Infinite Stratos - Side Story 1 Read online

  Chapter 1: Hit Up Summer!

  "You've won the grand prize!"

  Charlotte stood dumbstruck in front of the man ringing the bell.

  In the shopping district close to the academy, Charlotte had just drawn a winning ticket.

  "What's this? What's going on?"

  "Ah, Laura. It looks like I won the grand prize."

  "Oh? That's great."

  Laura was accompanying Charlotte on the shopping trip, and despite not knowing what was going on, praised Charlotte with a "That's great".

  "Now then! The grand prize is three free passes to this Spa Resort!"

  Upon hearing the words "Spa Resort", Charlotte's eyes lit up.

  "Huh? Do you mean the one that was recently built?"

  "Yep! It's a place where you can enjoy baths from around the world! It's a mixed bathing resort, but no need to worry since you just wear swimsuits!"

  "M-Mixed bathing..."

  The first thing she thought of upon being told this, was indeed Ichika.

  M-Mixed bathing.... Mixed bathing with Ichika.....

  Charlotte imagined Ichika's handsome face through the steam of water.

  Blushing, she took her prize and quickly turned towards Laura.

  "L-Laura, would you like to go together?"

  "Hm?"

  ♦

  "Haaa... what am I going to do. I'm so nervous."

  The time was 6:00PM, and Charlotte was in the first year's corridor of the IS Academy.

  On the door in front of her hung the nameplate "Orimura" and Ichika was likely inside.

  "What should I say to invite him...."

  Once again, she repeated the simulation that she had went through many times already.

  "Ah, Ichika. I won this, want to go together?"

  "Oh, sure. A spa world that you wear your bathing suit to? I'll look forward to it."

  "Ichika, you really do love baths don't you."

  "No, what I'm looking forward to is being able to see Charl in a swimsuit."

  "Huh?"

  And then he embraces me, with a kiss...

  "Yeah right, just kidding!!"

  "Huh, Charl?"

  Wha!?!?

  "I-I-I-I-Ichika!?!?"

  Suddenly, the door opened and Ichika appeared from inside.

  As it was so sudden, Charlotte could not possibly be any more flustered.

  Wha?..Umm.. What...What was it? Ahh.. ummm... kiss?

  Of course not! It took almost 10 seconds for Charlotte to get her thoughts in order.

  Charlotte once again faced Ichika.

  "Ah, hey!"

  "Hm? What is it?"

  !

  "F-Food!"

  "Hm? Ah, dinner? We're going together?"

  "Y-Yeah!"

  Charlotte lined up next to Ichika and started walking, deciding to bring the topic up after heading to the cafeteria.

  Charlotte shot quick glances over to Ichika beside her, which Ichika returned with a "Hm?". In a panic, she turned her face away from him.

  Her face was colored a light pink.

  "Ah, Orimura-kun! Yahoo~"

  "Are you going to dinner now? Ah, so close. I should have gone a little bit later."

  "Hey hey Orimura-kun, can I come by your room to hang out some time?"

  Seeing Ichika pass by different girls in the hallway and exchange brief pleasantries with them, once again confirms Ichika's high popularity to Charlotte.

  Ichika...he's too friendly to everyone.

  It'd be better if he was only sweet with me...

  Charlotte ever so slightly puffed out her cheeks as she thought selfish thoughts of her love.

  "Charlotte, is something wrong? It kind of looks like you're in a bad mood."

  "N-No, not really? It's nothing."

  Charlotte couldn't believe that Ichika was able pick up on it, and couldn't hide her surprise at his inference.

  Ichika is daft at crucial times, but he's sharp when it comes to the subtleties of people's feelings.

  Whether to be happy or resentful over such a thing, Charlotte was in a complex state of mind.

  They descended the stairs and headed to the cafeteria on the first floor.

  "What are you having for dinner Ichika?"

  "Hmmm.., I could go for the nirereba[S1A 1] lunch set."

  "Liver huh...? That has a sort of manly feel to it."

  "Haha, what's that supposed to mean?"

  "It just gives that impression, jeez... you don't have to laugh at me."

  "My bad, my bad. So, what about you Charl?"

  "I'll have, hmmmm....."

  Looking over the menu once again, Charlotte's gaze stopped on the flounder with red bean paste lunch set.

  "I'll go with this, it looks good."

  "Ahh, yeah it does. Trade some with me later."

  "Ah, sure! I will!"

  Is he going to feed me again!? "Here, aaaahhhnnn~" ehe... ehehehe....

  In high spirits from imagining such a scene, Charlotte decided to strike while the iron was hot and quickly headed towards the counter.

  Aahhhnnn~ with Ichika! Aahhnnn~ with Ichika!

  Charlotte took her food and went to her seat in a half skip walking pattern.

  "Charl."

  "Yes!?"

  "Here."

  What Ichika was offering her was a single serving of nirareba on a small dish.

  !

  "....fine."

  "?"

  Why did they have to have those little serving dishes available today, jeez!!!!

  As it would have been strange to complain in response to him, Charlotte placed some of her own food in one of the small dishes.

  "Here."

  "Thanks. Ohh...it has a good consistency to it, this looks great."

  ".................."

  "Let's eat!"

  ".................."

  "Charl, you're not going to eat?"

  "I will."

  "What is it? Maybe you want me to feed you again?"

  "N-No way!"

  Embarrassed by Ichika hitting the bull's-eye, Charlotte suddenly stood up.

  "It was a joke! A joke."

  "Ichika, you know there are both jokes you should say and those you shouldn't."

  "I-I'm sorry."

  "That's right, reflect on your actions!"

  Sitting back down in her seat, inside her heart Charlotte was all balled up.

  Aaaahhhh~ I'm so stupid, stupid....! I should have just said "Yes"!!!

  Begin Delusion

  "What is it Charl, do you want me to feed you?"

  "Y-Yeah...."

  "You're so spoiled."

  "Only when it comes to you Ichika...."

  "Sure sure, okay then, here, Ahhhnnn~"

  "Ahnnnn."

  "Ohhh, you got some sauce on your lips."

  "Is that sooo?"

  "You're so helpless, Charl."

  "I-Ichika!? That's.. a kiss!?"

  "Here, shush."

  *Nnnnmmmm....*

  End Delusion

  "Mm! It's delicious! Here, you try it too Charl."

  "Y-Yeah..."

  Charlotte moved her chopsticks while praying that Ichika would somehow not notice that she was blushing once again.

  "It's good."

  "Right?"

  "It has ginger or something in it right? Do you know Ichika?"

  "Hmmm... I wonder, there's some hidden flavor in the flounder as well.

  "Either way, it's so good! I want to be able to cook something like this."

  "You're quite skilled Charl, you could probably pick it up pretty quickly."

  !

  "Y-You think so?"

  "Yeah, the cupcakes you made recently were
really good, right?"

  "Ah, anyone could do that."

  "No, no, that's not true. I think you have talent for cooking Charl."

  "T-Thank you...."

  Happy from being praised, Charlotte used those uplifting feelings as momentum and brought up the original question.

  "B-By the way, Ichika. The day after tomorrow, want to go here?"

  "Hm?"

  Chapter 2: Fun in the Water

  The blazing sun shined down upon us mercilessly.

  At the end of August, I, Charlotte, and Laura were heading towards “Spa World”, the place Charlotte won tickets for the other day.

  “It’s almost as if…the weather is too good today.”

  “I know, but going to an onsen in the middle of summer could be oddly appealing.”

  “Mhmm... the so called ‘wabisabi’”, Laura nodded.

  By the way, up until a couple days ago, Laura thought wabisabi was a type of wasabi.

  As usual, it seems there’s an informant providing wrong information.

  “It's getting on sight!”

  “Ohh!”

  After switching from train to bus, followed by an hour long ride, we came to Spa World ‘Enjoy Resort’ at the top of a small hill.

  A twenty floor hotel stood towering over the surroundings, and as it was just recently completed the exterior was in beautiful condition.

  “It's quite crowded despite it being summer.”

  The tour bus that had been beside us sped off.

  “Yeah, probably because they have pools here too.”

  “Oh, I see. So not all of this is an onsen then.”

  “Looks that way.”

  We headed to the front entrance and handed over our tickets.

  The lobby looked like it was constructed to be large, but since it was summer vacation season, it was overflowing with people.

  “Right then, how about we go get changed. Where do you want to meet up?”

  “Hmmm... how about the ‘Meeting Palm Tree’ written on the map?”

  “Gotcha. I'll be quicker so I'll be waiting there.”

  “Mm... as my wife, you better wait carefully.”

  “Laura.... don't go inviting strange misunderstandings, stop addressing him like that already.”

  “Weaklings worry over what others see. Look at me! I'm a person without reservation!”

  I understand what she's trying to say... but that's not the problem here.

  But you know, that Laura seems to have taken a liking to calling me her wife, so she probably won't stop...

  “Ok then, see you in a bit.”

  “Okay.”

  “Right.”

  I split off from Laura and Charlotte, and went into the men's locker room.

  By the way, as this place was remodeled during a time when society favors women, the men's changing room was only around half the size of the woman's one.

  I'm not really bothered by it or anything, but it’s so confined that it is somewhat troubling.

  Since the academy’s on the coast, not having to go look for a new swimsuit is a welcome relief.

  Going to the pool with the usual suspects so many times this summer will be an enjoyable memory.

  Fortunately, in return for assisting with the IS equipment tests during the summer, I have a significant amount of disposable income. As such, my 'war funds' for today were plentiful.

  � All right, ready to go!

  I quickly changed into my swimsuit, and headed towards the spa area.

  “Ohhhh...”

  This place is a mix of an onsen and theme park facilities, each being split into their own large area: an onsen area, a food area, and a pool area.

  I could see ‘Onsens of the World’ written on a large sign from far away, and I instantly started to get hyped up to go in.

  “Wait... first I have to get to the meeting place.”

  I headed towards the ‘Meeting Palm Tree' that was next to the food area.

  It just so happened to be the time where a lot of people were meeting up, so nearly twenty people were gathered there.

  (Guess I'll check out the map while I can.)

  Looking over it again, there’s a stage in the food area that looks like it’s used for special events.

  I should say that 'stage' was in the shape of a gigantic sail boat, it was a quite a sight.

  “Hey, look!!”

  “Hm? … Aahhh!! Could that be Orimura Ichika!?”

  “Uwaaa!! It's the first time I've seen him. I'll take a picture.”

  “He looks better in person than he does on TV.”

  The people who had taken notice of me suddenly started creating a fuss.

  The other day, I was on the television program “Orimura Ichika, The One Man in the World who can use IS!”

  Incidentally, the ratings were quite good.

  I remember getting a pack of sweets from the producer of the program as thanks.

  Then again, becoming famous isn’t all that it’s hyped up to be.

  I get treated as a target of girl’s interest at school. It's troublesome getting this outside of school as well.

  Laura and Charl could you get here a bit faster please?

  As I was thinking that, I heard a different kind of commotion hit my ears.

  “Whoaoaa!! What’s with that beauty!!”

  “Wowww... first time I've seen silver hair...”

  “An actress, a model?”

  “M-maybe I’ll call out to her.”

  I looked over, and as I thought, Charlotte and Laura were there.

  “Heeeyy... over here, over here!”

  “Ah, Ichika!”

  “Sorry to keep you waiting.”

  The two rushed over to me.

  Looking closely, I see that the swimsuits they were wearing were different from the ones they wore at the seaside school.

  Charl was wearing a light blue bikini. Laura was wearing a sporty grey one piece swimsuit.

  They’re probably the same brand, as “CAT&TAIL” was written on them.

  The stitched emblem is a cat with a tail wrapped around it.

  “Hey, looking good you two.”

  “Ehehe, really? Thanks.”

  “Hmph, of course.”

  � Charlotte was happy, and Laura was overflowing with confidence.

  Laura seemed so embarrassed during the seaside school too, that’s some change of heart.

  “Ahh! Those two are Orimura Ichika’s girlfriends!?”

  “Flowers in both hands!? I’m so jealous.”

  “Ugggh... I was thinking of calling out to Orimura-kun... I have no chance...”

  “That figures, a good man has to have good women with him.”

  As the centers of two different hot topics joined together, the noise around us grew louder.

  “Waaa, amazing. There's even a slide in the wave pool.”

  “It looks like there's a volley ball court over there, with real sand as well.”

  “There's a diving board also, I'll show off my skill later.”

  As a result of our [one-shot] high tension discussion in the pool area, we decided to go the slide.

  “Ah.”

  Charlotte spoke up, suddenly remembering something.

  “What is it?”

  “It looks like you go down the slide in pairs.”

  “Heeey!”

  “Right, we're going Ichika.”

  “Ahhh, that's not fair Laura. Rock paper scissors! We'll decide order with rock paper scissors!”

  “Hmph, fine then. Just to let you know, rock paper scissors is among my strengths.”

  “You won't beat me.”

  Rock… Paper… Scissors!

  “Yaaay! I won!”

  “Grrr....”

  The winner Charlotte flashed a full faced smile, and the loser Laura had a look of regret.

  “Hmmm, so how are we supposed to go down this in a pair?”

  As we had question marks over our heads a staff lady called out to u
s.

  “The pair water slide right? Like this… you hold the girl from behind.”

  “Ah, all right.”

  I sit down in the entrance to the slide first.

  “The girl sits down between your legs.”

  “Like this..?”

  With a bit of reservation, Charlotte sits down in between my legs.

  “That's it. Then the guy squeezes the girl from behind. Squeeeze. Arms around the stomach!”

  “Ah…ah... Right, you ready Charl?”

  “R-ready whenever!”

  For some reason, Charl gives me a forceful reply. Doing as the lady told me I hold onto her from behind.

  “................”

  Ugh, don't go quiet on me Charl. It's embarrassing for me too.

  Whether I want it to or not, I can feel the special softness of a girl’s body from the skin to skin contact.

  Plus from being so close that I can feel her body warmth, my heart starts to pound.

  “Finally, the girl has to hold onto the guys arms. Hold on tight! It's dangerous if you become separated midway through.”

  “Y,yes.”

  Charl gave another energetic reply, and squeezes onto my arms.

  Feeling embarrassed that Charlotte might realize my heart was pounding, I hurry and check with the staff lady so we can take off.

  “Ah... okay, are we all set now?”

  “Yes, good to go! Have a nice trip!”

  The staff lady pushes on my back.

  “Ohh…ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!”

  The beginning of the slide went by slowly, but we accelerated quickly into high speed.

  I close my eyes as the water splashes into my face, which causes my arms to reactively tense up.

  “Kyaaa.!?”

  “S-sorry!”

  We were sliding considerably fast, and there was no time to exchange words.

  Reacting similarly to the way I did, Charl was gripping onto my arms much more strongly than at the start.

  “Eh? Whaa!? A curve!?”

  The centrifugal force pulls me around.

  Once again my arms tense up, and at the same time, Charlotte’s position changes due to the force.

  ‘boing’

  “Ah........”

  [!!!!!!!!!!!!!]

  I calm down after the momentary separation and my hands are directly touching Charl’s breasts.

  “I-Ichika!!”

  “Sorry!! It wasn't on pur----uwwaaa!!!!”

  � SPLASH

  It appears that we reached the end of the slide and splash down into the water.