North American Continent, American Northwest, Strategic Defense Point No. 16, nicknamed [Erased][6A 1], a place which even people with connections in the military would not know about, was filled with the echo of gunfire.

"Intruder Spotted! Urgent backup requested in area 6-D! I repeat, intruder spotted! Urgent backup requested in area 6-D!"

The echoes of firing assault rifles, the angry roar of sturdy men, the chorus of army boots: they were all directed at a sole intruder.

"....."

A lone girl walked along a steel passage.

That's right, the intruder was just a girl.

The girl neither laughed nor scoffed at the men; she just looked down at them.

"...Deploy."

At the sound of her unconcerned voice, rings of light started to gather around her whole body. Those rings of light gathered substance, and in a few seconds the girl's whole body was covered by clear blue armor.

"IS!?"

"That bitch, is she a member of the organization that was mentioned in the report!?"

The girl whose body was covered by the IS [Silent Zephyrs],?M, armed her long rifle using only her right hand.

That gun, which could use both BT energy and live ammo, was named [Star Breaker]. Right there, right then, there was no one besides this girl who knew that name.

"What's your plan!? Doing things like this to the U.S. Army, don't think you'll get away with it!"

That was an angry roar which wasn't expected to get any particular answer, but?M?hid her face using the Visor-model Hyper Sensor, and stated her intentions, something nobody expected.

"Give me the IS that is sealed in this base - [Silverio Gospel]."

"What!?"

In a few, short moments, the soldiers collapsed one after another from the deadly bullets shot by?M.

But the strange thing was, regardless whether it was possible or not,?M?didn't kill any of the soldiers. Of course she was using real bullets, but she aimed to just barely avoid a fatal shot.

What a hassle.... to not kill.

But?M, willing or not, had to obey the restriction she was given by her female superior, Squall, when she was granted use of this IS: Nobody gets killed.

Obedience - was also not the right circumstance.

In her body, a surveillance nano-machine had been inserted, and if she disobeyed her orders, within a few seconds the core of her brain would be fried.

This was also a condition that Squall gave, so for now?M?would obey that order.

"Guaa!"

"Gyaa!"

"Damn! HQ! HQ! Requesting urgent backup! I repeat, requesting urgent back- Gahh!!"

Before long, when locking onto her targets started to become difficult,?M?casually floated into the sky, and started to charge and mow down the enemy using a rough movement.

Based on the map that was sent directly to her field of vision, the passage was to turn, go down, then go up.

"......"

At the exit of the rather tall passage - it was roughly 50 meters to the top -?M?located a new shadow above the route.

From the silhouette, it was a woman.

How would it feel breaking, breaking those ribs? At the instant she thought that evil thought, an arrow of light pierced her right shoulder.

"Wh....at!?"

At the moment she tried to pull out the feather-shaped energy arrow, it exploded spectacularly.

"Che!?"

Right before hitting the wall from the shock of the explosion,?M?rotated her body, and fired her thruster the other way.

But, the enemy didn't miss that half-second of stillness.

*Byuin!*

The next arrow attack was launched and exploded at her feet this time.

Even?M, who was used to high-altitude high-speed braking mechanisms, couldn't completely evade this attack. It was an error caused by her self-conceit.

"You..."

"Natasha Fairs, citizen of the USA, IS test pilot. And also [Silverio Gospel]'s registered pilot."

Even while talking, the counter-attack didn't slow even a bit.

Both her hands held something that looked like a wing, and had a clear silver coating.

[Silver Bell] no.1 prototype, hand cannon version.

Natasha was using only her own strength to shoot the weapon over and over again, which when looked at in terms of output only, surpasses even the latest armament provided with the [Silverio Gospel].

While releasing?Energy Shot, her beautiful blond hair scattered from the strength of the recoil, dancing intensely and beautifully.

"I won't give you that child....!"

Just like a mother protecting her daughter, her desperate attack continued.

But, even with all that, she was just using her own strength after all. She can no longer hit?M, who started concentrating her senses fully.

"Ku..!"

"You're in my way."

Stepping on the wing, she mowed down Natasha with her left hand.

*Don!* With a loud thump, Natasha's body slammed against the wall.

"Small fry."

Natasha, unable to move from the intense pain on her whole body, was held by?M?in a headlock.

Their heights were different but it made no difference to?M, who was floating in the air.

Natasha's arms and legs were hanging and swinging. Her bones were broken in at least two places. She had more than twice that many fractures scattered through her body.

Her limbs were powerless and swinging. But-

"Heh heh.."

The spirit that dwelt in Natasha's eyes had not weakened even one bit.

"Heh heh..."

"What's so funny?"

"I can only go this far. But, I've achieved my objective."

"...?"

While?M?was still unable to understand the meaning of the words, the passage floor started to give a roaring sound and crumbled.

"!?"

"I'll take back Natale[6A 2], Phantom Task."

From inside the smoke, a tiger-striped IS had just appeared, snatched Natasha away from?M's hand, and then stabbed a throwing knife into [Silent Zephyr]'s chest.

Against an enemy that suddenly appeared, even?M?had to back off a bit.

"America's 3rd Generation unit [Fang Quake]."

"Alright, and also US representative Iris Calling. I'll make sure you pay me back this debt, Natale."

While saying that, she threw Natasha, who would have hindered close-quarters combat, to the ground.

"Iri..."

"What?"

"Can't you see I'm injured?"

"I know. ...Just wait, I'll return the favor instead of you, and hit her twice as hard."

"That's not what I mean..."

Iris was looking curiously at the sighing Natasha; it seemed she really didn't understand what Natasha meant.

"I'll take that unit too, thank you!"

While saying that,?M?attacked, holding the knife backhand.

"Hey hey, Have you not watched it in a movie before? When the hero is giving a speech, you're supposed to stand and wait quietly you...know!"

*Gakin!* With the loud sound and flying sparks, Iris broke the knife with her fist.

The blade, broken from the handle at the base, spun away quickly and stuck in the ceiling.

"...."

"Just for the record, I'm strong, you know? Are you ready to be beaten to death? That machine you stole from?England, it's still an experimental unit right? There's no way you can win using that against me."

Although the machine she was using at the moment, [Fang Quake], was also an experimental unit, judging from its abilities, it had the same concept as [ShenLong], which meant that it also stressed the stability and efficiency aspects of the machine.

"M, can you hear me?"

Squall's voice was echoing through?M's head from the IS' private channel.

Although?M, who was in front of her enemy, didn't answer, Squall still kept talking, just like the rainstorm she was.

"I've already monitored the situation. Back off for now. We can't afford to lose the machine that took a lot of our efforts to finally get."

Although?M?didn't think she would lose, it could still take a while to finish the fight.

If the fight dragged on, other IS reinforcement might come too.

"Roger."

With that consideration,?M?silently and coldly answered.

"I won't let you run!"

While saying that, Iris used Ignition Boost to approach?M.

But at the same time,?M?directed all her thrusters forward, and started a Reverse Ignition Boost.

"You're a clever one, aren't you!"

Although Iris said that admiringly, there's actually no such margin of advantage.

That's because, while?M?was doing Reverse Ignition Boost she was intently shooting Iris at high speed.

She was sniping during high speed movement using BT energy, and at the same time using maximum speed to retreat along the complex passageway of the underground base without losing her way.

"Stop right there!!"

Iris, while chasing, also had to evade the energy shots that were constantly targeted at her joints. Because of that, the distance between her and?M?gradually increased. When there was only around 100m before they reached the end of the underground passage, there was already a distance of about 50 meters between them.

(This is bad! If I don't end it now, she'll escape!)

Iris concentrated her senses in order to invoke Revolver Ignition Boost using the machine 4 base thruster. Although she felt uneasy about the 40% success rate, there was no point if she didn't use it now.

(-Let's go!)

M, who realized what Iris was doing, immediately released her Bit and increased her continuous attack firepower.

"Uryaaa!"

Iris, who was no longer concerned about receiving some damage, increased her speed.

Her armor was damaged, her shield energy was decreasing, but Iris didn't stop.

"Got you!"

The distance was shrinking, and she extended her arm.

She got her. At the moment she thought that, Iris arm was obstructed by the Shield Bit's Energy umbrella.

Furthermore, it self-destructed with an explosion force even greater than a high-powered bomb.

"Whaa!?"

Stalling her with the Shield Bit, with the force of the explosion and the sudden stop from supersonic flight,?M?managed to escape from Iris.

When she saw the light of the sun, she disappeared into a far away cloud on the other side, only [Silent Zephyr]'s back side projected in the zoomed view mode.

"Aa, Damn it!"

She punched herself in vexation.

When the fist armed with [Fang Quake] collided with her other palm, the loud thick metallic sound echoed all around.

?

"What??Ichika's?birthday is this month?"

"Y-yeah..."

During dinner at the dorm, the usual members were having a meal while happily chatting, when suddenly?Charl?spoke up loudly.

Was it such a surprising thing? To think even Charl stood up, which was something unusual.

"Wh..when is it?"

"September 27th. Ca-calm down a little."

"O...oh."

Having said that, Charl returned to her seat.

"It's on Sunday right?"

This time Charl didn't stand up, but leaned forward. Wh... what's wrong with Charl today?

"It's on Sunday I think."

"I see.... Hm, so it's like that. Hm."

Beside Charl, who was murmuring while nodding at the same time,?Cecilia, who had picked beef stew as her dinner menu, put down her bread and joined the conversation.

"Ichika-san, you should say these kind of important things sooner."

"Oh. Sorry."

I don't really understand what's going on, but I'll apologize first.

"Anyway, Sunday 27th, right?"

Cecilia brought out her pure white leather notebook and double-circled September 27th in it. Is this that much of an important event?

"Why didn't you tell me about this?"

Laura, who was sitting diagonally right from Charl's and my point of view, said this while frowning a little.

"Huh? I didn't think it was that important."

"Fuun. But it seems there's some people here who already knew but stayed silent about it."

""U!""

Glanced by Laura, the childhood friends duo stiffened up.

Speaking of the menu, Laura chose seasonal?salad pasta,?Houki?chose the?Sanma fish?set menu, and?Rin?chose the Mabo set menu.

And for me, I chose the?Dashimaki Tamago?set menu. The?dashi?is superb, so this has become one of my favorite meals.

"I-it's not like I hid it from everyone! It's just that no one asked, that's all!"

"Tha-that's right! If I had brought up that out of nowhere, it would seem like I can't read the atmosphere!"

While saying that, Houki and Rin were stuffing their mouths with their food.

How do I say this, it seems to me like they're just making excuses.

"Anyway! September 27th! Ichika-san, make sure your schedule is empty on that date!"

"A-ah. Actually my friends from middle school already planned to celebrate it at my house. Do you all want to come?"

"O-of course! What time will it be?"

"Ummmm, at around 4 PM I think, since 'that' is taking place on that day, right?"

Having heard me say that, everyone gave a "Now that you mention it" face.

IS high speed battle race "Cannonball Fast", which originally was an international tournament, the situation is a little different at the?IS Academy?-

The Academy's students participate in that special event that's held by the city.

Having said that, to avoid the overwhelming advantage for personal IS users, the race is divided into one for normal students who use practice suit IS, and another one that is restricted to personal IS users.

This event, which could become a drill for those from outside the academy, is held at the city's IS arena. That arena, built at the coastal district, although not extravagant, can hold more than 20,000 people.

Once, it was used for an idol concert, but the seats could not be completely filled. Since then, there has been no application to use it for any kind of live concert. ....Well, in the first place, it was supposed to be used as an arena for IS.

"Hmm? By the way, starting tomorrow, there will be IS tuning for high speed maneuver, won't be? What are we supposed to do at that time exactly?"

"Fumu. Basically, we're supposed to install High-speed maneuver equipment for our IS, but [Byakushiki] doesn't have it right?"

Laura informed us while holding a small tomato next to her cheek.

"Then in that case, you could do an energy distribution tuning or an adjusting of the output of each thruster."

Charl, who's chewing on a fried white fish, continued Laura's explanation.

"Fuun. If I remember correctly, [Blue Tears] has high-speed maneuver package doesn't it?"

"Yup! The unit piloted by this Cecilia Alcott, Blue Tears, which primary main strength is high-speed maneuvering, will embark with the package [Strike Gunner]."

"Fufun", Cecilia proudly pushed her hand at her chest. The other hand at her hip was posed perfectly, just like a model as usual.

Lately she had seemed to be feeling down, has her problem already been solved?

Lately, Cecilia seemed to be secretly continuing her training alone after school.

I haven't heard about the details, but it seems that the cause is that she let the enemy escape during the School Festival.

Laura wouldn't answer when I asked her about it. It seems Chifuyu-nee passed her no-questions-allowed principle to her.

Somehow, it seems yesterday's matter was even bigger than I had imagined.

The group [Ruined Country Weaving Industry] - [Phantom Task] had started operating over 50 years ago. According to rumors scattered in the electronic network, the organization was born during the second big war or something.

They're not affiliated with any country, don't possess any ideology, nor religious faith, and also have no specific race. Therefore, their objective is unclear. Their reason to exist is uncertain, and their scale is also unknown. Just like a ghost kind of organization, is what Laura told me.

The only thing known is that the organization is mainly divided into two parts: the Board of directors who manage the organization and decide the policy, and the Operational Squad which is filled with specialists.

And in recent years, their primary target have been ISs.

"However, what are they actually?"

I heard that the weapon that was used during that incident, [Removal], is a [Weapon That Doesn't Exist]. In other words, it's a certain nation's highly classified information. That mysterious group managed to steal and use that weapon that was being developed [Somewhere].

...Fu. I guess there's no use thinking about it.

At least for now.

Thinking like that, I return my attention back to the topic at hand, Cannonball Fast.

"That means Cecilia has more of an advantage then. Please teach me about Ultrasonic maneuvers sometime."

"...I'm very sorry. I can't do that right now. Please ask Laura-san to teach you instead."

Although she's smiling while saying that, I noticed her face frown for an instant.

Now is not the time for something other than her own training. - it's a face that seems to tell that kind of story.

"I see. Then Laura, please teach me."

"Okay. I will train you, who's lately been only preoccupied by that woman, personally this time."

By the way, the girl that Laura mentioned is IS academy Student Council President,?Sarashiki Tatenashi.

A few days ago, Tatenashi-san, who finally moved out from my room, continued to give me a hard after-school training, as usual.

Thanks to that, my skills have been improving, but according to Laura, it's still that of [a Rookie whose safety device has been removed].

As expected of Chifuyu-nee's disciple, even her words are sharp.

"Rather, talking about having the advantage, aren't you the same? [Byakushiki]'s specs, maneuverability wise, is on par with a high-maneuverability type unit."

"Well, when you mention that, [Akatsubaki] is also the same, I guess," added Rin.

As usual, she was very knowledgeable about IS. She didn't show that part of her even a bit during the middle school days, but it's probably from studying extra hard since returning to her home country.

Hmm. Rin is amazing, isn't she.

"Anyway, what's my country doing? In the end, [Shen Long]'s high-speed maneuver package didn't make it in time. What about Charlotte's country?"

"Since [Revive] is a 2nd Generation unit, it wasn't developed further in the first place, so thruster expansion will be done to cope with it. Well, it was made for easy expansion to deal with speed related things from the start. It kinda feels like ,'[Raphael]'s name is not just for show,' I guess."

Charl's beloved unit, Revive's, official name is [Raphael-Revive][6A 3].

I see, I also agree.

"Fuun, what about Laura's country? Your IS is a 3rd generation unit, right?"

"It will use the adjusted high-speed maneuver pack from its sister unit [Schwarzer Zweig]. Since that unit stays in the home country, the development of the equipment is also being continued."

Once the topic changed to IS' technical discussion, everyone's face becomes serious, as expected.

"[Schwarzer Regen]'s sister unit, huh? What kind of weapons is it equipped with?"

"Even though you're my wife, I can't tell you that. It's highly classified information."

Zweig - means [Branch] in German. Since it's a pair unit with Laura [Regen][6A 4], it's probably also an all-range IS, equipped with AIC.

"Fuun. So you're now able to make a nice expression, aren't you Rookie?"

Smile, Laura's mouth tip raised while gazing at me.

"I humbly accept your praise happily, Lt. Commander-dono."

I, who understands Laura's personality enough to joke back and forth with her, replied to her with jestful words.

Laura, who was in a bad mood until a while ago from talking about Tatenashi-san, is now cheerfully smiling - although her eyes still emit cool-headedness.

The ice from?Germany?- Laura Bodewig. Her cold eye is piercingly sharp like icicles, but beautifully clear.

"We haven't seriously practiced for a while, have we? Tomorrow after school, starting from 16:00, we will train for real battle preparations at arena no. 2. Got it?"

"Roger. I have to warn you, this time it won't be a one-sided game anymore."

"Fufun. Are you sure about that? I'll also show you my new equipment tomorrow."

Saying that, Laura turned her fork around.

The pointed end of the fork then thrusted at the macaroni in the salad pasta right at the hollow part.

"Let's expect the training to be meaningful..."

Maca-

"'To the macaroni'"

"Is what you want to say, right?"

"You were gonna say that, right?"

Rin and Charl read my mind first.... Ugh.

"Ha ha ha, that's impossible."

"Ichika, you..."

Ooh. Houki is giving me a cold look.

No! It wasn't me! It just surfaced in my mind! It's not my fault!

"Ma-, Let's leave aside a certain idiot."

An idiot, indeed. Sheesh.

"Ichika, has the borrowing agreement you have with the Student Council been put in motion?"

"Hmm? Last I heard, it seems they're currently drawing lotteries and making adjustments for that."

"Fuuun..."

Rin said that like it's not important, then stuffed her mouth with her?Mabo Tofu, which is covered with a lot of Layou on top.

"By the way, I heard everybody already had joined a club now?"

A few days ago, word of it reached my ears. Since it's a good chance, let's confirm it now.

"I had already joined the?Kendo?club in the first place."

As a ghost member though, right? Although it seems lately Houki often attends to it. I'm sure it's because the club captain nudged her during the School Festival. Such a troublesome girl.

"What about you, Rin?"

"L-lacrosse."

"Heeey!?Lacrosse, huh? It kinda suits you, doesn't it!"

Especially the stick wielding part. ... although I won't say it even though my mouth's split.

"I-I guess so. I'm considered a promising rookie newcomer, you know. What a hassle, right?"

Indeed. When talking about personal unit IS pilots, their physical capabilities are generally superior compared to normal students. I nodded in agreement when Rin's figure running along the ground floated into my mind.

"Then, what about Charl?"

"Huh? Me?"

"Yeah. Which club did you decide to enter?"

"Ummm, that's...."

"?"

Is it something that is hard to say? Charl is playfully fidgeting her fingers.

At times, it looked like she was checking my reaction by shooting me upward glances, then returning her line of sight downward.

"I-it's... the?Cooking?club."

"Cooking Club! Oh, the one that we visited when we walked around together during School Festival, wasn't it?"

"Waa, Ichikaa! Shhh! Shhh!"

Hmm? Why is Charl giving the "Don't tell anybody!" gesture?

I don't know why but somehow from the table in the back, I managed to hear the sound of people standing up from their seats.

"Huh, Cooking club is it?"

"Y-yeah. I want to learn to cook Japanese food."

"I see. Once you can make it, please let me have a taste."

"Y-yeah! Of course!"

Charl is nodding strongly while saying that. Her voice is loud enough to make her really look like a different person from the girl who was making the "your voice is too loud" gesture earlier.

"And? What about Cecilia?"

"Of course I joined the?Tennis?club, the sport that was born in England."

"Hmm, could it be you've played it since you were in England?"

"It's just as you say. Ichika-san, if it's okay with you, how about we play together next time?"

"Hmmm, but I've never played tennis before."

"T-then...!"

Her previous downed spirit seems to have gone somewhere else. Cecilia elegantly put her hands together and continued her words

"...How about I personally teach you? S-specially."

"Ooh, that sounds good. Then I'll be in your care when the time comes."

"Yeah!"

Seeing Cecilia's smiling face, I feel a little relieved.

Truth be told, lately there's been suspicion that Cecilia had started to close herself off from others, but if she can smile like this, there's no need to be worried anymore, right?

"By the way, I'm in the?Tea Ceremony?club."

Laura, who just said that, seems to have just finished her pasta.

"Tea Ceremony club, huh? Laura likes Japanese culture, don't you? ....Huh? Which reminds me, wasn't the tea ceremony club's advisor - "

"The Instructor... no, it's?Orimura-sensei."

That's right. I feel like I've heard about it before.

Chifuyu-nee female student fans were rushing at once to sign up to the club, then got sieved by being forced to do?seiza?for 2 hours or something.

Hmm? Even so, Chifuyu-nee and tea ceremony club looks like a strange combination to me. I always thought she would become the advisor of a sports club instead.

"Laura, are you alright when doing?seiza?"

"Of course. This level of numbness is nothing compared to torture."

Well, don't compare it please. What do they do during torture anyway?

"But, I can't imagine at all Laura's figure while wearing kimono. Show me sometime please."

"W-what? I-I see... okay then, if there's a chance, that is."

For Laura to wear kimono, she would have to tie up her long hair, wouldn't she? I think that it would somehow fit her nicely.

"Having a ribbon would be nice, wouldn't it.... let's buy one next time."

"Hmm? You would specially buy it?"

"Don't mind it. It's not like there won't be any more chances to wear it from now on."

"Fuun. Is that so. ...Ooo, if it's a kimono, it would be nice to wear it during hatsumode, wouldn't it? Ah, but are you going to go back to your own country during New Year's Eve?"

"N-no. I'll stay in Japan. ... since you're also here."

She muttered the last part so I couldn't hear it that well, but it looks like Laura will be in Japan during New Year's Eve.

"Oh, then everyone, let's all go together. Let's do it from the New Year's Eve bell while we're at it."

It seems like it would be more fun if there are more people coming after all.

"Oh, but what will everyone do during New Year's Eve? Will you return to your country after all?"

"I will stay."

The one who's speaking is Charl. As expected of Laura's best friend.

"T-then I will also stay."

"Well, there's nothing interesting even if I went back anyway."

Cecilia and Rin continued. Then that means only Houki is left - or so I thought, but I unintentionally realized something.

"Houki is going to help out at the shrine again, right? You also did that during the summer break, didn't you? Next time, once you're finished helping, why don't the two of us....(?)

"Y-You idiot!"

*Beshi!* I was hit by Houki.

"Ouch! What was that for!!"

"Sh-sh-shut up! Don't say it so lightly!"

"[Next time]?"

The ones who asked were back are Rin, Cecilia, Charl, Laura - Wait, that's everyone beside Houki isn't it?

"Ichikaa! Fess up what you did during summer holiday!"

"Ichika-san! To do that kind of thing with Houki-san - I've misjudged you!"

"I-Ichika? What do you mean by 'next time'...?"

"To do something sneakily and hide it from me.... Unforgivable."

Those four are standing up while making "Gatata" noises.

"Waaa! Wait, wait! It's not like we did anything wrong... Isn't that right, Houki? Right?"

"...Why do you deny it that much..."

"Wha?"

*Bashin!* My head is struck.

Since Houki had also just finished her meal, she stood up while carrying her meal tray and ran away.

Hey, wait! Don't leave me alone in this situation!

"Then, since I've also finished eating, I'll return to my roo - Bube!"

Rin caught me just as I was about to stand up, and returned me to my seat.

It hurts, you know! But faster than me retorting that, the 4 of them start to get near me.

"Ichika! What happened during Summer Holiday?!"

"I demand an explanation!"

"Not fair. Ichika is playing favorites."

"It seems your damn body needs to experience my teachings once more."

W-wait! Please wait! Wa-Gyaaa!!

?

"Fuun... Ichika is an idiot."

Houki, who already returned to her room, closed her door and leaned on it.

Luckily, her roommate?Takazuki Shizune?is still out so she can relax without reserve.

"Once it's over let's again, together..."

She recalled Ichika's words.

*Tokun*. Her heart started to throb.

His words reminded her about the summer. Just that is eno-->>

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