Chapter III: Glass-Clear Chord of Cinderellas’ Slippers
Chapter III: Glass-Clear Chord of Cinderellas’ Slippers
Finally, it was the day of the school festival. It wasn’t open to the public, so there wouldn’t be fireworks or anything, but emotionally everyone there was about to explode.
“Seriously? Class 1’s having Ichika as a host?”
“He’ll be in a butler’s tuxedo and everything!”
“And I heard you get to play a game with him.”
“If you win, you get a photo with him! Just him and you! There’s no way I’m gonna miss that!”
Class 1-A’s ‘Servant Café’ was packed as soon as it opened. I’m the only one really getting worked hard, though. Everyone else is just having fun.
“Welcome! Right this way, madam.”
The happiest was probably Charl, wearing a maid’s uniform, who’d had a wide grin on her face all day. Probably because I told her it looked good on her. I didn’t expect her to get that pumped up about it though. The hosts and hostesses—that is, the group in cosplay—were me, Charl, Cecilia, and unexpectedly, Houki and Laura. I guess Laura makes sense since it was her idea, but I’m surprised Houki gave in. I never would have expected it in a million years. She looks so sour as she leads people in. Especially when they ask how long the line is for me. Is she getting enough calcium? Anyway, uhh...
Watching them all work in their maid uniforms was really getting me excited in a way I couldn’t quite pin down. Dan always used to say: “Maid uniforms, school swimsuits, and bloomers! If those don’t turn you on, turn in your man card!” Perhaps there was some validity to that. Maybe. Hmm. Anyway, the rest of the class was split into two groups. One was cooking, and the other was taking care of everything else. They were kept busy with stuff like getting ingredients when we ran out and bussing tables. The hardest of their tasks, though, was dealing with the huge line that had formed in the hallway.
“I’ve been waiting two hours already!”
“Don’t worry. We’ll be open for the whole school festival.”
Dealing with all the complaints—most of which seemed to be about the wait time—looked like hard work. The line’s already pretty long. Are we gonna make it through the day? As I pondered it, I looked out past them to the hall.
“I’m the end of the line.”
“What games do they do?”
“It looks like rock-paper-scissors, Concentration, and darts. So if you’re not good at any one of them, you can pick something you’re better at.”
“We’re still waiting?”
The hall outside the first year classrooms was a lake, a sea, an ocean of people. I could only imagine the trepidation everyone else in the class felt looking out at it.
“Look! There’s Orimura!”
Dammit! They saw me! As soon as I realized it, the crew handling the line moved to shoo me back into the classroom.
“We told you, no leaving!”
“Look at the mess you’re making!”
“Everyone needs to get their chance.”
Huh? Just how many people was ‘everyone’?
“Don’t worry about it, just get back in there!”
I couldn’t argue with that. So I didn’t.
“You, there, butler. Show me to my table.”
That sounds like— I knew that harsh tone. I knew that just-a-little-bitchy word choice. I turned around, and sure enough, it was Rin, but...
“What are you staring at?”
It was Rin in a qipao. The traditional dress was sewn from a single piece of cloth, cut to a skirt, with slits which rose daringly high. On its crimson fabric, a dragon sprawled forth. Its seams and hems were painstakingly detailed in gold.
“Seriously, stop it! It’s just because my class is doing a Chinese-style café!”
“Oh? You have dim sum?”
“They made me be the waitress, and I don’t even get to do anything because everyone’s coming here!” My second childhood friend was a bit resentful.
“Really? Oh, hey. That’s not your normal hairstyle. What do you call those buns?”
“Ugh, they’re called chignon.”
“Yeah, those. They look good on you.”
“Uh. Well, I mean, they are the traditional Chinese style.”
Huh? Why couldn’t she take a compliment?
“Anyway! Show me to my table!”
“Sure, sure. Right this way, madam.”
“Mada—?!”
“All of our customers are called that.”
“Hmph! I guess if they’re making you call people that, you have to. As long as they’re making you do it.”
What’s that supposed to mean? It was a bit naive of a question, but I thought it over as I lead Rin to an empty table. The furniture, by the way, was far beyond what you’d expect for a school festival. Cecilia had supplied it, and I especially had to wonder just how much tables and chairs cost. And the tea sets, too. I could see the cooks trying their hardest not to slip.
“So, madam. What will your order be?”
“Well...”
Rin squirmed in her seat, apparently unused to such fancy furniture. After settling down, she turned her attention to the menu. Of course, it’s impolite to force our customers to hold the menu themselves, so it fell to us to hold it for them. It was a little bit scary how quickly I got used to it...
“What’s the ‘Reward for the Butler’ meal?”
“Um... May I interest you in one of our cakes?”
“Don’t change the subject.”
“My apologies.”
“Stop being so stiff. It feels creepy.”
“Wha— Who are you calling creepy?! This is what butlers do!”
“A butler? Then I’ll take the ‘Reward for the Butler’ meal.”
“Well, uh... Perhaps you’d like to try the ‘Reward for the Maid’ meal?”
“Ichika. This meal involves you, doesn’t it.”
I nervously hiccuped and replied, “You have such a wit, my lady.”
“If you’re going to be that subservient, then actually listen to what I say! I want the ‘Reward for the Butler’ meal.”
I couldn’t say no to those upturned eyes for a third time. I had to go along with it. Though she seemed to be pretty embarrassed by it, too. Was it just because of the name? C’mon, Rin. There’s far worse. You haven’t even gotten to things like the ‘Song of a Nightingale by the Lake’ or ‘Echoes of Romance in the Deep Forest.’ Ugh, just repeating those back made me feel weird.
“One ‘Reward for the Butler’ meal, then. It will be just a moment.”
I bowed deeply, from the hips, and stepped away from the madam—from Rin. There was no need for me to carry the order to the kitchen, though. I was wearing a lapel mic disguised as a brooch. That’s the kind of thing only a woman would think of.
“Here you go.”
Reaching the kitchen, I was handed the ‘Reward for the Butler’ meal. It was an iced herbal tea and a package of Pocky, for only 300 yen. Our customers’ smiles were a greater treasure than any gold. Yet still, I was filled with trepidation as I made my way back to the table where the girl in the qipao awaited.
“My apologies for the wait, madam.”
“Mm. I suppose I can forgive it, once or twice.”
Jeez. Getting a bit too into the role, there. And still not quite nailing it.
“Now, if you’ll pardon me.”
“Eh?”
I sat facing Rin across the table for two. Me in my tuxedo, her in her qipao... was how the scene was set.
“Why are you sitting down? Oh well, it doesn’t matter.”
“Allow me to explain.”
“Oh? As you will.”
“Ugh! I can’t do this! Rin, can we just talk normally?”
“Ahahah. You were talking a bit funny there. Very well.”
Oh, like you weren’t?
“What is this meal? It looks like just a snack and a drink.”
“The thing with it is, you’re allowed to feed me.”
“What?”
“That’s why it’s ‘for the butler.’”
Rin blinked, and her cheeks flushed bright red. After a moment she stuttered out, “S-So what is this? I have to pay to feed you?”
“Unfortunately, we don’t take cancellations. That’s why I wasn’t so hot on it.”
“No, just, um... Since I ordered it...” Her voice sank into a mumble.
“What’s wrong, Rin? It’s up to you. You don’t have to feed me if you don’t want to. I can just leave.”
“Eh? No, that’d be a waste! Just this once, I suppose I’ll give you your reward.”
Huh? It’s not like I was that excited about it, either. Rin picked up a stick of Pocky and pointed it at me. As she looked off to the side she said, “Here’s your reward. Say ‘ahh.’”
“Don’t look away like that, all the other girls are looking. If you’re too embarrassed, we don’t have to go through with this.”
“I-I’ll do it! I said I’d do it! Jeez! Give me what I paid for!”
“Okay. You don’t have to get so angry.”
“All right. Say ‘ahh.’”
“Ahh.”
The sound of it snapping as I bit down echoed in my mouth. It was served in a chilled parfait glass, so rather than melting immediately, the chocolate stayed as a light film between my tongue and the pretzel. Only a few seconds later did it fill my palate.
“All right, now that I’ve fed you, it’s my—”
“My apologies, madam, but we do not offer that service.” Houki, in a maid’s uniform, interrupted Rin halfway through her sentence. The expression on her face was terrifying.
“Yeah, you’re right. Fine...”
“.........”
“C’mon, Houki. That’s enough. Table 3 has an order ready for you.”
“I know.” She spun away with a snort.
“I wonder what she’s so angry about?”
“Beats me.”
Rin was nibbling away at her Pocky with a blush on her face. The downward tilt of her head made her look like a squirrel. It was cute.
“Rin.”
“Huh?”
“You look cute like that.”
Phbbbbt! A jet of iced tea came out of her mouth, and she started coughing heavily.
“Hey, are you okay?”
“Where’d that come from all of a sudden?”
“Oh, just when you were eating the Pocky.”
“You think that was cute?”
“Yeah. You looked like a squirrel.”
“A squirrel— You idiot!”
A karate chop bounced off the crown of my skull. Oww, that hurt.
“W-What are you doing?!”
“That’s what I was about to ask you!”
We each stood up with a clatter. Suddenly, a fan cut through the air between us. It snapped open to reveal the word ‘carnage.’ There was no mistaking it, this absolutely had to be...
“That’s enough of a commotion. You wouldn’t want to disturb the other customers, would you?”
“Wh—?! Sarashiki? Why are you dressed like that?”
Surprisingly, she was in a maid’s uniform too. Did she borrow that from us or something? It was exactly the same design as my class’s.
“It’s Tatenashi.”
“Huh?”
“I told you, call me Tatenashi.”
“Okay, Tatenashi.”
“Perfect.” She smoothly flipped her fan back toward herself and snapped it shut, as if she were a rakugo comedian or a traditional dance master. “Anyway, I suppose I’ll have some tea as well.”
“Wait, you aren’t working here?”
“Nope.”
“Then why are you dressed—oh, never mind.”
Just as I let out what definitely wasn’t my first sigh of the day, a girl who looked like she’d be even more trouble than most rushed toward us.
“Hi, I’m from the newspaper club! I’m here to get photos of Orimura in a tux.”
It was Mayuzumi Kaoruko, the newspaper club’s most active member. She was always taking pictures of me, so I’d come to recognize her.
“Oh, hi, Kaoruko! What’s up?”
“Oh! It’s Tat! You look great in that uniform. Can I get a shot of you with Orimura?” Her thumb was already drifting toward the shutter release, and Tatenashi was already giving a V-sign and a grin. Was everyone in the second year this enthusiastic?
“...I think I’m done here.”
“What, Rin? Finished already?”
“I have to go work at my own class’s café.”
“I see. Oh, right. I might end up there later.”
“Mm-hm. Well, we could certainly use the business.”
“Sure.”
As they spoke, I could see Kaoruko’s ideas of the proper composition change as quickly as the fall weather.
“You know, I need to get a girl in the picture too.”
“Didn’t you already get one with me?”
“Well, yeah, but you’re just overpowering, you know? Maybe if we get everyone involved it’ll work.”
“Oh, that sounds good. I’ll go help out while you do that.”
“Okay, sounds good. All right, can I get all of the maids?”
I’m really not sure about this thing where they don’t even bother asking me. Anyway, with that, the photo shoot started.
First was Cecilia.
“Smile, Ichika.”
“Like this?”
“You look so awkward. That simply won’t do at all.”
“I think you’re enjoying this enough for the both of us.”
“Oh, really?” she giggled.
“C’mon. You don’t have to take my arm.”
“Well, why not? There’s nothing wrong with it.”
I hope I’m just imagining those stabbing glares from the others.
Second, Laura.
“Well, you know. You’re a lot taller than I am, Ichika.”
“Huh. Yeah, I guess that’s true.”
“So you can go ahead and do it.”
“Eh? Do what?”
“You can pick me up.”
“Uhh...”
“Just for the photo, though, okay? Don’t get any funny ideas!”
“Calm down, calm down.”
“I am perfectly calm!”
That’s a complete and total lie.
Third, Charl.
“Hey, uh, Ichika. What do you think of this outfit? I look weird in it, don’t I?”
“Nah, you’re fine. I think it looks perfect on you.”
“Really? You don’t think a tux works better?”
“I think the maid’s uniform is best. You’re adorable in that skirt.”
“A-Adorable...”
“Yeah.”
“Really? Adorable?” Charl giggled.
She’s smiling even wider now.
Fourth, Houki.
“.........”
“What’s wrong, Houki? Let’s get this out of the way.”
“I really didn’t want to have any pictures of me dressed like this.”
“Why not? I think it looks perfect on you.”
“It does not! It’s not like me at all! You’re just—”
“Okay, okay, fine. We’re busy, so let’s just get this over with.”
“D-Don’t hold my hand!”
“You don’t need to be that angry about it.”
“Good grief, you’re so annoying.”
And with that, the maid and butler photoshoot was over. Kaoruko’s satisfaction was obvious as she looked at the previews on her camera.
“Whew. You guys came out great. It was fun photographing you, too.”
“Kaoruko, can you cover the student council later too?”
“Of course! Leave it to me!” She pounded her chest as she answered. For a girl in a cultural club, she sure reacted like someone on a sports team a lot.
“Oh, right, Ichika. Since I’m here to help out, why don’t you take a break and look around the school?”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course. Special favor, just for you.”
“But won’t everyone else be mad at me if I disappear?”
“It’s fine. I’ll cover for you.”
Hmm. Tatenashi was pretty popular, so maybe the customers wouldn’t mind. I decided to accept the favor.
“Thanks, then.”
“Yeah. Have fun.”
I took off my tuxedo jacket and walked out of the classroom. The line still snaked up and down the hall, but with Tatenashi around, at least it was clearing faster.
“Oh, there’s Orimura!”
“Where are you going? Taking a break?”
“Yeah, pretty much.” I made for the front door as I answered.
“Do you have a moment?” came a voice from the stairway landing.
“Yeah?”
“Sorry to bother you. Here, this is me.” A woman in a suit quickly handed me her business card.
“Hmm... Makigami Reiko? Public relations manager for the IS equipment developer Mitsurugi?”
She was a beautiful woman with luxuriant hair. A smile had been plastered across her face since she called out to me. She was definitely a businesswoman.
“Yes. And we’d love to see you using some of our equipment.”
Ugh... This again...
There was no end to the list of companies who wanted to see their gear in action on Byakushiki. I’d actually wasted more than half my summer vacation just dealing with them. Really, what they were after was having their gear used by the only man in the world who could pilot an IS. It’d probably be incredibly effective marketing. Especially because Kuramochi Engineering, the developers of Byakushiki, hadn’t produced any equipment, I was buried in proposals from around the world.
But, you know, the thing was. Byakushiki wasn’t interested, and I couldn’t change that. Equipment needed expansion slots open to install it. But even beyond that, the core had its own ‘tastes,’ and that was what determined whether it would accept gear. And Byakushiki didn’t do ranged weapons. It didn’t like shields either. In fact, it wasn’t interested in anything but the Yukihira Nigata. On the other hand, picking up a gun and controlling it manually during my fight with Laura was enough to get it to evolve into Setsura, which can do ranged attacks, melee, and defense... So it was all up in the air, really.
“Well, um, uh... Listen, I think I should talk with the school first, if you don’t mind.”
“Oh, don’t worry about that!” This lady in a suit—Makigami, was her name?—was a lot more aggressive than her looks let on. She reached out and grabbed my arm so I couldn’t get away. “How about bolt-on armor, or additional thrusters? If you agree, we’ll throw in a hip-mounted blade!”
“Well, um... Are you— Actually, I was just on my way to meet up with someone, so sorry, but maybe some other time!”
“Ah—!”
While she was fishing through her bag for a catalog, I slipped from her grasp and escaped. Wow, that took longer than I thought. I hurried to make my appointment.
◇
“Bwa-ha-ha.”
At the gates of IS Academy, a young man laughed while clutching a ticket in his hand. It was Ichika’s friend, Gotanda Dan.
“Finally, finally, finally! IS Academy! Babes everywhere! I finally made it!”
Let’s rewind three days. Dan was practicing the bass at their friend Mitarai Kazuma’s house.
“So, Ichika got himself a lady yet?”
“My man keeps mumbling in his sleep that he doesn’t like girls.”
“Seriously, he’s still on that shit?”
While Dan tightened the strings on his bass, Kazuma was fiddling with the knobs on his amp. The two weren’t a band, just members of the “Wish I Could Play” club. Total membership: 2.
“Oh, hey, school festivals are coming up. What’re you gonna do, Dan?”
“Me? Oh, probably the rugby club’s pie toss.”
“That’s some weird shit.”
“What about you? Doing a band or something?”
“Dude, you think I’m good enough to play in public?”
“Yeah, I hear ya. We’ve been at this a year now and we haven’t gotten anywhere.”
“No, man, really. We just suck.” They started laughing at the futility of it. “Really, though. Everyone’s always talking about how hot the girls at IS Academy are. Wish I could go there.”
“Totally. And Ichika isn’t even interested. What a dumbass.”
“Yeah, what a dumbass.”
The two cracked up laughing, then fell silent as they each began to imagine the dates they could be on.
Ring-ring. Ring-ring.
“Huh? Oh, my phone. Oh, hey! Ichika!” Dan pulled out his ringing phone and held it up to his ear.
“Yo, Dan?”
“How you doin’, Ichika? What’s going on?”
“Hey, remember when you said you wanted to come to IS Academy?”
“Do I ever. What, you find some kinda way to get me in?”
“Well, actually...”
Dan froze for two seconds, then nearly leapt up from his seat and shouted, “Bro, are you serious right now?!”
“One hundred percent. I got a ticket, and I was thinking maybe you might wanna use it.”
“You bet your ass I want that shit.”
Dan didn’t hesitate for a moment. There was absolutely no question in his mind.
“Knew it. All right, I’mma mail it over. Don’t forget it, or they won’t let you in.”
“Sure! Got it!” Dan’s enthusiasm crept into his voice. “Dude, Ichika. You’re a true bro. I love you, man.”
“Keep it in your pants.”
“Anyway, yeah! Thanks!”
“I know, I know. See you there!” Dan hung up the phone, looked up at the ceiling, and yelled, “ALL RIIIIIIIIIGHT!”
And that’s how Dan came to be at IS Academy.
It was already ten minutes after he was supposed to meet up with Ichika, but he barely noticed. Just look at all the absolute babes standing around. Dan was in his best outfit, but even without it, he would have been attracting a lot of attention as the only boy around.
“I wonder if that guy is someone’s boyfriend?”
“Probably. He looks good.”
“Really? Orimura’s more my type.”
Dan’s heart began to beat faster as he overheard the girls around him. Everyone’s looking at me... Am I going to find someone?
“You there.”
“Yeah?”
Dan stood ramrod-straight as someone called out to him. He turned to see a serious-looking girl in glasses, holding a file folder: Nohotoke Utsuho.
“Are you one of the guests today? Would you mind showing me your ticket?”
“Oh, sure.” Dan handed her the ticket, already a bit crumpled from his fidgeting.
“You were invited by... Oh. Orimura.”
“Uh, do you know him?”
“Everyone here knows him. Anyway, here you go.”
Wow, she’s hot... But cute, too! I should try to get to know her. But what should I talk about?
“So, uhh.”
“Mm? What is it?”
“Great weather today, isn’t it.”
“I suppose.”
End of conversation. Utsuho walked away, a confused look on her face as she watched Dan shrink back into self-recrimination. Ugh, I’m fuckin’ terrible at this... If Dan had had his bass in his hand, maybe he would have started playing a lament. Instead, he waited for Ichika with all the trepidation of waiting for the hangman.
◇
“Oh, hey, there you are. Hey, Dan!”
“Hey...”
Whoa, what in the world happened to him? He looks like he’s mourning the loss of a loved one or something.
“What’s wrong, man?”
“Nothing... I’m just too damn awkward...”
“Well, yeah, but why’s it bugging you now?”
“Oh don’t even fucking start!”
“Dude, chill, or you’re gonna get kicked out.”
“Ugh... Okay, okay.”
Dan, getting back to himself after whatever happened, fell in behind me.
“Let’s go see Rin. I bet she’ll be surprised to see you.”
“Rin, huh? She still such a live wire?”
“You wouldn’t believe it.”
“By the way, Ichika.”
“Huh?”
“What’s up with your outfit?”
“Uh, her class has dim sum.”
“Don’t change the subject.”
“What does it matter what I’m dressed like?”
“Okay, okay, fine.” Dan chuckled as I led him into the school.
“Want to head straight to Rin’s class?”
“Mm? Nah, we can take the long way. It’ll give me a chance to look around.”
“Okay. Honestly, I never really got the chance to either.”
We started walking side-by-side.
“Oh, there’s Orimura! Hey!”
“I’m definitely gonna drop by your class later.”
“All right! Got a candid shot of Ichika in his tux!” Everywhere we went, girls called out to me, and I was busy waving or saying something back. All through it, Dan and I kept up a quiet conversation.
“You sure are popular.”
“Nah, they just don’t ever see guys so I’m something new and exciting.”
“Really? I’m still jealous. Hey, why don’t we trade places?”
“I’m down with it if you are. But how are you gonna handle the IS training?”
“Hahaha! If I can be around this many girls, I’ll go through the fire and the flames!”
“Less fire, more gunfire.”
“...You’re right, gotta keep myself safe for the next generation.”
“Dude, you sound like a public service ad.”
“Well, I don’t want to die!”
“And you think I do?”
“I guess not. But it doesn’t always turn out how you want.”
We each sighed a little for some reason, and ended up just heading to the closest classroom, where the art club was set up.
“Art is an explosion!”
I... have a bad feeling about this.
“So as the art club, we have a bomb-disarming game!”
“Oh! There’s Orimura!”
“And he has another guy with him!”
“All right! Start disarming the bomb!” A girl wearing the armband of a club president was trying to force us into playing the game. Uh, art club. Are you sure about your president?
“Um... How did it go? Sensor wire first, I think?” I examined the wiring, then slipped in a pair of nippers. With a quick snip, I clipped the wire to the shock sensor. “There. Good, it’s not the kind that needs a jumper. Next is...”
“Ichika...”
“What?”
“They teach you that shit here?”
“Yeah.”
I thought back to my first lesson in disarming bombs, and how helpful Laura was during it. I couldn’t have asked for a better teacher than the leader of a special forces squad. It seemed like dealing with dangerous devices was a day-to-day job for her.
“...You know, on second thought, I think I’m fine in a normal high school.”
“Huh? Really?”
“Yeah...”
I didn’t really get what was going on in his head, but it seemed like Dan had given up on IS Academy. Not like it was his choice to make as long as he couldn’t operate one.
“Ooh! You’re already to the last part, Orimura!”
The last part... Namely, completely disabling the explosive. The part in the movies that always comes down to cutting the red wire or the blue wire. This game was the same way. Two cords, one red and one blue; cut the right one and it was over, but cut the wrong one and it was all over.
“Which one, Dan?”
“Why’re you asking me?”
“C’mon, it’s just a game. Pick one.”
“Um, uhh... Red or blue... Red or blue...”
Hmm. The blue wire reminded me of Cecilia’s Blue Tears. The red... Houki’s Akatsubaki.
“Dan.”
“Huh?”
“Which do you prefer, blondes or brunettes?”
“Blondes, easy!”
“All right.” I clipped the blue wire. Immediately, an alarm screamed. “Whoops. Wrong one.”
“Dude! Why’d you cut the blue one? I hadn’t even decided!”
“You said you liked blondes, right?”
“How does that mean I picked blue?”
“Because of Blue Tears.”
“What the hell are you even talking about?”
As I tried to calm down Dan, I got a lollipop as a consolation prize. A lollipop? In high school? Uh, art club. Really?
“Phew, that worked up a sweat. Let’s go get something to drink, Ichika.”
“Huh? Oh, sure. Why don’t we go see Rin?”
“Her class is doing dim sum, right? Sounds great.”
There wasn’t much left to decide after that. We climbed the stairs and headed to Class 1-B.
“Welcome~!”
“Bwah! Rin, what are you doing?!”
“What’s Dan doing here?!”
“That qipao just looks wrong on you. And why on earth— GAH!” Dan was forcefully silenced, by a flung plate.
Wow... He took it right on the nose...
“Get out of here!”
“What the hell! That hurt! Why can’t you be like the cutie I just met?”
“Like who, now?”
“Hahaha. Like I’m gonna tell you.”
“Ichika, your pet moron is broken.”
“Don’t call me a moron.”
“I mean, she’s right.”
“Don’t agree with her!”
Eventually, the rest of Class B got sick of our triumvirate of old friends squabbling. We took our seats and opened our menus.
“So?”
“So, what?”
“So how’s it going with Rin? C’mon, tell me!”
“Dude, what are you talking about? And what did you mean about the ‘cutie you just met’?”
“Man, that lady was adorable.”
“Lady? Not girl?”
“Well, I think she was older than us.”
“Oh really.”
“Don’t you know her?”
“Who?”
Sometimes I really didn’t understand him.
“Here’s your WATER!”
“Whoa! What’s gotten into you, Rin? You don’t need to slam it down.”
“Yeah.”
“Shut up, Dan, or I’m gonna slam you down.”
“Chill... Didn’t you see that TV show? You’re a cadet. It’d kill me.”
“It sure would. So you’d better watch your mouth.”
“Hahahaha. Good one.”
“I wasn’t joking. Jeez.”
We continued to chat until my phone rang.
“Hello?”
“Where are you, Ichika? All of the customers keep complaining that you’re gone. Can you hurry up and get back here?”
Charl’s frustration was beginning to show in her voice. If that was where she was at, I really had no choice.
“Sorry, I’ll be right there. I’m in the next room over, so it should be quick.”
“Okay. Thanks.” After I hung up, I told Dan and Rin that I’d be leaving.
“Get back to work, butler.”
“Yeah, you heard her.”
“Don’t need that from you, Dan.”
Somehow, this really reminded me of my middle school days. We spent so much time together then... Ah well, that was enough nostalgia. I returned to Class A’s room.
“Oh, there you are, Ichika. Good timing. They’re waiting for a game at Table 3. And can you drop this order off at Table 4 on the way?” Charl passed me a tray as I walked into the room.
“Sure. Where’d Tatenashi go?”
“She said she had student council stuff and left.”
How irresponsible...
“Anyway! It’s a mess here, so get to work!”
“Roger!”
I rushed from table to table.
“My apologies for the wait, madam.”
“Squee! It’s Orimura!”
“Let’s play a game!”
“I ordered the reward set! Sit down!”
I glanced around the room and saw that the others were popular too. Especially Laura, who was usually so unapproachable but in her maid’s uniform was getting called around the room to play games. This is pretty hard work, honestly... I’d gotten overheated as I worked, and began to roll my sleeves up.
“Ichika! No modifying your uniform.”
Houki snapped at me as she carried a tray. She was tied with Charl for second-most-popular, probably because of just how unusual the idea of her dressing as a maid was.
“Houki? Why can’t I?”
“You just can’t. You don’t wear something like that very often, so wear it right when you do.”
“What? Do you like seeing me in it?”
“What are you talking about?! I-I just want you to do your job properly!”
“I was joking.”
“What?!”
“Problem?”
“Hmph! Whatever!” Houki fluffed her skirt and stalked back toward the kitchen. I wondered what set her off.
All right! Just gotta keep at it! An hour of hard work later, I was finally done being pinballed around.
“Good job today, Orimura.”
“You too, Takatsuki.”
Takatsuki Shizune, one of the harder-working students in the class, had put in a lot of effort today.
“Why not take a break? We need to do a bunch of prep before reopening, anyway.”
“You sure?”
“An hour or so should be fine. C’mon, here’s your chance to check out the school festival with a girl.”
Just as I was about to take her up on her offer, I felt a yank on my arm. W-What was going on?
“So true! Let’s go, Ichika!” Cecilia had spun me around.
Charl, watching us, yelled for the first time in what felt like forever, “Agh! No fair, Cecilia! Ichika, bring me along too!
“W-Wait! I’ll come too, then!” Houki shoved her way in, with a terrifying look in her eyes.
“Let’s go, Ichika.” Laura was already ready to leave.
Umm... It’s gonna be a mess dragging this many people around... Wait, I know! A lightbulb went off over my head and I said, “We’ve got around ten minutes free time for each of you, so why not split it up that way?”
“So we’d each...”
“Get alone time...”
“With Ichika?”
“...Not bad.”
Cecilia, Charl, Houki, and Laura were each nodding. I couldn’t hear exactly what they were whispering to each other, but it seemed like they were down with it.
“So, who goes first?”
“Let’s do rock-paper-scissors!”
They began to play to choose their order. That was quick!
“Three!”
Three had paper. The remaining one had scissors. Charl giggled. Her smile at getting to go first matched the first scissors, now V-sign, of her fingers.
◇
“The cooking club?”
“Yeah. I heard they’re making traditional Japanese cuisine, and I’ve been wanting to learn how.”
“Makes sense. You’re a good cook.”
I’d gotten to try plenty of her lunches, and she always did a great job at bringing out the flavor of the food rather than overpowering it—which was how I liked my meals. I hope she learns it so I get to try her take on Japanese cooking.
“Mm. I’ll have to make it for you sometime.”
“Really? Thanks.” As we spoke, we made our way to the room the cooking club was using. “Wow, they really went all-out.”
They had snacks and side dishes on sale. Mountains of them. A row of plates had everything from beef stew to oden, salads, stews, and barbecue all lined up. All of them looked so good that I felt myself begin to drool.
“So this is Japanese beef stew?”
“Yeah. Making it used to be a vital skill for a housewife.”
“Huh. Why was that?”
“Boys used to get taught to pick a wife who made good stew. I’m not quite sure why.”
“A-A wife?! Hmm... I guess...”
Charl must have been surprised by my explanation, as she spent a few seconds staring at the stew. I was distracted from thinking that she must have wanted to try it by the arrival of the cooking club’s president.
“Oh, Orimura! And Dunois! I heard all about when you used to present as a guy.”
“Oh, hi.”
“Hi.”
“So, what are you two doing? On a date? Have the butler and maid snuck away for a private rendezvous? Don’t worry, I’m not jealous. I’ve got no beef with you— Get it? Beef? Like the stew?”
Ooh! I think I like this person. I was just about to make the same kind of joke, but she beat me to it, and that didn’t just open up the conversation, it put us a triple-jump closer together.
“You were about to say something silly, weren’t you, Ichika.”
How could she tell?
“Anyway, dig in! It’s free this time. As long as you let me get a picture. And maybe vote for us?”
Already playing dirty, I see.
“No, that’s fine, we’ll pay.” That’s Charl for you. Always doing the right thing.
“Anyway, um. The beef stew, right?”
“Yes, please.”
The club president ladled a bowlful from a chafing dish and handed to Charl. I ordered the same thing, and we began to eat.
“Ooh. This is...”
“This is great, Ichika.”
“Yeah, it’s great.”
It was flavorful, without being too heavy. The kind of thing people meant when they said ‘braised perfectly.’ I wished I had some rice to go with it.
“It really is good.”
“For this, we used a pressure cooker. It doesn’t just speed up the cook time, it also improves the flavor.”
Charl listened intently to the club president as we enjoyed our meal. She asked, “A pressure cooker, huh. Any other tricks I should know?”
The club president laughed, “That’s the chef’s secret. If you want to know more, you should join our club.”
“The cooking club, huh... Ichika, you like it when I cook good things, right?”
“Huh? Of course I do. It’s important to enjoy your meals.” Dining is almost its own flavor of salvation. It’s something I thought I’d read somewhere.
“Oh, I see. Yeah. Yeah, that makes sense. Ehehehe.”
For some reason, Charl was grinning as she stuffed the last of her stew into her cheeks. This really is good. I think I’ll finish mine, too.
And with that, my break with Charl was over.
◇
“You’re late!” An eyepatched maid—Laura—was already waiting for me in the hall with her arms crossed. “You’re never punctual, are you.”
“Come on. Do you want to use up all your time just complaining?”
“Well... That wouldn’t be good...”
“Hey, you wanted to see the tea ceremony club, right? Let’s get going.”
“D-Don’t hold my hand!” Laura’s face seemed a little bit red as she brushed my hand away.
“Huh? Oh, sorry.”
“Well, um... Actually... If you want to, I guess you can?”
“Huh? C’mon, let’s go.”
“.........”
Smack. A karate chop caught me under the ribs. Why...
“Hello. Come in— Oh! It’s Orimura! Can I take a picture?”
Why did people want to take pictures everywhere I went? I didn’t get it. Maybe photography was more fun than I thought.
“We’re doing trial classes in matcha. Here, this will be your tea room.”
“Ooh, tatami mats. You really went all the way with it.”
Much like the cooking club, the tea ceremony club had done amazing work with their room. I guess after how much effort people from all over the world put in just to be admitted to IS Academy, it made sense.
“Please, sit down.”
Laura and I both took off our shoes and kneeled on the tatami.
“A butler and a maid in a tea room is certainly quite the sight.”
“Hmph. What are you, so worried about clothing? A girl?”
“What, like you weren’t about to melt into the floor when Chifuyu laughed at how you looked in it?”
“Shut up! She’s a different story!”
I savored the memory of Chifuyu, who’d come to check up on the class, cracking up laughing when she saw Laura. At that moment, the hardened soldier looked more like a young conscript sent out to the front lines with a water pistol. But if I said that, she’d be mad, so I stayed quiet.
“Don’t worry about the formalities. Just enjoy.”
“Ah, thanks.”
The club president, wearing a kimono, smiled at Laura and I as she handed us teacakes. I took mine, took a bite, and savored the sweet white bean paste spreading across my tongue.
“These are good.”
“Mm...”
Laura stared, perplexed, at her teacake rather than eating it.
“Is something wrong?”
“H-How am I supposed to eat this?”
The face drawn on the teacake rabbit was adorable. Laura stared at it, squinting, and I wondered whether it was saying to her ‘Eat me!’ or ‘Let me go!’ Judging by her expression, she was leaning toward the former.
“Laura.”
“W-What?!”
“If you don’t eat it, you can’t have your tea.”
“Ugh...”
Prodded along, she came to a decision and swallowed the rabbit in a single bite. She probably didn’t want to see a half-rabbit with toothmarks.
“Mmm. Japanese sweets are delicious.”
Weren’t you just conflicted a moment ago? A look of satisfaction spread over her face as she savored the teacake.
“Here you are.”
Mugs of matcha were then placed in front of us.
“Otemae itadakimasu. Thank you.”
After bowing, we picked up our mugs, swirled them twice, and raised them to our lips. The unique bitterness of matcha filled our mouths, blending perfectly with the sweet aftertaste of the teacakes. The tea left a clean, refreshed feeling in my throat, and both Laura and I let out sighs of satisfaction after drinking.
“Kekkou na otemae de. That was exquisite.”
Repeating the standard words of the ceremony, we bowed again. Normally, we would have spent some time contemplating the empty mugs, but the point of this was less the full ceremony and more just enjoying the tea.
“You’re welcome back anytime.” With that, the club president saw us out of the room.
“That was really good.”
“Mm. Yes, it was. Japanese culture is fascinating.”
“If you’re so fascinated by it, why don’t you try Japanese clothing?”
“Japanese clothing, huh. That’s right, I don’t think I’ve done that.”
I imagined Laura in Japanese clothing. Her flowing silver hair tied up in the traditional manner as she was wrapped in a kimono... Seemed like it would look good on her.
“Would you like to see it?”
“I guess. At least once, to see how it looks on you.”
“Oh!” A rare smile glittered from Laura’s face. When she realized what she looked like, she suddenly spun away from me.
“Well, at least if you ever get the chance.”
“Sure.”
That concluded my break with Laura.
◇
“Hey, Cecilia, you play the violin, right?”
“Yes. The piano somewhat, as well.”
“I’m amazed. I wish I could do that, but I couldn’t even learn kendo.”
“Then—”
Cecilia tugged my arm. She was pointing to a classroom with a sign reading ‘Brass Band - Try an Instrument’ over its door.
“Why not give it a try? Why, I could even help you in your lessons!”
“Do you think we have time? I don’t know how to read music.”
“Music comes from the heart, not from a sheet of paper!”
That was a good line.
“Shall we go, then?”
“Hey, hey, you don’t have to pull me that hard!”
As we opened the door, we saw the leader, apparently having given up for the day, maintaining an instrument in the center of the room. She worked a valve up and down repeatedly, as if trying to ensure it was fully greased.
“Um...”
It felt bad to distract her. As I thought that, though, the brass band leader noticed we were there and her face peeked up, “Ooh! Ooh! Our sixth visitor today! Right this way! Wait, is that you, Orimura? Can I take a picture?”
“Go right ahead.”
“All right!”
Her phone sounded out merrily as she snapped the shutter, and she stared at the screen grinning for a few moments before Cecilia cleared her throat, “So! Which instruments may we try?”
“Hmm. Anything we’ve got! I’d recommend the French horn. I love the shape of it, how it coils back in on itself.”
“C-Coils?”
“Anyway, Ichika, go right ahead!”
She fitted a mouthpiece to the horn she’d been tuning, and handed it to me. Taking it, I was surprised at just how heavy it felt in my arms.
“How do you hold this?”
“Place your right hand here, with your thumb wrapped around. And stuff your left hand into here.”
“Like this?” That seemed like a really awkward way to hold it, but apparently it was what you were supposed to do.
“Now blow into it.”
At her prompting, I blew as hard as I could, “Pfft! Pfft!”
It made no noise...
“Hmm, try pressing your mouth against the mouthpiece, like this.” The leader pressed on her lips to demonstrate.
“Like this?”
“Yeah. Now blow from a fixed point at the middle of your lips.”
“I’ll try.”
Toot!
“Hey, that worked!”
“Not bad. Would you like to join our club?”
“I’m kinda busy lately... What about you, Cecilia?”
“Me?!”
“I mean, you play, right?”
“I’ve only played string instruments. Never a wind instrument.”
“Really? I’d have thought you’d played the flute. It’s perfect for a refined young heiress.”
“A refined young heiress...” For some reason, Cecilia repeated it back to herself.
“Why not give it a try?” I said as I handed her the horn.
“Er, well, ah, this is...”
“Huh?”
“An indirect kiss...”
“Huh? I didn’t hear you.”
“No— Nothing! It was nothing at all!”
Cecilia waved her hands in frustration as she looked at the horn. Her stare was icily serious, and I involuntarily gulped.
“Very well. Here I go.”
“Oh, wait, let me change the mouthpiece. Here, all set.”
“Ah...”
“Huh?”
“.........”
For some reason, Cecilia was glaring at the band leader in rage. Why? Wasn’t that something you should be grateful for?
“Ready?”
“Actually, I’ve changed my mind.” Cecilia pressed the horn back into the leader’s hands. “Some people just have no sense!”
Cecilia was angry for some reason.
My third one-on-one break finished.
◇
“I’m last... What a failure...”
“Why are you mumbling to yourself? Let’s go somewhere.”
“Yes. You’re right. What shall we—”
“What’s the kendo club doing? How about we go check them out?”
“Wh-What?!”
“Hmm... Oh, okay, over there.”
“W-Wait! I don’t want to—”
“C’mon, hurry up.”
“D-Don’t grab my hand! I can walk by myself!”
Trailing Houki, who was displeased for some reason, along, I headed for the room where the kendo club was doing a show.
“Welcome!”
The windows were covered in blackout curtains. Inside waited a person concealed in a suit of practice armor.
“Whoa!”
“Well, well. If it isn’t Orimura, along with our ghost member Shinonono.”
“Captain? What on earth are you—”
“Well, at first we wanted to let people try out kendo, right? But that wouldn’t get many votes, I thought? So we went with fortunetelling?”
Why was everything she said in the form of a question?
“But, uh. You know? No one’s showing up? So to really get into the part, I put on my practice armor?” She definitely had the wrong idea about something. “Anyway, let me tell your fortunes. Sit down! Sit down!”
Houki and I went along with her recommendation and intently watched her. She had a deck of hanafuda cards in her hand...
“Um...”
“Yes? What is it?”
“Why are you using hanafuda cards? Don’t people normally use tarot cards or something?”
“I’m an expert at hanafuda fortune-telling, though?”
“Er, captain? I’ve never even heard of that before...”
“Yeah. I mean, I just made it up?”
What the hell.
“Anyway. Shall we get started? Maybe I can tell your love fortunes?”
Why are you even asking if we don’t get to pick? I wanted to fire back, but she was already dealing out her cards.
“Hmm... Ame-shikou. Orimura, you’re probably having trouble with women?”
“What’s ‘probably’ supposed to mean...”
I couldn’t really argue with her, though.
“Even today, right? I really have a lot of sympathy for you, you know?”
“Sigh...”
“All right, our ghost member Shinonono’s love fortune next?”
“If you don’t mind.”
Was the captain lowkey mad at Houki about her poor attendance, or just lowkey because she wasn’t mad? Her expressions were hidden by her mask.
“Hmmm... Shinonono, yours is Tsukimizake, are you looking forward to something? It just might happen? And I think your lucky spot is the kendo dojo?”
“Well, um... I’ll show up more this semester...”
“Really? That would be wonderful.”
It seemed like that was all for Houki’s fortune, too.
“Oh, right. Shall I test your compatibility?”
“Our compatibility?”
“Really? That sounds great!” Houki suddenly thrust herself toward the club captain in excitement. The captain began to explain as she tried to calm Houki down.
“Well, first, could you hold hands? And face each other? Yeah, like that.” Houki and I clasped our right hands and brought our faces close. “Now, stay like that for ten seconds?”
“Uhh...”
“How is this supposed to tell you anything?” Houki asked the captain a bit anxiously.
“Well?”
“Well, what?”
“Well, you know? You wouldn’t hold hands with someone you didn’t like for ten seconds? So you must at least not not like each other? That’s all.”
That was pretty damn lazy!
“I— I see...”
Hm? Houki seemed pretty happy about it, at least. What there was to be happy about, I wasn’t sure.
“Anyway, our break’s about over. Let’s head back to the classroom.”
“Yeah, I guess.”
“Hey, Houki...”
“W-What?”
“You can let go of my hand now.”
“Oh, right!”
Houki quickly pulled her hand away from mine, as if she just now realized they were still entwined.
“Anyway, thank you.”
“Of course. Thanks for coming? Oh, Orimura, can I take a picture?”
“Go right ahead.”
“Thanks.”
The shutter snapped. I was getting used to this.
“All right, let’s head back.”
“We’re... compatible. We’re compatible...”
“Heeeeeey, Houki?”
“W-W-What?!”
“C’mon, let’s head back.”
“Oh! Right!”
We walked back to the classroom, with Houki for some reason swinging her right arm at the same time as her right leg. Class 1-A was still packed, and as soon as I got back I was pulled back to work. Well, everyone else is working so hard, I don’t mind having to too. Just working hard together was its own reward. All right, I’ve got to really put my all into it!
“Ta-dah! Tatenashi is here!”
“.........”
A Slacker draws near!
Command? ⯈[RUN] [RUN] [RUN]
Ichika started to run away.
But was blocked in front.
“Gah! Could you stop getting in my way?!”
“Aww, you don’t have to put it like that. Anyway, though, Ichika. Since I helped your class, could you appear in the student council’s production.”
“That didn’t sound like a question.”
“Of course. Because it wasn’t one.”
“What about my opinion on the matter?”
“It’s perfectly fine for me to decide. I’m the student council president, after all.”
Don’t just quote Mi***o Aida at me!
“...So, what did you want me to do?”
“Aren’t you going to put up more of a fight?”
“I already know it won’t do me any good.”
“Oh, so you think you know what I want? You’ve still got a lot to learn, boy.” Tatenashi poked my nose. “Ahahah. You’re so much fun to tease, Ichika.”
Ugh, what am I even supposed to do?
“Anyway, a production?!”
“Aww. You don’t have to get angry about it. It’s just a play.”
“A play?”
That sounded more... Normal than I had expected.
“A play with audience participation.”
“......?!”
Audience participation? Just what did she have planned?
“Anyway, come along. I’ll fill you in, now that it’s decided.” She theatrically pointed her fan at me.
“Um, Tatenashi? We can’t really spare Ichika right now...”
Thanks, Charl! I needed someone to cover for me!
“You should come along too, Charlotte.”
“Wha—”
“I’ll let you wear a pretty dress.”
“A dress...”
Don’t give up, Charl! I know that kind of thing is something girls want, but I need your backup here!
“Then, um... Okay, just for a little bit.”
Charl gave in. This is a mess.
“Mmm. You’re cute when you go along with things! All right, Houki, Cecilia, Laura, let’s go.”
“What?!” The trio had been listening in and raised their voices in surprise.
“I’ve got dresses for all of you.”
“Then...”
“I suppose.”
“Hmm. If we must...”
Houki, Cecilia, and Laura gave in too.
“So, what play is it, anyway?”
Tatenashi giggled as she snapped her fan open. On it was written ‘focused assault.’
“It’s Cinderella.”
◇
“Are you dressed, Ichika?”
“.........”
“I’m coming in.”
“Say that before you open the door!”
“Wow, you’re not even dressed yet. I’m disappointed.”
“...Why?”
I was in the fourth arena’s locker room. The place where I normally changed into my IS suit. I was dressed in... Well, I guess it was a prince’s outfit...
“Here’s your crown.”
“Yay...”
“Well, you don’t sound very enthused about this. Would you prefer to be Cinderella instead?”
“Definitely not!”
Really, if I had to put it into words... She was just incredibly frustrating to deal with.
“Anyway, it’s almost time!”
I’d snuck a peek at the inside of the arena earlier, and it was filled with an absolutely gorgeous set. The seats were already packed, and occasionally their cheers drifted back to the locker room.
“You know I haven’t even gotten a chance to look at a script or anything, right?”
“That’s fine. I’ll be announcing everything, all you have to do is follow along and keep things moving. So just ad-lib the rest, okay?”
It... didn’t really seem fine to me. Still filled with doubt, I walked to the wings.
“All right, raise the curtains!”
A buzzer sounded, and the lights dimmed. The curtains concealing the set rose, and a spotlight shone on the stage.
“Long, long ago, there lived a girl called Cinderella.”
Well, that was a good sign. It seemed like it’d be a normal play after all. But who was playing Cinderella? As I wondered to myself, I made my way to the part of the set made up like a ball.
“No, not named—known as. Wandering from ball to ball as they took on whole armies, these maidens gladly embraced their ash-shrouded fate to become the strongest warriors of all! Their title: Princesses of Cinders, Cinderellas!”
Huh?
“Tonight, their thirst for blood rises in their throats again. Targeting secret military plans hidden inside the crown of a prince of a neighboring country, the maidens dance forth onto a ballroom battlefield!”
“Wait, what?!”
“I’ve got you now!” Rin sprung onto the scene with a roar, clad in a beautiful white Cinderella dress with silver embroidery.
“Eh?!”
“Hand it over!”
She shot an icy glare in response to my reflexive dodge, before following up with a hail of Chinese throwing knives almost like shuriken. Has she gone completely off the deep end?!
“That could have killed me!”
“Don’t worry, I’ll just kill you almost to death!”
“What’s that even supposed to mean?!”
I wasn’t going to die there. Flipping over the tea set on the table, I blocked the knives with the tray.
“Hi-yah!” Rin kicked the knife-studded tray from my hands.
You idiot! I can see right up your dress! Never mind... she had bike shorts on underneath. I wasn’t sure if that was a relief or not. Wait, she’s just going to axe kick me now!
“Wait, wait! Are you wearing glass slippers?!”
“Don’t worry. They’re toughened glass.”
As I sparred with Rin, I noticed a red line of light darting across the stage. Huh, what’s that? Looks like it’s getting clos— An instant later, the scenery next to my face exploded.
“Whoa!”
A sniper rifle? Cecilia?! It must have been equipped with a silencer, as I couldn’t hear the report or make out a muzzle flash. And it must have been a repeater, as more shots whizzed by my head.
“I’m gonna die! This is actually going to kill me!”
I ducked low and sprinted for cover. What the hell was this play?!
◇
Oh, drat, he got away. As spent brass jangled around her feet, Cecilia pulled her eye away from the scope. The basics of sniping were to shoot and move, and she was already on her way to her next vantage point. But this time I simply must win!
There was a secret competition only the girls on stage had been told about. Whoever took the crown from Ichika’s head would also take the right to move into his room. They were all shocked when it was first mentioned, but Tatenashi’s explanation that ‘the student council president can do that’ was enough to have them all gunning for the prize.
Living with Ichika... Living with Ichika... Cecilia had already half-forgotten that it wasn’t yet in her grasp, as a smile spread across her face. Thankfully, it’s close enough to make it to the stage in time, and I’m allowed to use anything but IS equipment. A single precise shot to the crown itself, a dash to the stage, and victory would be hers.
Yes! Fortune favors those who strike at the critical moment! Smoothing her dress as she arrived at her second position, Cecilia quickly raised her rifle. I’ve got him!
Pssh! Pssh! Silenced shots rang out again.
◇
Am I finally safe here? Cecilia’s shots answered an emphatic no, chasing me from my hiding place in the shadows of the set. I’d been spending so long hidden that the crowd was erupting into applause every time the leading man—that is, myself—revealed himself on stage.
“Ahahahah... Thank you, thank you!” Cecilia seized on the chance to open fire yet again as I bowed to the crowd, and I sprang off running across the impossibly-wide stage. “Ugh, I’m trapped?!”
Her shots earlier seemed to have been to drive me into the open.
“Ichika! Get down!”
“......?!”
Charlotte suddenly appeared in front of me, holding a riot shield. Just like the others, she was wearing a Cinderella dress. Somehow, though, it looked stunning on a blonde like her. Was it just a cultural thing?
“Y-You saved me, Charl...”
Bullets pinged off her shield.
“Don’t worry about it. Just get out of here!”
“Sure! Thanks again!”
“Actually, wait, there is one thing!”
“What?”
“It’d be really nice if you left me that crown, if you don’t mind...”
“Oh? Sure, fine.”
If nothing else, it would get everyone else off my back. I put my hand to the crown, only to be interrupted by Tatenashi’s voice over the loudspeaker, “To the prince, his country was everything. The mere thought of losing the crown, and the state secrets concealed within, sent a shock through his body.”
“What?” My mind stopped in confusion, but my hand was still moving without any real thought. As I grasped the crown— “GWAAAAH!”
A crackling sound filled my ears as electricity surged through me. It was more than just painful, it burnt.
“Wh-Wh-Wh...” Smoke rose from scorched holes in my clothes. “What the hell is this?!”
“Ah! Such a pitiful scene. Is the prince’s love for his land truly so great? Sadly, all we can do is watch on. Such a pitiful scene, indeed!”
“You didn’t have to say it twice!”
I wasn’t sure I could take another shock like that, so I quickly pushed the crown back into place. This... was pretty bad, though. Tatenashi was enjoying it way too much. How was I gonna get out of this mess?
“Sorry, Charl. You saw what just happened.”
“Really? But it’s important!”
“I know, but... Sorry.”
“Ah, wait! Ichika, you—”
I fled like a hare, only to encounter two more Cinderellas, one with black hair and one silver.
“Ichika! Stop right there!”
“I’ll be taking that crown now.”
Houki brandished a katana, while Laura was dual-wielding tactical knives. Whoa!
“That’s dangerous!” I dove back from twin slashes and tumbled along the ground.
“Get out of my way, Laura!” yelled Houki.
“I could say the same. Maybe I should eliminate you first.”
“Sounds fun. Bring it!”
For some reason, they started to battle each other. Okay, that just leaves Rin, Cecilia, and Charl... Wait a minute. What is that? I felt the ground rumble beneath my feet.
“And now! It’s your chance to take part! Everyone, set your eyes on the crown!”
“Wha—”
The rumble was from an army of Cinderellas. One which was growing larger and large as I watched. It felt like something I’d seen in a movie...
“Give it up easy, Orimura!”
“My own prince to live happily ever after with...”
“Give him to me!”
I climbed higher and higher up the set as I fled from the army of Cinderellas.
“Found you, Ichika!”
Guh! It was Houki!
“Give me that crown! If you do... If you do...”
“W-What?”
“Ugh! Just give it to me! Or I’ll cut you!”
That’s terrifying! Someone save me!
“Over here.”
“Huh?”
A hand caught my foot, and I fell from the heights of the set.
◇
“We’ve made it out.”
“Phew... Thanks.”
I’d been led through the paths below the set to a locker room. It was the one I’d used before, so my uniform and things were all ready for me.
“Um...”
I’d had enough time to catch my breath and realized that it had been too dark to see who I was following. Taking a closer look at her, I saw it was Makigami Reiko, the woman who’d given me her business card earlier. She was grinning—it was the only expression I’d seen her have, really.
“Huh? Why are you—”
“Oh, yes. And now I’ll be taking Byakushiki.”
“...Huh?”
Her grin remained fixed in place and she replied, “Just hurry up and hand it over, punk.”
“Um... Is this a joke?”
“Ugh, do you seriously think I want to make small talk with a little shit like you.” Her expression was completely out of sync with the words coming out of her mouth. While I was still processing the gap between the two, she struck me with a fierce kick to the gut. The impact slammed me back into a locker. “Son of a bitch. Looks like my face got stuck this way.”
“Wh-Who are you?!” I muttered, as coughs wracked my chest.
“What? Me? I’m a mysterious beauty disguised as an industry insider. Are you happy now?”
She kicked me a couple more times for good measure as I lay on the ground. It was only then that I realized she was a serious threat. I’d gotten far too soft.
“Ugh... Byakushiki!”
This was an emergency, and I materialized my IS suit along with it. My costume dissolved into particles, only to reform. It may have taken more energy than usual, but this was no time to be sweating the small stuff. There was an enemy right in front of me who I knew nothing about.
“I’ve been waiting for you to do that.” Makigami—no, the woman’s smile finally disappeared, as her eyes twisted into snakelike slits. As she spoke, her long tongue flitted forth, making her appear even more serpentine. “Because now, it’s time for this!”
“......?!”
Her suit split open, and sharp claws extended from her back. They were striped a menacing black and yellow, jointed like spider legs, and each was tipped with a blade.
“Eat this!” The blades at the tip of her eight armored legs split open, revealing the muzzles of eight guns.
“Shit!” I slammed my leg-mounted thrusters into the floor and fired them at full output. The PIC’s inertial canceling carried Byakushiki and I toward the ceiling in an evasive maneuver.
“Oh? Not bad!”
I dropped thrust as I was about to hit the ceiling, and activated Setsura in claw mode. Using Setsura, a built-in weapon, was quicker than materializing Yukihira Nigata would have been.
“Who are you?!”
“Hmm? Haven’t you realized yet? I’m from a shadowy organization!” She replied while dodging backwards.
“Quit fucking with me!”
“You think I’m kidding, you little turd? I’m Autumn, from the secret society Phantom Task! Does that ring a bell?!”
The woman—Autumn—had fully deployed her IS, and was nimbly dodging my attacks with slight PIC movements while at the same time firing bullets from the guns at the tips of her mechanical legs.
“Eat this!”
All eight guns began to converge on me. As the lines of fire closed in from my sides, I leapt into the air. Planting my feet on the feeling, I fired my thrusters, tumbling forward to close the gap. At the same time, I materialized Yukihira Nigata in my right hand and took an overhand swing at her. I’ve got her!
“Not even close!” Her eight armored legs folded to catch Yukihira Nigata.
“Dammit!”
The legs wrapped around the blade, and I couldn’t finish my slash or pull it back. At the same time, Autumn materialized a machine gun in her hand and fired at me.
“Ugh!”
Bullet after bullet pierced my shields, and the shockwaves pummeled my body. The emergency defenses may have saved me, but they did nothing to dull the pain.
I can’t take much more of this! Casting aside my weapons, I fired the retro rockets on my wing thrusters, hopping backward and into the air. As I twisted around the bullets, I kicked her gun into the air while wrenching Yukihira Nigata back from her mechanical legs.
“Hahaha! Not bad, punk! Not many can escape my Arachne!”
“Shut up, will you!” There were plenty of obstacles in the locker room, but the training in manual control I’d gotten from Tatenashi let me weave past Autumn’s attacks while closing in. Those lessons were really coming in handy. “URAAAH!”
“Whoa! That was close!”
Autumn’s attacks hammered at me as I struggled to close the gap. It seemed like each of her mechanical legs had its own independent PIC, as the Arachne moved faster and more unpredictably than any IS I’d ever seen. Almost like a spider.
I’ve got to predict her movement and cut her off with Ignition Boost! Using Circle Rondo strafing to evade the bullets raining down on me, I waited for my chance. Calm down. Calm down, and wait for the right timing. Then rush her and take her down.
“Oh, right, I may as well tell you. We’re the ones who kidnapped you during the second Mondo Grosso! What a touching reunion this is!”
“......!!”
My mind boiled over in rage as I heard her. Really? I see, then...
“Then I’ll pay you back!”
“Such an inexperienced little boy. No subtlety, just rushing from the front like that... There!”
I barely noticed her weaving a cat’s cradle of sorts between her fingertips before she flung it at me. The ball of energy wires burst before my eyes into a gigantic web.
“Ugh! Damn you!”
If it was energy, Setsura could cut through it! Or so I hoped... but it wrapped around me, disabling me within seconds.
“Hahaha! That was so easy! It’s what you deserve for underestimating a spider’s web!” As I struggled and squirmed, she strode toward me with a half-smirk on her face. In her hand was a device with four legs which I hadn’t seen her use before. “And now for the fun part.”
It was around 40 centimeters wide. With a whirring sound, its legs began to stretch out.
“Now, have you finished your goodbyes? Gyahaha!”
“To who?!”
The device latched onto me. Its legs wrapped firmly around my chest.
“To your IS, of course!”
“What?!” For a moment, it felt like electricity was coursing through my body. “GAAAAH!”
It felt like I was being torn apart. Every joint in my skeleton screamed in pain. Autumn’s glowering smile as I twisted in agony chafed at me. I didn’t understand how I could focus enough through the pain to resent it so much.
“And, done.”
The feeling of shock evaporated, and the device unlatched from around me. At the same time, the web dissipated. Now! I put all my strength into a haymaker punch, but—
“You’ve got no chance, punk! Not without an IS!”
Instead, she kicked me, and I flew back into the lockers again. Only then did the pain make me realize. Byakushiki was gone.
“Wh-What’s going on?! Byakushiki! Come on!”
Only my IS suit was left on me. Byakushiki’s armor and weapons had disappeared.
“Hehehe, your precious IS is right here.”
“What?!”
Autumn held up her hand, to show a diamond-shaped crystal. It was unmistakably Byakushiki’s core. Its gleam, and its shape instead of the normal sphere, were more than enough proof.
“Remember that device? It’s called a ‘Remover!’ It’s a secret weapon that forcibly strips your IS away. Feel lucky that you got to see it while you were still alive!”
She kicked me twice more. I was too injured to stand, and could only glare at Autumn until she stepped on my face.
“Give... Give it back...”
“What was that? I can’t hear you.”
“GIVE IT BACK! Quit fucking with me!”
I’d finally worked up the strength to move again, and tried to sweep her legs out from under her.
“You’re too slow!”
This time, she kicked me in my side. My back crunched into the wall, and I lost my breath. What was with her? Did she just like kicking people? To be honest, I didn’t get it. It wasn’t like her legs were all that great. And I should know; if there’s anything I get to do all day, it’s enjoy some beautiful legs.
Ha... Hahaha... What the hell is going on? Is this what people get like when they crack? I laughed bitterly to myself. It really was just the same. I was never strong enough. But— But I still can’t forgive that! I wrapped my arms around her leg as she wound up for another kick, and pulled it close to me. At the same time, I reached out, grabbing for the IS core.
“Not happening!”
Her mechanical legs smashed me into the wall. Dammit, dammit, dammit!
“Anyway, punk. I’m done with you, so now I’m gonna finish you off.” Her grin was still plastered over her face as she said it.
“That would be unfortunate. I’ve taken quite a liking to Ichika here.”
I heard a voice which sounded entirely too cheerful for the situation. Looking over, and saw Tatenashi standing in the doorway. She was holding her fan, as usual.
“How did you get in here? I had everything locked down! Whatever! You saw me, so I’ll just have to kill you first!”
“Tatenashi!”
Autumn spun around to attack Tatenashi. Her eight armored legs stretched forth.
“I’m the head of the students here. So of course, I need to live up to that.”
“What in the world are you talking about?”
In the blink of an eye, Autumn’s mechanical legs tore through Tatenashi’s body.