Volume 3 - CH 1(2/3)
The key thing was, the puppet's movements and speech, was totally not of Yoshino's will.
"Is anything the matter? Has today's checks been completed?"
"Nn—, physical examinations has been perfectly finished—, but there is still a need for practice—"
[Yoshinon] said while waving its short limbs.
"Practice?"
At the same time Shidou said that, [Yoshinon] suddenly raised the edge of Yoshino's sunhat.
"......Sss"
Yoshino seemed to be very afraid, her shoulders jolted for a second.
But after swallowing hard, she opened her shaking lips and said.
"Good, good morning, Shidou-san......!"
Yoshino used a voice that was more audible than last month to greet him.
"Woah!?"
Shidou widened his eyes, and took a step backwards.
Yoshino who was shy in nature and fearful of humans, fully relies on [Yoshinon] to deal with outside issues, who doesn't speak much at all. This was the first time that Shidou heard Yoshino speak at this volume.
At this point, some buzzing could be heard from his right ear.—It's Kotori. She must have reached <Fraxinus> already.
"What? She can already talk to me and Reine you know?"
"Really? Isn't that amazing Yoshino?"
After Shidou said that, Yoshino seemingly embarrassed pulled down the edge of her hat, but the edges of her mouth seem to show signs of a smile.
Then, accompanied by the sound of the Chupa Chups being moved around in the mouth, Kotori continued to speak.
"Even though it is still early, but I wish to let Yoshino live outside of the warship.—Having Yoshino as a conversation partner, the mental stress accumulating in Tohka should be lesser, this shouldn't be a problem......Since in <Ratatoskr>, it’s better to let Spirits have a better understanding of society and live happy lives."
"Umu. Isn't that great?"
"Nn. So that's why today we let her introduce herself."
"Is that so?"
"Yoshino's home outside of the warship, is the first choice that place?"
Following Kotori's voice, Shidou looked up to face the high class condominium next to the Itsuka residence.
The building where Tohka is currently staying, it is said that <Ratatoskr> specially designed it for Spirits to live in. Even if something unexpected happens, it seems that it won't be easily destroyed.
"So......I see."
"But—whether a proper conversation can be held is still questionable."
"Aah......"
That's right. Even though the rooms are different, but no matter how you look at it they can be considered neighbors.
No, even before that Tohka and Yoshino were originally Spirits. But it was not understandable why till now Yoshino seemed to still have a bad impression of Tohka, it would be best if they can properly speak to one another.
Then, the condominium's automatic door silently opened.
A girl walked from inside still yawning.
She had hair as black as night and seemed to be exceptionally conspicuous under the glaring sunlight, a beautiful appearance and crystal eyes that gave off a steady feel.
It was Shidou's classmate, Yatogami Tohka.
"......"
Looking at her appearance, Shidou held his breath.
Tohka at present was not wearing the western jacket she had been wearing the past week, but the short sleeved summer uniform with a ribbon.
Well, Shidou was also wearing his summer uniform, so that was nothing to be surprised about......But upon seeing the uniform that placed even more emphasis on her good figure, he couldn't help but feel his heart skip a beat.
"Nn......? shidou!?"
Only now did Tohka seem to have noticed Shidou's presence, she widened her eyes and shouted.
"Wh, isn't it extremely rare to meet each other so early in the morning!"
"Aa, aaaah......Go, going to school with Tohka sometimes doesn't seem to be a bad idea......What's wrong?"
Shidou said with his eyes swimming all over the place. The cheeks of the questioned person took on a red tinge, her expression immediately brightened.
"Yeah! Umu, that—I think, is not a bad idea."
Tohka nodded happily. Not knowing why, but having displayed her joy so openly could have been embarrassing.
As Shidou was wondering what to say next, he passed the lunchbox in his hands to her.
"Also, this. This is today's share."
"Ooh!"
Tohka accepted the bento, displaying a wide smile.
"What is the menu for today!?"
"Nn, today is asparagus wrapped in bacon, meat and fried eggs, and macaroni salad with tomatoes. Ah, and rice is fried rice with chicken."
"What—"
After Shidou said that, Tohka revealed an expression of shock, furtively looked around her surroundings and held the lunchbox tightly.
"Is, that okay shidou!"
"Ha......Wh, what?"
Shidou asked cluelessly while Tohka continued in a low voice.
"Asparagus wrapped in bacon, meat with fried eggs and whatever else is too grand and won’t we be in a lot of trouble if everyone knew about this......? Who knows, they might cause a riot over this bento—"
"No, they won't."
"Re, really......That's good. Bu, But, to make chicken fried rice from rice that sort of blasphemous act......Isn't this breaking international laws?"
Tohka said in a serious tone. Really now, where on earth did you learn all this from.
"It won't, it won't. ......Ah, do you dislike chicken fried rice? If you want I can exchange lunchboxes with you?"
It was because both of them had the same bento, that made Origami very unhappy. As such, since two weeks ago, the menu had undergone slight changes.
Well, since most of them were leftovers from last night, there was little difficulty in preparing them.
But in the instant that Shidou made that proposal, Tohka hugged the lunchbox and *fuun fuun fuun fuun fuun* shook her head at such a speed that one would worry that her head might fall off.
Shidou looked at her and made a troubled smile. Well, as long as she's happy, then it's worth cooking everyday.
Tohka, with an expression still showing panic, gingerly held her lunchbox, took several deep breaths as though trying to regulate her emotions. At this moment,
"Nu?"
Tohka suddenly widened her eyes, and faced the young girl beside Shidou. It seemed that she only noticed her just now.
"Ooh, isn't this Yoshino? Long time no see!"
Revealing an innocent smile, Tohka started the conversation.
Although a lot had happened, but it seemed that Tohka didn't care about that anymore.
"......Ss!"
However, Yoshino started to retreat with trembling shoulders.
"Fight! Fight!"
"Ss, Uu, Mn."
Under the encouragement of [Yoshinon] in her left hand, Yoshino firmly stood, *Suu~~* took a deep breath, and took a step forward.
As though her determination had been set, her eyebrows moved.
"Aa......, amenbo, akaina, a, i , u, e, o......!" (Translation note here)
Not knowing why, she started to speak sentences used for phonetical practice.
"......Mu."
Tohka mumbled, furrowed her brows in worry and turned to look at Shidou.
"This......What is this? Code words?"
"No......Yoshino?"
Shidou smiled forcefully and asked, [Yoshinon] waved its arms with a *pata pata* sound.
"Aah—, very good! Practice makes perfect! Retake! More AGAIN!"
After speaking a few words with Yoshino. Yoshino nodded slightly, and once again stood in front of Tohka.
"G, g, good......morn, ing......"
Using a voice that was smaller than the volume used to greet Shidou, but still clear nonetheless, she greeted.
"Wooah, good morning!"
"......"
Yoshino's figure trembled for a moment......but held back the urge to escape.
A length of time passed, Tohka and Yoshino stood face to face, not exchanging words.
Hence, Kotori's sharp voice sounded out once more into Shidou's right ear.
"—What's with the silence Shidou. Yoshino is very uneasy. Try saying something encouraging."
"Eh......?Aa, aaaah......"
As Shidou responded, he glanced towards Yoshino.
Now that she mentioned it, she does look different from last time.
"Yoshino, you wore a sunhat today."
That's right, the previous time she was wearing a cap.
"......Ss,......Th, that's right."
Yoshino actually wanted to hide herself by using [Yoshinon], but resisted it in the end, inclining her head and replied.
"That's because......today was very warm, that, Reine-san she......that."
"Aaa, no wonder. It suits you a lot. You look cute."
"......Ss!"
At those words, Yoshino's face went red with a *Po!*
Looks like that shy personality of hers still hasn't changed. Shidou gave a bitter laugh.
"Hold on, how can you stop the conversation like this. You haven't talked to Tohka yet."
"Aa......Is that so.—He, Hey, Tohka, don't you think so as well?"
"Mu?"
She probably didn't know that the subject of the conversation would turn to her, responding to Shidou with a tone of slight surprise. After which, her vision fell towards Yoshino's direction once more.
"Nn. Umu. It's very cute, Yoshino."
"......Ss! Th......Thank you, very much......"
Yoshino replied while staring at the ground, forcefully raising her head towards Tohka.
"Th, that......Tohka-san, is also......very cute......"
"Nu? Wh, What the......That's embarrassing."
Saying that, Tohka puffed her cheeks. Tohka embarrassingly smiled. once again moving her sight towards Shidou. God knows why, but her cheeks are slightly red.
"shi, shidou do you......think the same as well?"
"Heeei?"
Not expecting the conversation would turn toward himself. Shidou gave an incoherent reply
"Today I'm wearing a different uniform......How does it look?"
Stuff like that had already been noticed the moment they saw each other. Raizen High School's cool summer uniform, totally fits Tohka. Cute to the point that whoever dares to deny it should be executed, one should start thanking Japan's weather for this.
"Oo,ooh......It suits you."
"......Mu, is that so."
After Tohka said that, the surroundings once again fell into silence.
Instantly, a beeping sound transmitted into his right ear.
"Hey, that's no good at all!"
"Wh, What's wrong......?"
"What's wrong you say, of course that's wrong. What are you doing Shidou. The practice has already started you know?"
"Haa......? Wha, What do you mean?"
As Shidou lowered his voice, Kotori loudly sighed.
"I already told you. Today's lesson, is to not let Tohka get jealous.—Shidou, since you already said 'You look cute' to Yoshino , why didn't you say the same to Tohka?"
"Heeei......?"
Shidou let out a stupid voice as he recalled his previous actions. ......Now that she mentioned it, aside from 'It fits you', nothing else was said about the person herself.
"Th, That's a no go huh......?"
"Of course it was. Saying to other girls flattering words like 'You're cute', but not saying that to her.—Even if she didn't notice, but her emotions have slightly dipped."
"N, no, but Tohka would mind those—"
"I'm telling you."
Kotori spoke with a tone of admonishment.
"While Tohka is indeed a Spirit, and is clearly different from humans in many ways. But, you cannot treat her as different in this particular area. In this field Tohka, after all is just a normal girl."
"......"
Hearing those words, Shidou bit hard on his lip.
Even though he did say he would let Spirits lead normal lives, but it seems that at some levels, he still viewed her as a special existence.
Shidou tightly clenched his fist and faced Tohka's direction, and spoke.
"Toh,Tohka!"
"Ye,yes......!?"
Was it due to the sudden increase in volume, Tohka seemed to have been frightened by that as her shoulders were trembling slightly.
"Wh, What is it shidou?"
"Y, you're cute too!"
"Hu......hueh?"
Tohka blushed, her body leading back.
Not knowing why, his face started to blush as well. But Shidou disregarded that as he continued to speak.
"Aaa, cute! Extremely cute! That summer uniform totally suits you! When you came out of the condominium you gave me a shock! I couldn't take my eyes off you! All of a sudden I couldn't speak! You're that cute! To the extent that I can't describe it anymore—"
At this point, Tohka used her hands to cover Shidou's mouth, sealing off the words he wanted to say.
"Mu......mugu."
"I, I understand already so time out."
Saying that, Tohka quickly turned her back towards him.
Up till now what he had just said were truly from his heart. ......But, it seemed a little too effective.
As Shidou was thinking about this, sharp laughter came from the transmitter.
"Pu......, kuku, haha, ahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!"
No need to guess that Kotori was the one laughing. Shidou could faintly hear movements from a chair. It seems that she was adjusting her seating position.
"Very well done Shidou. Just like an idiot would do."
"Sh.......Shut up......I know that myself."
Shidou groaned, his forehead starting to perspire.
"But, it looks like I've made her mad again......Hey Kotori, what should I do now?"
"Haa? What are you talking about?"
"Eh?"
"Tohka's emotions are rising rapidly, and its stopping at the maximum. You've got her into complete excitement. Why don't you walk to Tohka's front to look at her expression? It's going to be interesting more or less."
"Ah......? Wh, what?"
Shidou started to question. But Kotori did not respond to them, and continued to speak.
"Well......I won't punish you for the time being.—Tch, its almost time to call Yoshino back now. You'll be late if you don't go to school now you know?"
Just as Kotori said that, Yoshino gave a deep bow.
"To, Today, I'll......have to go now. Please take care......Shidou-san, Tohka-san"
"Ooh, come again okay?"
"Nn—goodbye."
Shidou and Tohka lightly waved. Yoshino gave another deep bow, and ran off with a *pata pata* sound.
"......Well let's go now, Tohka."
"Nn, yeah."
Shidou and Tohka started to walk down the asphalt road together......But,
"......Tohka? Can you wait a while?"
Noticing that there was something wrong with Tohka's back view, Shidou stopped in his tracks.
That's right—Tohka's clothes is the cool summer uniform. Meaning to say, that normally underwear—espicially the straps of the bra should slightly show. But......
"Nu? Is there something wrong?"
"Tohka......You, did you properly......put that......thing on?"
"? Put what on?"
"......Br, bra."
Shidou slowly muttered out that noun. But Tohka inclined her head to the side with an incredulous expression.
"Bra? What's that?"
"..................!"
Shidou held his breath, at the same time he pushed Tohka back into the apartment.
"Wh, what's the matter shidou?"
"That's not something that you can just say 'what's the matter'!! You, don't tell me you, haven't been wearing it all this while!?"
"Li, like I said, what is it!?"
"..................!"
Shidou tapped the microphone in his ear. After that, Kotori's voice could be heard.
"Aaa, well, even though I did mention that we had prepared them......But it looks like she doesn't even know what are they used for in the first place."
"Now's not the time for that! It can still be passable if it is the winter uniform, but if the current situation continues......!"
"Yeah, It should be placed in the topmost compartment of Tohka's closet, why don't you teach her how to wear it?"
"M, me......!?"
"Is there anybody else around. Right, you'll be late if you don't hurry up."
"......Aaargh, dammit......"
Shidou with his determination set, turned towards Tohka.
"Tohka, can you take me to your room......!"
"Nu......? Aaa, that's okay I guess......"
Led by a seemingly troubled Tohka into her room. Maybe it was done as a precaution, but before entering her room, they passed through three layers of walls that were extremely similar to those of bank vaults. Seemed like the living space of the apartment was not as large as it appeared to be from the outside.
"Here."
Saying this, Tohka opened the door. The layout of the inside was almost the same as that of a normal apartment.
Shidou closed the door and looked further inside along the corridor.
"Ve, very good, next can you bring the item on the topmost compartment in your closet over?
"Nu......? I, I got it."
Tohka took off her shoes while tilting her head, following Shidou's instructions, and brought a pale pink bra over to him.
"Is it okay like this?"
"Erm, aa, aaaa......"
With experience in staring in a girl's underwear of the same age at zero. Shidou waved at Tohka with a red face.
"Al, alright Tohka, bring that to......"
Even though it is certain that no one would listen, but Shidou still felt very embarrassed as he lowered his voice.
The same time the method of wearing a bra was taught via whispering, Tohka's face turned beet red.
"Wha......! Whawhawhat are you saying shidou——!"
As Shidou continued, Tohka raised the bra up high with both hands and stared.
"Put this......breasts...directly......?"
"Aaa, that's correct."
"Mu, muu.......Do I have to wear it?"
"......That's right. It'd be......a problem if you don't."
"In, in what way would it be a problem?"
"No......It's still okay right now, but if it were to rain......that, would......"
A while later, after seemingly understanding what Shidou meant by those words, Tohka's already red face went into a deeper shade. If it were a manga, smoke would probably come out of the ears by now.
"Wha......What are you thinking!"
Tohka yelled as she covered her chest with both hands.
"That, that's why I told you to put it on!"
After that, Tohka stared at the bra once more while groaning "Umu......"
"I, I know that already. I'll wear it for you to see......"
Nodding with red ears, she ran out of the corridor with a *pata pata* sound
"Haaa......that was really dangerous."
Fuuu, Shidou sighed in relief.
—However, after a few minutes, Tohka reappeared at the corridor once more blushing.
"shi, shidou......It is okay like this?"
Finishing her sentence, Tohka walked up shakily.
Not knowing the reason why, but the shirt that was taken off was now worn in reverse.
"Tohka......Wh, what's with that appearance?"
"Thi, how do you hook this......?"
"Aaah......"
In just a sentence, Shidou immediately understood the reason for this situation.
This is her first time wearing a bra after all. Trying to hook it by herself must have been too difficult.
As Shidou frantically thought of a way——
"Enough trying to think, just go and lend her a hand."
Kotori said that as though it was a chore, Shidou's cheeks twitched a few times.
Although he wanted to retort something back......But there was no other alternative method. Shidou swallowed, opening his trembling mouth and spoke.
"I'll......I'll hook it for you, so turn around."
"Wha......"
Tohka stared with widened eyes, failing to think of another way, she was the same as him in this area.
After some hesitation, Tohka slowly turned around, her back facing Shidou.
From the gap between the unbuttoned shirt, he could see that beautiful back. Shidou couldn't help but gulp.
"Do, don't just stare at me......"
Tohka embarrassedly turned her face around, using both hands to hold her shoulders, as though the shirt would immediately fall off.
Shidou fiercely shook his head.
"I, I understand......"
The same time sweat started dripping from Shidou's cheeks, he was muttering "It can't be helped, it can't be helped", using trembling fingers to hook the bra. At the same time,
......Next time I'm going to buy a front hook, Shidou firmly decided in his heart.
◇
"Muuuu......I feel uncomfortable moving around in this."
"......Bear with it. That's how it is."
"Mu, muuuu."
Tohka looked unaccustomed as she kept turning her body. Shidou supported his forehead that still had not cooled down and sighed.
Just like that, around ten minutes passed in silence.
Shidou and Tohka who just walked into a crossroad, seemed to hear the footsteps of someone running over.
"Eh?"
Shidou's eyebrow twitched as he turned to face the direction of the sound, but it was too late.
On the left, a girl who looked like a high schooler, was biting on a piece of bread and,
"I'm late I'm late~!"
Saying the lines that even modern shoujo manga would leave out, she came running over at a horrifying speed. On a side note, even though she was biting on toast, the pronunciation of her lines were perfect.
"What......!"
The intention to dodge flashed, but it was too late. Shidou was knocked down by the high school girl, falling on his butt.
"Aa....Ow ow ow."
"Ar, are you okay, shidou——!"
Tohka swiftly crouched and asked in concern.
"Yeah, I'm fine but......"
Shidou patted his behind as he stood up, facing the direction of the girl who knocked him down. If Shidou, as a guy, felt the force of the collision that hard, it must be unbearable for the girl.
"It—hurts!"
As expected, the girl at a distance close to them, let out such a shout. However——
"Nnwha......"
Shidou's face turned red, his shoulders shook.
That's totally understandable. That's because the girl that fell by the road, splendidly flipped her skirt, revealing her butt to Shidou.
......I don't know why, but it felt like when she fell down, she took the opportunity to roll up her skirt in the chaos.
"——Kya!?"
But Shidou's suspicions, were instantly blown away by the girl's shout.
The girl hastily covered her underwear, looking at Shidou with flushed cheeks.
"Did, Did you see!?"
"No, no, that......"
While Shidou was getting troubled over how to reply, the girl slowly stood up and walked up to Shidou.
"I've been seen by a guy like that......Now I can't get married anymore!"
"Haa......!? No, that."
At this point, the girl suddenly pressed her body onto Shidou
"Hyii......!?"
"Wha——!"
Not just Shidou, even Tohka was left speechless.
But, the girl didn't mind at all, using her finger she drew circles on Shidou's chest and continued.
"Will you......take responsibility?"
"Eh, no, even if you say that......"
Perspiration flowed down from his face, Shidou shifted his line of sight away. Aaa, the weather is so hot. So hot, so hot.
"St, still not letting go, you!"
The instant Tohka wanted to seize the girl's shoulder, the girl lightly dodged, leaving Shidou's side.
"Please, won't you take some time to consider!......What would......happen next."
After saying that, not knowing why, she ran off in the direction that she came from.
Tohka, after looked on, stunned for a moment, "Uu—", she pouted her lips and gazed in Shidou's direction.
"Wh, what's the matter......Tohka."
"......Nothing, its nothing"
Tohka turned away, and walked towards the school's direction.
"Wait, hey, Tohka—"
This moment, the transmitter in the right ear started to beep.
"Shidou, out~~"
"Wha......?"
Shidou knitted his eyebrows, following that was Kotori's sigh of impatience.
"Shidou, what were you doing. Saying that was a definite no no. You can't let Tohka throw a tantrum."
At this point, Shidou finally realized the situation.
"Don't, don't tell me that girl was......<Ratatoskr>'s......!?"
"Correct. One of our staff. Why, don't tell me you're disappointed?"
"......Guwuaa."
Shidou's face twitched as he pulled his hair.
"Aa—aa, why don't you make a more peaceful way of dealing with that.——Or, properly do something that would salvage the situation."
"Sal, salvage?"
"Yes, gently hold her shoulders, whisper softly into her ear: 'Don't throw a tantrum already, I'm not interested in other girls other than you......?' or stuff like that"
"Is that even possible......! In the first place, why would doing that make Tohka feel better?"
"Hehe, don't say that, it just may work. You forgot about just now? To girls, they love to listen to good things about themselves."
"Guh......"
"Alright alright. More importantly, are you okay with just standing here like an idiot? Tohka's silhouette is almost gone now."
"! Ha......"
Shidou's shoulders gave a jolt, moving his line of vision to the front. But, Tohka's figure had already disappeared.
"Oh no......"
He broke into a frantic run, but surprisingly, he quickly saw Tohka's figure once more.
As though hiding around the corner, Tohka stood there with her cheeks slightly puffed.
"Toh, Tohka......"
"......Nn. Let's go, shidou!"
Looks like she was waiting for Shidou, but that unhappy tone still did not disappear.
"Oooh, okay......"
Shidou gave a short reply, his brain furiously thinking.
Taking one deep gulp, his determination set, slowly bring the arms around Tohka's shoulders......That was supposed to be the plan.
But, it seems that he didn't have the courage to do so.
Softly patting Tohka on the shoulder, Tohka turned her face around. And then,
"D, don't, don't throw a tantrum already, I'm, I'm not interested in other girls other than you......?"
There's nothing to lose if it was said, Shidou followed the instructions and did so.
"......!"
When Shidou finished, Tohka immediately widened her eyes and stared.
"You, whawhawhawhat are you saying shidou............!"
"N, no......so, sorry, forget about that."
At the same time he received Tohka's reply, he felt so embarrassed that he wanted to die. Shidou waved his hand trying to hide it.
"Mu......muuu."
Not knowing why, Tohka softly groaned, and once again started walking
......but, it felt, as if her footsteps were lighter than just now.
◇
From the Itsuka residence to Raizen High School, is a walking distance of thirty minutes.
If it were the usual, Shidou would have reached school at around eight o' clock——But because of waiting for Tohka, and various incidents that happened, they were slightly late.
The hands of the clock located on the school exterior pointed the time to 8:20 am. There was still ten minutes till morning homeroom.
"......We'll be late unless we hurry."
"Nn, you're right."
Saying that, they walked in the entrance. At this moment.
"Itsuka-senpai!"
Waiting at the entrance was a girl that seemed to be a freshman, called out to Shidou.
"Eh......me?"
"Yes......"
The girl looked uneasy, shyly held out a letter like object to Shidou.
"I've always liked Senpai! Please, won't you read this?"
"Ha......haaa!?"
Shidou stared at the girl handed over to him. That envelope with a heart for a seal.
Looks extremely like an old fashioned love letter.
"L......, love letter......!?"
His body shook. Shidou took a step backwards.
......But, very soon he noticed something. There's no reason for stuff like this to keep occurring, most likely she's also one of <Ratatoskr>'s staff. If I don't firmly reject this, there's no doubt that the alarm will ring like last time, and I'll be forced to play that punishment game.
Shidou swallowed his saliva, took over the envelope, intending to tear it to pieces.——However, looking at the girl's teary eyes, couldn't help but stop himself.
......Even though I know she's one of the staff, it would go against my conscience to do that.
Shidou handed the letter back to the girl and shook his head.
"So, sorry. I don't have the ability to answer to your expectations......"
As soon as Shidou finished, the girl's expression look-->>