Infinite Stratos, Volume 3, page 9
“Hey there! Long time no see, Chichan! Gimme a hug, Show me that you love me— WAH!”
Tabane’s leap was stopped with a single open palm directly across her face. Chifuyu dug her fingers in, too. She really was merciless.
“Quiet down, Tabane.”
“Mmph... Your iron claw is as sharp as ever.”
Tabane was no slouch either, given that she was able to slip out of it. Alighting on the ground, she turned toward Houki.
“Heyo!”
“Hello...”
“It’s been so long, hasn’t it? How many years? You’ve gotten so big, Houki! Especially your breasts!”
Bam!
“I’ll hit you.”
“You’re supposed to say that before you hit someone... Especially if you’re going to hit them with a sheath! Meanie! Houki, you’re a meanie!” Tabane rubbed her head as tears streamed down her cheeks. Everyone else, meanwhile, watched, astounded.
“Excuse me, but only IS-related personnel are allowed—” Ms. Yamada chimed in.
“Hm? That’s a strange thing to bring up. There aren’t many people more IS-related that I am.”
“Well, er, ah. I suppose that’s true.” Ms. Yamada was shot down with a single burst. There was no point talking to Tabane once she got rolling. You just had to let her finish.
“C’mon, Tabane. Introduce yourself. You’re making things awkward for my students,” said Chifuyu.
“Aww, do I have to? I’m Tabane the genius! Hi, hi! That’s all.”
Having said that, she spun around. The class’ jaws dropped even lower as they realized the person in front of them was Shinonono Tabane, genius inventor of the IS. The girls quickly began to chatter among themselves.
“Good grief. Can’t you even introduce yourself properly? Class, no slacking off! Ignore this person and get back to testing.”
“It’s mean to just call me ‘this person.’ Can’t you call me Lovely Tabane?”
“Just shut up already.”
Ms. Yamada nervously watched the banter between the two old acquaintances. “Er, ah, what should I do about this?”
“I told you. Just ignore this person. Focus on making sure each group is keeping up.”
“Understood.”
“You’re so kind to her... I’m jealous! You must have been bewitched by this huge-breasted devil!” Tabane flew off toward Ms. Yamada as she spoke. Her hands dug eagerly into her voluptuous breasts.
“Eek! Wh-What are you doing!”
“This is gonna be fun!”
It didn’t take Tabane long to change what she was after, did it? What happened to her jealousy? Really, though, Tabane’s own breasts were bigger than Chifuyu’s, and about even with Ms. Yamada’s. It was quite the sight to watch them go at it.
“Knock it off! Your breasts are plenty big enough, too.”
“You’ve got such a dirty mind, Chichan.”
“Go die in a fire.”
Chifuyu gave Tabane a full-force kick which sent her sprawling in the sand. I suppose it should be said again that this was the genius who’d developed both the theoretical underpinnings of IS, and the actual implementation.
“So, about the thing I asked you for...” Houki hesitantly asked.
When she heard this, Tabane’s eyes lit up, and she chuckled, “It’s all ready to go. Look up at the sky!”
Tabane pointed straight upward with a flourish. Following her finger, Houki, as well as everyone else, turned their eyes heavenward.
Whoosh!
“Wha—”
Suddenly, in the blink of an eye and the crash of a heavy impact, a block of metal plunged into the sand. In the next moment, its glimmering silver walls parted, revealing to us its contents. Inside was—
“Ta-dah! This is Houki’s personal IS—Akatsubaki! Handmade by yours truly, with every spec a cut above the state of the art!”
—A form clad in crimson armor pulled itself from the container, as if answering Tabane’s call. It glimmered in the sunlight, as if to emphasize its newness. Did Tabane just blurt out something really impressive? If it’s a cut above state of the art in every way... It must be one of the very newest and most powerful IS.
“All right! Time to get you set up and customized, Houki! I’ll help you out, so it should be over in a jiffy~♪”
“If you don’t mind...”
“Why so formal? We’re sisters, we should have nicknames for—”
“Just hurry it up.”
Houki was practically defining ‘standoffish,’ doing the bare minimum to follow along with Tabane without making conversation.
“Mmm. Good idea. Let’s get started.”
With a beep, Tabane pressed a button on a remote controller. In an instant, Akatsubaki’s armor folded back, and it was ready to accept a pilot. It even kneeled automatically for ease of mounting. That’s actually kind of awesome.
“I’ve already started to set it up with your data, so it should be just a quick update. Here we go! Beep, boop!” Tabane slid her fingers over the console. Six holographic displays opened in midair, displaying a tremendous amount of data. At the same time, six holographic keyboards appeared in midair under them. “It’s set up to be an all-purpose IS focusing on close combat, so you should find it easy to get used to. Your big sister also set up plenty of automatic help for you.”
“Thanks, I guess.” Houki still seemed rather cold. Honestly, they were sisters, so I wished they’d get along better. I didn’t know all the details, but it seemed that Houki still held a grudge from being forced to transfer schools when Tabane wouldn’t give up her research. That was years ago, though. Shouldn’t it be water under the bridge by now?
“Hmm-hmm-hmm~ Houki, you’ve gotten even better with a sword. I can tell it just by looking at your muscles. I want you to know I’m proud of you.”
“.........”
“Tee-hee, you’re ignoring me again. M’kay, setup’s complete. That was fast! Sometimes I amaze myself.”
While they made idle chatter, Tabane’s fingers never stopped flying over the keys. She moved as quickly, as fluidly, as a concert pianist, constantly scanning over each display every few seconds. No matter how much she played the fool, she was obviously something beyond even the average genius during moments like these. Oh, and as for Akatsubaki itself, maybe it was because she’d already entered some data, but it didn’t transform as drastically as Byakushiki. Mostly, it just seemed to adjust itself to Houki’s body.
Still, it definitely looked like it was set up for close combat. The only weaponry I could see was a katana-style blade on each hip. In a way, it reminded me of Byakushiki. On the other hand, Tabane had just said it had ‘automatic help’ and it was ‘an all-purpose IS specializing in close combat,’ so maybe it had something like Blue Tears.
“Shinonono’s getting something like that? Just because they’re sisters?”
“Seems like it. It doesn’t seem fair.”
Whispers arose from the crowd. The first person to respond, surprisingly, was Tabane herself.
“Haven’t you been paying attention in history class? The world has never, ever, ever been fair.”
Picked out from the crowd, the complainer grimaced and went back to work. Brushing her off, Tabane continued working. Even as she spoke, her fingers hadn’t stopped. She really was a genius. Soon she finished and started to close the displays.
“The rest of the personalization should be automatic. Oh, Icky, can you show me Byakushiki? I’ve been dying to see it again.”
“Uh... Okay.”
With her displays tidied up, Tabane turned to me. Her skirt, fluttering in the breeze, gave a ladylike impression that was the opposite of her girlish personality. Anyway, I brought my left hand over the gauntlet on my right and focused for a moment.
Come forth, Byakushiki!
As if responding to my will, it brought forth a burst of light. Glowing particles gathered in the air, forming into a ring. As the halo wrapped around me, it took form. The form of my personal IS, Byakushiki. Specialized for melee combat, it was armed solely with the blade Yukihira Nigata. Its beautiful curves had no need for any bolt-ons. Okay, maybe not quite those implications.
“C’mon, show me that data!” With a thunk, Tabane clamped a cable onto Byakushiki’s armor. As soon as she did, her displays reopened in midair. “Wow, this is an interesting fragment map. I wonder how it ended up like that? I don’t think I’ve ever seen this happen before. I wonder if it’s because you’re a boy?”
As far as I knew, a ‘fragment map’ was a record of the IS’ development based on personalization, about equivalent to a person’s DNA.
“By the way, Tabane. About that. I’m a guy, so why can I pilot an IS?”
“Mm? Hmm. I wonder. I’m not really sure, either. If I break the whole thing down into nano-particles I could probably find out. Are you up for it?”
As an aside, I was pretty sure when she said ‘the whole thing’ she meant with me still inside.
“I’ll pass.”
“Mwahaha, I thought you’d say so. Anyway, I don’t know, so I don’t know what else to tell you besides ‘I don’t know.’ I built the IS to evolve on their own, so I guess it doesn’t surprise me.” She giggled again. Well, I should’ve expected as much.
“Oh, any reason why can’t I add any other equipment?”
“Because I set it up not to accept any.”
“Wait, what, you built Byakushiki?”
“Well, yeah. Or rather, I poked at a failed experiment until it kinda worked. But anyway, that’s why it can use a one-off ability even in first shift! Isn’t that super-convenient? I think I did a great job. Plus, you know, that’s the kind of IS they are? Japanese ones, that is.”
“You moron! That’s enough classified info out of your mouth!”
Bam! A merciless blow smacked into Tabane’s head. It came, of course, from the demon teacher Chifuyu.
“Oww... Chichan, you’ve always been such a physical lover.”
“Why can’t you just shut up?”
As another smack struck Tabane, a girl called out to her, “Pardon me! I’ve heard so, so much about your talents, Professor Shinonono. Is there any chance I could prevail on you to take a look over my IS as well?”
Who was it but Cecilia? Her eyes were glittering. Maybe she was excited to meet someone as famous as Tabane, but...
“Huh? Who the heck are you? I don’t remember knowing any blondes. After years and years, I’m finally reuniting with Houki and with Chichan and with Icky. Think what kind of emotional scene that is. I don’t understand where you get the idea that you can just open your mouth and talk over it. Just who the heck you, anyway?”
Her words were as cold as her tone and her glare.
“Er, ah...”
“Jeez, you’re annoying. Go away or something.”
“Ugh...”
Having been shot down so thoroughly, even Cecilia had no choice but to dejectedly give up. The rejection before she’d even been able to process Tabane’s sudden change in attitude left her with tears in her eyes. But then again, Tabane’s always been like this. She said it herself, “I can’t really tell the difference between people. I can recognize Houki, Chichan, and Icky. And my parents, I guess. Anyone else? I’m not interested enough to care.” And true to her word, Tabane was like that to everyone but us, though she was getting a little bit better. The old her would’ve just straight ignored Cecilia. It seemed like Chifuyu had beaten at least a little sense into her. Or at the very least, enough sense to respond.
“Wow, that blonde girl was a weirdo. I hate how foreigners are so pushy. I’d really rather deal with Japanese people. Japanese people are the best. Not that I care about most of them, either. Just Houki, Chichan, and Icky.”
“What about mom and dad?”
“Mm? Oh, yeah, them too, I guess.”
Hm? That was kind of a funny answer.
“Anyway, whatever. More importantly, Icky, do you want me to upgrade Byakushiki?”
“Huh? Upgrade? Like, how?”
“Well. How about giving it a makeover to look like a butler? I’ve always thought you’d look great in a tailcoat. Or a maid’s dress, too.”
Gonna pretend I didn’t hear that.
“I think I’m fine.”
“You’re fine? You’re saying you’re fine with that? Okay, hold on just a sec!”
“Wh— You know I didn’t mean that! No! Nonono! Nothankyou!”
“Hi, Nothankyou! I’m Northernlights!”
Wait, uhh. That didn’t even have any relevance except the first syllable.
“Really, Icky, what about a girl’s outfit?”
“What gave you that idea?!”
“Hm? I’ve been reading a manga about that kind of thing.”
“Can you not try out random things from manga on me?”
“Aww. You’re not fun at all.”
“Er... Ahem.” Houki cleared her throat to interject. “Aren’t you still working on mine?”
“Yeah, just finishing up. Hmm, three minutes. What a waste, I could’ve made a cup of ramen with that kind of time.”
I don’t think it’s that big of a waste... Plus, a lot of ramen these days doesn’t even take that long.
“All right, now give it a shot. It should mirror your thoughts exactly.”
“Very well. I’ll try it out now.” The cables attached to Akatsubaki disconnected with an audible pop. Houki closed her eyes, focused for a moment, and it immediately leapt into the sky. “Wha—”
The shockwave from its acceleration was enough to stir up whirls of sand. Looking around for Houki, I finally picked her up on the Byakushiki’s hypersensor—gliding 200 meters above.
“So, whaddaya think? Even better than you expected, right?”
“I suppose.”
Tabane must also have had an IS, as I heard them converse over the open channel.
“Now try out your katanas! The right-hand one is Amazuki and the left-hand one is Karaware. Here, I’m sending over the data on their capabilities.” As Tabane spoke, her fingers danced in the air. Houki, receiving the data, drew both katanas at once. Her stance was immediately recognizable. “Let your dear old sister Tabane give you the rundown! Amazuki—Moonlit Rain—is built for one-on-one fights. At the same time as it makes a precise cut, blades of energy shoot out and turn your enemy into Swiss cheese! It’s got about the range of an assault rifle. You’ll still have trouble at sniper rifle range, but Akatsubaki’s speed should make up for it.”
I didn’t know if she was following along with Tabane’s explanation or not, but either way, Houki gave an experimental slash. She had been holding it crossed over from her right hand to her left shoulder, the Shinonono two-sword style’s ‘Shieldblade’ stance. It was a cautious posture, adaptable for offense or defense, which aimed to pivot the force of an attack through her shoulders and into a counter. At the same time as her wrists locked, a twisting ball of red laser beams formed from the air around it, then fired off one by one, burning holes in the cloud she faced.
“Next up is Karaware—Skyrender. This one’s better against groups. Just take a big slash, and it sends a wave of energy flying in its path. It’ll automatically expand, you don’t even have to think any more about it. See if you can cut these down!” Even as she spoke, Tabane was calling forth a 16-missile pod. No sooner did the particles of light coalesce that it let off every shot in one barrage.
“Houki!”
“I can do this— Now that I have Akatsubaki!” Houki drew forth Karaware from below her right arm in a spinning slash. Behind it trailed another red laser beam, which spread just as Tabane said it would and took down all 16 missiles.
“Holy crap...”
Houki and her crimson IS imposingly loomed forth from the smoke and flames. The crowd of students was at a loss for words—in amazement, and in envy—at its performance. Tabane watched the whole thing with a self-satisfied grin on her face.
“.........”
There was one person, however, whose eyes were burning a hole in Tabane. It was... Chifuyu? Why do you have that look on your face? You look like you want to kill her...
“Ms. Orimura! Big trouble!” Hearing Ms. Yamada suddenly speak up, Chifuyu’s expression cleared, and she turned to her. Ms. Yamada was always flustered about something, but this time was obviously different.
“Is something wrong?”
“Look at this!”
As she glanced over the mini-terminal Ms. Yamada handed her, Chifuyu’s expression clouded again.
“Emergency Condition A? Countermeasures initiated...”
“The, uh, the unit being tested over Hawaii—”
“Shh! That’s top secret! The students can hear you.”
“Sorry, ma’am...”
“Where are the ones with personal IS?”
“One’s missing, but the rest are here.”
Chifuyu and Ms. Yamada were discussing something in a hushed voice. Noticing that they’d drawn the attention of the class, they switched over to hand signals. Huh? Those aren’t normal hand signals... Is that some kind of military code language? I felt like I’d seen something like it a few times before, back when Chifuyu was a Japanese National Cadet.
“Anyway, I’ll contact the other teachers.”
“Understood— Attention, everyone!” As Ms. Yamada ran off, Chifuyu clapped her hands to focus the class. “All IS Academy instructors have received emergency orders. Today’s testing is canceled. All groups, return your IS to storage and return to the resort. Stay in your rooms until contacted. Dismissed!”
“Eh...?”
“Cancelled? But why? What do you mean, emergency orders?”
“I don’t get what’s going on...”
Confusion spread through the girls assembled on the beach. Through it, though, Chifuyu’s steely voice sounded, “Get to it! Anyone caught outside their room will be carried back by force! Understood?”
“Yes, ma’am!”
The girls quickly got to work, dismissing their test equipment and loading their IS back onto the carts. I’d never seen them quite this afraid before.
“If you have your own IS, come to me! Orimura, Alcott, Dunois, Bodewig, Huang! Shinonono, you too!”
