stiff. What do you normally do, Cecilia?"
"Mn, I do play the violin, but only occasionally. It-It feels a bit bad there..."
"Oh, sorry. I won't use my fingers then."
Ichika relaxed his thumbs and silently exerted force on his palms.
He's not using his thumbs as a pressure point, but using his palms to relax Cecilia's body with suitable force. Soon, that touch became a stable feeling, causing her to moan out in comfort.
"Haa...Ichika-san really is skillful..."
"Yeah, because I've been massaging Chifuyu-nee for a while now."
"...And to the girls..."
Though she sounded like she was grumbling, Cecilia just muttered that at a volume Ichika couldn't hear. Maybe it was because the massage made her feel good. Her voice did not carry any anger, instead bringing a cute feeling of 'Wanting fawn and wanting to make the other person feel troubled'.
"I'll push up the backbone then."
"Okay...I'll leave it to you then..."
Feeling really happy and comfortable with the massage now, Cecilia felt like sleeping as she answered in a dazed manner.
"Any place you want me to exert more strength?"
"Fufu, I'll leave it to you then..."
"Okay then. Let me check here first."
The range of massaging wasn't just limited to the top of the back as Ichika exerted force on both sides. He rub his palms and gently knocked on her. This method can remove muscle stiffness and making people feel like sleeping.
Ichika had said 'A good massage will make people want to sleep, and it will be extremely good if you immediately sleep, as the fatigue will be inexplicably removed from you'. These words were true.
Massages with only pain are basically torture and interrogation. Only when the body and soul feels relaxed completely can it be considered a complete massage. A real high quality massage can relax the body, and more importantly, the soul.
(Mn...I really...feel like sleeping...)
Cecilia thought that with the now empty mind of hers, and now that idea gradually disappeared.
Suddenly, she felt a male's scent on the bedsheet she's lying on. This is Ichika's scent, causing her heart to beat wildly again.
(Such a wonderful smell..)
Just when the half-awake Cecilia's about to fall alseep with the scent, suddenly--
*Grope!*
"!?!?"
As her arms got grabbed suddenly, Cecilia's seemingly sleeping state got woken up immediately.
(I-I-Ichika-san!? Eve-Even if it's a massage? That-That's too daring...!)
She used her right hand to press onto her wildly beating heart and turned around while trembling--
"Yo--you precocious brat."
Chifuyu grabbed onto Cecilia's butt without mercy as she revealed a playful look of one whose prank had succeeded. However, that look didn't look apologetic or innocent, but one with ill-intent.
"Wearing such underwear that really doesn't match your age. And it's black too."
"HUH...KYAAAAAHHHH!!?"
As Chifuyu grabbed Cecilia's butt from below, the round buttocks got revealed by the yukata that flipped up. Of course, the underwear on the inside got seen.
It was a laced 'special underwear' with extremely little cloth. Both sides were tied using strings, and it looked like it was designed to be taken off easily.
"..."
Feeling really embarrassed, Ichika immediately looked away. Seeing him like this, Cecilia understood clearly that 'she got exposed', and felt so embarrassed that she wanted to find a hole to hide in.
"SEN-SEN-SENSEI! PLEASE LET GO OF ME!!"
She shouted out while blushing, but unexpectedly, Chifuyu just let go like this.
"Oh my, to think that you would expect to do such an erotic thing in front of a teacher. You 15-year-old girl."
"E-ER-ERO-EROTIC...!?"
"I'm just kidding--HEY, THE 4 PEOPLE OUTSIDE, TIME TO GET IN HERE!!"
THIS IS BAD!!!
""""...""""
After a few seconds of silence, the door opened.
Standing at the door were Rin, Houki, Charlotte and Laura. They're all wearing the yukatas provided by the resort.
"You had enough of massaging, right, Ichika? Okay, you girls go get a place to sit."
Seeing Chifuyu greet them, the four girls walked into the room with a look of terror. They then followed orders and looked for their favorite seats (though there's only the bed and chairs).
"Fuu--Having massaged two people at one go, I'm sweating quite a bit now."
"That's because you don't know how to conserve your strength. You wouldn't become like that if you just skipped a few parts."
"No, I would feel sorry for the people who took their time to let me massage them."
"You're rather straightforward."
"Just praise me once in a while, okay, Chifuyu-nee?"
"Who knows?"
Hearing both of them chat away happily, everyone present finally realized what was going on. Anyway, what they just eavesdropped on Cecilia's voice and Chifuyu's voice from before were because of the massage.
"Ha, haha...haa."
"I-I-I knew about this already..."
Houki relaxed completely, yet Rin just argued back.
""...""
Having imagined all sorts of 'explicit things', Charlotte and Laura blushed as they looked down.
"Uu, go take a bath again. It won't feel good if the entire room's filled with the smell of your sweat."
"Okay, I'll do that then."
On hearing Chifuyu's words, Ichika nodded his head as he took the towel and change of clothes. He then walked out of the room, leaving behind a 'Just relax. Erm, it may be a bit too hard, right?'.
"..."
Like what Ichika said, the five girls who were ordered to sit down didn't dare to move at all.
"Hey hey, is this the watching of a funeral? What happened to that usual noisy atmosphere?"
"No, it's not that, but..."
"Talk-Talking to Orimura-sensei like this. Well, how should I say it..."
"It's the first time anyway..."
"Really, it can't be helped then. I'll treat all of you to drinks then. What do you want, Shinonono?"
Being called out suddenly, Houki's shoulders trembled as she felt bothered about being unable to answer immediately.
Just when everyone was hesitating, Chifuyu opened the fridge of the resort room and took out 5 bottles of cool refreshments.
"Here, ramune, orange juice, sports drink, coffee and red tea. If you want to drink something else, just exchange around."
Even though she said that, the girls took the respective drinks. Houki, Charlotte, Rin, Laura and Cecilia felt satisfied with their drinks, so they didn't exchange it.
"Thanks-Thanks for the patronage."
Everyone said in unison and started drinking.
Seeing the rumbling on the girls' throats, Chifuyu smiled.
"You drank it?"
"Ye-Yes?"
"We-We did..."
"Wha-What did you put inside?"
"Idiots, stop being so rude. It's nothing much, I just want to bribe you anyway."
After saying that, Chifuyu took out a canned beer with a star logo from the fridge.
With the crisp sound of the can being opened, the beer foam bubbles spurted out. Chifuyu just gulped it down in one shot.
"..."
Everyone present just looked dumbstruck as Chifuyu looked seemingly satisfied as she sat on the bedsheet.
"Well, I wanted to share a bit with Ichika...but I couldn't wait."
This person in front of them now is completely different from the lawful and ridiculously strict 'Orimura-sensei', causing the girls to be dumbstruck, especially Laura, who continued to blink her eyes like mad as if she couldn't believe what she just saw.
"Stop giving me that weird look! I'm an ordinary person, of course I would drink beer! Do I look like I drink machine oil?"
"No, no, it's not that..."
"It's not..."
"But, right now..."
"Aren't you working now..."
Laura just left her mouth wide open, unable to say anything, and then gulped down the black coffee in her hand.
"Don't be so strict! I just bribed you people anyway."
Chifuyu revealed a heinous grin as she looked around at everyone's hand. At this moment, the girls finally realized the meaning behind the drinks as they let out an 'Ah'.
"That's it for the opening. Now to the main point."
Chifuyu wanted Laura to get her a second can of beer. With the crisp sound of the can being opened again, she continued,
"I say, what's so good about that guy?"
Even though Chifuyu said 'That guy', everyone present knew who she's referring to. The only 'him'--Ichika.
"I-I'm not really that interested in him...it's just that I feel angry that he's no longer as strong as before."
Drinking the ramune, Houki said.
"Just a little fate..."
Rin mumbled while rubbing her sports drink can.
"As the class representative, I just want him to buck up."
Completely different in attitude now, Cecilia boasted proudly.
"Oh, is that so? I'll just tell Ichika that then."
Chifuyu's casual words scared the trio as they all stopped her.
"""PLEASE DON'T SAY IT OUT!!!"""
Seeing them like this, Chifuyu laughed and took another gulp of beer.
"I--well, I...like his kindness, so..."
Charlotte muttered softly, yet it sounded firm.
"Oh? But he's kind to everyone."
"Tha-That's right...which is why I hate it..."
She revealed an embarrassed smile as she fanned her burning cheeks. The trio before Charlotte stared at her, seemingly feeling envious.
"What about you?"
Chifuyu asked the silent Laura. Laura jerked, probably not expecting to be called up. She said,
"May-Maybe because he's strong..."
"He's weak."
That was a merciless critique. Even though Chifuyu said that without treating it as much, Laura argued back, which was rare of her,
"He-He's strong! Stronger than me, at least."
I see... Chifuyu said as she finished off the second beer can in her hand.
"Well, forget about whether that guy's strong or not. That guy's pretty useful. He can do housework, he can cook, and his massages are great."
Isn't that right, Alcott? Being questioned, Cecilia blushed as she looked down and nodded her head gently.
"Anyway, I know the kind of girl he would like to go out with. So? Do you want to know?"
Huh? Everyone looked up. Laura asked timidly,
"Are you going to tell us?"
"Idiots, you really think I would?"
Ehhh~...the girls moaned in their hearts.
"As women how can you lack will when fighting for a guy? Work harder brats, and try to get to my level!"
Bringing the third can of beer to her mouth, Chifuyu looked delighted as she said that.
Chapter 3: Thin Red Line - Standing on the Boundary Line
It's the second day of training camp, and today, we're going to carry out testing of all sorts of IS equipment and data collection. As for those with personal machines, they have to try out a large amount of equipment for them, so it's extremely tough.
"Is everyone here--hey, the latecomer over there."
"Ye-Yes!"
Unexpectedly, the one who cringed when Chifuyu-nee called her was Laura.
It seems she got up late, a rare feat for her, and got to the gathering point 5 minutes late.
"In that case, explain the IS Core Network."
"O-Okay! The IS core network uses all sorts of signals to exchange data. It was originally designed to send the location information in vast space. Right now, it allows the pilots to communicate with each other through public and private channels. Also, through recent researches, the core attracts all sorts of signals through a 'sharing' method as fuel to evolve. As the creator Professor Shinonono viewed these as a part of evolution, she allowed them to develop continuously, so right now, they're still under development, resulting in an incomplete grasp of the whole picture."
"Outstanding as always. I'll let you off for being late then."
On hearing Chifuyu-nee say that, Laura heaved a sigh of relief. I don't know if it's just my imagination, but it seems that she's patting herself on the chest to comfort herself...oh well, Laura probably just felt the unspeakable terror of Chifuyu-nee when she was an instructor in Germany, I guess.
"Alright. Each class is to carry their stuff to begin the IS part testing. Those with personal suits are to test the personal parts. Everyone, move fast."
Everyone answered yes. As all the first years are lined up in a straight line, there are a lot of us. On a side note, we're on a beach for IS testing. The surroundings are extremely high cliffs, so if there's a need to go to the sea, one has to go underwater and through a water tunnel. It really looked like some underwater filming for a movie.
The IS and equipment that was to be used for testing is gathered here for this purpose.
Of course, as we have to pilot IS, all of us are wearing our IS suits. It feels like some sort of swimsuit (competition?) at the seaside.
"Ah, Shinonono, come over here."
"Yes."
Houki, who was using the [Uchigane] to carry something, heard Chifuyu-nee call her and walks towards her.
"From today onwards, you'll be pilo--"
"CHHHHHIIIIIII~CHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNN~!!!"
*Zudodododododododo...!* As a cloud of sand and dust gathered, a figure came flying over at a very fast speed. Maybe she has an IS on her? Though the problem's that person--
"...Tabane."
That's how it is. That peerless genius Shinonono Tabane just ignored the restriction of the zone completely and came barging in just like that.
"Yaa Yaa! I really missed you Chi-chan! Let's hug to show our love--fuheh!!"
Chifuyu-nee held down Tabane-san who came flying over with one hand, grabbing onto her face too as the fingers sank mercilessly into the flesh. Chifuyu-nee really doesn't know how to show mercy.
"Shut up, Tabane."
"Mmmn...your iron claw's as merciless as ever."
Actually, she's amazing for being able to clamp down Tabane-san like that.
After shouting out lightly, Tabane-san now turns to Houki.
"Yaa!"
"...Hello."
"Hehehe, long time no see. How long have we not met? A few years? Houki-chan's really grown up, especially the breasts~"
*GANK!*
"I'll beat you up!"
"You've already beaten me up...and with a Japanese sword sheath! That's too mean! Houki-chan's soo mean~!"
Pressing her head, Tabane-san looked teary eyed as she complained. Everyone present just looked at that exchange.
"Huh, well, well, people other than the ones involved are not--"
"Hmm? What you're saying is really weird. If you're talking about IS related personnel, I'm the most most important person now."
"Huh, ah, so, yeah, so, I guess that's right..."
Yamada-sensei got shot down beautifully. Basically, there's nothing anyone can do as they just let her on a roll.
"Hey! Tabane! Introduce yourself, my students don't know what's going on."
"Huh--that's so troublesome...hello, I'm the genius Tabane-san! That's all from me!"
After saying that, she even made a spin around. At this moment, everyone present seem to finally realize that this is the genius scientist who developed the IS, and the girls started to chat.
"Haa...can't you even introduce yourself properly? Hey, first-years, why are you stopping? Ignore this person here and continue testing."
"That's too much, calling me 'this person'. Can't you call me 'my beloved Tabane'?"
"SHUT UP!!"
While both of them are exchanging words, Yamada-sensei trembles as she interrupts them.
"Huh, erm, what should I do in this situation..."
"Ah, like I just said, you can ignore this person here. Yamada-sensei, please help assist the classes."
"I-I got it."
"Uu, Chi-chan's so kind...this Tabane-san really feels envious. She got fooled by this huge-breasted monster, right~?"
After saying that, Tabane-san leaped onto Yamada-sensei as her hands quickly grabbed onto her ample breasts.
"KYAAAAHHH! WH-WHA-WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"
"Sigh, what's the problem, what's the problem~?"
Wa, the topic just changed within a few seconds...where in the world did her jealousy go to?
On a side note, Tabane-san's breasts are slightly bigger than Chifuyu-nee's and about the same size as Yamada-sensei. Actually, it's kind of an eye candy to see two huge-breasted women harrass each other.
