Infinite Stratos - Volume 5 Read online

  (Charlotte-san's the least affected when [Byakushiki] entered [Second Shift]...)

  Even though the reason was that all her weapons used live ammunition, Charlotte was still really strong even if they were taken away.

  (Right now, the ranking order is Laura-san, Charlotte-san, Rin-san, then Houki-san, Ichika-san and me...)

  She sighed heavily. On seeing the IS data value [BT weapon synchronization rate at 37%], her heart felt really heavy.

  (Though I heard that I can continue the lasers at will when the synchronization is at its maximum...)

  Is it true? She couldn't help but think.

  (I've never been able to use them like this successfully...should be just in theory...)

  Speaking of which, Cecilia was the only one amongst the national cadets with an 'A' grade in compatibility with BTs.

  Because of that, she had the privilege of entering IS Academy and having a personal machine. But since she couldn't get the data as expected, she didn't know how long these privileges would last.

  "Haa..."

  "Huh, well, Cecilia, let's just go to the cafe beside the cafeteria. I don't think you want to remain in a bad mood all this time, right?"

  "You're right..."

  Charlotte was still worried that Cecilia couldn't break out of her funk, so she continued on,

  "Oh yeah, let's get Ichika and everyone along. It's better that way."

  "...I'm not going if Ichika-san's going."

  Just when Charlotte realized that she spoke the wrong words, it was too late. To Cecilia, who had lots of dignity, even if he was her crush, she still hated to face him as the loser; or at least that's how she would be now.

  "Then how about the girls go, Cecilia?"

  "Uu...you're right. Since Charlotte-san's so understanding, please pardon me for joining in."

  Cecilia's mood improved as she looked up and walked towards her own locker.

  Cecilia's footsteps regained her usual confidence. To her, this suited her best.

  ◆

  The next day, the school used the SHR[5A 8] and first half of the first period to hold a school meeting.

  Of course, it's about the school anniversary that's held in the middle of this month.

  (But with so many girls gathered over here...)

  It's noisy, and if they get any louder, it'll be a ruckus.

  "And now, we'll have our Student Council President explain."

  The person who announced this calmly should be one of the Student Council members, and these words made the laughter subside quickly like the tide.

  "Good morning, everyone."

  "!?"

  The girl with the second year tie stood on the stage. She's the one who appeared yesterday at the changing room.

  I was about to shout out, but held back as I looked at her.

  "Fufu."

  As our eyes met, she showed a smile.

  —Not good. What's with me? I feel like my heart's beating really hard...

  I tried my best not to let others realize that my heart's wavering as I continued to listen to the Student Council President.

  "Okay okay, I had to deal with a lot of things this year, so I couldn't say hello to everyone. My name's Sarashiki Tatenashi, and I'm your Student Council President. Nice to meet you."

  The smiling Student Council President's charisma was able to charm everyone regardless of gender, as everyone below the stage applauded enthusiastically.

  "Then, the important event this month is the school anniversary, so I'll allow for special rules. As for what's going on,"

  With a refined movement, she pulled out her fan and shook it at her side. As if matching the movement, a hologram screen appeared in mid-air.

  "I call it the Every Club Fight For Orimura Ichika War!"

  *PAN!* The fan opened with a crisp sound, and with that, the large screen showed my photo.

  "Wha..."

  "WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT...!!!???"

  It wasn't a joke. The hall really shook because everyone cried out.

  While I was still flabbergasted, everyone turned to look at me.

  "Please remain quiet. Every year, the clubs will set up booths during the school anniversary and hold voting events. Also, the school will provide special funds to the leading clubs. But I do feel that it'll be too boring if I do that this year—"

  Sempai pointed at me with the fan.

  "So we'll forcefully get Orimura Ichika to join the number one club!"

  Everyone screamed crazily.

  "UWAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!"

  "THAT'S GREAT!! PREZ'S THE BEST!!!"

  "IF THAT'S THE CASE, WE'LL DO OUR BEST...WE'RE GOING FOR IT!!!"

  Please don't treat the autumn tournament like that...

  But, am I really that valuable? I can't take part in games for girls, and I'm not the manager type.

  "Speaking of which, I never agreed to this..."

  Still feeling dazed, I turned to look at the Student Council President.

  "Aha♪."

  And then she winked back at me.

  ...No, even if you wink at me like that, it still troubles me...

  "VERY GOOD VERY GOOD VERY GOOD! MY FIGHTING WILL'S STARTING TO BURN!"

  "LET'S GATHER AFTER SCHOOL! EVERYONE, GATHER YOUR IDEAS! WE'LL DECIDE ON WHAT TO DO USING VOTES!"

  "IT'LL BE BEST IF WE GET NUMBER ONE. AT WORST, WE MUST ALSO GET NUMBER ONE!"

  These girls just can't be stopped once they're motivated.

  And thus, even though I only heard this for the first time and didn't agree to this, this war over me began.

  ◆

  After school, on the same day, our class had a last minute meeting in our classroom. Right now, everyone's deciding on what booth the class should set up.

  "Erm..."

  As the class representative, I have to gather everyone's views, but—

  (The content includes 'Orimura Ichika's Cowbot Club', 'Play Twister with Orimura Ichika', 'Eating biscuit sticks with Orimura Ichika' and 'Play King's Game with Orimura Ichika'...wait, what's going on?)

  "I refuse."

  HUUUUUUUUH!!! The cries echoed throughout like a surround system.

  "You-You idiots! You would be happy about setting up such a booth!?"

  "I'll be happy! I promise!"

  "That's right, that's right! You have the duty to service the girls till they're happy!"

  "Orimura Ichika's shared property!"

  "The other classes were all chattering about, and our club sempais have been really naggy."

  "Just treat it as if you're helping others!"

  "You must have the Messiah attitude!"

  What's with this nonsense? Speaking of which, what am I to do...

  I looked around for help, but Chifuyu-nee herself wasn't around anymore.

  "It seems like it'll take quite some time, so I'll head back to the staff room first. Tell me the results later."

  Uwaa, onee-sama's really gentle.

  "Yamada-sensei, we can't use these weird ideas, right?"

  "Huh? You, you want my suggestion?"

  Pull yourself through, Vice-Homeroom Teacher.

  "Huh, erm...mn, I-I think the eating biscuit sticks together sounds good....?"

  The vice-homeroom teacher Yamada Maya-sensei blushed as she said this...damn it, she's a landmine.

  "Anyway, how about some normal suggestions?"

  "How about a maid café?"

  Laura was the one who came up with the idea...huh?

  Everyone, including me, was stunned.

  "It should be popular amongst the customers, right? And we can earn revenue if we sell food and drinks. I remember that outsiders can enter school through an invitational ticket system, so a lot of people would want a place to rest."

  Though she's saying that with the same old cold tone, these words really differred from her image a lot, and everyone in class had to spend some time to understand.

  "Huh, erm...how does everyone feel about this?"

  Even though i
t's by majority, all the girls still looked stunned.

  "Isn't this good? We'll just let Ichika be in charge of being the butler or cooking."

  Charl said that, probably to speak up for Laura as she attracted all the girls' attention.

  "ORIMURA-KUN, AS A BUTLER!!? ME, ME!!"

  "AND THEN, AND THEN!?"

  "WHAT ABOUT THE MAID OUTFITS? I'M IN CHARGE OF MAKING THE CLOTHES IN THE DRAMA CLUB, SO I CAN SEW THEM!"

  The class just went intense out of a sudden. I feel that I'll be pouring cold water over the girls if I hold back their passion at this point, so I'm hesitating on whether I should stop them.

  (Oh well, let's just treat it as a café with very weird uniforms.)

  "I have a correspondence if we need to get maid outfits, including the butler outfit. I'll go ask if I can borrow it."

  As unexpected as ever, the one who said that was Laura.

  Huh? Everyone widened their eyes. Laura suddenly felt that things weren't going right, so she deliberately coughed a few times.

  "—Ahem, I mean Charlotte will be the one asking."

  Laura's face turned a little red, perhaps feeling shy due to the overwhelming stares.

  And then, Charl, who got called, revealed a puzzled look.

  "Huh, erm, Laura? Are you talking about last month...?"

  "Yup."

  "I-I'll go ask. Don't be angry if I can't get them."

  Facing Charl who was looking anxious as she said that, all the girls in class replied back with confidence and in unison,

  "We won't be angry!"

  And thus, Class 1-1 decided to set up a modified maid café. A 'Service Café'.

  ◆

  "...Anyway, class 1 decided to set up a café."

  In the staff room, I concluded the results of the meeting to Chifuyu-nee beside me.

  "I really want to say that you chose something really uninteresting, but there should be something else to that, right?"

  "No, well...it's something like a, Cosplay Café. Ya."

  "Who's the one who came up with that? Tajima? Or is it Liadi? I guess it's one of the people who like to create quite the ruckus, right?"

  "Well..."

  I'm somewhat hesitant on whether I should tell the truth to Chifuyu-nee who's giving a wry smile.

  But never mind, I still decided to say it out.

  "Laura."

  "..."

  Chifuyu-nee widened her eyes. Uu, I really hate this silence.

  After blinking twice, she started laughing.

  "Fu...hahaha! Bodewig? That's really unexpected. But...ku, hahaha! She was the one who came up with the idea of opening a cosplay café? Her personality really changed so much."

  "So you're really surprised...aren't you?"

  "Of course I am. I know her past, so this really surprises me. Fu-Fufuu, she said that she wanted to open a cosplay café...HAHA!"

  After laughing a while, Chifuyu-nee rubbed away the tears in her eyes that came out due to the laughter. Was that really funny...

  To the other teachers in the staff room, it seems that it's a rare scene for Chifuyu-nee to have such a reaction as everyone widened their eyes and stared at her in a mystified manner.

  "Mn, mnn—well, is that all for the report?"

  After noticing her surroundings, she cleared her throat and adjusted her tone.

  "Yes, just this."

  "Then, you just need to write the equipment and food needed on this request form. Remember to send it back in a week. There's no problem, right?"

  (Uu, looks troublesome...)

  "There's, no, problem, right?"

  "Ye-Yes."

  Chifuyu-nee's forceful tone made me straighten my back and answer.

  She's still very scary when she's like this. That's Chifuyu-nee for ya.

  (But Chifuyu-nee did change a lot as compared to the past.)

  I don't really remember but Chifuyu-nee was really scary when she was in middle school. She was like a sharp blade, that others would be hurt if they touched her. Even I would feel scared of her as a family member.

  (But ever since I went to High school, she became somewhat more sociable. Speaking of which, she often hung out with Tabane-san...)

  The peerless genius, Shinonono Tabane. Most likely, the only person in this wide world who can stand side by side with her is Chifuyu-nee.

  --I understand that, and I dare say that. That's true.

  "Orimura, there will be all sorts of military personnel and IS related enterprise representatives coming in from different countries. Normally, ordinary people are not allowed to take part, but the school will be giving out an entrance ticket to every student for them to enter. You need to think of who you want to invite."

  "Ah, okay."

  The report to Chifuyu-nee ended like that. I bowed and walked out of the staff room.

  After hearing the sliding door shut behind me, I sighed deeply.

  "Yo."

  "..."

  The moment I walked out of the staff room, there's a girl waiting for me already.

  That's a face I would never forget. She's the Student Council President, Sarashiki Tatenashi.

  "...What is it?"

  "Hm? Why are you so wary of me?"

  "Do you want me to say the reason..."

  Whether it's the fiasco because I was late or the commotion during the school meeting, this sempai's the culprit behind them all, and yet she's staring at me happily as if nothing had happened.

  "Ah, I want to say that I'd forget it if it wasn't shocking at the beginning."

  "I won't forget it."

  After saying that, I headed to the arena.

  The sempai near me naturally walked alongside me.

  "..."

  Seems like it'll be difficult to shake her off.

  I do feel that this person's giving off a fearsome presence, yet she doesn't strike me as strong—well, it's like 'some situation' guided her here.

  "Relax, relax, don't be so unhappy. It won't be beneficial to you if you shut yourself in since you are young, you know?"

  "Whose fault do you think that is?"

  "Mn—how about I switch the conditions around a bit? This person in front of you here will be your IS instructor from today onwards, okay?"

  "No need. I have a pile of coaches."

  Houki, Rin, Cecilia, Charl and Laura. My fingers are all used up just counting them.

  "Uu-n, don't say that. I'm the Student Council President after all."

  "Huh?"

  "Wait, don't you know? The IS Academy Student Council President is—"

  Just when Sarashiki-sempai intended to continue on, a girl in front of me came running over with dust flying. No, wielding a bamboo sword with one hand and attacking.

  "GET READY—!"

  "Wha...?"

  I stood between both of them in reflex, and sempai evaded me fluidly as she pulled out the fan.

  "Moving without hesitation...not bad."

  Unbelievably, sempai used the fan to block the bamboo sword and then knocked a karate chop with her left hand.

  As the girl fell, the glass window shattered.

  "Wha, what's going on now?"

  A barrage of arrows aimed at sempai's face as they flew by. Looking closely, there's a girl at the window on the opposite school building dressed in a hakama and pulling a Japanese bow. Wha-What the heck!

  "Lend me that."

  She kicked the bamboo sword that's lying beside the girl and grabbed it as it flew in midair. She then threw it out.

  The bamboo sword went through the shattered glass window and landed pin-pointedly in the middle of the archer girl's forehead, beating her beautifully.

  "WATTTCCCCHHH MMEEEE!!!"

  *BAM!* A third assassin came rushing out of the tool cabinet on the corridor.

  She had boxing gloves on her hands. Taking light steps, she swinged over the heavy punches that were full of body weight.

  "Fufu. How energetic...oh yeah, Orimura Ichika-kun."

  "Wha-What?
"

  "I think you don't know about this, so let me tell you. In IS Academy, the Student Council President is the proof of something."

  Sempai covered her mouth with the half-opened fan and said happily.

  During this time, she continued to dodge the boxing girl's ferocious attacks with little movements. That's really amazing.

  "The Student Council President is the leader of all the students—"

  She dodged the right straight punch in a circle-like manner. *Tonk*...she kicked herself off the ground and leaped into the air.

  "And also the strongest."

  And then, she sent a spear-like spinning kick, sending the boxing girl flying back into the cupboard as if it was a rewind, unable to say anything.

  "...That's how it is."

  She spun around and let the fan that was let loose when she did the spinning kick to fall back into her hand before it landed on the floor, and then held down her floating skirt.

  "Did you see it?"

  "No, I didn't!"

  "That's good."

  Fufu, sempai laughed twice and closed the fan.

  "...So what's the situation now?"

  "Hm? As you can see, this weak me often gets in danger, so I need a knight to protect me."

  There's a liar in front of me.

  "You just told me you were the strongest."

  "Oh my, you saw through me."

  She chuckled happily again...it's not important at all, but this way of laughing is rather elegant and really suits her. What kind of person is she...?

  "Well, basically, anyone will come and attack the strongest Student Council President. If she wins, that person will become the Student Council President."

  "Haa...that's quite chaotic."

  "Yup, but ever since I became President, almost nobody was able to beat me. So just now, that was."

  She pulled towards me and dragged my face close in—WAAH! THAT'S CLOSE! THAT'S TOO CLOSE!!

  "You caused that, you know?"

  "Wh-Why?"

  The gentle aromatic fragrance soothed my nerves.

  The fragrance made me lose my sanity, and my heart started to pound wildly.

  "Hm? Well, since I put you as the prize of this month's school anniversary, the sports club that won't be able to get first like the fighting type clubs can only use force. They want me to step down, cancel the rules of the prize and get you at the same time."

  These are just wild guesses. I should add that, but I feel that her guesses are mostly right.