Chapter I: Sisters
Chapter I: Sisters
Bang!
“Wha—?!” Gunfire?! C’mon, we’re in Japan! “Ugh!”
The bullet shot toward me. Somehow, I could see it clearly.
“Tch!”
The attacker in front of me—Orimura Madoka—clicked her tongue. In the next instant, the bullet shooting at me stopped in midair. It hung there in stasis. This was... That must be Laura’s AIC!
“Ichika! Get down!”
I dove to the ground as a knife flew just over my head. The cans tumbled from my arms and rattled down the pavement.
“I thought you’d try to interfere.” Surprisingly, she chose to block the knife aimed at her right eye with her palm.
“What in the—”
Madoka tightened her grip on the knife piercing her hand.
“You can have this back.”
She flung it back at Laura. However, with Laura’s Wodan-Auge system enhancing her motion tracking and visual acuity, it took almost no effort to stop the knife with her AIC as well. Her golden left eye darted from the knife back to Madoka, but Madoka had already deployed her IS and faded into the shadows.
“Hmph.”
“Wait!”
Dodging the grip of the AIC, she disappeared into the night, gone as suddenly as she had appeared.
“Ugh...”
“Are you okay, Laura?!”
“Who do you think I am? What about you?”
“Yeah. You saved me there. Thanks.”
“Don’t even mention it.” As she spoke, she picked up her knife and resheathed it, then pulled her eyepatch back down. I dusted the dirt off my clothes and began to pick up the scattered cans.
“Ah...”
“Hm? What?”
“Your left eye really is pretty. It looks almost like a jewel.”
“W-What?”
“It wasn’t fun getting attacked, but I guess getting to see that made it all worthwhile.”
“What do you mean ‘worthwhile,’ you idiot!” Laura walked right up to me and deliberately stomped on my foot.
“Oww!”
“Hmph! I’m heading back!”
“Hey! Hey, wait. Can you at least help me carry the cans?”
“That’s not my problem!” shouted Laura as she stalked off angrily.
“You know, now that I think of it, how were you even there to help me when I was attacked?”
“Well...”
“Well?”
“...Do I even have to say it? I thought it would be a good chance for us to be alone together...”
“Huh? What was that, Laura?”
“Nothing! You idiot!”
“Hey, wait! Don’t stomp on my foot, you moron!”
“Who are you calling a moron?!”
Laura, her face red all the way up to the ears, hit me with a haymaker punch.
◇
“You were attacked?!” It was Monday night at the dinner table, and Houki and Rin reacted in unison.
“Yeah, yesterday night.”
I ran down the sequence of events, leaving Orimura Madoka’s name out of it. Oh, I hadn’t mentioned it the night before because I didn’t want to put a damper on the festivities.
“Silent Zephyrus’s pilot... I wonder what she’s after. Any ideas, Ichika?”
“Beats me.”
I kept my answer to Charl short and simple, so she wouldn’t realize I wasn’t telling the whole story. I should probably ask Chifuyu about this first. But talking about our family... Rather, talking about our parents had always been pretty taboo between us. Even if I asked her, I probably wouldn’t get very far... Nor did I really want to.
“Oh, Ichika, could you perhaps feed me the omelette next?”
“Got it. Here.”
I was feeding Cecilia, the wounded hero. I felt sorry for her losing the use of her right arm.
“Ahh....”
Nom. She chewed with a hand covering her mouth, blushing at the unwanted attention she’d attracted. Well, I guess it’s pretty embarrassing to be hand-fed at our age...
“...That’s no fair, Cecilia, picking something you eat with chopsticks.”
“You could’ve had the pasta or something you could eat one-handed...”
Cecilia cleared her throat as if to fend off Rin and Houki’s glares. Speaking of which: the menu was salt-grilled salmon rolled in savory omelettes, spinach greens with sesame seeds, miso soup with potatoes, and savory shellfish custard. Every item on the list was a ‘chopsticks food.’
“Ichika, she can have the custard with a spoon, right? Think you’re up to it, Cecilia?” Charl said while giving a forced smile.
“I, well... I don’t believe I’d do that well with my left hand.”
“I see. Then I suppose I’ll feed you.”
“Laura?! Wait, at least let it cool— Ah! Hot! Hot, hot, hot!”
Laura crammed the spoon of steaming custard into Laura’s mouth. Come on, it’s not nice to tease the injured like that.
“Well, it certainly looks like you’re all having fun this evening.”
“Oh, Ms. Yamada. And—” Chifuyu—Ms. Orimura—was with her. Each of them was carrying a dinner tray.
“Quiet it down, you dunces.”
“I-I’m wounded, so...”
“Alcott. Don’t get the wrong impression just because we chose not to enforce your suspension for fighting in the city.”
“Understood...”
I’d gotten raked over the coals all day for going after the Silent Zephyrus, too. My body and soul both ached after that two-hour lecture.
“Do you all normally eat together like this?”
“Ah, yeah. Pretty much all the time.”
“Really.”
“Oh my. Ms. Orimura, are you worried about your little brother?”
“Ms. Yamada. Care for some melee sparring after dinner?”
“I-I was just joking! Ahaha, haha...”
It seemed like every time Ms. Yamada tried to tease Chifuyu, it backfired. She should learn her lesson...
“Keep it quiet. Well... I guess for teenaged girls that’s going to go in one ear and out the other. At least try to, okay?”
With that, Chifuyu led Ms. Yamada toward a table in the back of the room. With everyone around, there was no way I could ask about Madoka. I’d have to bring it up later. We whiled away the rest of the evening.
◇
“So, uh, why are you all following me?” I asked the clump of girls sticking close on my way back to my dorm room.
“I... Well, it’s not because I’m worried about you or anything!” That was Rin.
“Well, uh, just... It’s nice to have a chat in your room from time to time.” Charl chimed in.
“Yes! It’s important to keep lines of communication open.” Houki nodded, apparently unsatisfied with all the communication we’d done at dinner. Ah well, it’s not like I had a problem with it.
“Um, Ichika? Could you help me change my dressings?”
“Sure.”
Cecilia’s face lit up as I answered. Seeing that made me feel lucky to have been born a man.
“Ichika! You’re going way too soft on her. What kind of national cadet can’t even care for their own wounds?” came Laura with the snark. “I’ve heard that in this country, they treat wounds using saliva. That sounds good, why don’t you try that.”
“Er... Laura... ‘Licking your wounds’ isn’t supposed to be that literal...” Though it wasn’t really metaphorical, either?
“Really? My saliva contains medical nanomachines.”
Ugh, really? I felt like it was a lot better to just let that one go. Right, she was a test tube baby born at a Bundeswehr lab. A being given life only to fight... Well, it was easy to criticize on ethical grounds, but rejecting it meant rejecting Laura herself. And since she didn’t seem to mind too much, it’s not like we can really say much... Plus, I wanted to think that since she’d come to Japan—since she’d made these new friends—there was now something else in her life.
“Are you even listening to me? Sometimes I wonder whether you even deserve to be my bride.”
“Yeah, yeah. Sorry.” Every time she calls me ‘bride,’ I remember that kiss, but I probably shouldn’t tell her that. Just thinking about it makes my face heat up.
“Mm? What is it?”
“Oh, nothing.” I nonchalantly ducked back from Laura, who had leaned in close, and opened my door. “So, what are we doing for chairs? Should I go borrow a couple?”
“I think the bed’s fine. Right, everyone?” Charl made the suggestion to the other girls. Sometimes I really appreciated her.
“As long as I have somewhere to sit, I’m fine.”
“Yeah. And the dorm beds are pretty good.”
“I’d prefer my own bed, naturally. But it will suffice.”
“I’m fine.”
Rin, Houki, Cecilia, and Laura answered, and we walked in.
“Should I go get some drinks?”
“It’s fine, Charl. Don’t worry about it. Plus, if anyone does, it should be—”
“C’mon! What if you get attacked again?!”
“Ah, right...” Surprised by how insistent she suddenly got, I automatically apologized. When I did, she suddenly snapped back to her usual self, cringing in embarrassment.
“Sorry.”
“Nah, it’s fine.”
“Just... I mean, you’re a guy. Does it bother you being protected by girls?”
“Nah, not really. I mean, it’d be kinda awkward if someone told me to man up or something, but...”
“Really? That’s good...”
“Yeah...”
A few seconds went by in silence as we both awkwardly looked away. I couldn’t really tell if my heart was pounding or not.
“Staaaaaare.”
“Whaa?!” From the doorway, Rin and Houki and Cecilia and Laura—everyone but Charl—was glaring at me.
“Up to your usual tricks, Charlotte?”
“Ichika, you...!”
“That’s cheating, Charlotte!”
“Hmph!”
Ah, crap. Laura was sulking already. Once she got mad, it usually took forever and a day to clear things up.
“Ah, uh... Laura?”
“Why are you only apologizing to Laura?!”
“Is she the only one you care about?!”
“I-Ichika?!”
Welp. I’d really stepped in it now. I could see a lot of apologizing on my knees in my near future.
◇
“Phew...” Two hours later, I’d finally escaped from the girls and was lying on my bed. “I should take a shower.”
Just as I got up, the door to my room opened.
“Ta-dah! Tatenashi steals the limelight!”
“Please go.”
I slammed my door shut. As soon as I did, I could hear the sound of running water from the other side.
“Whaaa?!”
A blade of water sliced my door in half. On the other side was Tatenashi, her chain sword, Rusty Nail, pulled tight in her grip. “Now, now. Can’t have you ignoring me.”
I give up. I slumped my shoulders.
“May I come in?”
“Go right ahead...”
Tatenashi had already swapped Rusty Nail back to her usual fan. On it was written the words ‘sad plight.’ Could she have been—nah, she had to have been punning with ‘limelight.’ And wait, it was her own damn fault it was a sad plight!
“What did you want? Make it quick, I was about to shower.”
“Oh? Then why don’t we talk in the shower? I didn’t bring my swimsuit this time, but that’s okay.”
“Gah, no! Why does it have to be like that?! Just say what it is now!”
“Well, well. You’re all fired up. That’s absolutely adorable.”
“Whatever.” Feeling completely ground down, I made tea for her.
“Ooh, gyokuro. A good choice. But you’ve still got a lot to learn before you take over for the student council.”
Um. I thought my role was vice-president.
“Tatenashi.”
“Ye-es?”
“I’m kicking you out.”
“Aww.”
I let out one final sigh. I couldn’t fight with this. She was going to have me wrapped around her finger permanently, and there was nothing I could do about it. Farewell, sighs.
“So, what did you want?”
“You were attacked, right, Ichika? Shall I assign you some of my bodyguards?”
“Thanks for the offer, but I’ll have to pass.”
My enemy had an IS. I didn’t want to think about it, but a normal person could well end up dead if they got involved.
“I thought you’d say so.”
“I see.” I guess she was right.
“Then, there was one other thing...”
“Yeah?”
For once, Tatenashi was reluctantly grimacing before saying, “...Please!”
Smack! Her hands clapped together as she bowed her head.
“Huh? What?”
“Take care of my sister!”
“Your sister?!”
I had no idea what was going on.
◇
“So, uh. Your little sister? She must be a first year?”
“Yes. Her name is Sarashiki Kanzashi. Here, here’s a picture.” Tatenashi opened up her phone, showing me a photo of a girl who looked a little bit tired of life.
So this is Tatenashi’s little sister. She seems kinda...
“But... Please don’t ever tell her I asked you to.”
Normally, Tatenashi would never lead in with that kind of thing.
“Your sister looks a bit, uhh...” For some reason, I felt like I had to be cautious with how I phrased it.
“Gloomy, yes.”
“I see...”
“She’s talented, though. That’s why she has her own IS, but...”
“But?”
“She doesn’t have it yet.”
“Huh?” Does she have it, or doesn’t she?
“She’s a Japanese National Cadet, so her IS isn’t ready yet. That’s why she doesn’t have it.”
“Huh?”
“What do you mean, ‘huh?’ It’s your fault.”
“Eh?!” How’d I get involved in this?
“Kanzashi’s personal IS was being developed by Kuramochi Engineering, so...”
“Oh... The same lab as Byakushiki?”
“Yes. Byakushiki was an all-hands-on-deck effort, so it’s not finished yet.”
“I see...”
“So— It’s your fault!”
“Sorry, ma’am...” So that’s why when they lined us all up with our personal IS, Class D’s pilot was always absent. It must be pretty embarrassing to be a national cadet and still not have your own. “So, what did you want me to do for her?”
“Well, after the attack that happened at Cannonball Fast, they’re planning an all-years tag-team tournament to help get pilots with their personal IS up to speed fast.”
“Oh, really?”
“So please! Team up with Kanzashi!” Snapping her fan shut and setting it down beside her, she clasped her hands together again.
“Hey, come on, you know I’d be good for it even if you didn’t beg me.”
“So... So, you will?” she asked again, hesitantly. The difference from her usual attitude made her seem tiny, almost fragile.
What a mess... For some reason, when someone who was normally so carefree suddenly asked so politely, it made me feel like I absolutely had to see it through.
“Then, uh... What was her name? Kanzashi, right? Should I go up to her about it?”
“Yes. But if there’s any way you can avoid it, please don’t tell her I asked you to.”
“Huh? Why?”
“She... Well, she’s kind of always felt that I’ve overshadowed her... So...”
Tatenashi was being evasive. I could tell that there were issues between them.
“So you don’t get along with your sister?”
“Ahh...” Her sigh just confirmed that I was right. Sisters who don’t see eye to eye, with the big sister trying in her own way to patch things up and the little sister rebelling... It made me think of another family I knew.
It almost seems like Houki and Tabane’s relationship... Even with Houki getting an IS from her sister, things had still been a bit tense. We hadn’t seen Tabane again since then, so they probably hadn’t improved any. Anyway, if it was like that, I really had to go through with it.
“I’ll do my best to make it seem like it was all my idea.”
“Thanks. Oh, and try to be careful with how you phrase things. She can be a bit prickly.”
“Right...” I mentally jotted down what she’d told me about Kanzashi.
“Thanks again. But really, don’t go overboard. If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work.”
“This really isn’t like you, Tatenashi. I’d expect you to be more like ‘And if you do it, I’ll wash your back,’ or something.”
“Really? Ahahah... Well, if you really want me to...”
She really wasn’t herself today.
“You sound like you need a back rub.”
“Mm? Ichika?”
“C’mon.”
“Okay...”
I walked around behind Tatenashi, then climbed up on the bed on my knees and began to massage.
“Wow, you’re really tense. Have you been up late working a lot recently?”
“Yeah, a bit... Ow!”
“Your neck muscles are so stiff. You should do some stretching, and then take a nice long bath.”
“I know. Mmm...”
“Should I help out with the work?”
“C’mon, don’t get too full of yourself. You have your work with the clubs to take care of.”
“Well, yeah, but...”
“Jeez. You can’t just drop everything. I won’t like you anymore if you do that.”
“I know, I know.” I spent another half-hour or so massaging Tatenashi, who was finally back to being herself.
“Mmm! That felt good. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of things with your sister.”
“Yeah. Good luck.” She bowed one last time before leaving, with all the grace you’d expect from a big sister.
“As for this...” I looked down at the two pieces of my door lying on the ground. “I’ll put in a maintenance request for a new door...”
◇
In a dark room, Madoka changed the bandages on her right hand. Repeated use of regenerative nanomachines had already sealed the wound. Empty syringes were scattered around the room.
“I’m coming in, M.” Squall, the leader of Phantom Task, entered without a knock. Her voluminous blonde hair swayed as she walked. “So, Orimura Madoka. Do you have an explanation for your actions yesterday?”
Squall’s smile remained fixed in place. Madoka glanced up before turning back to her bandages without a response.
“You may have enjoyed the theatrics of it all, but unauthorized contact like that could throw off the whole mission. Don’t go off on your own like that again, understood?”
“Understood...”
“Your mission is the capture of IS. If you’re going to use your IS for something else...”
Blam! An explosion rang out, and the first aid kit was blown off the side table. An instant later, Madoka was grabbed by the neck and thrown into the wall.
“Not too shabby.”
Squall floated in midair, her IS deployed, but behind Madoka four of Silent Zephyrus’s bits were aimed and ready to fire.
“.........”
Released, Madoka slumped back down to the bed. Squall dematerialized her own IS, landing next to her. The bed’s springs creaked under the weight of two people.
“Remember, M. You may be Orimura Madoka, but that doesn’t matter to me. I need you to be M. M from Phantom Task.”
“I will be, until I settle things...”
“Settle things... You mean, with Orimura Ichika?”
“Hmph. That little worm? I could kill him anytime I want.”
“So with Orimura Chifuyu, huh...” As Squall spoke, Madoka’s expressionless mouth twisted into a smile. A vicious smile. “Orimura Chifuyu, then. She doesn’t even have an IS right now. Doesn’t seem like she’s that much of a threat.”
The second Squall’s words left her mouth, she caught Madoka’s punch and kicked her back down. Looking at Madoka’s face, her smile had been replaced with blistering rage.
“Don’t you dare. You’re not worthy to even breathe the same air as her.”
“Fine, fine. Now put that knife away before you put a hole in the wall.”
“Hmph.” Embarrassed at being provoked so easily, Madoka resheathed her knife.
“Now, I’m going to go get my beauty rest. There’s still a good amount of time before the next mission. Try not to do anything rash. Got it, M?”
“Yeah.”
“Good. I like girls who know how to listen. Anyway, until then.” Squall strode out, as indifferent to Madoka’s opinion on the matter as she had been when she entered.
With the door closed, silence and darkness again settled over the room. Madoka took out her knife again, and ran it along her face. Dark red blood welled up from the cut. Slicing into a face which looked so much like Chifuyu’s brought her joy beyond words. Entranced, she gazed at her own reflection in the blade.
◇
“Hey, Orimura, Shinonono.” Mayuzumi Kaoruko had suddenly appeared in Class 1-A during the break after second period.
“What’s up?”
“Well, I wanted to ask a favor of you two.”
“A favor? From me and Ichika?”
“Yeah. My sister works for a publisher, and they wanted to run an exclusive interview with you as students with your own IS. Here’s the magazine it would be in.” Kaoru pulled out a fashion magazine for teens.
“Um... What does this have to do with IS?”
“Hm? Wait, haven’t you two done this kind of thing before?”
“Uhh...” Houki and I both nodded hesitantly, not quite sure of what she was after.
“Well, normally if you have your own IS that means you’re a pilot or at least a national cadet, which kind of makes you a celebrity. Almost like an idol, at least in terms of doing modeling on the side. I think some countries even involve the national theater.”
“Really, Houki?”
“Why are you asking me?! I have no clue!”
We were both pretty out of the pop culture loop for our age. Now that I think of it, didn’t Cecilia talk about modeling in England? I remembered her showing me photos once. She definitely looked good in that gown, at least. I’m a guy, so probably a tux? I wasn’t really sure about this.
While I was mulling it over, Rin popped up. “Wow, Ichika, you’ve never modeled? I guess I’ll have to show you some of my photos.”
“Nah, I’m good.”
“What’s your problem?!” She smacked me on the head. “If I don’t, you’re probably gonna do something that makes you look like a weirdo.”
“What?! Show me! Show me right now!”
Rin pulled out her phone and twisted my face toward it. Ow, my neck!
“Oh?”
“Hmm...”
Houki took the opportunity to take a peek too, and she had the same reaction I did. The photo, by the way, was Rin in casual wear.
“Hmm... This looks pretty good.”
“Mhm. Don’t I. This was last summer—”
Ding-dong. The bell rang to mark the start of third period.
“You’re with the kendo club today, right, Orimura? I’ll see you there! Later!” Kaoru was gone as swiftly as she had arrived. I’d expected Rin to make her exit too, but she was still caught up in showing off her pictures.
“And look here, how I—”
Klonk! She wasn’t expecting to play rock, paper, scissors, and when you throw rock it isn’t normally directly onto the other person’s head, but...
“Oww!” She turned around with an angry squint, only to see Chifuyu.
“Get back to Class B.”
“Yes, ma’am...”
As usual, she slumped out of the room. This was why she hardly ever came to visit Class A, even though it would have been perfectly fine in the afternoon.
“Today we’ll be covering the theoretical foundations of effective evasion and keeping distance in melee combat.”
And so class had begun.
◇
“Here’s your towel.”
“Wow, it’s really Orimura!”
“Ooh! Give me one, too!”
“Can I have a massage?”
“Sorry, that isn’t on the menu.”
“Aww. Laaaaame!”
After school in the school dojo, I was handing towels out to the kendo club members as they finished practice. Like Kaoru had mentioned earlier, today I was with them.
“Here’s one for you, Houki.”
“Ah, yeah. Thanks.” Houki pulled off her mask and headband and wiped her face with the towel.
“.........”
“What are you staring at?”
“Oh, nothing. I was just thinking that the hakama look is really you.”
“H-Hmph...” Houki snapped her head to the side. I wondered if she was embarrassed.
“Hey, Orimura Ichika? Been a while, hasn’t it?”
“Oh, yeah. Since the school festival, right?”
“Ahaha, yeah? Everyone’s enjoying this, aren’t they? Don’t they all seem like they just won at bingo or something?”
Oh, right. This was the girl who phrased everything as a question for some reason. While I was wondering why, she wove her way between her club members and was gone. Huh. Beats me.
“...Hey, Houki.”
“Yeah? What?”
“What do you think about that thing Kaoru mentioned during break?”
“I’m out. Being some display piece isn’t my thing.”
“I figured.” That was how I expected her to answer. Just as I was nodding in agreement, Kaoru appeared.
“Hey! Sorry to keep you waiting! Anyway, about that interview.”
“Houki just said she—”
Kaoru interrupted me before I could finish, “Ta-dah! I’ve got invitations to a dinner at a five-star hotel for you! For both of you, of course.”
She waved a pamphlet at the two of us. It definitely looked pretty fancy. But if Houki wasn’t feeling it...
“We’ll do it.”
Ehh?
“Really? I kind of got the feeling that it wasn’t your thing.”
“It’ll be a learning experience.”
Ehh? Ehhhh?
“Oh, I see. It’s on, then! You’re okay with it too, right, Orimura? See you there at two on Sunday, then!”
“Um...”
“Anyway!” Kaoru left as quickly as she’d arrived. As the door to the dojo closed behind her, I took a good look at Houki.
“Houki.”
“What?”
“What happened to ‘your thing’?”
“I... I’m flexible! Problem?” She ground into my cheek with her bamboo sword.
“Sigh... I guess. As long as you’re okay with it.”
“I see. Anyway... This dinner, we’re going together, right?” she asked almost nervously.
“Sure. I mean, I’d be mad if I didn’t get to come along.”
“Oh, I see! Right. Mm-hm, right!” Houki beamed as she gripped the pamphlet. I hope she doesn’t crush that. It’d be a shame if we couldn’t make out the address.
“Oh wow, Shinonono, are you going on a date with Orimura?”
“That sounds so awesome! I wish it was me!”
“Wow, that hotel’s world-famous.”
Almost in unison, the kendo club members who had been watching from afar closed in.
“It... It’s not a da-da-da-date! It’s nothing like that at all!”
“Oh really.”
Houki’s flustering was met with a circle of knowing grins.
Huh. I guess Houki’s getting along well with the other club members. I let out a sigh of relief. Houki had always had trouble playing nicely with others, so I’d been worried. Anyway. Sunday. Between that and Tatenashi’s request, it was going to be a busy weekend.
◇
All right. Fourth period had just ended, and the classroom was buzzing with the excitement of lunch break.
“Let’s go to the cafeteria, Ichika.”
I regretfully waved out of Charl’s usual friendly invitation. “Sorry, Charl. I’ve got something to take care of today.”
“Really? Hmm, what should I do, then...”
“Hey, Doonie! Let’s get lunch!” It was Miss Casual and friends, of all people, who extended the invitation. Her hand was waving from inside her usual way-too-long sleeve.
“Do-Doonie?”
“C’mon, it’ll be fun. Ahahaha.” Ever so slowly, she tried to grab Charl’s hand. As I watched Charl deliberately not evade it, I thought of just what a nice person she was.
“Let’s gooooo!” Tanimoto and a few others were waiting by the classroom door, and as Miss Casual met up with them they quickly pulled Charl into the group.
All right. Time to head over to Class D. If what Tatenashi had told me was right, Kanzashi would just be eating a bun at her desk. I got a bun for lunch too, so if I’m lucky that’s how I’ll be able to strike up a conversation. The all-years tag-team tournament had been explained during homeroom that morning. If I didn’t get out of the classroom quickly, someone else might ask me first. I had to hurry.
“I’ve been waiting for you, Ichika!”
Womp-womp. As soon as I got into the hallway, I ran into Rin.
“Hey, team up with me!”
“Sorry, Rin. I’m already taken.”
“Whaaaat? Already taken...? It’s Charlotte, isn’t it?!”
Eh? Why’s she blaming Charl?
“Ugh. Just because you teamed up before, she gets first dibs?”
“Huh? What?”
“Oh, nothing! Anyway! Who is it! I’ll get her to back out, just tell me!”
Uh, wow. That’s kinda scary.
“Um, well...”
“Well?”
“...Sorry!”
The 36th of the Thirty-Six Stratagems: ‘If all else fails, retreat.’ I took off running.
“Ah! Hey, wait! Wait, Ichika!”
I darted down the stairs and lost Rin, before returning to the second floor.
“Phew. Finally made it to Class D.”
“Oh, wow! It’s Orimura!”
“It is! But why?!”
“What do you want at Class D?”
Wow, there were lots of people here. Unfortunately.
“Um, is Sarashiki here?”
“Whaaa?” The girls erupted in unison confusion.
“Sarashiki?”
“You mean, her?”
The crowd parted like the Red Sea. Directly ahead of me, furthest in the back by the windows, was a girl. A bun sat untouched on her desk as she stared fixedly at a projection display, her hands flying over a keyboard.
Huh? Tatenashi said she was pretty gloomy, but I wasn’t expecting her to be so intense. The other girls whispered to each other as I tried to square up my assumptions with reality.
“Wait, did you want to team up with her for the tag team tournament they talked about in homeroom?”
“Hm? Yeah, that’s it.” Murmurs spread out in a ripple around me as the girls processed my answer.
“Really? She doesn’t even have her own IS.”
“She’s been skipping every event.”
“Are you sure you’re not thinking of her sister?”
I didn’t really care to hear any more, so I clapped my hands to drown it out, “Well, excuse me! Anyway, I came here to talk to her.”
Passing by the crowd, I made my way to Kanzashi’s desk.
“Can I borrow a chair?” I took a chair from a nearby girl and plopped down in front of Kanzashi.
“.........”
Her keyboard clattered as she typed. It was an old school mechanical model, rather than the new projection ones.
“Um...”
I took another look at her. Her hair hung down to her shoulders, but curled inward rather than outward like her sister’s. Her eyes were drawn narrow, and a little bit empty inside. On her face was a pair of rectangular-framed glasses that gave off an aloof air.
“Hey. I’m Orimura Ichika.”
Her fingers stopped for a moment. After a short while longer she quietly replied, “I know.”
That’s good. She responded. Just as I was feeling relieved, she stood up. She began to raise her right arm, before sitting back down and resuming typing.
“Um...”
“I... Have every right to give you a good punch... Right now... But it’s not worth the effort... So I won’t.”
Ugh, she must have been angry about her IS. I mean, sure, all the effort that got dumped into Byakushiki was why it wasn’t finished, but it’s not like I could do anything about that.
“...What did you want?”
“Ooh! Right, that. Want to team up with me for the tag team tournament?”
“No...”
Well, that was quick. But I couldn’t give up yet!
“Aww, c’mon.”
“I don’t want to... Plus, you have... Plenty of options...”
“Oh, uh...” I cast about for a good explanation. Something better than ‘Tatenashi told me to.’ “Actually, everyone’s already found a partner—”
“There you are, Ichika!”
Guan Yu?! Nope... Just Rin.
“What are you doing in Class D! If you’re gonna visit anywhere, it should be Class B!”
“Ugh...” The usual tug on my sleeve felt like a vise around my chest. Could you please not do that? What am I gonna do if you tear my uniform?
“Come with me, right now!”
“I, uh. See you later, Sarashiki.”
“.........”
Kanzashi took a big bite of her bun in lieu of replying. And that’s how I got dragged off to Class B...
“Here.”
“There? Oh... Is this pepper steak?”
“Yeah. See? I can too make things other than sweet and sour pork.”
“Ah, But I already bought a noodle bun, so...”
Before I could finish my sentence, she snatched it out of my hand. No, my bun!
“You’re eating my pepper steak. Understood?!”
“I mean, you’re stuck feeding me then. Shouldn’t you be the one who’s iffy on it?”
“An indirect kiss...”
“Eh?”
“N-Nothing! Now come on! Eat up!”
“Okay, okay! Jeez, what’s gotten into you...” I gave one last goodbye to my noodle bun before switching into pepper steak gear. “Ooh? Wow, this is really good!”
“Hmph! Of course it is!”
The sauce was rich and flavorful, without being overpowering, and I began shoveling it into my mouth.
“Well, okay. Your noodle bun is pretty good, too.”
“Huh? You mean the one I just bought?”
“I-I mean the school store has some really good stuff! You got a problem with that?”
Not really, but...
“Anyway, Ichika. So you’re teaming up with me for the tag team tournament?”
“Sorry. I’m already taken.”
“W-W-W-Why?! Who?! Who is it?! I’ll get you out of it, just tell me!”
“Didn’t you already say that?”
“Tell me!”
“No!”
“Grrr...”
If I keep sitting here, she’s gonna keep going. I need to finish up and get back to Class A.
“Ichika!”
“No.”
“I didn’t even say it yet!”
“You probably want to fight her for the spot or something. No way.”
“Ugh! How did you know?!”
“Later, Rin. Thanks for lunch. It was good.”
“Eh?! Er, um...”
I slipped away while she was surprised by the compliment.
“I’ve been waiting for you, Ichika. You’re teaming up with me, of course, right?” Laura stood, her hands on her hips.
“Well, uhh...”
“Here’s the form. Just sign on the line.”
“Sorry, Laura... I already have plans...”
“What...?”
I already knew she was going to try to get me to cough up who it was, so I preemptively got apologetic and replied, “Really, I’m sorry! But I’ve already teamed up with someone!”
“.........” Laura squinted. It was terrifying. “I’ll ask you one more time...”
“Um... Laura... Wait, we can talk this over!”
“Too late!” Laura had already called forth her plasma dagger, slashing it at me at the same time. Gah!
“Knock it off! Barbecue only ever smells good at a rib shack!” Chifuyu appeared from behind to save me, grabbing Laura’s wrist and throwing her toward the window.
“Mein Lehrerin! I don’t recall asking for marital counseling!” Laura’s long hair floated in the air as she effortlessly jumped off the windowpane and landed on her feet. She really was like a cat.
“And I don’t recall asking for a rude sister-in-law.”
“......!!” The rejection was enough to knock Laura flat.
Huh? Heeey, are you okay?
“She hates me... She hates me...”
This was bad. She was mumbling the same words over and over. And her eyes were as empty as the depths of space.
“Orimura. Put her in her seat. Class is about to start.”
“O-Okay. Hey, Laura, get up.”
“My life... Is over...”
Wow, that must have really hurt her. With no better options, I picked Laura up and began to carry her to her seat.
“Ahhhh! Orimura’s princess carrying Bodewig!”
“I-Ichika? Whatever are you doing?!”
“Ichika, you...!”
“No fair, Laura!”
That was Tanimoto, Cecilia, and Houki, and even Charl was out of her seat and coming in my direction.
“Sit down, you fools.”
Smack! For once, I was thankful to hear the clipboard doing its dirty work.
◇
“Too slow, Ichika! I’m over here!”
It was after school in the third arena, and Ichika and Houki were practicing together again. Up until recently, they’d been on an even footing, but with Kenran Butou figured out, Houki was able to use her unlimited energy to corner Ichika with repeated Ignition Boosts.
“Ugh!”
Byakushiki made a quick about-face with a cross grid turn, firing a particle beam from Setsura as it did. But Akatsubaki’s Karaware blade cut it down with an energy slash.
“HAAAH!”
The variable-sweep armor on its back opening at the same time as it fired off an Ignition Boost, Houki accelerated toward Ichika in a flash.
“Tch!”
A slash across the chest dropped Byakushiki’s energy. As Houki showed off the variable-sweep armor’s ability to laterally accelerate under automatic control, she showered Byakushiki with Amazuki laser fire.
“Got you, Ichika!”
“This isn’t over yet!”
Again, each reached top speed with Ignition Boost. A hail of sparks from clashing blades showered down over the arena.
“Phew...” Houki wiped off her sweat before putting her uniform top back on. “Ahh, that felt good.”
Houki, in a good mood for once, hummed to herself as she adjusted her ponytail.
I beat Ichika today. He’s going to have to recognize my talent now. She chuckled happily. But there was something else making her even happier today.
He’s been saying he already has a partner for the tournament... She tightened her ribbon. Her graceful raven locks swayed beautifully. It has to be me! Silly Ichika! There’s no way he could mean anyone else!
It was only as she clanged her locker shut that she realized Cecilia was there too.
“Mm-hm-hmm-hmmm~♪”
Cecilia, too, was in a better mood than usual, as she opened her locker and began to change. It seems Ichika has already chosen his tag team partner. And who else could it be but me?
No one knows for sure whether these were the self-serving assumptions we allow maidens in love, or simply the boundless energy of girls blooming into women. Ahh, finally... Finally, Ichika... Ahh! It was only as she finished changing and was tying her uniform ribbon that she realized Houki was there too.
“Oh my, Houki.”
“Cecilia, huh. Aren’t you in a good mood today.”
Sparks normally flew between these two, but today, it was all smiles.
“Wonderful weather today, isn’t it.”
“Yeah. It really is.”
Silly Houki. She doesn’t even realize Ichika will be teaming up with me.
That Cecilia. I wonder what her face would look like if she realized Ichika was teaming up with me.
Each was smug, completely secure in their perceived advantage.
“See you around, Cecilia.”
“Why of course, Houki. A good evening to you.”
As they passed by each other, a self-satisfied smile rose to each of their faces.
I win!
I’ve got the upper hand!
It was only two hours later, after dinner, that the tragedy unfolded.
◇
“Sorry! Really, sorry, both of you!” I bowed apologetically to Houki and Cecilia, who had both come to my room after dinner.
“Huh...?”
Each was at a loss for words. Well, this was a mess.
“Listen. I’ve already picked my tag team partner.”
“And it’s me, of course—”
“Who else but me, of course—”
“......?” I was at a loss for words too. Just what were they driving at? “Anyway, really, I’m sorry!”
“Do you think sorry...”
“...Is going to solve the mess you’ve gotten yourself into?!”
Houki’s katana, Karaware, appeared in her hands, as did Cecilia’s Starlight Mk. III sniper rifle.
“Whaaaaaa?! Wait, wait, wait!”
“No excuses! Don’t move!”
“If you won’t pair up with me, I’ll finish this right here!”
Fssshhh...
What’s that noise?
Smash!
“What in the—” My door was blown off its hinges, and flew into Houki and Cecilia.
“You fools still haven’t learned your lesson about solving all your problems with your IS? Ten laps around the field with your IS on! And I shouldn’t need to tell you, but no PIC, and no power assist! Understood?”
“Ms. Orimura...”
Well, Chifuyu was also the RA for the first year dorms. She must have been on patrol. But still... How much force did she put into that to blow my door across the room... Sadly, my door was broken again.
“Chop-chop!”
“Yes, ma’am!”
Houki and Cecilia stood ramrod straight while replying, before running off while glaring at each other. Yeah... Ten laps with IS on? That wasn’t gonna be fun. I felt sorry for them.
“And you, Orimura.”
“Y-Yes?”
“You may not be doing anything to cause this, but it’s still always your fault. Better hurry up and narrow down the field, you idiot.”
“O-Okay...”
“...I’ll bring the paperwork for the door over later,” Chifuyu said as she left.
Wait, weren’t you the one who broke it?
◇
Clank, clank, clank.
“Haa! Haa! Haa!”
Clunk, clunk, clunk.
“Wheeze, wheeze.”
Dusk had set over the field, but the heavy clanking of metal on metal still rang out as a red and a blue IS ran laps.
“Cecilia! This is all your fault! Haa, haa!”
“Wheeze. Whatever... Gave you that silly idea... Houki?!”
Clang, clang, clang.
“So-Someday I’ll get you back for this!”
“Why, that should be my line!”
Their pace slowed even as they kept glaring at each other. After all, IS are weighty things.
“Phew. Six more laps...”
“I... Absolutely... Will not... Let you beat me!”
Cecilia and Houki continued their nighttime race, burning all the energy they hadn’t been able to vent at Ichika.