Infinite Stratos Volume 4 Read online

  My swimsuit’s still fine, I have that new outfit I just bought, and... Panties. Well, uh... It was summer. The weather made people do crazy things. And if the weather happened to make us do something crazy? Well, I needed to be prepared, just in case. Preparation is key! You can never be too prepared! Whoever decided that really knew what they were talking about!

  “Hey, Tina! Didn’t they really know what they were talking about?”

  “Yeah, sure.”

  The crunch of another chip. This, from the girl who’s always worried that she’s getting fat. She really had no self-control. At least I don’t have to worry about that! I’d found out early on that we’d have free time on last month’s class trip, so I’d been dieting since June. It had paid off, and I was in perfect shape. It wouldn’t be embarrassing at all if someone were to see me— Not that I know that’s going to happen for sure. If someone were to see me, even without a swimsuit.

  “Hey, Tina!”

  “What?”

  “Hot enough for ya?”

  “Yeah, I guess.”

  The sound of another chip crunching hung in the air.

  ◆

  “Phew. Time for a break.”

  I—Yamada Maya, that is—sat at my desk in the faculty lounge, sipping from a steaming mug of tea. Hot tea in an air-conditioned room in the middle of summer. This was really living it up, wasn’t it? I felt a little bit guilty wasting tax money like this. Let me have this, just this once. I need it after finally making it through the spring semester report.

  This whole year had just been too weird. Boys who could pilot, unheard-of numbers of personal IS, one security breach after another, and now the treaty organization was after us demanding that we hand over a detailed report on what was going on, along with Orimura Ichika himself. Just thinking about it gave me a headache. It’s all downhill from here, though. So let me have my break. Maybe by the other meaning, though...

  I looked at the two documents in front of me and let out a sigh. Each was a student profile. Which wasn’t that bad in itself, but one was Orimura Ichika’s and the other was Shinonono Houki’s. The duo who had personal IS without being national cadets. And while this wasn’t a problem with Orimura, Shinonono’s wasn’t registered to any country. That was going to cause a lot of issues. Any country could technically pick her off as their own, and get her IS with her. They all wanted IS so badly they would kill for them. It made sense, even a single one could swing the balance of military power. But now, when it’s one hand-built by Shinonono Tabane, the inventor of IS? Incorporating fourth-generation technology? Everyone in the world was probably desperate to get their hands on it.

  I couldn’t help but sigh once more. Why did they all have to be in my class? Stranger still, why did they add two more halfway through the semester? You’d never normally have that many students with personal IS in one class. Someone must have been pulling strings. IS Academy may not legally answer to any government, but that doesn’t mean that it’d be immune to influence. Let’s try not to think too much about that. Anyway, just sitting here worrying about it wasn’t going to help. Let’s just finish this pile off, and I’ll be done.

  With my tea break finished, I turned back to the mountain of paper. I picked up another sheet, and something flew nearly into my lap. Huh? Another sheet. The sheet of paper had split into two! No... it must have just been two sheets stuck together.

  “I wasn’t expecting that. What could it—”

  Snap. My thoughts froze.

  “This is...” I’d gone through the entire pile making sure there was nothing like this in here, or so I thought. I can’t believe I completely overlooked it while dealing with everything else first. “This is bad. This is really, really bad...”

  The teacher’s lounge may have been kept cool, but I was still sweating sheets. It was a cold sweat... And not just because of the air conditioning.

  ◆

  “And so I return.”

  Even as I languidly slid from my white Rolls-Royce before the gates of IS Academy, I was in high spirits. It feels simply fabulous to be under the same sky as my dearest. I, Cecilia Alcott, have taken care of my duties at home in England and returned to Japan. Alcott family responsibilities, debriefing as a national cadet, IS maintenance, a violin recital, reunion with old friends... And visiting my parents’ grave.

  “.........”

  Thinking about it made my heart ache. Why did they leave me without telling me anything? Why did they leave me alone? Why did they both leave me at once? Someday, maybe I’ll understand...

  “Mistress.”

  “Mm?!”

  I turned to see Chelsea, my maid and lifelong companion, wearing her usual reserved smile.

  “Is something the matter?”

  “Oh, it’s nothing.”

  My emotions were in turmoil, but I forced myself into the appearance of calm. Chelsea has always been quite perceptive emotionally for as long as I’d known her. She exuded an uncommon calmness for an 18-year-old. She was almost more of a big sister to me than a retainer. An object of admiration—an inspiration.

  “I see. Then, shall we bring your things to your room.”

  With a slight nod from Chelsea, she and another maid each picked up a suitcase. As for myself—

  “Will you be visiting Mr. Orimura?”

  “Chelsea? I thought you were handling my luggage?”

  “My apologies! There was one last thing I needed to confirm, so I came back.”

  “Oh, I see. What was it?”

  “Are the white lace ones for him?”

  “.........”

  Eh?

  “I must advise you, overly-showy lingerie rarely does what it’s supposed to.”

  “It’s, er, ah—”

  “Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

  Without even waiting for a reply, Chelsea curtsied and left. Wait, how, what?!

  “What in the—”

  I’d bought those online and hidden them in a secret compartment in my luggage. How did she know?! Her gentle smile filled my mind’s eye, and I burned red. Ahhhhh... I wish I could find a hole to go die in... My face was so hot it hurt, and I’d have been sweating regardless of the weather. Especially my palms. I wished for a sink nearby.

  “Huh? Oh, hey, Cecilia.”

  Was that— Could it be?! Was that Ichika’s voice? What is he doing here? Oh my God, did he come to welcome me? I clutched a palm to my pounding heart, trying my best to appear my normal casual and collected self.

  “Yo.”

  “Why, Ichika! It’s been almost a week. How have you been?”

  I gave him a formal curtsy as a greeting, even as my heart wanted to be anything but formal and quiet. It was him! Was he really here to welcome me? Why, Ichika!

  “I simply couldn’t sit still when I heard you were returning.”

  “Why, such flattery!”

  “But true, as well. The week you were gone felt like an eternity.”

  “Ichika... Oh, Ichika...”

  “I’ll never let you go again, my princess.”

  Ahh! Ahh, no! Not here! People may be watching!

  “Cecilia?”

  “Ah—”

  A midsummer day’s dream... A daydream.

  “Are you okay? You look pretty out of it. Are you sure you don’t have sunstroke? You need to be careful. Sunstroke’s actually pretty dangerous.”

  “Ah, no! I’m fine! I was simply a tad dizzy from the drive!”

  “Oh? That’s good.”

  “Indeed.”

  “Huh? I’m sorry, who were you?”

  “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Cecilia’s maid, Chelsea Blanchett. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

  Chelsea, who must already have been finished with the luggage, had returned, and greeted Ichika with a curtsy. But wait? Why is she alone? I realized almost immediately. She must have waited to see what would happen, and then took the opportunity to make her entrance. She really was quite perceptive...

&nbsp
; “Oh! I’d heard about you from Cecilia. I’m Orimura Ichika.”

  “Of course. Mr. Orimura. May I be so rude as to ask, how has Mistress described me?”

  “Quite well. Considerate. Talented. Kind. And beautiful.”

  “Oh my.”

  Chelsea gave her usual smile. It would have been no flattery to call it stunning, but in a warm, embracing way rather than a cold one. I knew that better than anyone, and yet— I most certainly never described her as ‘beautiful’ to you, Ichika! As if she saw through my jealousy, Chelsea turned her smile to me. Ugh... I can’t fault her of all people for it... I couldn’t argue with that smile. I have never been able to.

  “I’ve heard quite a bit about you, as well,” she continued.

  Say, what?

  “Oh, really? Like what?”

  Wait, wait, wait! Chelsea! Please don’t tell him about that!

  “Hehe. Well...” As if sensing my upset, she gave a cheekier grin than before and raised a finger to her lips. “That’s for us girls to know.”

  Even as another woman, I felt that smile’s charm.

  ◆

  “Wow, you really are as beautiful as she said.”

  “I suppose...”

  A change of scene: the café attached to the dining hall. Fully air-conditioned, open year-round, and with masterfully-made drinks and seasonal pastries which put the coffee shops downtown to shame, it was packed with classmates even during summer vacation.

  “Hey, isn’t that Orimura from first year?”

  “Wow, it is! I’ve never seen him in person before!”

  “He’s so cute! Maybe I wouldn’t mind a younger man.”

  “I like how he seems mature for his age.”

  Bits and pieces of conversations drifted past my ears. Normally I’d be overjoyed to be spotted out together with Ichika. But now...

  “.........”

  With a strained expression, I idly swirled my iced latte. The rattling of the ice cubes as I poked at them escaped everyone’s notice but mine. How could they get along so well the first time they met? The better Ichika and Chelsea got along, the more irked I became.

  “You’re amazing, Ms. Blanchett. I can’t believe you’re not even twenty.”

  “Please, Mr. Orimura, call me Chelsea. You needn’t be concerned how you speak to me, I’m simply a maid.”

  “No, I don’t mind. You’re older than me, to start. And it just feels weird to be impolite like that.”

  “I see. I’m flattered. You certainly know how to charm a woman.”

  “Huh? I don’t think anyone’s ever told me that before.”

  “Really?” Chelsea chuckled.

  Ichika was showing her a side he’d never shown me. At the same time, frustratingly, she was playing along even though she knew how I felt. Perhaps that rumor was true... I’d first heard of it at the end of last month. Even yesterday, it hadn’t bothered me at all, but now, I couldn’t get it out of my mind: ‘Orimura Ichika likes older women.’

  I’d thought it was completely baseless, but seeing it for myself... Watching how he acts around Chelsea, it seemed almost like there was something to it. I don’t suppose there’s any way for me to end up older than him... Sigh... We were the same age. I wasn’t ever going to be any older than him, and he wasn’t ever going to be any younger. No amount of effort was ever going to change that. At a loss, I fell further into a gloom.

  “Um? Cecilia? What’s wrong? Is it something I said?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, that was blunt.”

  Not even Ichika’s wince at that was enough to cheer me up. This was why I wasn’t happy that he’d asked me out for coffee. It’s all Ichika’s fault, I thought to myself, putting my lips to my straw. Extra wet, no sugar. It was normally delicious, but today I couldn’t stand it. But at least sipping away kept me from sighing.

  “.........”

  “.........”

  Perhaps ten minutes, perhaps twenty, perhaps only one passed. Suddenly, breaking the silence, Ichika spoke up.

  “Cecilia?”

  “...Yes?”

  “Want to go somewhere this weekend?”

  “Y-Yes.”

  ◆

  “Whew, this weather’s great! It’s a perfect day!”

  A perfect day for a date! I clapped my hands together and pumped my fists as hard as I could. I may have only been in my room, but I was already dressed to the nines. I had a whole new outfit ready to go. Fufufu. I’ve finally got Houki and Charlotte beat! I’d been obsessing over pulling out ahead of the duo who’d lived with him for a while. It had really bothered me when I got here and heard he was already staying with another girl.

  It may be the same swimsuit I wore on the class trip, but it’s the first time I’ve had it out on a date! Going out as a couple is completely different! Just thinking of the word couple made my cheeks turn pink. I’ve got the cutest pair of panties possible, and a spare pair in my purse just in case. How did the old song about summer love go? It didn’t hurt to be prepared. Maybe on our way back... Yeah...

  “Today sure was fun, wasn’t it.”

  “Yeah. Especially since I was with you, Rin.”

  “Yeah. I’m glad you finally appreciate the time we spend together.”

  “Rin...”

  “Huh? Why are you grabbing me by the hand all of a sudden?”

  “I finally understand. Now that we’re back together again, I understand how much you’ve always meant to me.”

  “I-Ichika?”

  “Rin, I love you.”

  “I— Wait, not here...”

  “Do you hate me?”

  “No...”

  “Then, why not?”

  “You idiot... You don’t have to—”

  Wouldn’t that be perfect if it actually happened?

  “Wouldn’t it, Tina? Wouldn’t it?”

  “Yeah, sure.”

  She answered me without looking up from her ice cream. I shouldn’t have even bothered to engage her. She should have known how excited I was from yesterday! Well... I couldn’t be sure why she was so nonplussed, but I had my ideas.

  “I’m off!”

  “Bye.”

  “I may be late!”

  “Mm-hm.”

  “See ya!”

  “See you.”

  I latched my door behind me. Another fist pump, and I was on my way.

  ◆

  “Hm?”

  “Oh?”

  Two familiar faces passed by each other in front of the gates to Water World. Ling and Cecilia, after an awkward moment, each mumbled out a stiff greeting.

  “Why, if it isn’t Ling...”

  “Y-Yeah. Hey, Cecilia...”

  They waited a few paces from each other, each wondering what the other was doing there. Each wondering why the other was all dressed up.

  Cecilia must be waiting for her friends? Who cares! I’m waiting for Ichika! Ling couldn’t hold back something halfway between a sneer and a smile as she chuckled.

  ......

  .........

  ............

  Dammit! Where is he? What’s wrong with him?

  “What could have happened?”

  At the same time as Ling stomped in frustration, Cecilia whispered. The repeated glances at their wrists made it obvious that whoever they were waiting for probably wasn’t showing up. Ling was curious about Cecilia, but more focused on Ichika. Never mind 10:00 like he’d promised, it was already 10:30. He always has been late at the worst possible times... Just as she pulled out her phone in frustration, it rang. The number displayed on-screen was, of course, Ichika’s.

  “Hey! Where the hell are you? What are you doing?!”

  “I’m at school.”

  “What?!”

  “Hey, um. Ms. Yamada told me the lab that developed Byakushiki was sending a tech, and that I needed to stay while he did some tests. They probably really want a look at it now that it’s gone through second shift.”

  “And?”
r />   “Listen, I’m sorry. I’m not gonna be able to make it today.”

  “What?!”

  Ling’s mind boiled over in an instant, straight past anger to the world swirling around her. Ichika continued, “But, um. I tried to get in touch with you yesterday, but you weren’t picking up, and when I went to your room you were already asleep.”

  “.........”

  She had gone to sleep at eight to make sure she’d be on time. And turned her phone off so it wouldn’t wake her up during the night. And told Tina not to wake her up unless it was an emergency. That idiot! That was definitely an emergency!

  “So, uh.”

  “Yeah.”

  Her reply was duller than she intended.

  “I gave Cecilia my ticket, so you two can have fun together.”

  What?!

  “Right. Cecili— Wait, what?!”

  “Huh? Isn’t she there? I told her to wait by the gate.”

  Absolute silence. Maybe, maybe, maybe...

  “Maybe I should kill him...”

  “Whoa, Rin, is everything all right? It sounds pretty crazy down there.”

  It was his nonchalant response that finally completely snapped Ling’s patience.

  “It is very much not all right! Don’t you understand what you’ve done?”

  “Whoa! Why are you so mad all of a sud— Yes. Right away.” She could hear half of Ichika’s conversation on the other end of the line. “Sorry, Rin. They want me to get going right away. Can you explain this all to Cecilia? Later!”

  Click. The sound of his voice cruelly cut off.

  “Ugh!”

  Ling trembled in rage as she gripped her phone. If Cecilia had been a second later in speaking up, Ling surely would’ve dashed it to the ground rather than only squeezing it until it creaked.

  “Er, Ling? What’s the matter?”

  Ling chuckled lowly, “Listen up, Cecilia. Ichika isn’t coming.”

  “.........”

  Cecilia froze instantly. Seeing that her words hadn’t sunk in, Ling repeated herself, “Ichika’s not coming.”

  “Huh? Wait, why? Why are you—”

  “We were supposed to go on a date today, okay?!”

  “What? But he had asked me out—”

  “So what? I’m the one who got the tickets to begin with, understand?!”