Infinite Stratos - Volume 2 Read online

  "..."

  That's right, Houki. Houki's here. Seems like she's here to have dinner. Looking at the time, it seems like she was trying to avoid me...but it seems that I stayed around for too long. Houki looks rather awkward as she looks away from me.

  "Erm, hi, Houki."

  "We-well, if it isn't Ichika."

  "..."

  "..."

  Damn it, can't continue on.

  --Ever since that declaration last month that seemed like there's some emotions, during the time when she moved out, it seemed to be like this between us ever since then. At first, I would try to look for her and find something to say, but she would often answer 'oh' or 'is that so' and things like that, which makes me really tired.

  "What is it? Something happened between you two?"

  ""No! Nothing!!""

  --Damn it, I wanted to deny it and made an immediate response, but we unexpectedly replied in unison.

  ...In this situation, even I can only think 'it's over, we're dead'. Hold on, will others think about anything else? Hm, maybe I'm really sick.

  "Are you deliberately giving me this 'we definitely did something' reaction?"

  "How is that possible..."

  With Rin glaring at me, I inadvertently try to give an answer that sounds like an excuse. However, it seems like I made Houki unhappy somehow, as she looks away and walks off.

  "Ah--..."

  Though it's weird to mention it, the way she sways the ponytail makes me unable to explain it[2A 8] Well, I don't really understand what I just said.

  "I'm going back to my room then."

  "Hm? Oh, thanks for eating together with me."

  "...Really, you should at least come invite me once in a while..."

  "What?"

  "Nothing. Bye bye."

  Rin shakes her twin ponytails and walks off in the opposite direction. Let me put on something that can sway, maybe a jacket or something.

  (Uu--oh well. Never mind, let's just slowly think through this.)

  Walking off to my own room at this point, I never expected what would happen tomorrow.

  ◇

  "As expected, Hazuki Company's still the best."

  "Eh? Really? But doesn't Hazuki only focus on design?"

  "That's why it's good."

  "In terms of functions, I find Myurei's to be really good, especially the smooth and slick style."

  "Ah--that, it's good, but expensive."

  On Monday morning, all the girls in the class are chatting away happily. Everyone's holding onto a catalog and comparing the products on them.

  "Speaking of which, where's Orimura-kun's IS outfit produced? I've never seen that model before."

  "Ah, it's said to be custom-made. As there's no male attire, it seems like they got a certain research lab...let me see, I heard that it was some English company's armed-style."

  I can really remember quite a bit. This should be the result of studying hard recently. Not bad, not bad.

  On the side note, the IS outfit as what its name stands for. It refers to the unique tight-fitting clothing when an IS is deployed. Even without it, I can still activate my IS, but the response seems to be slower. Eh, what's the reason...

  "The IS suit will detect the weak electricity on the skin and pass the signals of the user's movements to all the parts of the body before the IS can take action. Also, this suit is really durable, it can completely withstand a mini-caliber gunshot. Ah, but the impact won't vanish. Please remember it."

  Yamada-sensei appeared with a clear explanation.

  "Yama-chan's really so knowledgeable!"

  "I'm a teacher after all...hold it, Ya-Yama-chan?"

  "I really have to look at Yamapi differently!"

  "Today's the day when everyone has to request for their attire, so I came earlier, hehe...no wait, Ya, Yamapi?"

  It's been only 2 weeks, and Yamada-sensei already has about 8 nicknames. I guess that's proof of her popularity, and the result of her personality.

  "Everyone, it's not really nice to call a sensei like that..."

  "Eh, it's alright, it's alright."

  "Maa-yan's really a serious person!"

  "Maa, Maa-yan? That's..."

  "Really? Do you prefer to be called Mayamaya? Mayamaya?"

  "That, that's a little..."

  "Well, how about we call you Yamaya?"

  "Pl-please don't call me that!!"

  Yamada-sensei finally says that with emphasis, showing her refusal. What is it? Does she have some bad memories about the Yamaya nickname?"

  "An-anyway, everyone must call me 'sensei', got it? Got it?"

  Though everyone replied with a 'yes~', that's just a random perfunctory. As for Yamada-sensei's nickname, I suppose there will be a lot more of them in the future.

  "Good morning, everyone."

  "Good, good morning sensei!"

  The classroom that was noisy just now immediately became a neat and orderly squad (of course, that's impossible, this is just an expression), as the homeroom teacher of class 1, Orimura Chifuyu-sensei appears.

  --Orimura Chifuyu, my older sister, who was the IS representative of Japan, and is now a teacher in IS Academy. Her treatment toward herself is the same as others, she stands like a soldier and sits like a samurai, and the way she walks is just like an armored tank--would I be killed if I were say that out loud? I would definitely be killed. Inspection's over.

  (Ah, she changed into the clothes I prepared for her.)

  When I returned home yesterday, I remembered to bring the summer clothes over, and she seemed to have worn it immediately. The attire's black, and it doesn't look that much different from a mini-skirt, but as the material's really light, it feels rather comfortable. Speaking of which, the individual division tournament will be held at the end of this month, and once it's over, it seems like the students can wear summer uniforms.

  "From today onwards, we'll be having practical training. As there are training suits, we'll be using ISs, so everyone must pay attention! Don't forget to put on the school regulated attire before you get your own IS suits. Anyone who forgets will have to wear the school swimsuit and truit! And as for that person, well, he can wear a bikini for all I care."

  No, there's definitely something wrong with that! Most of the girls other than me must be thinking that way--besides, I'm the only guy, so it would be bad if I wore a bikini, just a bikini.

  On a side note, for some reason, the IS designated swimsuits are actually traditional gym outfits, those deep blue kind. People have been saying that it's facing extinction, but unexpectedly, it managed to survive here. If Gotanda knew of it, he would most likely be elated, but as for me, it's nothing.

  (Speaking of which, the gym outfit here for guys are pants.)

  Gotanda...I'll omit the rest, please read the front part. Anyway, I'm wearing shorts.

  Let me add on. The regulated IS suit has a rather simple design, tight-fitting sleeveless vest and matching shorts. But you may wonder why is it that the school has to specially provide one for everyone when they have their own regulated ones. That's because 100 people can have 100 types of IS. Of course, not everyone can have their own personal suits, so it's really hard to tell how usable their suits are. But at least this is a respect to the girls who love to follow the melancholic girls' hearts? I heard someone tell me that girls are creatures who emphasize on fashion. Let me see, I think Cecilia said that.

  On a side note, once one has the right to have a personal IS, the suit will be deployed at the same time as the IS, removing the time needed to change clothes, so it's really easy. And its noticeable that the worn clothes will be scattered into elementary particles and then kept in the database of the IS, or something like that. To be honest, I don't really remember the explanation regarding this, so it's better not to ask too much.

  Anyway, it's just 'POW, flash, and transform', extremely easy to understand.

  However, this direct mode that also includes the IS really drains a lot of energy, thus,
it's better to deploy an IS normally and put on an IS suit unless it's a critical situation.

  "Then, Yamada-sensei, please begin the homeroom."

  "O-okay."

  After the briefing, Chifuyu-nee hands it over to Yamada-sensei, but Yamada-sensei seems to be rubbing her eyes as she frantically puts her glasses back, looking like a panicking puppy.

  "Well, today, I'll be introducing some transfer students, and there are two of them."

  "Wha..."

  """WHAAAAAT....!?""""

  On hearing the introduction of transfer students, everyone in the class exploded. Can't be helped, to the class that feeds on gossip even during their meals, it's to be expected that they would be shocked now that a transfer student slipped past their information network, and there are two of them.

  (But why our class...? Wouldn't they be separated into different classes?)

  While I was thinking about this really seriously, the door opens.

  "Excuse me."

  "..."

  The moment the class saw the two transfer students, the buzzing quietened down.

  That's to be expected.

  That's because one of them--is a guy.

  Chapter 2: My Roommate is... a Blond Gentleman

  "I'm Charles Dunois from France. I'm not too familiar with this country, so please take care of me."

  One of the transfer students--Charles, smiles and bows to everyone after saying that.

  Including me, everyone in the class is stunned.

  "A, a guy...?"

  Someone muttered.

  "Yes. I heard that there's someone in the same situation as me here. So I transferred here from my country--"

  He has a face that's easily approachable, courteous, a fine and proper body, bright blond hair on his head--that's neatly tied behind. His body is also so thin that one may feel that it's too skinny, a pair of straight legs, and he sure looks cool.

  The image he gives is of 'some royal prince', and that's not an exaggeration. Most notably, that smile which isn't irritating at all is really shiny.

  "No..."

  "What?"

  "NO WAY--!"

  Is this the so-called supersonic? Nope, I'm not kidding, a squeal started in the middle of the classroom and spread out just like that.

  "A MALE STUDENT! A SECOND MALE STUDENT AT THAT!"

  "AND HE'S IN OUR CLASS!"

  "AND HE'S HANDSOME! THE TYPE THAT YOU WANT TO PROTECT!"

  "I'M SO GRATEFUL TO BE ABLE TO LIVE IN THIS WORLD~!"

  Our class girls are really energetic. On a side note, the reason the other classes haven't run out is most likely because it's Homeroom period, right? To all the teaching staff, it's been tough on you.

  "THAT'S ENOUGH, SETTLE DOWN AND SHUT UP!"

  Chifuyu-nee seems to feel rather irritated as she grumbled. Though it's work, it may seem irritating to hear such girly screams. Besides, she never really got along with ordinary girls when she was still studying.

  "Ev-Everyone please be quiet. We haven't ended the self-introduction~!"

  Actually, no one actually did forget about the other transfer student--or rather, it's rather difficult to forget about her. That's because she looks like a unique radical.

  She has shiny silver hair that's almost white, and the hair's almost reaching her waist. It's pretty, but she didn't tidy it, so it just seems like it's naturally long. Also, she has an eyepatch on her left eye; not a surgical one, but a real black eyepatch like what those colonels in those 20th Century war films would wear. Though the other opened eye is red, hidden in it is a seemingly endless zero degrees Celsius.

  The impression she gives with her attire doesn't need much description. She's a 'soldier'. Though her height is obviously shorter than Charles, the chilly presence she gives seems to make her as tall as she is.

  Let me add on, Charles is rather short for a guy, so the other transfer student is considered rather short amongst the girls.

  "..."

  The person involved still hasn't said anything as she maintains her folded arm stance, looking uninterested as she stares at the girls in the class--and that's for just a moment. Right now, she's staring only at one person...Chifuyu-nee.

  "...Hurry up and greet them, Laura."

  "Yes, instructor."

  Facing the transfer student who's standing straight and answering honestly--Laura, everyone's stunned by her. In contrast, Chifuyu-nee, who got a greeting by a foreigner, reveals a troubled look even though it's different from before.

  "Don't call me that here, I'm no longer an instructor. And you're an ordinary student here, so you must call me Orimura-sensei."

  "Roger that."

  Having answered that, Laura puts her straightened arms to the side and stands straight with her ankles put together--no matter how I look at it, even if she's not related to the military, she did call Chifuyu-nee 'instructor', so she's definitely a German.

  --For some reasons, Chifuyu-nee was an Army instructor in Germany for one year, and after a year of absence, she became an IS Academy instructor, or so I heard.

  The reason why I said that is because I'm not too certain myself. I heard that from the other people related to the Academy like Yamada-sensei. She herself didn't tell me anything, probably because a lot of things were involved in that...

  (But she should've at least told me what she was doing, right?)

  What should I say? Am I feeling unsettled? Nope, this isn't a feeling of loneliness.

  "I'm Laura Bodewig."

  "..."

  The students remain silent, waiting for her to continue, but after she said her name, she shut her mouth up like a clam.

  "Is, is that...all?"

  "That's all."

  Unable to stand this atmosphere, Yamada-sensei tries to force a smile as she asked Laura, but got an unrelenting answer. Hey, Hey, stop bullying the teacher! Look, she's about to cry! Really.

  For some reason, maybe because of this, Laura and I exchanged looks.

  "So it's you--"

  Hm? What? She just closed in without hesitation.

  *PA!*

  "..."

  "Wh?"

  I got hit suddenly, and it was a vicious slap--Wha?

  "I won't accept it. You're actually that person's little brother. Who would accept it!?"

  While I straightened my thoughts, my face started to ache--what? What's this? Why did you hit me?

  See? Everyone's looking over, stunned--no wait, now's not the time to be thinking about this!

  "What are you doing?"

  "Humph..."

  As quickly as she came over, Laura quickly backed away and sits down on the empty seat, folding her hands in front of her chest, shutting her eyes and not giving any reaction at all.

  Uwa, I got ignored. I got ignored? What's this? What's this person intending to do? Is she an alien from an uncivilized culture? Is this a show of friendship when people meet for the first time in Germany? I don't want to live in that country at all.

  "Ah...ahem! Homeroom lesson will end now. Everyone has to change up, as we'll be doing IS practice together with Class 2. Dismissed!"

  Chifuyu-nee clapped her hands to prompt everyone into action. As for me, I'm more angry than unable to accept it, but there's no time to grumble about it now.

  The reason is that, if I'm going to stay in the classroom, I will have to change clothes with the girls--once that happens, there will be trouble, big trouble.

  So I have to get out of the classroom...huh, I remember the changing room of the 2nd arena's empty today.

  "Hey, Orimura. Take care of Dunois. You're both guys, right?"

  Oh yeah, almost forgot about him. So it ended up like this.

  "Are you Orimura-kun. We've met for the first time, I'm--"

  "Ah, save that for later. Let's get out first. The girls are starting to change clothes."

  While explaining, I leapt into action. I pulled Charles's hand and walked out of the classroom.

  "We'll change in the changing room
at the arena, and we have to do that for every practical session in future, so better get used to it."

  "O-Okay..."

  What's wrong now? He's looking rather anxious, different from just now.

  "Do you need to go to the bathroom?"

  "It, it's not like that!"

  "Really? Then that's good."

  Anyway, got to get down the stairs to the first level. We can't slow down. If we do--

  "Ahh! Rumored transfer student detected!"

  "And he's together with Orimura-kun!"

  That's right. Once homeroom period is over, all the students from all classes and all years will send out their elite troops. If we get caught in the flood, we'll be questioned until we're late for lessons. And finally, what awaits us is a hellish special training--I won't allow that to happen, ever.

  "Found them! They're here!"

  "Everyone who heard them! Hurry up and surround them!"

  Hold on, since when has this place become a samurai's house? Now the entire atmosphere feels like someone just used a trumpet shell to blow and alert everyone!

  "Orimura-kun's black hair is great, but blond hair's great as well."

  "And his eyes are green!"

  "Ah! Looky look! They're holding hands!"

  "It's great that I can live in Japan! Thank you okaa-san[2B 1]! I promise that for this Mother's Day, I will give you something other than seaside flowers!"

  No, you should give a proper gift in other years as well.

  "Wha-What's going on? Why is everyone like this?"

  It seems that Charles hasn't got what's going on as he asked me, looking really puzzled.

  "That's because we're the only two guys here."

  "...?"

  What's with that 'I don't understand' look?

  "No, it should be rather weird, but that's because we're the only two guys in the world who can pilot an IS, right?"

  "Ah--ahh, okay. I see."

  "Also...the girls in this school don't seem to interact much with guys, so they became some sort of Uupaaruupaa (Axolotl)!"

  "Uu...what's that?"

  "Some mysterious monster that was endangered during the 20th century, and was a popular trend in Japan for a while."

  "I see."

  Oh well, that's not really important anyway. Right now, the most important thing is to break through this line. Before I reach my destination, I shall not die, even if I have to cut a bloody path out!