Chapter II: The Student Council President’s Sign is a Felis

I’d spent two grueling days and nights under the tutelage of Tatenashi. Now it was after school, and again I was in the third arena practicing manual control.

“You just can’t control yourself around older women, can you.”

I thought back to the sneer on Houki’s face. No matter how hard I tried to convince her that it wasn’t true, I didn’t do any better convincing her than I had with Cecilia, Charl, or Laura. Dammit, it wasn’t like that, though!

“You’re slowing down, Ichika. Focus.”

“Understood.”

I focused on maintaining control as I turned my vision to the balloon in the center of the arena. The Setsura pack on my left arm was standing by in cannon mode. In 20 seconds, its energy recharge would be complete. My PIC was set to manual control. That meant that I’d manually have to compensate for the recoil.

This is tougher than I thought it’d be... If I miscalculated, I’d bounce off of the wall behind me headfirst. It’s hard enough just staying in Shooter Flow... I ran through Charl’s instructions in my head as I gingerly moved my—and Byakushiki’s—legs.

“It’s like ice skating, I guess? You have to cling to the surface while letting yourself glide.”

“I don’t really get it...”

“You control yourself using centrifugal force. Does that help?”

“I don’t get it, teach.”

“If only I had a better student.”

“Sorry...”

“Ah well. I don’t mind students who’re a bit of a handful. Actually, I... I kinda... Like... them.”

“Oh, really? Thanks.”

“You need to get better at this, Ichika...”

“...Huh? What just—”

“Oh, I just remembered, I need to go run metrics for my new equipment. See you.”

What had set her off all of a sudden? I still couldn’t figure it out.

“C’mon, Ichika, focus!”

“O-Okay!”

“You must be thinking about a girl. What a perv.”

“No, it’s not like that!”

“Oh, a boy, then? Ewwww.”

“It’s definitely not like that!”

It was exhausting dealing with Tatenashi. The one thing I’d learned about her was that I hadn’t learned anything about her. Some things about her seemed so mature, and on the other hand, some things were just childlike. She was like a cat who’d rub against your neck while you were sitting on the couch, but go sprinting under the bed when you lifted a hand to pet it.

It wasn’t even that I didn’t get her, it was that she didn’t want me to. She wouldn’t show herself. At least, not her true self. And how am I supposed to deal with that? Whatever. Right now I had to focus on piloting. I put my weight on my toes as if I was ice skating, and let my momentum carry me with small adjustments. This is still for shooting types, though, right? What’s it supposed to do for me?

“You, there. Don’t overthink it. Just stay focused.”

“Sorry, Ma’am...”

At least Tatenashi is actually a really good coach. Charl and Laura aren’t half-bad either, but even the parts that I couldn’t quite grasp when I practiced with them, I pick up easily with Tatenashi. Somewhere I read that ‘the smartest person in the room is the one who can make everyone else understand,’ and she definitely seemed like that kind of person.

“Okay. You’re getting up to speed. Now try using Ignition Boost.”

“Eh?”

“Ignition Boost. Change over from the circular motion of Shooter Flow directly to cutting a chord through. You’ll be able to break through your opponent’s suppressive fire, and take a close-up shot with your particle cannon.”

“W-Wait! I’m not ready to just jump into that!”

“Hurry up!”

“Y-Yes, ma’am.” Rushed along, I changed my focus to readying Ignition Boost. Hm? Oh. Crunch! “Owww...”

I’d lost track of maintaining Shooter Flow, and slammed backward into the wall.

“Come on, Ichika. You need to keep up Shooter Flow while charging Ignition Boost.”

“This is tough.”

“Doesn’t matter. You need to figure this out. Houki’s the only other one who hasn’t.”

I had no way to argue with that.

“Okay, then get up. Give it one last try.”

Her explanations may make more sense than any other coach, but she was also stricter than any of them. My training with Sarashiki Tatenashi continued.

◇

“Why, hello there.”

“Oh, hi, Nohotoke.”

On my way back from training, I happened to run into Miss Casual and her sister Nohotoke Utsuho in the hall. While I was thinking about what to say, she spoke first.

“Just call me Utsuho. After all, there are two Nohotokes here, right?”

“Oh, right. Utsuho, then.”

“Perfect,” she nodded.

It was strange. The only way she resembled Miss Casual was in her face. I guess she’s kind of like Takatsuki. I nodded to myself as I recalled Takatsuki Shizune, the most serious member of my class. While we were talking, I tried to slip in a question I’d been curious about.

“Mind if I ask you something, Utsuho?”

“No problem, if it’s something I can answer.”

“Um... What’s Tatenashi like as a person?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, uh. Why’d she pick me for training?”

“You shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth.”

“I didn’t mean it that way! Just...”

“I was joking,” Utsuho chuckled as I ran out of words to say. It surprised me that someone like her would joke around like that. “Young mistress... Tatenashi takes an interest in many things. I don’t personally know about every one of them.”

“I see.”

They’d know each other for a long time, but I guess they still didn’t know each other perfectly. Still. The Nohotoke sisters should at least have some insight on the side of Tatenashi that me and the other IS Academy students had never seen. It was strange. Ah well. It’s not like it isn’t working for me, so I should go along with what Tatenashi says.

I asked Utsuho whether she agreed, and she replied, “I’ll warn you about one thing. She absolutely will have you wrapped around her finger. Don’t burn yourself out.”

“I-I see...” I’d been afraid of that, but I guess it helped to have advance warning.

And if even Utsuho, who was a year older than Tatenashi, said so, it had to be true.

“So you’re saying I should eat as much as I can, then.”

“Exactly. But make sure none sticks in your throat.”

That sounded ominous. Could Tatenashi really manipulate people that well? It sent a chill down my spine.

“See you later, then.”

“Yeah, see you later.”

I said goodbye to the sisters and headed back to my room.

◇

Click. I dragged my exhausted body to the threshold of my room and opened the door.

“Welcome home. Would you like dinner? A bath? Or maybe... Me?”

Slam. I closed the door and took stock of the situation.

“Um...”

I was in the first years’ dorm. In front of my room. It even said ‘Orimura’ on the nameplate. There was no way I was in the wrong place. No way at all. I must have been seeing things. It’s absolutely impossible that Tatenashi would be waiting for me in my room, wearing nothing but an apron. I mean, are you kidding me? Reassuring myself, I opened the door.

“Welcome home. Would you like me? Me? Or maybe... Me?”

“At least give me a choice!”

“But I did. That’s exactly one choice.”

Tatenashi was waiting for me in my room, wearing nothing but an apron. What on Earth was she thinking?

“I’ve decided to move in here.”

“Wait, what......?”

“I’ll be able to show off to everyone. Only two other girls have ever spent a night in this room. So I’ll be your third woman.”

“But, uh, you’re a second year. How can you stay in the first year dorms?”

That wasn’t my actual problem with it, but it was all I could come up with in my confusion.

“Executive privilege.”

Oh no. She had to go straight to the top, didn’t she.

What’s wrong with her? Is the student council even working right?

“Your reactions are so adorable.” As Tatenashi grinned, she snapped open her fan. On it was written ‘Sic transit gloria mundi.’

Um, I’m pretty sure you’re the sick one.

“Anyway! Put on some clothes!”

I didn’t want to look directly at her while she was dressed like that, so my eyes darted around the room as I spoke. Tatenashi laughed as she spun around, revealing...

“Huh?!”

“Too bad! It’s just a swimsuit!”

“.........”

“Tee-hee. Disappointed, aren’t you?”

“Of course not!”

I think, at least.

“This is just my revenge for not getting to show it off this summer.”

Revenge on who exactly? And that may be a swimsuit, but wow, it’s not much of one... Ugh, no! I shook off the instinct to get at much of an eyeful as I could.

“Oh dear. Are you blushing?”

“N-No...”

Tatenashi, still posing with her butt poked out of her apron to show off her swimsuit, grinned. I knew I had to be; between her calling me out on it, and just having a girl in a swimsuit in front of me to begin with, there was no way I wasn’t. She doesn’t have to actually say it, though... My face just turned redder, and I began to seriously try to figure out how to get her out of my room.

After a few seconds, though, I gave up in resignation, realizing her things were already here. She didn’t just have a few boxes piled up, she’d already unpacked everything. There was no way to argue with that.

“Haaaah...” I gave a deep sigh, as if my soul itself was flowing out of me.

◇

“This is it!” Houki strode through the halls of the first year dorms. In her hands was a wrapped box, and as she walked, she occasionally looked down at it and smiled. “This is the day!”

The first meal she’d cooked this month had come out great. So good, in fact, that the thought of Ichika’s reaction as they shared it spurred her into a near-jog. He always used to like this. It was her mother’s own inarizushi recipe. The tofu skins were just a little on the thick side, and stewed low and slow until intensely flavorful, with the rice perfectly seasoned. The intensity of the rich dark soy sauce and the brightness of the vinegared rice meant that little Ichika couldn’t resist stuffing his face with them after practice.

He’s changed, though... The Ichika in her memories was still a boy. But now, while shades of that remained, he was growing to become a calm and reliable adult. In truth, getting closer and closer to her type of man.

Hmm. I should try to grow into more of a woman, too. I don’t know what kind of woman he likes, but it can’t hurt to be a bit traditional. As Houki thought to herself, she embraced her excitement.

Ichika had a terrible time at practice today, he needs something to cheer him up. Yeah. That’s it! That was a perfect reason to be alone with him. So perfect, Houki forgot about its one potential downfall: another girl thinking the same thing. Almost running, she was at Ichika’s door in no time at all. I just need to calm myself down... After clearing her throat, she knocked on his door. Knock, knock.

“.........”

Huh, why isn’t he answering? Houki decided that she must have been too quiet, so she proceeded to knock a bit harder.

“W-Who is it?”

“It’s me. I brought snacks.”

“Ugh, Houki?!”

Ugh? Did he just say ugh?! She wasn’t exactly pleased at the phrasing. But there was no point in ruining the whole meal over it, so she pressed on, “Can I come in?”

“Uh... Sorry. Not right now.”

That was enough to set Houki off. In anger, she pushed against the door. But it wouldn’t open. Ichika must have been holding it shut from inside.

“Ichika...”

“Listen, I’m sorry. Maybe later? But please, not right now.”

Just as Houki really began to notice the tension in Ichika’s voice, she heard a girl in there with him, “What are you doing, Ichika? Oh, I know. You’re trying to not get caught cheating, right?”

“......!” Houki didn’t recognize the voice, but that didn’t matter. If Ichika was doing that, it was time to materialize Akatsubaki and slice through the door with a katana.

“Whoa!”

“Ichika, you...!”

“Hey! I can explain! This isn’t what it looks like!”

“Then what is it?! Sit right down over there!”

In contrast to Houki’s rage, Tatenashi was completely calm, “Calm down. I was just joking.”

“.........”

Houki’s problem wasn’t the joke. It was Tatenashi’s outfit. From the front, it looked like she wore nothing at all but the apron, and Houki raised her blade in response.

“ICHIKA!”

“Why me?! Why me again?!”

Ichika barely managed to dodge the slashes, and slowly but surely he was forced back to the wall.

“Bringing a girl back to your room, and engaging in who knows what sort of lewdness... You should be ashamed of yourself!”

Her katana whooshed through the air as it swung downwards. Ichika had already accepted his death, but Tatenashi suddenly stepped between them.

“Oh my. You’re quite the impulsive one.”

Clang! The blade stopped midair, intercepted by a massive lance which materialized in Tatenashi’s right hand.

“......?!”

“Sorry! But it’d be a little inconvenient for me right now if Ichika turned into Ichicorpse.”

As carefree as she sounded, there was absolutely no slack in her movements.

The lance spun around, parrying the katana, then slipping over it and pressing it down before slapping it upward again.

“Wh—?!”

Houki was at a loss for words as Tatenashi nimbly twisted her katana from her hands. It spun through the air before embedding itself in the wall.

“That’s that, then.”

“Grr...”

Just as Laura had, Houki dematerialized her IS and submitted. Tatenashi’s face wore a smug grin of superiority, over Houki and Ichika alike.

◇

“Oh, I see. You put as much energy into everything else as you do into martial arts, don’t you? So you’re a good cook, too.”

“I don’t think I’m that good at it...”

“There’s no reason to be so humble about it. Ah... The inarizushi really are great. Aren’t they, Ichika?”

“Yeah. They’re delicious.”

After Tatenashi made it very clear to Houki where she stood, she changed back into her uniform and ate with us. They inarizushi were almost exactly like her mother’s that I remembered from the dojo as a kid, but it wasn’t just the nostalgia speaking—they honestly tasted really good.

“.........”

“.........”

Houki’s withering glare made it hard to actually eat, though. She may have come to terms with Tatenashi, but she was still barely holding back her anger at me. What did I even do wrong?

“Oh? Aren’t you two hungry? I guess that means more for me.” Tatenashi quickly scarfed down the remaining inarizushi. “Mmm. That was good.”

She licked her fingertips before clasping her hands together and bowing her head. It carried enough unexpected gravitas that Houki and I reflexively bowed in response.

“Anyway, Houki, since you’re here, let me explain something to you.”

“To... Me?”

“Yes, to you. About the Akatsubaki.” Houki’s expression steeled instantly, and naturally Tatenashi continued without skipping a beat. “I’ve heard you can’t activate its one-off ability, Kenran Butou.”

“Well...”

Houki glared at me, as if to scream “Did you tell her?” with her eyes. I shook my head from side to side. Houki’s Akatsubaki hadn’t been able to use it a second time since it first managed to appear. During practice, she’d tried over and over to get it to work, but it just didn’t respond at all. It showed up in the data, though, so we had no idea what the problem was.

“To put it simply, one-off abilities won’t activate if the pilot’s mental state isn’t completely synchronized with the IS. Do you remember the time you were able to use it?”

“Yeah...”

“So if you can feel like you did then, your IS should respond.”

“I-I see...”

For some reason, Houki was looking down in embarrassment. Hmm? What’s up with her? Why was she darting her eyes in my direction?

“Just as an aside, the Akatsubaki’s ability to amplify energy is a parallel to the Byakushiki’s ability to nullify it. It can even set up an energy bypass to transfer it to others. It’s clear that Professor Tabane put a lot of work into it. It’s a great IS.”

“Umm... Can it be used with anything other than Ichika’s Byakushiki?”

“I suppose? It’s not really something I can make a useful guess about. You should just give it a try.”

“I see.”

Houki’s eyes flitted to me again. Huh? Why? Is she worried about offending me? As that light bulb went on over my head, I rested my hand on her shoulder and spoke, “Don’t worry about it, Houki. It’s more useful if you can use it on anyone, right?”

“I guess...”

For some reason, she looked disappointed. What did I do now?

“I’ve also noticed you have a bypass set up with Charlotte, Ichika. I was shocked when I saw it. Normally, setting one up requires a really difficult degree of synchronization with the IS core. I’m amazed that she managed to do that in combat.”

“Yeah. Charl’s a really good pilot. Plus, she’s good with her hands, and she gets along with everyone.”

“.........”

Smack!

“Oww! Why’d you do that, Houki?”

“Hmph!”

For some reason, Houki had angrily kicked my foot as hard as she could. What had gotten into her?

“So it’s complicated between you two, eh?”

“Huh?”

“There’s nothing complicated about it... Ichika is just a moron.”

Moron? What do you mean, moron? We may have known each other forever, but that’s still— Owww!

“Houki! Don’t pinch me!”

“Shut up.” She glared at me, her eyes gleaming. Ugh, that was scary.

“Yes, yes. We know you two are close already, so let’s move on to something else. But... perhaps some tea first?”

“Sure, I’ll make some.”

“Oh? Thank you, Ichika.”

The longer I was trapped in there with Houki, the more vicious her attacks were becoming, so I took refuge in the kitchen area while I made the tea.

Houki’s moods have been wild lately. As I heated the water, I thought about how she’d been lately. She’d started going to the kendo club, and made new friends. She was getting along better with Rin and Charl, which was good. But the reason she was here was to learn to pilot an IS, and that she was having trouble with and couldn’t bring herself to accept help.

Oh, the water’s ready. I scattered the leaves into the teapot, and as I waited for them to unfurl, I pulled out two extra mugs and warmed them. When both tasks were done, I placed them on a tray and gingerly carried them back over to the others.

“Oh, really? That’s, uh... Ahahah. That’s interesting.”

“Isn’t it. Haha.”

Hmm? It seemed like they were already getting along well. While I was gone they’d started up a private conversation. I really didn’t understand how girls could do that.

“What took you so long, Ichika?”

“Oh, I have some maple leaf manju as a souvenir. You two can help yourselves.”

Both were all smiles for whatever reason. Tatenashi’s the type who can twist anyone, man or woman, around her finger. The phrase ‘con artist’ came to mind. It’d been a nickname for Toyotomi Hideyoshi, of all people, but right now it felt like a perfect one for Tatenashi. That’s not a very cute nickname for a girl... But if it the shoe fits, wear it, I guess. It’s that or ‘Cheshire cat’ or ‘female Tora-san.’ Well, I guess not quite the last one, he may have been charming but he was too earnest for his own good.

“Men. Can you believe he’s just sitting there staring at me?” Tatenashi tapped the manju box for emphasis.

“Er, um...”

“Hm? You’re not going to claim you weren’t, are you, Ichika?”

“D-Did... you just come back from vacation?”

“Oh, trying to change the subject? What do you think about that, Houki?”

“I think he should man up.”

Ugh. It wasn’t fair getting teamed up on like that. They could take me down in the blink of an eye.

“Anyway! Tea’s ready!”

“Hahaha. He’s getting flustered now.”

“Indeed, we’ve had our fun. That’s enough for now.”

“I suppose. You’re too kind to him, Houki.”

The girls were laughing it up. Meanwhile, I was on a bed of needles.

“Anyway, to answer your question. I didn’t go anywhere. An acquaintance of mine at the labs said that maple leaf manju were a great souvenir, so I’ve stocked up.”

“The labs?”

“The development team for my IS.”

“You have your own IS?”

“Of course. I mean, I am the strongest one at IS Academy.”

Houki and I both tensed up a little. Tatenashi was the strongest student here even without using an IS, so her tactics with one must really be even wilder.

“Hmm. I’ll have to show you sometime. I’m actually quite a good teacher.”

“Really?!”

Houki was excited by the prospect. As for myself... Well, I’d already accepted her coaching.

“Of course. It’s my duty to take good care of my adorable little underclassmen.”

“I see. Thanks!”

“Just, one at a time, okay? Not both at once. It makes it too hard to focus.”

“Okay...” Houki was obviously disappointed by that, but acquiesced. Their scrap earlier had made the gap in their capabilities very clear. Apparently, though, she still considered it more useful than training alone.

“Anyway, um. There’s something I’ve been wondering for a little bit.” Houki took a sip of tea to steady her nerves, then gestured around the room. “Aren’t these your things?”

“Yes. I’ll be staying here for a while.”

“What?!”

Houki shot to her feet. There was nothing at all I could say to make the situation better, so I stayed quiet, even as I regretted my own gutlessness. Ugh...

“Why?!”

“Well. Since I’ll be coaching Ichika, we need to be on the same page. Eat the same meals. Get the same sleep. And I need to be able to keep an eye on him constantly.”

“Keep an eye on me...” What am I, Tatenashi? Your pet?

“Then I’ll stay here too!” Somehow I expected Houki to say that.

“Hmm. No can do.”

“Why not?!”

“This is a two-person room.”

“Ugh...” She couldn’t argue with that.

“Don’t worry. I’ll keep my hands off him.”

“If... If you say so...”

“I can’t guarantee he’ll keep his hands off me, though~”

“What?! Ichika, you—”

“Wa-Wait! Wait! I didn’t even say anything! C’mon, Tatenashi! Stop provoking her! When she gets mad, she gets violent!”

“Oh, you noticed? I’m sorry, Houki. That was a little mean of me. Tee-hee.”

“I... Okay...”

Seeing that innocent grin, Houki relaxed and sat back down. The corner of Tatenashi’s mouth curled up as she watched. She really is a con artist... And this began our tumultuous life together.

◇

Example one.

“Heyyyy, Ichika!”

“Wha— Whoa!”

Tatenashi called me back into the room as I was brushing my teeth before bed. When I walked back through the door, she was lying on her bed with her feet kicked up in the air. Not that there was anything wrong with that. The problem was that she wasn’t wearing anything but a white shirt and underwear.

Wait, I can see her... The curves of Tatenashi’s hips were accentuated by her slender waist. They were covered—barely—by light purple panties, and as I realized just how much I could see, I retreated back into the bathroom.

“Huh? What’s wrong, Ichika?”

“Y-You know what! Put some clothes on!”

“But I have clothes on.”

“Pants too!”

“Aww...”

I could hear her footsteps from outside the door. Oh no! She’s getting closer!

“That’s funny, the door won’t open.”

“Well, of course it won’t. I’m holding it shut.”

“If you don’t open up, the hinges are going to crack.”

“Huh?” With the bright sound of metal snapping, the door collapsed in on me. Oomph!

“Jump!” The door leaned inward diagonally, with Tatenashi’s full weight on top of it. Ugh. “See? I’m not that heavy. I have a good figure, and I work out every day.”

“Listen, if you’re gonna toot your own horn, at least be rig—”

“Punch!”

The base of her palm struck firmly against the opposite side of the door that was pressed against my face. The shock knocked me to the floor, and she seized the opportunity to step into the bathroom. From bottom up, it was the floor, then me, then the door, then her. Man, this sucked.

“Why don’t you just stop arguing with me and let me try one of those massages I’ve heard so much about?”

“Eh?!”

“I bet you want to know how I know, don’t you? Fufu. I always I have my ear to the ground. Besides, Cecilia apparently wouldn’t shut up about it.”

Dammit, Cecilia! Look what you’ve gotten me into! Anyway, though, there I was. Honestly, Tatenashi did have a good figure. Not just an okay one. An amazing one. You could tell she was stacked even with her uniform on. Yet her waist tucked in nice and slender. And her butt was perfect. Ugh, no! I can’t massage her! I was the problem. My brain was going all over. This wasn’t good. This couldn’t be good.

“Still don’t wanna, huh? All right, how about this?”

Tatenashi flipped the door off of me, and was immediately all over me herself.

“What are you doing?”

“Mwahahaha. Coochie-coochie-coo!”

“Wha— No, wait, stop! Ahhh!”

“Now have you changed your mind yet about that massage?”

“No! I told you! I can’t—”

“If you can still focus to argue, maybe I should do it harder.”

“Ahhhhh! Ahahahahah! St-Sto—hahahahahah!”

“So, how about that massage?”

“O-Okay! I’ll do it! I’ll do it, ahahahahaha! Just stop...”

Satisfied with that response, Tatenashi finally stopped tickling me.

“You’re a tough one, aren’t you.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Anyway, hurry up with the massage. I’m so worn out from student council.”

“But!”

“Yes, that too.”

“...Did you have to?”

“Mm-hmm. I just thought it’d be amusing. Anyway...”

“Put something on down there. Or I’m not doing it.”

“Down there? But I’m wearing panties already.”

“Panties don’t count.”

“Well, that’s no fun.”

“All right, not doing it.”

“Aww, you meanie. All right, I’ll go put some pants on.”

“Please do.”

I looked up at Tatenashi as she left the room, and she stopped for a second to protest, “They’re not panties, so it’s not embarra—”

“Yes they are.”

I didn’t care what you called them. They were obviously panties. And please stop making me look at them. It was taking everything I had just to look away.

“How about these?”

She flipped up the hem of her shirt to reveal a pair of tight-fitting bike shorts. I could see the seams of her panties through them.

“.........”

“I can see you drooling.”

“I-I am not!”

I just couldn’t deal with it right then. Honestly. That was all it was.

“Now, anyway. Time for my massage.”

“Yes, ma’am...” Tatenashi was stretched out on the bed, and I didn’t have any willpower left to argue with her. “Okay, I’m about to start.”

“Mm. Thank you. Make me even more beautiful than I already am.”

I didn’t think just a massage could accomplish that. I mean, it was a pretty high bar to start from. Hmm. It smells nice in here. The room was filled with a sweet yet fresh scent, different from either Houki or Charl’s. As my heart began to beat faster, I felt my hand wrap around something soft. Smoosh.

It’s soft. It’s so soft, and I’m still only on her legs. They weren’t just the softness of fat, though. There was well-toned muscle underneath. How should I describe it? It just felt good. Just touching it felt nice.

“Hurry up and do my butt. I’ve been sitting all day.”

“Okay...”

There was only one way out. I needed to empty my mind! Accept the state of nothingness! Steeling myself, I moved my hand up her leg. Smoosh.

“.........”

It was really soft. A nice size, too.

“Ichika.”

“Yeah?”

“You have a nosebleed.”

“Sorry...”

◇

Example two.

“And good luck on your midterms!”

Fourth period, part of the national curriculum rather than our training in IS piloting, had just ended, and the classroom was as lively as ever. These lessons were split up by native language, so there were only Japanese in the class. For once, I saw black hair across the entire room.

“Let’s get lunch, Orimura.”

“You should come with us for once.”

“Yeah. It’s no fair that everyone with their own IS just sticks together.”

I was surrounded by girls and expected to just be dragged off to the dining hall, but then...

“Pardon me.” Tatenashi stepped into the classroom, with what looked like a wrapped stack of five lunchboxes in her hand, and grinned as she walked toward me. “Why don’t we eat in a classroom for once? I think it’ll be fun.”

She dropped the stack on my desk and grabbed a chair. At the same time, she called the other girls over, and soon I was surrounded by six or so of them. At least Houki’s here. I can get her to bail me out if things go south. While I was thinking, Tatenashi opened a box. What in the world...

“Wow, this is incredible,” I heard someone whisper. We all gasped at what was inside.

The box was packed with lobster and sea scallops. These were more than just a boxed lunch.

“How on earth did you make these?!”

“Mm? Oh, I got up early.”

“That wasn’t what I meant.”

Something I’d learned about Tatenashi as I’d come to know her better was that, if asked how she could do something or anything like that, she’d always answer something like: “If they try hard enough, anyone can.” But she was obviously some kind of genius, so whoever got told that just ended up feeling lost. Just because people wish they could do what you do doesn’t mean they can...

“Ichika.”

“Eh?”

“Open wide.”

A bite of food filled my mouth. It was stuffed pepper, deftly seasoned and infused with the savory flavor of the meat. It was fine. It was wonderful. What wasn’t wonderful was the reactions of the girls around me. Their breath stopped in unison as their expressions turned steely.

“EHHH?!”

“Orimura and the prez have that going on?!”

“I’m dead! God is dead! We’re all dead! It’s all over!”

“This can’t be happening! I refuse to accept that this is happening!”

“It’s no fair! Why do you get to look so good and get the guy?”

“I thought you were ours!”

And then there was Houki, whose fingers were twitching hard enough that her chopsticks began to creak and splinter. She gave me a glare so fierce that it would kill if it could. You’re my first childhood friend! Why does it have to be like this?!

“What are you doing, Ichika?!”

“Well. Eating lunch.”

“That wasn’t what I meant!” she retorted.

“Is it tasty?” asked Tatenashi.

“Yeah, I guess.”

“I want to hear the whole thing.”

“That was delicious...”

As I shyly mumbled it, something in Houki snapped, and she leapt to her feet. Whoa! Why do you have a sword?!

“Hou-ki~”

“What?!”

“Open wide.”

Nom. A bite of food filled Houki’s mouth. As if shocked by the suddenness, she sat down and began to chew. Maybe she was just conditioned to think that eating while standing up was rude. I guess.

“Well? Is it any good?”

“Definitely. This beef stew is wonderful.”

“Oh dear. You flatter me.”

The other girls were as surprised by this turn of events as Houki and I were.

“Would everyone like to try some?”

“Well, uh—”

“S-Sure.”

“Yes, please.”

“Well, well. Looks like I’m popular today.”

Tatenashi fed the other girls with a pleased smile on her face. The food was delicious, and we were being hand-fed by the beautiful student council president. Our own expressions that lunchtime must have been indescribable.

◇

Example three.

Phew... That was exhausting... Especially the parts involving Tatenashi. For someone so playful, her training was incredibly strict. And she wasn’t angry when I failed, so I couldn’t even resent that. It just made me feel like a failure. Anyway, practice had ended, and I was taking a shower in my room before dinner.

“Hmm-hmm.”

I showered my hair, rinsed it off, then stretched my hand out of the shower, reaching for my towel. Huh? That’s funny. Where’d it go? Click.

“Hi! I’m here to wash your back!”

“Wh—?!”

Tatenashi, in a swimsuit, had suddenly opened the shower door. The deep indigo of the school swimsuit barely held in her curves. Her swelling breasts, especially, looked as if they could pop out at any—wait, I was naked!

“What are you doing?!”

“Washing your back.”

“That’s not what I meant! Don’t look at me!”

“No need to be shy. You can let it all hang out.”

“I don’t want to! And why are you trying to cram yourself into this tiny room?”

“Hmm. To be closer?”

Don’t answer in the form of a question!

“Please, just get out of here!”

“Don’t say that...”

Something pressed on my back. I tensed up as I felt her breasts rub on my back through her swimsuit.

“Ahg! No! Please, just get out of here! This is really bothering me!”

“Bzzt. You’re such a buzzkill sometimes.”

“This isn’t about— Ah!”

I felt a hand reach around me and start to trace a pattern on my chest. My voice became ragged as the sensation started to take over my mind.

“Seriously, Tatenashi! Knock it off—”

“I’ll leave after I wash your back.”

“.........” There was no resisting her. “Fine, fine. Do whatever you want.”

“Why thank you!”

You’re the one who forced me into it... Slumping forward, I let her wash my back in the tiny shower.

“Is anywhere itchy?”

“No.”

“That’s too bad.”

What kind of response was that? A sponge laden with body soap, no doubt Tatenashi’s, lathered up my back with just the right amount of pressure. How many years had it been since I’d let someone wash my back? Probably since Chifuyu did it for me when I was little.

Mmm... I forced myself to not think anymore about Chifuyu. If I did, I’d think about how we bathed together too, and that was somewhere I didn’t want to go right now.

“Your body is amazing, Ichika. You don’t just lift, you work all your muscles.”

“Thanks, I guess.”

“You used to do kendo, right? How about now?”

“Nah, I’ve been out of it for a while. Houki absolutely smashed me just recently.”

“Houki, huh. She’s a pretty impressive girl. I can really tell how hard she pushes herself. Just like me.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Aww, don’t be mean. I’m a hard worker. It definitely isn’t from talent.”

“You can keep saying that, but...”

“Hmph. If you’re not gonna believe me, then... How about this?!”

A soapy hand began to scratch at my armpit. It was even more effective than before.

“Ahahahahaha! Stop... Please, stop...”

“Tee-hee. See what you get for doubting me? Trust me instead, okay?”

“Sure! Fine! Understood! Just sto— Ahahahahah!”

“Okay. Anyway, I’m getting out, now that your back’s washed.” She stepped back briskly, rinsed the lather from herself, and opened the door. On her wait out she stopped and called out to me, “Ichika.”

“...What?”

“You’ve got a nice tight butt.”

Tatenashi left the room giggling. I couldn’t see her expression, but I’m sure it was a jaunty smirk.

“.........”

I turned down the temperature and raised the shower head above me to, quite literally, cool my head.

“That’s cold!”

Of course it was.

◇

“Ahh...”

The usual crowd looked on with wry smiles as I slumped over the table. It was dinner time in the dining hall, but I wasn’t hungry at all. Tatenashi had been running me ragged for the past few days, and I was exhausted.

“You’re really working yourself hard, Ichika.”

“Oh... Charl...”

“Would you like some tea? If you’re not going to eat, you should at least drink.”

“Oh... Thanks.”

I lifted up my head to manage at least a sip. Everyone was enjoying their varied dinners. But I wasn’t hungry at all... If I kept this up, it was going to kill me. Probably by starvation.

“So, where is that woman?”

Laura was a little bit prickly. Ever since she lost against Tatenashi, she’d been on edge. Her failed attempts to sneak into my room just worsened her mood further. I was kind of grateful to Tatenashi for that, at least, but... Nothing good can come of Laura being this moody. I slowly thought it over, in my haze. The tea Charl gave me was warm and relaxing.

“Ichika. I asked you, where is that woman?”

“Hm? She said she had student council stuff to do.”

“Yeah... There’s a ton of paperwork piled up,” came a relaxed drawl. I slowly turned toward the direction it came from, and sure enough, it was Miss Casual. C’mon, you’re the student council secretary. You should be helping out with that.

“You know, if I’m there, she ends up with even more to do. So I figured I’d get out from underfoot, kind of,” she continued.

“Don’t talk yourself down like that.”

I was kind of worried about the student council, if that’s how its upper echelons worked. Anyway, though, I was curious about what she’d picked for dinner, and it turned out to be ochazuke. Ochazuke with a big filet of salmon perched like on top. That was a bit showy for someone like her.

“So, how do you like ochazuke? With green tea? A nice rich black tea? Personally, I like oolong.” She sat down in an empty seat and struck up a conversation. As she spoke, her chopsticks moved quickly, mixing up the bowl. “Oh, and I like to add this.”

“This?”

“An egg.”

Plop. Did she really just put an egg in?

“Mix, mix, mix...” There was a warm smile of anticipation on Miss Casual’s face as the dish turned even gluier. I definitely wasn’t hungry after that. “Here I go. Schlurrrrp...”

“Umm. You don’t have to make that much noise when you eat.”

“Aww, yeah I do! You’re supposed to slurp!”

“That’s for soba noodles!”

“Okay, okay, I’ll try. Sluuurp.”

Sigh. At least it was a little quieter. Anyway, what was I thinking about again?

“Ahem. Ichika?”

“Huh? What is it, Cecilia? Why so formal?”

“If you can no longer bear to be in that room, I simply must offer, as a matter of both honor and mercy, my own instead.”

Oh, the room with one big bed and very little else.

“Hey, wait, Cecilia! Hold it right there. Ichika, you should come to my room. I have playing cards!” said Rin, a bit too excitedly.

“What do you think I am, an elementary schooler?”

“I have rock candy too.”

“A preschooler, then?!”

It just got worse and worse. Rin, sometimes I really don’t get you.

“How about popcorn, then?”

“A pigeon?!”

Just... whatever. All this was doing was wearing me out even more.

“I’m going back to my room.”

Glumly, I stood up and walked out of the cafeteria. At least I could get a nap in before Tatenashi gets back, I thought. I turned the doorknob, looking forward to that faint solace.

“Welcome back. Would you like a bath? Dinner? Or maybe... Me?”

Two seconds after I turned the knob, I heard Tatenashi. The sheer dejection made me crumple to my knees.