Infinite Stratos - Volume 7, page 9
Edwards-sensei, who had been making a fuss up till now, isn't here now, so it's just Kanzashi and me in the large maintenance branch.
"Ah, that..."
I do feel that there's nothing to say.
"Ah-Ahh-Ahh..."
Forcefully...Kanzashi gripped her hands and ran in front of me.
"Thank you...very much."
"...What for?"
"We-Well...thank you...just now, because of you..."
Kanzashi immediately backed away from me and turned aside. Perhaps she's feeling shy about saying it out loud. She clasped her hands together in front of her chest and softly played with her fingers.
"What, that? Well, isn't that to be expected?"
"..."
*Jiii*. She continued to stare at me...what's with that?
"...So, cool..."
"Huh?"
"No-Noth-Nothing..."
"? Really?"
Looking outside, the sky became pitch black under the screen of night.
It's been about 10 minutes after we dispelled our ISes, and our bodies should be cold now.
"Let's go back. We'll catch a cold if we continue to stay here."
"O-Okay..."
She nodded her head, but for some reason, Kanzashi didn't move.
"..."
"What's wrong, Kanzashi-san?"
"Do-Don't..."
"Huh?"
She's probably shy. Looking closely, Kanzashi's face is all red now.
"Do...Don't say...san...just, call me Kanzashi..."
After saying those words softly, Kanzashi scampered away as if she was escaping.
Seeing her disappear behind the door, I scratched my head.
(Call her Kanzashi, is it? Our emotional distance should have shortened, right?)
◆
(I-I said it...)
Having returned to her own 1st year dorm, Kanzashi showered in hot water, as *DOKI* *DOKI* her heart beat.
For the Sarashikis' daughter, allowing another to use one's given name had a significant meaning.
"..."
Kanzashi touched her lips and tried to say the words.
'I'-'chi'-'ka'...
"..."
*DOKI* *DOKI*. Blushing furiously, Kanzashi felt that her heart was a fragile item as she gently touched her chest.
It wasn't too big, but the treasure of love that was hidden in it was really soft.
"Honne...really has it good..."
They're both in their first years, yet they had a difference of 2 cup sizes.
Her sister Utsuho was the same. She had well-ripened fruits.
And her older sister—
"Ah!"
Upon thinking till here, her head suddenly cooled down.
Kanzashi, who was drowning in the heat of love, became a captive by her own realistic sense of inferiority, and her body jerked slightly.
(Tatenashi...nee-san...)
The existence she looked up to yet couldn't catch up to...Sarashiki Tatenashi.
She was a gentle sister, an outstanding, strong person and a lovely woman—she was completely flawless.
(I...can't catch up to that person at all...)
It was unknown when she started to think like that.
--She ended up unable to catch up to that back.
--She couldn't look at that expression directly.
--She started to feel painful about bearing the same family name.
"..."
*Gya* *gya*. The warm shower of rain fell.
Lowering her head, Kanzashi looked like she was crying, but that face—looked up.
"Calm down...nee-san, nee-san...I-I..."
--I, Kanzashi, won't be crushed as long as I have Ichika.
She finally found a hero, someone who had a bright smile.
"Orimura, Ichika..."
She tried to call that name again, and she was happy yet trembling anxiously. The inexplicable drive rose up within her.
Courage—Perhaps that's what people call it.
◆
"Thank you very much!"
After the special training ended, Houki and the kendo members bowed and thanked each other.
"Hey~. You don't have to say it so stiffly."
Floating down from above was Houki's coach and tag match partner, Tatenashi.
She looked carefree as usual as she waved her hand lightly.
"No, it's unacceptable for a swordsman[7C 8] to lack formalities."
"Swordsman?"
Seeing the stern looking Houki, Tatenashi couldn't help but give a wry smile.
"Oh yeah. How about we have dinner today? At the cafeteria in the second year dorm. I'll lead the way."
"Huh? No, I—"
"Okay. It's decided. Let's go, let's go."
"Wait-Wait a minute! I—"
"Okay okay let's go!"
"Ha..."
Unable to endure Tatenashi's angelic expression, Houki couldn't help but sigh deeply.
It was the same when she complied to pair up with her. Why was Houki unable to resist Tatenashi at all?
At first, she thought that this sempai wasn't willing to listen to others, but even after thinking about that and getting manipulated, there were a lot of inexplicable things.
(For-Forget about it. It's not like I hate it.)
Now being led by the hand that was holding hers, they walked to the changing room in the arena.
It wasn't something she hated.
"..."
She remembered her own sister who used to hold her hand like this.
Shinonono Tabane—
To Houki, Tabane was an existence she couldn't surpass no matter how hard she tried.
When she was young, Tabane was someone she relied on, and someone she was proud of.
But unknowingly, she felt that the difference between her and her sister had started to show.
--That person, she's of a completely different breed from me.
The inherent talent difference was too great.
But even so, somewhere in her heart, the aspect where she viewed her sister Tabane as someone she vaguely admired only lasted until 'That Incident'.
(--)
"Houki-chan."
"Ah, what is it!?"
"What's wrong? We reached the changing room."
"Huh, I see, yeah. Okay."
"Are you thinking about something? You look really scary."
"Do-Do I?"
"I do. Girls are prettier when they smile—!"
Tatenashi went behind Houki and moved both hands under her armpits.
"Koochi koochi koochi!"
"GUHAA! HA-HAHAHA! STO-STOP IT...AHAHAHAHA!!"
Just like that, they spent two minutes in laughter, and Houki was out of breath when the tickling attack ended.
"Haa... haa... haa..."
"Mn--, Houki-chan and Laura-chan's reactions are so cute...speaking of which."
"Wha-What is it?"
Finally regaining her breath, Houki opened the locker and answered,
"Houki-chan, regarding your elder sister—Professor Tabane, do you keep her away?"
"..."
It wasn't that she hated it. Recently, she finally started to realize it.
But she would remember that incident when they met.
She wanted to seal her memories, her lack of control over her emotions, and—
(The hurt I inflicted on her...)
All those were her own fault.
Not Tabane's fault, but her own fault.
She couldn't control herself, drowned in power, and caused 'That Incident' to happen.
She no longer wanted to remember that, and now she wanted to run away from everything related to Tabane.
In fact, she wanted to reject the entrance to IS Academy, but she finally entered because the government somewhat forced her. Of course, that was because she was Tabane's imouto.
"It's not that I hate her."
"Really. That's good. A family should get along well together."
Though I really can't say that about others—
Tatenashi murmured, although it wasn't heard by Houki.
"Let's take a shower together."
"Huh? No, I'll just use my own room—"
"Okay okay. That guy's gonna hate the sweaty smell."
That guy. Houki knew who Tatenashi was referring to, and her face immediately blushed.
"It's so late already, and there shouldn't be anyone in the shower room. We got the whole room, you know?"
"Pl-Please don't drag me along! I'll just walk on my own."
Though Houki protested, Tatenashi just answered with a smile and even pulled Houki by the arm.
...
......
.........
"Ah~ it feels so good."
In the shower of hot water, Tatenashi let out a refreshing sigh.
The showerheads in the shower room were separated, and both of them entered neighboring cubicles. Even though they were separated, the leg and head area were completely open for everyone to see, so there would normally be girls chatting away happily. The spacers were all translucent glass sheets, and though they could block the exposure of the chest to the thigh, the human figure would be shown as a silhouette.
Houki didn't like this shower room as her bust size would be checked on by the other girls.
"..."
"Are you the bathing type, Houki-chan?"
Tatenashi suddenly asked Houki, who remained silent up till now.
"Well, as for what you said just now."
"Hm? About Houki-chan's onee-san?"
Nn. Houki nodded her head.
"I don't really hate her. I'm really grateful about the Personal IS."
"I see."
"But I still can't understand."
"Can't understand what?"
"What was my sister thinking..."
"Hmm."
*Kyushh*. Tatenashi turned off the shower and leaned on the spacer.
The space between the body and the spacer couldn't take the ample breasts, and they were squashed.
"You're scared because you don't understand?"
"..."
Getting a silent affirmation, Tatenashi continued,
"If that's the case, I'm the same."
"Huh?"
"So I'm sure your onee-san's the same as well."
Unable to understand.
Unable to understand, and being afraid as a result.
However, one has to understand that courage was needed.
The courage that surpasses the fear of hurting oneself, that surpasses the fear of hurting others.
"It's alright."
"In-In what case?"
"There's no need to worry. I'm sure your onee-san would treat you as someone important."
"..."
"So, there's no need to be scared."
Explaining this gently, Tatenashi maintained a silent smile on her face until the end.
◆
The next day, in the second preparation room after school.
"Ah, Mayuzumi-sempai! Thank you for your appearance today!"
"Let me say first that my appearance fee's really high, you know~? An exclusive, ahem, date for once."
"Huuh?"
"A date with Orimura-kun. Fufu—that's something to be proud of."
"Pl-Please spare me."
If we want to complete Kanzashi's personal IS, we definitely need the 2nd year ace of the conditioning class, Mayuzumi Kaoruko-sempai to help us.
"Okay~ Okay~ Okay~. I want to go on a date with Orimu~"
And there's Nohohon-san, Nohotoke Honne. She's a first year, but amongst the members of the conditioning course, her ability's top notch.
"Fuu, hm, then, do I need to call in Kyouko and Fee to help?"
As she said that, Mayuzumi-san pulled her handphone out to gather her team.
And the bait was—
"Mn, two photos of Orimura-kun. Anyway, it's not like you can't have a date in school, right?"
Me again? But I'll be willing to toil on if I can get a flock of fish to bite on.
"REALLY!?"
A voice came over from the other side to confirm. Most likely, it's that 'Kyouko' or whoever.
"Tha-That's still acceptable."
"OKAY! OKAAAYY!! DEAL! DEAL DEAL! ZUU-SAN! BRING YOUR BEST CAMERA ALONG!!"
Since when did Mayuzumi-san...become Zuu-san?
"Okay okay. How about Fee?"
"Heh. I think I want that famous massage."
"There's no problem right? Orimura-kun?"
"Haa, well, never mind. I've done quite a few massages recently when I was sent to the clubs."
"Okay! It's decided! Hurry up and gather at the second prep room! Last one here will have to treat juice!"
After saying that, Mayuzumi-san hung the phone up. However, there's only me, Kanzashi, Mayuzumi-san and Nohohon-san here, so it's just a showdown between Kyouko-san and Fee-san.
"Then—, let's get to work!"
Mayuzumi-san smiled. 30 minutes later, I felt the strictness of the conditioning course that would drive me crazy.
"Orimura-kun, hand over the cables over there! All of them!"
"Then get the super-large wrench and the hi-frequency cutter."
"Fu. There aren't enough holographic displays. Get a few LCDs here. 8 will be enough. Borrow a mini-TV here too."
"O-Okay."
Anyway, I went around working busily.
In order to complete Kanzashi's personal machine [Uchigane Nisihiki], all the second year members of the conditioning class were present and fighting.
The hardware included the thrusters, boosters, armor, armaments, internal firearms and so on. Also—the core needed to use data to create the respective parts and the final model of the machine. Kanzashi continued to assemble the IS in order to operate it immediately after finishing work.
However, there're a lot of problems with the software.
It's based on the [Uchigane], but there's the adjusting and checking of things that include the construct of the [Multi-Lockon-System], the booster's [Unit Control System] optimization and efficiency maximization, the machine's [Energy Bypass Operating System] simulation, and the [Shield Barrier] system.
Helping to support the development, the pilot, Kanzashi, had been operating on both software and hardware with the support of Nohohon-san, She's working on things far more than what an ordinary person can do, like operating the machine, gathering data and controlling the feedback.
What's most amazing however is the way she's controlling those machines. She's not just using voice control, eye control or body gestures, but also using both hands and both feet to control 2 keyboards each, 8 holographic keyboards altogether.
I know that she can put her hand between the keyboards above and below. As the keyboard below's being typed on, the keyboard above can be controlled by the hitting motion.
The problem is that the toes are doing the same thing, though she's using [PIC] to let the IS float in mid-air, that's practically god-like.
As a side note, the keyboard's not flat, but a fully customized model where each key's shaped in a sphere.
(Customized for herself, like how Tabane-san does it?)
Something like 'It's too slow to move the fingers if it's just the ordinary method'.
What kind of construct is that?
(But even so.)
The way Kanzashi's floating in the air, with both hands and feet surrounded by light was like a wizard in a fantasy game.
"--How pretty."
"?"
"What are you saying?" Kanzashi tilted her head.
"No-Nothing much."
I subconsciously muttered. Thinking about it, it's really embarrassing, so I coughed a few times to hide it.
"Hey—, Orimura-kun, don't get lazy! The laser-arm there."
"Get me the data-scanner! Godspeed!"
"Erm, and also, please take down the ultrasonic sensor."
Now, it's a rush down to the equipment store.
Anyway, I sweated and toiled as I brought the equipment over.
"Orimura-kun, help me tidy my hair."
"Orimura, juice! I want some!"
"Ah, please get some snacks."
Huh? Is it just me? Why is it that even unnecessary chores are added into it?
"Ah, I ran out of shampoo. Help me buy. I want vanilla."
"Orimura, please return this book to the library."
"Mn, help me check out the set meal of the day for dinner."
"Huuh—! That has nothing to do with work, right? Neither does this nor that!"
"Ah, you found out?"
"Che. Pretty smart, aren't you."
"Fufu, that was a joke."
How, how tiring.
It's not just physical fatigue due to the carrying; Even the mental fatigue swarmed onto me.
"Haa..."
I sighed from the bottom of my heart. It felt like even my soul was about to float away.
"Heheh."
Seeing me like this, Kanzashi chuckled.
It's just a little smile, but it glittered brighter than any diamond.
◆
"Okay okay, we got the basic parts assembled together. Sarashiki-san, do you feel something weird about the machine's movements?"
"It-It's alright..."
On the day before the tag match, they finally ended our final run of work at 9pm.
On hearing Kanzashi's answer, Kaoruko nodded her head. Yup yup.
"How about the weapons control system? Finally, is the [Multi Lockon System] completed?"
"Ye-Yes. The normal [Lockon System] can...be used..."
Kyouko, who planned on working as an arms developer in the future, seemed to be concerned about that.
Right now, the [Uchigane Nishiki] has hi-performance guided missiles amongst its armaments, 6 missile pods altogether, 8 mini missiles in a defensive type weapon system. It's a weapon that can fire 48 of them at one go, but as the important '48 independent operational' [Multi Lockon System] wasn't completed, the supposedly high accuracy and high firepower type didn't appear.
However, the fact that they managed to complete the machine to such an extent in less than a week, was due to Kaoruko, Kyouko, Fee and Honne.
And also—
"..."
Kanzashi secretly glanced at Ichika.
Currently, he was clearing up the mechanical tools that were used, and like usual, he was the one who ended up doing all the physical stuff.
(Orimura...kun...)
On looking at him, her eyes started to be passionated.
"Hm?"
*Fuu*, Kaoruko detected the gaze from Kanzashi's eyes, and her eyes began to glitter.
