Chapter IV: What It Takes to Be a Hero
Chapter IV: What It Takes to Be a Hero
It’s morning... Rubbing her reddened eyes, Kanzashi got out of bed. She felt terrible. But today was the day of the tag team tournament. She couldn’t run away anymore.
I need to get going... Staggering into the bathroom, she washed her face with cold water. Feeling a bit more like herself, she adjusted her glasses. She had to do her best today. She knew that. Even if her heart wasn’t in it.
The brackets will be announced at the opening ceremony... Then I’ll know who... But if she won, and kept winning, eventually she’d meet Tatenashi.
Twinge. Her chest ached.
Tatenashi, the one who’d been having so much fun with Ichika yesterday. She knew neither of them had been doing it to spite her, but it still hurt. I’ll never be able to match up to her... I have no chance... Kanzashi gnawed her lower lip, and tears welled up in her eyes.
If only she had a hero. She couldn’t drive the thought from her mind. A storybook hero, like in her anime, making a dramatic entrance to save her. Strong. Gallant. Kind. Unflinching. Unwavering. A true hero.
“Ah......”
She shook her head as her image of a hero turned into Ichika.
Gotta hurry up... Kanzashi left her room, almost wishing she could just leave and never come back.
◇
“And now, a few words from student council president Sarashiki Tatenashi.” Utsuho stepped back from the microphone. Me and Miss Casual, the other student council members, were lined up behind her.
“Yawn... I’m tired....”
“Ssh! The vice principal’s looking at us!”
“‘Kay...” Miss Casual gave a nod which would have been almost imperceptible if I wasn’t watching her closely. As she did, she wavered as if she’d just gotten out of bed. And the vice principal was glaring at us again. She was a woman with triangular-framed glasses, hair up in a bun, a prim suit, and dark lipstick. The girls called her ‘the witch,’ but in my opinion, she was a bit cute for that. Now, if you wanted to talk about real demons, there was Chifuyu.
“Good morning, everyone! Today the students with personal IS will be conducting a tag team tournament. You’ll be able to learn a lot from their tactics and technique, so be sure to watch carefully.” Tatenashi’s clear voice and precise enunciation were almost songlike. Her presence wasn’t the only reason she was so popular. “And, aside from that—”
She snapped her fan open. On it was written ‘bookie.’
“The student council has come up with a plan to make this even more fun for everyone! We’re holding a tournament pool, and the prize is meal tickets!” A cheer rose up from the crowd.
“Wait, isn’t that gambling?!”
“Don’t worry, Vice President Orimura.”
“Huh?”
“I’ve already greased the right palms.” Tatenashi grinned. I watched the teachers, but none of them seemed to react. Except Chifuyu... Who suddenly looked like she had a headache. “And besides, it isn’t gambling. It’s just supporting your favorites. That you happen to be doing with your meal tickets. And since we have all those tickets gathered already, what else can we do with them but give them to whoever picked right?”
“Yeah, that’s just gambling!”
‘You didn’t even ask me about it!’ was what I wanted to say, but Miss Casual tugged on the hem of my shirt.
“Orimu, you haven’t even been showing up to student council meetings. We had a vote on it and everything.”
“Ugh... I know I’ve been spending all my time in the hangars, but still...”
What a mess. I couldn’t believe we were just openly placing bets on this. But that was Tatenashi’s charisma for you. She had the student council in the palm of her hand. That still didn’t stop me from feeling blue.
“And now, the official bracket!” Tatenashi opened a large projection display behind herself. On it—
“Guh!”
The first match: Orimura Ichika and Sarashiki Kanzashi vs. Shinonono Houki and Sarashiki Tatenashi.
Jeez, we’re taking on the final boss to start off the day? This is gonna be tough... I sighed, remembering my battle with Laura. Is Kanzashi gonna be okay? I’m worried about how she’ll feel having to go up against Tatenashi without preparation... I couldn’t see her among the crowd of cheering girls. Well, we’re working out of the same pit, so I’ll just have to catch up with her then.
◇
All right! I got Ichika! Houki was overjoyed as the bracket was unveiled. Today’s the day I’ll show him just what I’m capable of! Houki’s coaching from Tatenashi over the past week had paid off. I won’t let this go the way it always used to! And Akatsubaki is stronger now too. This time... This time! This time she would win, Houki was determined, as she raised a clenched fist.
That’s it. I’ll win. I’ll win... And at the dinner tomorrow that we got for that interview, I’ll tell him how I— I mean, I’ll, I’ll ask him out! I’m not missing another chance! Houki’s single-minded wish provided more than enough fuel for her burning fighting spirit.
◇
“Oh, Orimura!” The patter of approaching footsteps was Mayuzumi Kaoruko.
“What is it? I need to get changed into my IS suit and get over to the fourth arena.”
The way over twisted and turned, so it was a pretty far walk. Whoever picked my locker room must have really had it out for me, building a cross-country course into things before my fights even started.
“Here, look at the odds.”
“Whew...” Looking over the sheet of paper, I noticed that Houki and Tatenashi were at the top. I guess it made sense. Tatenashi was the only national pilot at IS Academy. She was on a whole different level from the national cadets. “And I’m... Ugh, dead last?”
“No one has any info on Kanzashi, so it’s to be expected.”
After a second and third year duo, there were Charl and Laura, then Cecilia and Rin.
“Five teams... So there’s ten of us with our own IS?”
“Yep. And seven are first years. This is a really strange year. One third year, two second years, and then seven of you? And all those third generation IS, too.”
“Pretty impressive, huh.”
“Oh, sure, try to brush it off. We all know it’s your fault!” She pointed at me. Well, I guess that was true. “And Shinonono’s is honestly more of a fourth-generation, if that even exists.”
“Yeah, it sure feels like it.”
“Anyway! Enough about that!” I wanted to remind her that she’s the one who got us on that topic to begin with, but I held myself back. “Give me a comment before the fight! I have to get one from everyone, so I’m super-busy! Give me a pose!”
Snap! The shutter clicked before she finished speaking. She was always such a ball of energy.
“All right, that’s the photo! Now, Ichika, what do you have to say?”
“I, uh... I’ll do my best!”
“I was hoping for something like ‘I’m shooting for the top!’”
“Well, um...”
“Hmm. Oh, right.” She cupped her chin, and her eyes gleamed. “How about ‘If I lose, I’m going to be a harem slave’?”
“Where did that come from?!”
“My sister came up with it.”
What the hell was that interview going to look like by the time it made it to print?! And seriously? Harem slave?
“Ahahah. You’re so much fun to tease, Orimura. Tacchan was right.”
“C’mon, please.”
“Oh, but you are!”
Just as Mayuzumi was gesticulating, BOOOOOOM!
“Huh?!”
The locker room suddenly swung as if an earthquake was happening.
“EEK!”
“Look out!”
Mayuzumi lost her balance as the room continued to shake. Seeing she was about to fall into the wall, I caught her arm and wrapped myself around her.
“Are you okay?”
“Y-Yeah. What just happened, though?”
Fshing! The hallway lighting suddenly changed from white to red, and projection displays reading ‘Emergency Alert’ popped up from around us.
“All students, evacuate to underground shelters! Repeat, all students, evacuate to— Eeeek!”
The teacher’s voice suddenly cut off as the school shook again.
“What the hell is going on?!”
◇
“Ms. Orimura!” Maya, running through the halls, had finally found Chifuyu.
“Situation report, Ms. Yamada! What just happened?!”
“We’re under attack! Look at this!” Breathlessly, Maya pulled out her phone. Displayed was a capture from the arena cameras, seconds before, showing the enemy.
“This is...”
“Yes! It’s more of the drones which appeared before—no, an upgraded version!”
“How many?”
“Five! They suddenly dove in from above the pits and attacked the students preparing their IS!”
As Maya spoke, Chifuyu’s face twisted.
“Dammit... This is too soon... We don’t have it yet...”
“Eh?”
Maya was shocked by Chifuyu’s murmur, and Chifuyu, only now realizing that she’d said it out loud, clammed up. She hardly ever saw such nervous frustration from Chifuyu.
“Ms. Orimura! What do we do?” Maya looked up at Chifuyu plaintively.
Chifuyu assumed absolute command of IS Academy in emergency situations. A privilege reserved for the woman crowned as Brynhildr.
“Section status?”
“Same as last time. Under high-level lockdown.”
“Understood. Have the teachers prioritize evacuation of the students. Access the control system, and release the lockdown. Ready combat instructors to deploy, Level III loadouts, in two-woman cells around defensive positions!”
“Roger!”
Maya straightened her spine as she replied, then rushed to the hangar with her own IS. As Chifuyu watched her leave, she punched the wall.
“You’re sure bringing it... But we’ve got plenty to answer with.”
Flames danced in her eyes as she muttered, lowly but firmly.
◇
“Haaah!”
Clang! With a swing of Souten Gagatsu and a forceful kick, Rin sent the attacker—the black IS—flying. She wanted her revenge. She could taste it. But the impassive, mechanical response of her foe only left her aching to feel it.
The black IS maintained its absolute silence. These black drones—these Golem IIIs. Far stronger than the Golem I, and given new form. No longer a hulking iron giant, but a graceful steel maiden. Almost a jet-black mannequin. Close-fit armor darker than night, wrapped around an unmistakably feminine form. The original’s array of lenses and sensors had been replaced with a visor-like linear camera, and a new hypersensor jutted forward like a ram’s horns.
And the biggest change was to its arms. From its right elbow, a powerful, weighty blade extended. Only in its left arm was still the menacing mechanical hulk that was reminiscent of a Golem I. But within its palm were four barrels firing superheated particle beams, dancing with flames like the gates of Hades.
“What the hell does it take to put you down?!”
On Rin’s shoulder units, the covers of her impact cannons swept back. In cramped confines like the IS pits, a full-power blast would be enough to wipe the Golem III from existence. Or rather, should have been— Around the drone, a floating orb of energy formed, absorbing the blast as if it were nothing.
“Dammit! Is this a defensive type?!”
“Ling! Get back!”
Rin dove for cover. In the skies above, Cecilia spun around and stopped midair, firing a burst from her Starlight Mk. III downward.
“Ugh! Such a strong shield! But I’m not finished yet!” The bits floating around her spat forth in unison, streaks of light returning to their home in the rising sun. “I’ve got you now!”
Cecilia’s fingers glided through thin air. With them, the beams curved in flight, seeking the drone from all sides. This was the psychokinetically-controlled Flexible Fire mode of BT weaponry.
Still, the drone sat silent. Almost as if it understood that its transforming shield couldn’t be deployed in time, the Golem III danced in midair.
“Wh—?!”
Its body twisted in ways no human pilot could manage. With impossibly precise bursts from its thrusters, it dodged every shot.
“Th-This is absurd! That strong a defense, and yet so mobile?!” The Golem III thrust its left arm toward Rin and Cecilia. They could see the building energy swirl around the barrels in its palm.
“And plenty of firepower...”
Boom! The explosion shook the pits.
◇
“What the hell are you?!”
The Golem III crashed through the ceiling, bearing down on Laura, and wrapping her head in its left arm. The grasp of its powerful fingers tightened. Her hypervisor creaked under the stress, as alarm after alarm rang. Still caught by surprise, Laura reflexively brought forth her plasma dagger to slash her way out.
I’ll slice your arm off! She ripped with her dagger, fast and precise, only to feel it stopped by the Golem III’s blade.
“What?!”
Just as she felt terror, the voice of her partner rang out.
“Laura!”
It was Charlotte. Her .69-caliber Gray Scale pile bunker poked forth from the shield on her left arm.
“Damn you!”
Blam! Metal clashing on metal, the Golem III fell back. But as she escaped its grasp, Laura saw the barrels in its palm ignite.
“Charlotte!”
“Get down!” Wedging herself between the Golem III and Laura, Charlotte called forth three shields with Rapid Switch. “Ugh...”
Even the Revive’s thick shields couldn’t stand up to the assault. A beam pierced through, scorching Charlotte’s right arm.
“Ch-Charlotte!”
“I... I’m fine... It just knocked off a bit of shield energy...”
“You bitch! You’ll pay for this!”
Laura cast her eyepatch off. Her Wodan-Auge enhanced hypersensor gleamed golden as she slammed the Golem III with all the force her AIC could muster. The drone sat silent, frozen in place.
“I’ll smash you!” Laura’s revolver cannon roared, the rhythm of its repeated fire and explosions from the drone beating out a waltz’s tempo. “AAARGH!”
“No, Laura! Get away from it!” Charlotte’s voice, so far away, only reached Laura’s ears as the drone suddenly broke free and darted forward.
“Ignition Boost?! And so powerful—”
The Golem III’s blade carved through her body.
“LAURAAAA!”
◇
“What’re we gonna do about this?” Third year Daryl Casey’s voice was flat. Her IS Hellhound ver. 2.5 was deployed, but no weapons were in its hands.
“Whatever it is, you first!” Second year Forte Safire fought to keep the boredom from her voice as she cheered Daryl on. Her IS Cold Blood was ready, but simply sprawled languidly in midair.
“Dammit, Forte. Is that how you talk to an upperclasswoman?”
“C’mon. Aren’t you supposed to be leading by example?”
While they were squabbling, a Golem III began to fire its heat beams.
“Those look pretty toasty. Check ’em for me, will ya?”
“Nah. I think it’s a good chance for you to work on your tan.”
Evade. Defend. Repel. Deflect. Parry. Block. Beneath their banter, a bulletproof defense. Their team’s name was ‘Aegis,’ after all. They fought as one, using their talents to cover for each other, not letting a single attack through.
“Here it comes.”
“Got it.”
Miss. Miss. Miss. Even on a hit, not a scratch of damage.
“Y’know, Forte.”
“Yes, ma’aaaaaam?”
“If we don’t attack it sometime, we’re just gonna have to keep doing this.”
“I know, right?”
The duo split left and right, around a charging thrust, and their eyes narrowed.
“Let’s do it, then.”
“Time for the counterattack.”
Swoosh! Double tomahawk kicks struck the Golem III.
◇
“Ah... Ahhhhhhh...”
Kanzashi was paralyzed with fear by the sudden attack, not even able to deploy her IS. Her teeth clattered as she cowered. What... What’s going on? Terror. Abject terror flooded her mind.
“Eek!”
Driven by the sound of footsteps behind her, she ran into a wall.
Quivering, she looked at the wall, then turned and looked up. Silently, a black Golem III drone loomed closer, and seeing her IS in standby mode on her right hand, pursued forth.
Save... Me... Someone save me! Squeezing her eyes shut, she prayed. If there really was a hero, he would be there for her. A hero, his scarf blowing in the wind, slicing through the darkness. But no one came. Reality is no dream, no anime. Step by step, the Golem III approached her.
“Ri... Mu... Ra...”
The left arm of the Golem stretched forth. An instant before it touched her, she screamed.
“ORIMURA!!!”
Crshoom. She felt the wall behind her crumble, then blast away.
“KANZASHI!”
Orimura! He came! Wrapped in a cloud of smoke, Ichika looked every inch the hero. Her own hero.
“RAAH!” Blasting through the wall to the pit, he stretched out his palm. The particle cannon within sparked with energy and fired. At the same time, the Golem III fired its own heat rays. The two beams crashed together in midair, exploding. “Kanzashi! Get in your IS! You’re gonna be caught in an explosion!”
“Y-Yes!”
While Ichika bought time, Kanzashi was enveloped in light, and Uchigane Nishiki formed around her.
“It’s a tough one!” Ichika parried with Yukihira Nigata as he attacked with Setsura in blade mode, but every blow was in turn turned back by the Golem III’s blade. “I can’t take it alone, Kanzashi!”
“What?!”
“Are you ready?!”
“Y-Yeah!” Kanzashi rushed through her preflight checks. Every package was showing ready. I... I... I want to fight alongside him! As the hope, the prayer rang out in her mind, Uchigane Nishiki surged with energy. As if her prayer was answered. “Let’s go! Uchigane Nishiki!”
Clang! Ichika parried a blow and ducked back. Uchigane Nishiki took his place, its Shunrai particle cannon poking out from under Kanzashi’s arms.
“At this range, I can’t miss!” she yelled as she bathed the Golem in a hail of fire— But the shield units floating around it blocked every shot.
“Get back, Kanzashi!”
“What do we do?” Kanzashi questioned as she fell back under Ichika’s cover fire.
“Uchigane Nishiki can’t do its best in close quarters!”
“But the arena is sealed off with a shield... Wait!”
“That’s right. I can cut through the shield with Reiraku Byakuya. Get out into the arena, and fight!”
“Got it...”
“Hold it off for me!”
Ichika prepared Reiraku Byakuya for activation, holding Yukihira Nigata low. Meanwhile, Kanzashi brandished her close-quarters weapon, the Yumeutstsu anti-composite-armor vibroblade naginata, in both hands.
“Let’s do this!”
“O-Okay!”
Byakushiki and Uchigane Nishiki both spread their wing thrusters, and Ichika and Kanzashi took flight.
◇
“Haaaaa!”
Clang! Houki swung up with her twin blades, sweeping the Golem III’s away. For a moment, the drone swung off balance. It quickly righted itself using its PIC, but the opening was one Tatenashi didn’t let pass by.
“I’ve got you now!” Tatenashi’s lance, veiled in a spiral of nanomachine-infused water, pierced toward the Golem III, but before it could find its mark, the drone’s bulky left hand wrapped around it. “Houki! Activate your back variable-sweep armor! I’ll hold it back!”
“Understood!”
The Golem III’s hand screeched as Tatenashi’s lance drilled away.
“Ugh! What’s their armor made out of?!”
“Tatenashi! I’m ready!”
“All right!”
Propelled by Houki’s Akatsubaki, Tatenashi slammed the Golem III into the arena’s gates. Silence hung in the air, broken only by the roar of three IS’ thrusters. Tatenashi and Houki ignored the warning indicators from Mysterious Lady and Akatsubaki that they were about to crash into the arena’s shield barrier.
“Eat this!”
Tatenashi gripped her lance as she fired its other weapon, quad-linked gatling guns. The Golem III swept its shield unit forward to block the fire, but crashed into the barrier. Tatenashi’s face twisted with pain as she was squeezed between the shock of impact from her front and the constant thrust from behind.
“Tatenashi!”
“I’m fine! Let’s crush this thing!”
“But...”
“Just do it!”
Houki was shocked by her insistence, but still increased power to her variable-sweep armor.
“Ugh...!”
Tatenashi could feel her back being crushed, but she kept up the attack. Her water lance and the gatling guns ground away at the Golem III’s armor as sparks flew.
“TATENASHI!”
“Hahaha... I’ve still got one last trick.” Supporting her lance with her left hand, Tatenashi raised her right to the sky. “Take everything Mysterious Lady’s got!”
Tendrils of water swirled forth from her palm, enveloping Mysterious Lady.
“What is this?!”
“I’m focusing all the nanomachines covering my armor into one point, and letting everything fly in one last-ditch attack. I call it—”
Mistilteinn. Formed from a chain explosion of all Tatenashi’s nanomachines, it was an explosion which could pierce through any armor like paper. But it would tear through her own armor as well. Exposing herself to the force of four small fuel-air bombs was definitely a last-ditch attack.
The air in the arena was still. Sensing the energy flow, the Golem III swung its blade down on Tatenashi. Focused on initiating the Mistilteinn reaction, Tatenashi couldn’t dodge, couldn’t parry, could do nothing but take the attack.
“Ahh!” That falling blade sliced through her armor, her life support systems, her skin. Crimson blood welled up, spurting from Tatenashi. But her smile remained.
“Houki.”
“Y-Yes!”
“Shift your variable-sweep armor to defense. You’ll be caught up in this.”
“Wait! What about you?!” she protested.
“I’m immortal,” Tatenashi grinned. The grin she wore after telling a joke, the grin she wore in peaceful times, refused to fade. “Here goes!”
“No! Stop! Are you trying to get yourself killed?!”
Tatenashi didn’t answer. Instead, her grin widened into her smile.
And, Mistilteinn activated.
◇
BOOOOOM!
“W-What just happened?!” Just as Kanzashi and I escaped to the arena, a sudden explosion enveloped the gate separating it from the next. “Was that Houki?”
I tried opening a private channel, but there was no reply. The drones must have been jamming communications.
“Orimura!”
“Whaa?!” Caught by Kanzashi, I tumbled in midair, just as a blast of heat beams shot through where I had been.
“Ugh! They just won’t give up!”
“I...!”
“Kanzashi?! Don’t push yourself too hard!”
“Orimura, check on the other side of the gate...”
“Got it!”
Kanzashi closed in to melee with the drone. Meanwhile, I went full speed for the cloud of smoke enveloping the gate. Houki! Tatenashi! Be safe! As I closed in, my hypersensor picked up the signs of an IS.
“Are you okay?!” But what appeared before me was the massive left arm of a drone. “What the—”
It wrapped around my left thigh. I fired my boosters to escape, but instead, it swung me around by my leg, slamming me into a wall.
“Argh!”
I was wracked with pain. This wasn’t right. It shouldn’t be able to break through the life support system so easily. Wait, is this?! I opened up a status display.
[UNKNOWN ENERGY EMISSION FROM ENEMY’S ARM. MALFUNCTION WHILE DEPLOYING SHIELD BARRIER.]
What the hell... Are these anti-IS IS?! An IS’ armor was reasonably sturdy on its own. But the pilot themselves... Well, it wouldn’t take much more than a flick of its wrist to end me.
“Damn you...!”
I brought myself upright by firing the booster on my right leg, and slashed with Yukihira Nigata, but the drone easily parried my blow with its own blade. Turning to face me, it flung me toward the arena wall.
“GAH!”
The impact knocked the wind out of my lungs. Pain running up and down my body, I coughed up a painful moan and blood all at once. Dammit! If I get knocked out, I’m done for! Need to get back on my feet and— Gritting my teeth so hard I thought they’d crack, I scrambled up from the rubble and spread my wing thruster.
“Ah...”
Only to see heat rays bearing down on me.
◇
I can’t... Win this alone! Between naginata slashes and particle beam fire, none stopped the Golem III, powerful and swift, from bearing down on Kanzashi.
Ugh...! The private channels were still jammed. She couldn’t even tell how Ichika was doing at the gate. With her mind distracted, a rain of heat rays fell toward Kanzashi. Firing her leg boosters, she barely evaded.
“......?!” Falling back, she spotted a familiar aqua blue armor plate in the rubble where she took cover. There was no mistaking it. It was her sister Tatenashi’s IS Mysterious Lady. “......!”
Kanzashi’s stomach turned as she switched her hypersensor to scouting mode. Where? Where is she? She couldn’t stop the waves of anxiety washing over her. Sweat dripped from her brow as her heart pounded.
Wait! Tatenashi was there. Her armor was shredded, most of it blown away. And Tatenashi lay motionless, slumped on the ground, wrapped in what was left.
N-No... This can’t be happening... Kanzashi wanted to scream, but no sound came out. Wanted to shout her sister’s name, but couldn’t make her mouth form words.
The world twisted around her.
She felt sick.
Sick. Sick. Sick. Sick. Sick. Sick. Sick. Sick. Sick. Sick. Sick. Sick. Sick. Sick. Sick. Sick. Sick. Sick. Sick. Sick. Sick. Sick. Sick. Sick. Sick. Sick. Sick. Sick. Sick.
Feeling as if she was on the verge of throwing up, she fixed her gaze on the Golem III. It stood, silent. The mouthless visor with its line camera. The girlish body. The misplaced bulky left arm. The sleek right arm. Every atom of it. Every single atom of it, she loathed.
“I will destroy you...” she whispered. Near-silent, but full of determination... Of bloodlust.
“GRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!”
Snapping her wing thruster open, she activated Ignition Boost at full power. Becoming her own bullet, she thrust her naginata forth in front of her, aiming for the Golem III.
Clang! The sound of metal snapping echoed out. Her naginata, separated from its blade, spun off into the air. But still... Kanzashi couldn’t hold back her rage. Leveling her particle cannon, she fired shot after shot.
“RAAAAH!”
Bang! Bang! Bang! As the Golem III was pushed back under her fire, she pressed in, not letting up for a moment.
“I won’t forgive you...”
Fire.
Fire. Fire. Fire.
Fire! Fire! Fire! Fire! Fire!
“I won’t forgive you!”
Not giving it a moment to bring up its shield unit, she emptied shot after shot into the Golem III, until its armor was pierced and its core was exposed.
If I blow that away— Click. Just as Kanzashi exulted in her victory, that cruel sound brought her back down to earth. Her particle cannon had exhausted their energy.
“N-No...” She pulled the triggers with all the force she could muster, but nothing fired. Only the cruelly mocking click came forth. She looked up, eye to eye with the Golem III. As she trembled, it slashed at her. “NOOOO!”
Throwing herself to the ground, she pulled up a console. There has to be something I can use... Something... Anything... The terrified clattering of her teeth was a macabre tune. Unable to steady herself, she looked over her IS’ status. The Yama-arashi missile pods... But... With the jamming field the drones had, a standard lock-on system wouldn’t be able to control the missiles. High-explosive warheads or not, a shot that didn’t hit would mean nothing. If Orimura was able to hold it still, then maybe... Just at that moment—
Boom! An explosion echoed out.
“Eh...?” Ichika was thrown from the neighboring arena. His armor was riddled with cracks, and couldn’t take much more. As he lay unconscious, another Golem III reached down and lifted him by his head.
“No... Stop...”
Words squeezed from Kanzashi’s lips, as a tear ran down her cheeks. We’re done for... I... I can’t do it... She hated herself for being powerless to avenge her sister. But she couldn’t muster the courage to stand up. She was so terrified, she couldn’t even raise her eyes.
Orimura... I’m sorry...
Sorry for teaming up with him.
Sorry for not being able to save him.
Sorry for being useless.
Sorry... For being born.
Kanzashi wept. Caught in the depths of anguish, she wished she could disappear from this world. As she slipped into despair, she realized there were no heroes.
Silently. Slowly. The Golem III approached. Its blade rose—and began to fall. Entranced by its methodical motions, Kanzashi couldn’t even squeeze her eyes shut.
“Ahh...”
She was going to die. Nothing mattered anymore. A life without value. A waste of time. Soon enough, it would be over. No relief. No terror, either. Only emptiness. And the whistle of a blade carving through air.
“...Eh?”
But it never reached Kanzashi. A shadow darted toward her, wrapping her in its arms. Tightly. Embracing her so tightly.
“Is that...”
It was Tatenashi. With the last of her strength, she leapt to protect her sister. Blood streamed from her back from the blow she took in Kanzashi’s place.
“Tate—” Tatenashi crumpled to the ground. “Tatenashi! Tatenashi!”
Kanzashi lifted Tatenashi, cradling her, the sleeve covering the arm which cradled her dyed bright red.
“No... No... Tatenashi...”
“Haha... How many years has it been since you’ve called me that?”
“Tate...” Tatenashi smiled. As if overjoyed. As if relieved that at least her sister was safe. “Why... Why?”
“Do I need a reason... To help my sister?”
“But! But... It’s all over...”
“It’s not over yet.”
“It is! There’s no hero coming to save us!”
“And?” Tatenashi’s grin was full of kindness.
“But... But!” Kanzashi couldn’t stop crying. Tatenashi weakly, in gentle reproach, stretched a hand up to wipe her tears away.
“...There isn’t...” came a quiet voice.
“Eh...?” It was hard to hear, but when Kanzashi listened closely, she could tell it was Ichika.
“There is no hero...” Dangling from the Golem III’s fist, his limbs hung listlessly. But as he spoke, his voice gained strength. “A real hero... Never cries... Never smiles...”
Painfully, wincingly, he began to move. He was battered, bloodied, pitiful. He looked like he’d been through hell. But... But he shone like the sun. “That’s why! That’s why I—”
Vshoom! Setsura sprang to life in claw mode, slicing the Golem III’s arm apart as it gripped him.
“I’m human. I cry. I smile. Sometimes I fail. But... I won’t give up! Standing and fighting! That’s what it means to be human!”
The Golem III stumbled back.
“HOUKIIIII!”
“I’M ON IIIIT!” Akatsubaki, finally recovered from the explosion, sliced through the wind. “Tatenashi’s attack has to have finished off its shields!”
Closing the distance at full boost, she dropped into an iai crouch and slashed across its chest. The drone remained silent, for a moment, then. Schiiing! The Golem III split into two before disappearing in an explosion.
“Ichika! Are you okay?”
“Behind you, Houki!”
“What?!” The remaining Golem III still had energy left, and it smashed into Houki, sending her flying away. “Ugh!”
Smashing into the ground, Houki scrambled back to her feet, and executing a tight midair loop, soared away from the drone under boost. But she was trailed by fire.
“Dammit! Houki’s gonna—”
Spreading his ruined wing thruster, Ichika crouched to take off, but Kanzashi’s voice called him back, “W-Wait...!”
“Kanzashi?”
“Wait... Don’t go... Your IS can’t take any more...”
“I have to. I have to help Houki.”
“Why? Aren’t you afraid of dying?”
Ichika replied with a bitter grin, “Of course I am.”
“So... Why?”
“I’m more afraid of running away.”
“Eh...”
“If I run away, I’ll never be myself again.”
She could hear the determination in his words. Kanzashi had no response... No ideas to answer with.
“Well, here I go.” Calling forth Yukihira Nigata once more, Ichika soared into the sky at full speed.
“Why...”
Staring at Ichika’s back as he left, Kanzashi sobbed.
If only she could be strong like that...
If only she had the courage to fight...
If, if, if...
If only, if only, if only...
“I...” Her tears fell on Tatenashi’s face. “I’m such a coward...”
Kanzashi was transfixed as she contemplated her faults. Weak. Wretched. Cowardly. Shameful.
“I... I’m useless... Tatenashi...” She sobbed, motionless, loathing herself.
“You’re not.”
“Eh...?”
Thinking she heard Tatenashi’s voice, Kanzashi looked down at her. But Tatenashi was unconscious, limp in her arms.
“It’s okay. Even if you’re weak. Even if you’re wretched. Even if you’re cowardly. Even if you’re shameful. That’s being human.”
It was definitely Tatenashi’s voice. Was it coming from the vision of her sister she saw so often? No. The voice echoing in her heart was full of compassion.
“So, Kanzashi. Understand your weakness. Understand how you could be better. And use that to stand back up. That’s...”
“That’s... What makes me human?”
“Yes. And... It’s what makes me love you.”
She could feel a kind smile behind those words. After a moment of self-reflection, Kanzashi gently set her sister down and rose up.
“I’m going... Tatenashi.”
Her tears had dried.
◇
“Houki! Are you okay?!” I yelled out as I slashed at the drone, trying to slide in between it and Houki.
“Ichika?! Have you gone crazy?! You can’t fight like that!”
She was right. Byakushiki was a mess. And with the drones’ jamming interfering with the life support system, every blow was like I was being torn apart.
“I can’t just leave you!”
“W-What?”
“Houki. I’ll protect you!”
“......!!”
Yes. I would protect her. Protect Houki. Protect Tatenashi. Protect Kanzashi.
“What’s a man good for if he can’t protect his comrades!”
Clang! I pushed my blade down as it clashed with the Golem III’s, sliding it along the drone’s blade for a slash at its body. Too close! I’d failed to land a fatal blow, and it darted in for an attack.
“Ichika! Look out!” Houki tackled the drone away from me, and took a barrage of its heat rays in my place. “Ahhhh!”
“Houki!”
“Hmph... I... I can handle...”
As if to cut down Houki before she could work herself back up, the drone raised its blade.
“I won’t let you hurt her!” I dove for the drone from below, letting its blade fall on me. “Ugh...”
It was a fierce slash. I could feel the shock, and my own IS’ power assist giving out. I... I won’t let it end here... Not out of nowhere like this... I grit my teeth. Felt something give way, no longer sure if it was Byakushiki’s armor or my own bones. But... But I—
“I... Won’t... Lose!” I raised my blade. Just as I did, its left palm thrust toward me. “Damn—”
I braced myself. But as I did, an explosion suddenly saved me. A fusillade from the side drove the Golem III back, away from me.
“What just happened?”
“Ichika! Get away from it!” I recognized that voice. But not the strength behind it.
“Kanzashi...”
She must have... She must have been able to get back up. I was happy. Happy, so happy I couldn’t help but smile.
“Don’t just stand there grinning! Hurry up!”
“Got it!”
Lifting Houki, I made my escape. As I did, a hail of Uchigane Nishiki’s missiles poured down on the drone. Ever silent, even though its shield absorbed the missile, the drone was stopped for now. I made my way to Kanzashi with Houki.
“I knew it. That won’t be enough.”
“So what do we do?”
“Maybe Reiraku Byakuya?”
“I can’t. Not enough energy left.”
Our situation was dire. Dire enough for bitter grins. But determination still shone strong, in my eyes and in Kanzashi’s.
“I can recover it with Kenran Butou...”
“Can you? Akatsubaki’s a wreck.”
“...I can. But it’ll take some time.”
“So... I’ll buy time. And you two...” Kanzashi spoke up.
Just ‘buying time’ sounded simple enough, but it meant she’d have to distract it in the meantime.
“You can’t! That’s too dangerous!” I protested.
“We don’t have time to think it over. It’s our only option.”
She was right. Uchigane Nishiki’s missiles were holding the Golem III back, but that wouldn’t last forever.
So, I have to... Believe. In Kanzashi. In Houki. In myself. In my comrades. All I could do was believe.
“I’ll get them back for what they did to Tatenashi.”
“C’mon... Don’t just leave me for dead...” Tatenashi, heavily wounded, dragged herself to her feet. She wavered unsteadily, and I caught her to keep her from falling.
“Here...”
“Mysterious Lady’s Aqua Crystal?”
“This’ll keep you safe...”
I gripped it in my palm and muttered, “Thanks for the memento.”
“Ichika... When I get better... I’m going to smack you silly...” Her face was pale as she spoke. But she still managed a smile. Softly, but forcefully, she smiled.
“Anyway.”
“Let’s do this.”
“Mm...”
I, Houki, and Kanzashi nodded. Tatenashi held her index finger up and spoke one more time, “Do your best, kids.”
With the student council president’s approval secured, we sprung to action.
◇
If I had the multi-lock-on system... I could create an opening for Ichika to strike... But Kanzashi’s Uchigane Nishiki had none of the code necessary to guide her missiles. So! Closing her eyes, she focused intently. When she snapped them open again, her hands and feet were enveloped in spheres of light.
Ten fingers and ten toes sprang free. She tensed them, experimentally.
“I can do this... Uchigane Nishiki, manual targeting system... Activate. 48-tube fire...”
Kanzashi floated, held up by her PIC like a crucified saint. At her fingers were customized projection keyboards. Two for each limb, above and below. Two keyboards for each set of five fingers and toes formed spheres around her limbs as she began to target the fire of all eight missile pods.
“Windage... Missile performance, time lag... Targeting adjustment for turbulence from explosions, available firepower...”
Dozens of windows sprung open before her eyes. Kanzashi’s mind raced as she worked out manual targeting that would make each and every one of the 48 missiles strike true. She gasped for breath under the mental strain. Clearing her mind, she focused, and—
“Can you withstand the mountain storm?”
Six sliding covers on her wing thruster slid open. Within, particle warheads formed in the eight tubes of each launcher, and 48 missiles shot forth.
“Give me your strength, Uchigane Nishiki!”
Skreeeee! The overlaid whine of launching missiles tore through the air.
“Establish direct link! Manual lock, activate!”
The missiles flew as one toward the Golem III, not in a straight line but in a complex swirling cloud. The drone watched quietly. Deploying its shield unit, it began to fire heat rays at the cloud.
But under manual control, the missiles could weave and dodge to match its fire, before changing direction and blowing away its shield. With its defense compromised, the Golem III turned to evade, darting nimbly backward, but a second volley pursued it like a coyote running down its prey. All over the drone, its legs, its arms, its shoulders, its hips, its head, its torso, explosions welled up like a sudden storm.
Still, silently, the Golem III focused its energy to its left arm for one final breakout. With her missile under manual control, Kanzashi was defenseless, and it fired a heat ray directly for her.
“I won’t let that happen!” Houki sprung in front of her, cramming her fists in the way as she unleashed her variable-sweep armor. An energy blaster shield absorbed the fire. Seeing this, the Golem III switched to high-output mode, hoping to pierce through. “Tch! Akatsubaki! Show me what you can do!”
As if responding to her words, Akatsubaki’s shoulders slid open, metal sliding along metal, revealing weapons in the shape of a crossbow loaded with a massive bolt.
“What the hell is...?”
At the same time as the panels slid open, a window popped open in front of her.
[OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE GOAL REACHED. NEW WEAPON SYNTHESIS COMPLETE. THE VARIABLE-OUTPUT BLASTER RIFLE UGACHI IS A PRECISION RANGED ARMAMENT SPECIALIZING IN LONG-DISTANCE—]
“Ugh! I don’t need an explanation I don’t even understand!”
Snapping the window shut, Houki settled into a crouch with her blaster shield still open. A high-powered ranged weapon... But without her PIC fully devoted to handling the recoil, she wouldn’t be able to land a shot. Realizing this instantly, Houki called forth a targeting scope in front of her right eye.
“I’ve got your left arm!”
BWOOOM!
Short, concentrated beams of the same energy which emanated from the Akatsubaki’s variable-sweep armor sprang forth from its shoulders. Scorching the earth in their wake, they flew toward the Golem III, blowing its left arm off.
Again, always, impassive silence. The Golem III was a drone. It felt no pain. Immediately springing back up from the ground, it rocketed toward Houki with an Ignition Boost.
“Houki... Cover me.”
“Roger!”
Leaping over her head, Ichika activated his own Ignition Boost. The Yukihira Nigata in his right hand burned bright with the energy of Reiraku Byakuya.
“RAAAAAAAAAARGH!”
The Golem III’s blade swung up, crossing over to its left. In response. Ichika raised his own sword over his head, bringing it down with all his might. Clang!
Silent defiance. Ichika’s Yukihira Nishiki shore through the Golem III’s blade raised to parry.
“This is over!”
A second slash, from side to side. The drone’s armor was torn apart, and the core within was exposed. Inside was a shining golden cube. Ichika punched it with all his might, and the Golem III went flying.
One last moment of silence. An IS’ core was built from a particular rare metal, and not even a power-assist punch would normally be enough to smash it. But—
“This’ll keep you safe...”
Wedged between the core and the rest of the drone, a light shone clearly. Its name was the Aqua Crystal. Capable of creating aqua nanomachines. The IS Mysterious Lady’s main armament. And controlling it was—
“Phew...”
Sarashiki Tatenashi. Still wavering, half-conscious, from blood loss. But holding her hand in the air as if cradling an invisible detonation switch.
“Click.” Tatenashi flicked her fingertip. A moment later, an explosion enveloped the Golem III from the inside. “Yaaaay...”
With her last ounce of strength, Tatenashi managed a thumbs up. Ichika, Houki, and Kanzashi, dumbfounded, all responded with their own—then broke out in laughter.
◇
“Mmm...”
Half-conscious, Tatenashi slowly blinked once, then twice. The white light of day had turned to the orange rays of sunset.
“Tatenashi...” Hearing her name, she turned her head. There, Kanzashi stood up from the chair in which she had been patiently waiting. “Are you awake now?”
“Yeah... Where am I?” Tatenashi asked slowly, still not fully aware.
“The school hospital.”
“Not even the nurse’s office... Owww!”
She shook her head, trying to gather her senses. As she did, Kanzashi, worried, steadied her and said, “You shouldn’t move around... You’re stable now, but you’re still badly hurt.”
“Mmhm.”
Time passed silently between them. How many years had it been since they’d talked, sister to sister? Both wondered silently to themselves. The big sister, always concerned for her little sister. The little sister, always afraid of her big sister. But all that floated away like a lie, as they sat in silence.
It’s thanks to Ichika... Tatenashi thought back to when she’d asked Ichika to team up with Kanzashi. The more she thought, the stranger it seemed. Why did I even ask him? She hadn’t been sure then, but somehow, she had believed. That everything would turn out right if she left it to him.
I... Her cheeks began to redden. Was I just flirting with him? Realizing her blush, she turned away from her sister, toward the window.
“Tatenashi...”
“W-What?”
“What’s wrong? Your face is red...”
Yikes. Looked like she’d been caught red-faced.
“It... It’s just the sunlight in here...”
“I see...”
Silence, again. Ten minutes and many sighs later, Kanzashi suddenly spoke, “Um... Tatenashi...”
“Hm?”
“I’m sorry... About everything...”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“But...” She’d built her own idea of Tatenashi, built a wall around it, and always been running away. She couldn’t stand the embarrassment at how she’d acted. “I... I’m a terrible little sister...”
“That’s not true at all.” Tatenashi turned, enduring the pain, and embraced Kanzashi, who was about to cry. “You’re my dear, dear little sister. My strong little sister.”
As Tatenashi patted Kanzashi’s head, she couldn’t hold back her tears any longer.
“Tatenashi... My sister...”
“Mm.”
Alone, together, in the hospital. Under the gentle rays of the setting sun. They finally made their peace after long, long years. Finally accepted each other.
◇
“Uhhhh...”
Why on earth did it end up like this?
“My turn, then. Pair of fives.”
“I have a pair of sevens.”
“Gah, I was gonna play that!”
“I pass.”
“I’m next? Pair of aces.”
Houki, Cecilia, Rin, Charl, and Laura were playing President in my room. They’d all showed up at once, insisting in unison that I redeem myself for not teaming up with them by doing one thing they say. When I tried to beg off by telling them I couldn’t do it for all five, they decided to compete to see who would get the privilege, and then settled on a game of President as the competition.
“Listen, can we at least put this off until tomorrow? We all have to be pretty worn out after today. And some of us are— Bwuh!”
I was hit by a thrown pillow. It had come from Rin. Likely thrown from her wounded right arm, as she whimpered and scrunched down in her seat. What’s she up to, here?
“Does that even count as wounded?”
“Indeed! How shameful for a national cadet.”
“Hm. I dunno, it seems like a matter of pride.”
“Passing yourself off as wounded, really. Not one of the Schwarze Hase flight would lower themselves to that.”
“Anyway! I definitely think I’m wounded, so you should be nicer! Get me something to drink! Get me a snack!”
Yep, Rin was back to herself. Everyone was, really. Even myself, though I was pretty beat up.
“I-Ichika, if you’ve got nothing better to do, you should massage my shoulders.”
“Huh? Oh, sure, whatever, Rin.” I nodded and stepped behind her. “Your shoulders are okay, right? Like, you’re not hurt there or anything? Wow... Your cards suck.”
“S-Shut up! I’m going to come from behind to win! Now be quiet and start massaging!”
“Fine, fine.”
This girl, sometimes... Just as I started, I heard a piercing yell from Charl, “Ahhhhh! You can’t do that yet, Ichika! We don’t even have a winner! No fair, Ling!”
“Yeah! Charlotte’s right! That’s the kind of thing the winner gets to do!”
“Just be quiet! Stop trying to get between me and Ichika!”
“You idiot. Do you want me to slit your throat?”
They kept up a lively conversation as they whittled down their hands. Finally, the game worked its way back around to Charl.
“Okay... Here! Four eights... So—”
“A Revolution! It’s the French Revolution!”
“ICHIKAAAAA!”
Everyone was mad at me, for some reason? The white-hot card battle continued well into the night.
◇
Deep below IS Academy, in a secret area unknown even to most teachers, Maya was examining the wreckage of the drones.
“You look like you need a break.”
“Oh, Ms. Orimura?” Chifuyu, walking into the room, tossed a can of milk tea to her. As she sipped, Maya looked over a screen showing the results of the analysis. “Take a look at this. They have to be improved versions of the drones from before.”
“What about the cores?“
“Unregistered. Again.”
“...How many did we recover?”
“Two. The rest were destroyed in the battle. What should we do with them?”
Chifuyu thought for a moment, then replied brusquely, “Tell the government they were all destroyed.”
“B-But that’s...”
“Think about it. Every country in the world is drooling to get their hands on more cores. If we hand them over, it’s just going to create more conflict.”
Chifuyu was right, of course. But keeping the cores would be risky for the Academy. Sensing Maya’s discomfort, she continued in a livelier tone, “C’mon, who do you think I am? I’m Brynhildr.”
“Yes, ma’am...”
“I can keep a school or two safe.” Chifuyu’s lips curled upward, “With my life, if need be.”
◇
“Ugh, I’m still exhausted... They never even finished their game last night. The RA ended up kicking them out for being too loud. Oh well.”
It was the morning after the attack. I was washing my face at the sink in my room.
“Oww...” Every time I moved my body, it ached. According to the examination I’d received after the battle, I had seventeen bruises, a fractured right clavicle, and two broken ribs. It hurts, but it’s not bad enough to go to the hospital. And besides, I have things I need to do today. First was the school festival with Ran at St. Marianne’s, and then the dinner at the hotel with Houki. I should double-check where I’m going to need to transfer.
Knock, knock.
“Mm?” Hearing someone at the door, I called back as I continued washing my face. “Who is it?”
“It’s me!”
Oh, Ms. Yamada. It seemed like she was in a good mood today. Must’ve had a good breakfast. Today’s special was the egg with natto over rice, and that was some good stuff. I couldn’t really understand why Cecilia poked at it like she couldn’t believe it was food.
“Orimura!”
“Yes?”
“It’s almost time for your debriefing!”
“...Huh?” Did she just say ‘debriefing’?
“It starts in twenty minutes, so come to the counselor’s office.”
“Umm... I really have to go somewhere...”
“What? No, that’s no good. We can’t write up the report if we don’t know what happened, so we’re going to need everyone with their own IS there.”
“Uhh... How long is it going to take?”
“Oh, not long! Only two hours!”
Wait, what. Two whole hours?
“And what happens if I opt out?”
“Confinement.”
“By who?”
“By the secret service.”
Welp.
“And probably some personal lessons from Ms. Orimura after.”
Personal lessons... Like the ‘sparring’ that leaves students knocked out cold? I’d heard about it from someone caught spending the night off-campus, and they’d described it as ‘Hell on Earth.’ I definitely didn’t want the opportunity to find out if that was true.
“So, then. Be sure to be on time.”
“Okay...”
Finished, Ms. Yamada pattered off with short steps. Well, this was a mess. I guess I should text Ran. She might be angry about it. So I’d better apologize.
“Haaah...” Just as a sigh left my lips, I heard another knock. “Ms. Yamada?”
“U-Um...”
I opened my door, revealing Kanzashi.
“Hey, what’s up?”
“Well... Um...”
“Oh, did you want to go to the debriefing together?”
“Y-Yeah...”
As I watched Kanzashi, wondering what was making her so nervous, she suddenly glared at me. Oh, right, she said she really didn’t like it when guys stared.
“Hold on, let me get my blazer.”
“Okay...” Kanzashi swallowed nervously and nodded. She really had changed a lot since we first met. For the better, in my opinion.
“Sorry about that. Let’s go.”
“Mmm...”
Leaving my room, we walked side by side. It was just before nine in the morning.
“Yesterday sure was a mess, wasn’t it. You feeling okay?”
“Mostly. What about you, I-Ichika?” For some reason, she had a hard time calling me by my first name. I didn’t really get it, it’s not like it’s hard to pronounce or anything.
“Yeah, mostly.” That... Was close enough. I was still ambulatory, at least. “How about Tatenashi?”
Kanzashi had refused to leave her side at the hospital, so she should know.
“My sister... They’re going to keep her under observation for a while.”
Meaning, she’s hospitalized. I should remember to bring her something. But what?
“Does she have any hobbies?”
“Hmm... Shogi, I guess.”
“Wow, that’s pretty old-school.”
The problem was, it wasn’t exactly something she could do alone. And I’d just get in the way if I hung around the room. So I needed to think of something else. While I was brainstorming, Kanzashi spoke up, a bit louder than usual, “A-Are...Are you worried about my sister?”
“Huh? I was just thinking I’d bring her a get-well present.”
“A get-well present?”
“She’s gotta be bored out of her mind lying in that bed, right?”
“Ah... Right, that...” Kanzashi was visibly relieved. Huh, what’s up with her?
“Kendama.”
“Eh?”
“A kendama would be good. She always liked playing with those...”
Huh. That wasn’t what I would have expected.
“Okay, that and... Maybe knitting needles?”
“She’s terrible at knitting.”
“Wow, I didn’t think she was bad at anything.”
That was the real surprise, though. I could barely even imagine her messing up knitting.
“It’s like you said. There is no hero. No one’s perfect...”
“Oh, right. That makes sense.”
People aren’t perfect. They can’t do everything. They’re weak. They’re fragile. But that’s why they want to become stronger. So that they can smile. So that they can make someone else smile.
“I’m going to bring her a book...”
“Oh, I see. Then I’ll go with the kendama. And hey, maybe it’s a good opportunity for her to finally learn to knit.” Honestly, I just wanted to see her face when she was put on the spot like that.
“Ichika...”
“Hm?”
“You meanie...”
“Aww, c’mon. I just wanted to get mine in, for once. Turnabout is fair play.”
“Hahaha...” She smiled, maybe imagining me teasing Tatenashi for once. Walking together with her, I smiled too. The hallways were nearly empty. It was almost beginning to feel like something from a movie.
“Um...”
“Mm?”
“H-H-Here...” Kanzashi handed me a paper bag she’d been holding since she’d arrived at my room.
“What is it?”
“T-Take a look...”
“Okay.” I unfolded the top and peeked inside. It was a stack of DVDs. Magical girl anime, mecha anime, romance anime, and... Hero anime. “Oh, hey, I think I saw this one.“
“W-Which?”
“This one here— Whoa!” At the same time as I had started pulling it out, Kanzashi had leaned in closer to get a look. Our faces had come almost close enough to touch, and noticing, I nervously pulled away.
“S-Sorry!”
“You don’t need to apologize.”
Looking at her up close made me realize just how much softer, more tender she seemed now. Honestly, she was kinda cute.
“I-If you don’t mind... I’d like you to watch them...”
“Sure. They look interesting, I’ll give them a watch later.” While I evened the stack in the bag up a bit, I asked her something I’d been curious about for a while, “So, that’s what it takes to get your interest?”
“Eh...?” She sounded shocked. I was still looking in the bag, so I couldn’t see her face. “Y-Yeah... It is...”
“Huh.”
“.........”
“Okay, all sorted. Well, I was the one that mixed them up to begin with anyway.”
“.........”
“Kanzashi? What’s up?” Her face was glowing red, and she was staring at the floor, the folds of her skirt bunched up in her hands.
“Um...”
“Yeah?”
Kanzashi took a deep breath and looked up. Suddenly she shouted, “I... I CAN’T STOP THINKING ABOUT—”
As it echoed through the halls, girls popped their heads out of classrooms. Noticing them, she mumbled a quick “A-Anyway!” and ran off before she could attract any more attention.
“What was that about?”
Left behind, I set off for the counselor’s office myself, still carrying the bag.
◇
I... I said it... Kanzashi ran through the halls, her face red up to the tips of her ears. Ichika, who had changed my life. Ichika, who saved me. Ichika, who made me strong. I can’t stop thinking about him. Not after yesterday.
This was the first time she’d ever been in love, and she didn’t know what to do. Her head was spinning like a top. I... I’m not a weirdo, right? I didn’t do anything weird, did I? She ran through her memories.
“......Ah.”
She thought back to the second time they’d met, when she slapped him hard across the face. Looking back on it, it was a fatal mistake. I... I need to apologize to him for that...
When she did, he’d probably just go ‘Oh, no big deal’ or something. But still. Still. She wouldn’t feel right if she didn’t.
But I really don’t want to go right back to him after I just did that... That was a once-in-a-lifetime love confession. She absolutely couldn’t look him in the eye again so soon after. And...
She hadn’t actually said she wanted to go out with him. She’d just said what she was thinking. So there was no reason for him to have any reply to it. Plus, all the other girls called him ‘the granite blockhead, Orimura Ichika.’ Still... I told him I couldn’t stop thinking about him... The red glow of her face only deepened as her frustration with herself grew.
“Wait...” Something wasn’t quite right. She recalled their conversation.
“So, that’s what it takes to get your interest?”
“Y-Yeah... It is...”
“Huh.”
She stopped dead in her tracks, suddenly realizing something. Let’s look at this one more time, from the start.
We were talking about anime.
↓
“So, that’s what it takes to get your interest?”
↓
“Y-Yeah... It is...”
↓
“Huh.”
Waaaaaait. Could he have heard it more as...
“Y-Yeah... These are the kind of shows I’m interested in...”
He could have. He must have. Kanzashi screamed silently. She wanted to crawl in a hole and die. Instead, she took off running again.
◇
“Sigh...”
Meanwhile, in the student council meeting room of St. Marianne’s Junior Academy for Girls. Ran, clad in a mostly-black uniform, let out her seventeenth sigh of the day. She was in the president’s seat, but rather than sitting tall and imperious, she was slumped forward over the desk.
“What’s wrong, Prez?”
“Why do you look so down? C’mon, today’s the school festival.”
The other members, her friends, were clustered around her in concern, as she rasped out a reply as if her soul had floated away from her body.
“The person I invited...”
“Ooh! Who is it? Who’d you invite? Your boyfriend?!”
“It’s complicated...”
“Anyway, what happened?”
“He’s going to be late...” Ran sighed.
“That’s okay, though. Just means you have to wait a little longer.”
“It’s not like he’s standing you up or anything.”
“Yeah, but...”
“How late, anyway?”
“Two hours...” Meaning, there’s no way he could make the morning session.
“He can just come during the afternoon. It lasts ‘til three, that’s plenty of time.”
“It’s too bad it ends that early. I wish it was longer, and we could go until the evening and have a bonfire and stuff.”
“There’s no way they’d let us do that. The rules are way too strict here.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” Ran sighed again. Twenty, now. Already resigned but still somehow hoping, Ran looked back at the text from Ichika.
[Soz. I’m gonna be a little late, school rules. I’ll be there around noon, prob.]
I wanted to show him around all morning... On the other hand, noon had its own appeal. Everyone would be gathered on the terrace for lunch. There was no doubt that she’d be enjoying the meal bathed in envious stares. And just like that, the rumors will start to go around that he’s my boyfriend... Just as she was exulting, her phone began to vibrate again.
“A text— Ah!” She barely caught herself before she could yell ‘It’s from Ichika!’ Ran had kept who she had invited a closely-guarded secret, even from her friends. I wonder what it is? Will he be here early? Excitedly, she pressed the button to open it.
[Soz again. The debriefing’s starting back up after lunch. I’m gonna be another two hours or so late.]
“Eh...?”
Ran froze in shock for a moment. Wh... What’s a debriefing? And... And he’s going to be even later... The worst part was the ‘two hours.’ If he was planning on noon and now he was going to be two hours later than that, she’d only have an hour to show him around. And it would be the last hour, the one where everyone was more focused on cleaning up than anything else.
Tears began to well up in Ran’s eyes as she looked at her phone. Ichika, you... You... She jerked upright and yelled out, “YOU IDIOOOOOOT!”
◇
“Oh... Man...”
I’d sprinted all the way from the station to the gates of St. Marianne’s. It was 2 o’ clock on the dot. Pulling my phone out, I quickly dialed Ran. Ring... Ring...
Huh? She’s not picking up... That was weird. I looked down to make sure I had the right number, and yep, it said Gotanda Ran right there.
Ah. As I made my way through the gate and toward a statue of the saint herself, I saw Ran sitting on a bench under it.
“Hey, Ran! Hey!”
Hearing me, she looked up—
—And frowned.
“Huh?” As I made my way toward her, she stood up and walked away. “Wait, c’mon, Ran! What’s wrong?!”
I started after her, but was blocked by a woman in a nun’s habit.
“Do you have an invitation?”
“Of course. Um...” I fished through my pockets. I’d been sprinting all the way from IS Academy, so it had gotten pretty crumpled in my pants pocket.
She glanced back and forth suspiciously between me and the invitation. After two minutes of silent interrogation, she relented, “Very well.”
Taking my invitation back from the nun, I ran off after Ran.
“No running in the school!”
“S-Sorry!” The nun shouted back at me as I sped off. I slowed it down to a power walk that was nearly a jog. “Jeez...”
But St. Marianne’s during its school festival was a sea of girls in black blazers. I’d completely lost sight of Ran. They’re all staring at me, aren’t they... Clumps of three or four began to coalesce around me, keeping their distance. I feel like an animal at the zoo...
It reminded me of when I’d started at IS Academy. Stares. Stares. A driving rain of stares. So this is what it means to be in the hot seat... I sighed. Now what was I supposed to do?
“Hey, check him out!”
“Wow, yeah. I wonder if he’s here alone.”
“He looks familiar for some reason.”
“Ah! It’s him! That’s Orimura Ichika! We saw him on TV!”
“Seriously? No way! What’s he doing here?!”
“Someone must have invited him. But he’s alone now.”
“We should go talk to him.”
“Ahh! He’s coming this way!”
The girls’ whispering was reaching a fever pitch. Nervously, I approached the nearest group of girls and asked, “Um, do you have a second?”
“Of course! What is it?!” they answered in unison. What the heck was going on here?
“Um... Do you know Gotanda Ran from the junior school? I think she’s the student council president.”
“Of course! We do!”
“Do you know where I can find her? She isn’t answering her phone.”
“Beats me.”
Well, that was expected. Instead, I asked them to show me to the student council’s meeting room.
“H-How about we show you around instead?”
“Eh?”
I could feel a stare begin to burn a hole through me. Huh? Is someone looking at me? It didn’t feel like girlish curiosity. It felt like their eyes were drilling holes in the back of my head. Could that be... I had an idea of who it might be, and I spoke up loudly to make sure they could hear.
“Oh, that’s a good idea. I can’t find the person who invited me, so I’m just going to have to spend the afternoon with you instead!”
“Really?!” The smiles of the three girls suddenly brightened. Ugh... I felt like a total dick.
“AHHHHH!” I could hear footsteps from behind as a girl came running. It was Ran. “I-Ichika! Sorry to keep you waiting! C’mon, let’s go! We don’t have much time!”
She grabbed my arm and pulled me away from the trio. Yep, it had definitely been her watching. No, stalking, really. I put my hands together, miming an apology to the other girls.
Ran walked quickly, dragging me away. We were in the school building now, but I was still getting the silent treatment.
“Hey, Ran. Heeeeey.”
“.........”
“Are you mad I was late? I’m sorry.”
“It’s not that, I just...” I’d hoped she was finally opening up, but she just mumbled while scowling.
As for the school festival, well, St. Marianne’s was a girls’ school just like IS Academy, and the students were doing a lot of the same things. But compared to the state-of-the-art IS Academy, this school feels like it has a history. The windows were tall, like those in a church, letting in beams of sunlight. The floor and walls were a calm, stolid beige.
“Wow, Gotanda has her boyfriend with her.”
“That must be nice. I’m jealous.”
“I always thought she was too much of a stick in the mud for that.”
I could hear pieces of conversations as we passed the other girls. They must really like to talk about that kind of thing.
“Oh, there’s a takoyaki stand. Want some, Ran? My treat.”
“...Crêpes.”
“Eh?”
“I’d like a crêpe.”
“Ohh. Let’s find somewhere that has ’em, then.” I might have just been imagining things, but it seemed like Ran’s mood was brightening the more attention she attracted. “By the way, can you let go of my hand now.”
“No!”
“Huh, why?”
“Because you still haven’t shown any contrition for being late!”
“Listen, I had to—”
“Men shouldn’t make excuses!” Ugh, that was pretty harsh. “So this is to make you think about what you did wrong.”
As she spoke, she let go of my hand, only to wrap her arm around mine. Huh? Why did I have to be contrite, anyway? I couldn’t figure it out.
“Anyway, let’s go.”
She was suddenly stiff and formal, kicking her leg up with each step like a tin soldier on the march.
“Ran.”
“Y-Yeps?!”
“Aren’t you overdoing it?”
“I-I am not!”
Really. You sure?
“Oh well. Let’s find some crêpes.”
“Y-Yes!”
She was finally back to herself, and her smile shone like the sun. For the next hour, until the end of the festival, we walked arm-in-arm.
◇
“I’m terribly sorry, sir. But our dress code bans such... Gauche attire.”
“...Eh?” On the top floor of the Teresia, I was turned away by a middle-aged maître d’. “Uh, umm, what should I do then?”
“Ah, yes. You could return wearing a suit or a tuxedo.”
“I don’t even own one of those...”
This was... Bad. Really bad. The ticket wasn’t enough to get me in. I wished the Mayuzumi sisters had actually told me about that.
“Perhaps you could purchase one at the menswear shop on the third floor.”
“Um... What’s the cheapest one they have?”
“I believe... In the range of 100,000 yen.”
Gah. That was definitely out of a high schooler’s budget. I wondered what was going to happen with Houki. Women probably needed to be wearing an evening gown to get in, too.
“What seems to be the problem?”
I heard an unexpected voice from behind me. Turning to see who it was, I found a woman in just such a formal dress.
“Ahh, Miss Meusel.” The waiter turned to her and bowed.
She was quite tall, with flowing blonde hair. A real beauty, with ample breasts, a thin waist, and alluring hips. She wore a violet dress like she was born with it. The very picture of sophisticated charm.
“Is there some kind of problem?”
“I was simply explaining the dress code—and how he fails to meet it—to the young man.”
“Oh, come on. Why don’t you let the poor thing in?”
“I’m terribly sorry, but even at your request...”
“Well, well. I suppose there’s no other choice.” The woman, Meusel, tapped a finger on her chin, and turned to me. “Let’s go, then.”
“Huh? Go where?”
“Shopping. I’ll buy you an outfit.”
“Really?! I can’t impose like that!”
“It’s fine, it’s fine. I enjoy spoiling younger men.”
That was, uh, definitely an interesting hobby. As I was thinking, she linked arms with me.
“Which floor was the menswear shop, again?”
“The third floor.”
“Thank you.”
Eh? Is this real life?
“Um...”
She giggled. I wanted to say something, but before I could, she started walking. It was like being caught up in a sudden storm.
“Why, it looks perfect on you!”
“Th-Thanks.”
I was nervous trying on a real tuxedo for the first time in a shop full of expensive suits. Wait. Isn’t this crazy expensive? I tried to get a peek at the price tag, but Meusel stopped me. I was pretty sure I saw five zeroes, though.
“I... I really can’t accept this, you know.”
“You’re still worried about the price? How adorable.”
“I mean, I’m sure you’re just trying to be nice, but... Why?“
“Oh? Do I need a reason to help someone?”
I melted before her bewitching smile.
“Umm...”
Ugh. My heart was pounding.
“I suppose, if you need a reason. It’s for the satisfaction?”
“Satisfaction?”
“Yes. Satisfaction. If I help a young man who’s down on his luck, he’ll be grateful. That’s satisfying. If nothing else, it flatters my vanity and my ego. You know?” She winked, and I could tell she was joking.
She must have actually just wanted to help me. I couldn’t tell if I was more impressed with her grace or her cleavage, but something about her definitely made me like her. So this must be what they mean when they call a lady a fox. The more I thought about it, the more my pulse raced.
“Oh my. Your tie’s all crooked.”
I reached down to fix it, but before I could, she had stretched out her own hand.
“Th-Thanks.”
“Now see? Isn’t that better? Now you just need—”
“Miss Meusel. Your order.”
“Excellent timing.”
Thinking back, I had noticed she was on the phone talking to someone before I went into the dressing room. And now, a florist wearing an apron arrived in the shop. I could tell it was a florist because they had a bouquet of roses in their hands.
“Thank you. Send the bill to the usual place.”
“Of course. We look forward to your next order.” The florist bowed and left. Taking the bouquet, Meusel sniffed it and nodded. “They’re perfect. Here you go.”
“Eh?”
She handed it to me. It must have been at least 20 roses, and it was heavier than I expected.
“Your date must be waiting for you, right? Be a gentleman. Bring her flowers to apologize.”
“Ahh...”
“Anyway, you should get going. It isn’t right to keep a girl waiting. The world moves twice as fast for women, you know.”
“Uh, can you give me your number or something? So I can pay you back?” For a fifth time, I asked, not wanting to take the tuxedo and the flowers for free. But she simply smiled and waved me away, as if telling me to hurry up. What should I... I looked at the clock as I worried. Oh crap! I’m almost an hour late! “S-Sorry! I’ll get going! Thank you so much!”
“I will accept your gratitude, though.”
“Can I at least have your first name?”
She grinned and answered, “Squall. Squall Meusel.”
Squall, huh. I should remember that name.
“Thanks again! Goodbye!”
“Yes. Perhaps we’ll meet again, Orimura Ichika.”
I walked to the elevator as fast as I could without wrinkling my tuxedo. Wait...
“Did I tell her my name?”
While I was trying to remember, the elevator’s bell chimed as I reached the top floor. I had to hurry up and find Houki!
◇
Houki sat, nervously, at a window seat with a panoramic view of the night sky. The reason for her anxiety was her clothing.
“I’m sorry, Miss, but our dress code requires an evening gown.”
With that, the maître d’ had supplied one. This was the reality of a female-dominated society. Men were simply cleared out of the lobby, told to come back after shopping, but for women, the restaurant would supply something proper.
I wonder if I look right in it... She was wrapped in a pure white gown, elegant and refined. The last time she’d worn something like this was during the production of Cinderella at the school festival. Then, she’d been so focused on winning the right to room with Ichika that she didn’t have time to worry about how light and flimsy Western eveningwear was.
For me, it’s kimono all the way. They were simply the most functional clothing in the world. At least in her mind. While she was lost in thought, a voice came from behind her, “Sorry, Houki. I’m late.”
“You sure are, Ichika! What have you been—”
Houki needed to let her frustration out. She stood up, turning to scold him—and the world froze around her.
“Yo.” Ichika, clad in a tuxedo, was head to toe in black. He looked fashionable. Suave, even.
He looks amazing... The words she’d chosen to lash out with fell from her mind. Instead, she simply stared as he handed her the bouquet.
“Here. For you.”
“R-Roses? Red roses...?”
As she took her first-ever, oh-so-romantic, red flowers from a man, Houki wasn’t sure if she was awake or dreaming. I-Ichika was late, and I was mad and couldn’t calm down, but then he suddenly shows up and gives me roses... She couldn’t understand what was going on. She stood, lost in confusion, until a gentlemanly older waiter helped her to her seat.
“Welcome to our dinner table.” He bowed, and Houki and Ichika each returned a nod half a beat later. “Tonight, we’ll be serving a prix fixe menu. As you’re underage, we will not be serving drinks. Instead, you’ll be having bottled mineral water.”
Nervously, not really understanding what was going on, the two nodded. The waiter continued his explanation, and finally, when it was over, they sighed in relief.
“This... This definitely isn’t our kind of place.”
“Yeah. It’s like we’re not really supposed to be here.”
The surrounding clientele were all adults. Adults, and obviously from the upper crust.
Still... Houki looked at the bouquet resting on the table, and then to Ichika in his tuxedo. He looked so much more mature than usual. He looked... If she had to pick a word for it, ‘fabulous.’ It’s not fair. Why does he look so good in formal clothing? He did as a butler during the school festival, too. Somehow, he was just really good at that look. He must look totally out of my league. Houki glanced down at her own gown. It looked as out-of-place on her as it felt compared to a kimono. She slumped slightly at the thought.
“Houki.” Anxiously, she looked up. “About your dress—”
“......!”
She cringed, sure he was about to say it looked weird on her. That it didn’t suit her at all. Her heart pounded as she imagined what he was about to say.
“I like it. It looks good on you.”
“Ah......”
Ba-dum. Her heart leapt.
“O-Oh. That’s good.” She cleared her throat, trying to act nonchalant. But she could feel her pulse pound, her chest ache, and her face turn red.
I’m lucky the lighting’s so dim... She couldn’t even taste the food which began arriving, course after course. Just looking at Ichika made her heart pound so hard that it was a wonder she could swallow.
“Wow, I knew this place was ritzy, but it lives up to the hype. Everything’s all so good.”
“Y-Yes, you’re right.”
I can’t even taste it! It’s your fault, Ichika! Houki glared.
“Mm?”
Seeing his worry, Houki blushed beet-red. He was so wonderful, so amazing, she couldn’t stand to look him in the face. Now... I’ve got to do it now... Got to tell him how I feel! She had the will, but not the courage. Nervously, she picked up her glass and downed it in a single gulp.
“I-I-Ichika!”
“What?”
“I-I...”
Blood rushed to her head in a burst of exhilaration and tension. Her heart raced like a malfunctioning engine, and no matter how hard she willed it to slow down it wouldn’t.
Say it! Say it! She clenched her fists hard enough to be painful, but she didn’t notice.
“Ichika, I—” Just as the words ‘like you’ were about to leave her mouth, the strength drained from her body. “...Hwuh?”
The world spun around her. She wondered why, how, what had happened. The world narrowed, faded around her like the screen of a tube TV that was suddenly unplugged.
“Uh, Houki?” Ichika called out, concerned, as she collapsed into her chair. Unable to put his worries to rest from across the table, he stood up and walked over to Houki. “Houki, you okay? Houki?”
“Bwuh... Isshikuh...”
“Whoa, what’s going on? I can smell liquor on your breath.”
“Whaa? Tha’ssh abshurd...” she slurred as she batted at Ichika. “I’ll, hic, I’ll show you...”
“Whoa, stop! Stop hitting me!”
“Nyahahahaha....”
Wondering what was happening, the waiter rushed over and immediately inquired, “What seems to be the problem?”
“I’m not really sure, either... She had a drink of water, and then she suddenly got like this.”
“Water? Excuse me for a moment.” The waiter lifted her empty glass and sniffed. “Who served this table alcohol?!”
“Alcohol?!”
“Booze...”
“It was me, sir!”
“You again! How many times do I have to tell you to make sure you have the right table!” The waiter raged, the débarrasseur bowed his head apologetically. Houki wavered drunkenly, and Ichika sighed.
◇
A dream. Alone, I waited in a field of flowers. For something. What, I was unsure, but something important. No, I knew what... My prince.
“—————”
I heard my name, and responded.
“Get on.” The prince held out his arm, and pulled me up, onto his horse. As I wrapped my arms around him, my heart raced. “Let’s go.”
To where? I didn’t ask. Anywhere was fine. Anywhere in the world. As long as it was you. I held tight. His warmth, the feel of his pulse, filled me with joy.
“Houki...”
The wind rushed by us.
◇
“Mmmmm....”
I could feel something tighten around me.
“Guh! Stop squeezing my neck, Houki!”
Houki was drunk, and I was carrying her home to IS Academy on my back. I’d managed to convince the restaurant to let me return the dress tomorrow, but it was still a looooong walk home. I’m in a tux, and she’s in an evening gown... It looked almost like we were coming back from a ball. And the smiles that welled up onto her face from time to time were drawing stares from passersby.
“Phew... I’m exhausted. Today was just too much.”
Not really in a bad way, though. She was beautiful in that dress. I thought about her, as she snored away on my back. Put her in a different outfit, and my childhood friend shined. Even if I was a bit biased.
“Ichika...”
“Hmm? You awake now?”
“Yesh.”
Ugh. She was still drunk. She probably wasn’t even really aware of what was going on.
“C’maawwn.”
“I can’t even tell what you’re saying.”
“Mmm...”
“Should I get you some water?
“Lie... Queue...”
Huh? Was she dreaming about waiting in line or something?
“Houki?”
“Zzzzzz...”
Welp, she was back asleep again. Jeez.
“All right, Takatsuki. The rest is up to you.”
I’d finally made it back to the first year dorms at IS Academy, and handed Houki over to her roommate. I was sure there’d be rumors flying tomorrow morning about me carrying her home— I’d tried not to be spotted, but a few girls had seen us anyway.
I need a shower. As I walked back to my room to take one, I ran into Chifuyu.
“What on earth is that outfit, Orimura?”
“Ah, I simply enjoyed a night at the opera.”
Smack. A karate chop bounced off my head.
“That hurt.”
“You deserve it for lying.”
How could she tell? Wait, there was something I needed to ask her. Luckily, the hall was empty. I stepped closer, and with a serious look on my face, initiated, “Chifuyu.”
“Call me Ms. Orimura.”
“It... It’s about our family.” It was hard to bring myself to say. Since our parents had abandoned us, family was a taboo subject... But I still had to ask. “Do... Do we have any other family?”
Her expression changed. My question was met with a silent scowl as tenseness washed over her.
“Like maybe, another sister...”
“No.”
“But...”
There was someone who looked just like her.
“You’re the only family I have.”
“Chifu—”
Seeing that I wasn’t going to back off, she spun and strode away. As if her back was telling me the conversation was over. Confused, I stood rooted to the spot until she disappeared from my sight.