"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.

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

"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!

"But that's great."

"What's great about it?"

"It's really hard to be the only guy in school, so I had to be careful. Even if only one person is added, I feel relieved that it's a guy."

"Is that so?"

Asking me that...isn't he like this? Hm, I really can't understand him.

Or rather, are there IS related schools outside this country? Logically, there shouldn't be any other IS related educational institutes other than this place. Huh, that's weird.

"Oh well. Anyway, nice to meet you! I'm Orimura Ichika, so just call me Ichika!"

"Hm, nice to meet you, Ichika-san. You can just call me Charles."

"Got it, Charles."

Alright! We managed to get out before the crowd got us! Now there's even more reason for us not to stop. Got to run forward.

"Alright! We made it!"

With the ordinary sound of the air lock being removed, the door slides aside, and we managed to reach the second arena's changing room unscathed.

"Oh no! Not much time left! Let's change!"

I look at the time and found the situation to be critical. Speaking of which, this IS suit's really hard to wear!

Anyway, as it's urgent, I said that as I removed all the buttons on my uniform and threw it onto the bench, and then took off my T-shirt as well.

"UWA!"

"?"

Wha-What's going on?

"Did you forget anything...no wait, why aren't you changing? You'll be late if you don't do so! You might not know this Charles, but our homeroom teacher's really strict about being punctual and all--"

"O-Okay, I, I'll change. But, erm, can you please look at the other side...please?"

"Huh, I won't look at you when you change...but Charles, why are you looking at me?"

"I-I'm not! I'm not looking at you!"

Charles raises his hands out to block his face and hurriedly turns to look at the floor. Why is he looking like this? Unbelievable chap.

"But really, let's hurry. It's not good to be late on the first day--or rather, that person won't be laughing."

But then again, I feel that what the burning red-flamed teacher from hell, Orimura Chifuyu-sensei just needs is a heart that's willing to listen to jokes. Even if it's just a lame one, she can just laugh at others and forgive others, saying 'Hahah, you big idiot!'. Can't she become someone like that?...maybe not. That kind of Chifuyu-nee would be rather weird.

"..."

That's strange. I seem to feel a gaze.

"Charles?"

"Wha-What?"

Just as I looked around, seemingly bothered, I found Charles frantically looking at me and turning back to look at the wall while pulling his IS suit up.

"Wow, you're really fast at changing! Is there a trick to it?"

"I-It's nothing. Sort of normal, I guess...you still haven't finished changing yet, Ichika-san?"

I already took over my pants and underwear, and my IS suit's already at the waist. What can I say? It's a pathetic state now.

"This clothing's really hard to wear, I have to strip myself just to wear it, and I'll get tangled easily."

"Ta-Tangled?"

"Yeah."

I don't know whether it's just me, but Charles blushes. Such a strange fellow.

"Heyo--okay, let's go."

"O-Okay."

Once both of us were suited up, we left the changing room. While heading to the arena, I turned to look at Charles again.

"The suit you're wearing really looks good. Where's it made in?"

"Ah, um, this is a suit created by Dunois Enterprise! Though it was developed through the basic Greek design, it seems to be a thoroughly customized version."

"Dunois? I seem to have heard of that before..."

"Yup, that's my family. My dad's the President, I guess it should be the largest IS related enterprise in France."

"Ohh! So Charles is the son of the President. No wonder."

"Hm? No wonder what?"

"Yup. Well, how should I put it? You have an aura like you're grew up in some great environment. Now I understand."

"Great environment...huh?"

Charles suddenly looked away. Did I say something I shouldn't have said? He's showing a complicated look right now.

"Well, compared to me, Ichika-san's even more impressive, right? That you're Orimura Chifuyu-san's little brother."

"Hahaha, you idiot."

"Wha?"

"--It's nothing. It seemed like we stepped onto landmines and blew up a fighter jet on each side."

"??? I don't really understand..."

There are some situations in the world that are hard to understand. Situations, circumstances, toppo[2B 2]--

"No no no, this thought process is bad. It's weird in all aspects."

"?"

Huh, he's looking at me strangely...I already took caution not to be stared at. To think that I made a fool of myself! Ten thousand deaths aren't enough for me! I'm dead!

"...Ahem, Charles-kun, let me ask you a physics question."

"Why must you suddenly add a -kun suffix?"

"That's not important. How do you calculate the resistance force when a high speed object moves under force A?"

"Huh, the resistant force is -A."

"That's the case."

Nice going. That's an intelligent question. Now my 'intelligence value' should be rated at 50, right? I'm certain of it.

"..."

Wha? That's strange. He's silent now, what? 'The Silent Frigade'[2B 3]? But maybe Charles like the lamb[2B 4], right? But the lamb's not in the 'Silent' series?

"Wh...ahhahaha! What was that? Fu, fufufu, you're weird, Ichika!"

I got laughed at. To think that I made a fool of myself here...I'll omit the rest. Read what happened above!

"Since I'm going to be laughed at either way, I actually would prefer it if you used 'Haha, you idiot!' again..."

"Well--that's not it! I was praising Ichika's talent in joking."

Huh? Is that so? Well, that's that."

"YOU'RE TOO SLOW!"

We just got to the second arena successfully. Ahh, the devil's folding her arms and waiting for me...'Do you need a mace'? Oh yeah, though it's not important, if I write it as canabow, it feels like some brand, canabow!

"Since you have time to think about such useless things, hurry up and get in line!"

*Passu-n!* Thanks for your sermon.

Charles and I got to the side of class 1.

"You really took your time."

Oh, what coincidence. Cecilia's standing beside me. Ever since the representative battle in April, she would say some stuff to me--I'm sorry, but my sister already took up that space.

"Why did you need so much time just to change clothes?"

On a side note, as IS suits were designed for females, it looks like some kind of swimwear or tight-fitting clothing. As for why some skin would be revealed, it seems like they considered the need for mobility. Well, there are the IS shields, so the area covered by the IS suit doesn't really matter much.

But Charles and I are different. We're covered entirely up to the neck. That's because only the neck, hands and legs are exposed, so it feels like a diving suit. I remember they said that some data is required or something.

Well, that makes sense, I guess. If we were to wear something that's like swimsuits, the guys would have to go naked on top. The school must have considered this right? I guess.

"We got caught in a jam."

"Stop lying, you could have made it."

Wha? Why is Cecilia sounding so vexed? Is she fulfilling the saying that a pretty rose has it's thorns? I seem to have said it before, but at that time, Rin angrily scolded me, saying 'Wow, don't you even feel embarrassed at all?'

"I got it, I got it. Ichika-san's really popular with girls, right? Or else you wouldn't have gotten hit twice within 2 months."

Wah! I got mocked! She reminded me of the fact that I got hit by the transfer student, and now my face is swelling in pain again.

"What? What did you do?"

I could only hear the voice--damn it, is that a highly-skilled ninja? Where are the guards!?

"I'm behind, you idiot!"

Ohh, yes yes yes, class 2's behind us. So it's Rin. Wait, hold on, is Rin the only class 2 girl who'll call me that? Like idiot, big idiot, moron, or something like that?

"This Ichika-san just got slapped in the face by a transfer student today."

"What? Ichika, why are you so dumb?"

--Relax, I have two more in front of me.

*Kekekeke*...Cecilia and Rin turn their necks with creaking sounds.

And waiting for them in front is the administrator of the hellish practical lesson, the instructor from hell. Accepting anyone, not caring about the age, nationality, gender, the gates of hell have opened.

*PA--!*

Under the azure sky, the smack of the attendance book is still loud and clear today.

◇

"First, we'll be watching a practical battle that involves close range and shooting."

"Yes ma'am!"

As it's a combined practical between class 1 and class 2, there's double the number of people as per usual, and even the replies sound a lot louder.

"Kuu...how could you just hit my head like that..."

"...It's all Ichika's fault. It's all Ichika's fault. It's all Ichika's fault..."

Teary-eyed, Cecilia and Rin stroke their heads, maybe because it's painful.

Speaking of which, don't you feel that it's wrong? It's alright if it's just me thinking too much, but if that's the case, I want my lawyer!

*DONK!*

"I can tell what you're thinking..."

Wah! She kicked me! I got kicked in the back by a girl! Sensei! Sense-I~!

"Today, I would like to let everyone see a real battle, and there just so happen to be lively girls here present--Huang! Alcott!"

"Wh-Why me too?"

Ohh, so you got dragged in. Give up, Cecilia, most common sense doesn't work on Chifuyu-nee. But while we back away, she will make up some random sense[2B 5]?to deal with us, and that's even more irritating. But then again, she mostly uses physical attacks.

"Since you two have personal suits, you can start battle immediately. Okay, get out here."

"Why me..."

"It's definitely Ichika's fault, so why..."

Ahh, I heard nothing, I heard nothing.

"You two better buck up--and show that guy what you two are made of!"

Hm? What's wrong? Seems Chifuyu-nee whispered something to them. What did she say?

"This is the stage for me, the representative candidate for England, Cecilia Alcott!"

"That's right. It's a great chance to show everyone the difference in ability as a personal IS pilot!"

For some reason, both their motivation values just shot up. What? They can get a free meal if they win? Ah, as they're girls, it's likely it's for desserts.

"Then who's my opponent? I'm alright even if it's against Rin-san."

"Fufu, that's my line. I'll slaughter you."

"No need to rush, idiots. Your opponent will be--"

*Kiiiiinnn...*

Hm? What's that sound? Sounds like air being split. Don't tell me--

"AHHH--! PL-PLEASE GET OUT OF THE WAY~!"

Huh? What, she's referring to me? --Ack, WAA!!"

*DONK!*

Just as I wanted to turn to look at the source of the voice, it's too late. After being hit by one UFO, I got sent flying several meters away and tumble onto the floor.

"Ho...good thing I barely managed to deploy [Byakushiki], but what was that--"

Something soft.

"What?"

What's with this feeling in my hand? Is the ground that soft? Did they patch up some pudding or something? Ah, so that's what they mean by?purine, right? (TL Note: Both pudding and purine are written in the same manner:プリン, purin)

"That, that, Orimura-kun...kya!"

The pudding talked--wait, hold on, how's that possible?

Fearful, I looked down at my hand.

"Th-That, you see, in this situation, I'm really troubled...no, this isn't the only problem. No matter what, I still have a teacher-student relationship with Orimura-kun...but if it continues like this, Orimura-sensei will be my sister-in-law, and that's very tempting somehow--"

Yamada-sensei. It's Yamada-sensei! The pudding's Yamada-sensei! The pudding's not just a pudding, it's an elastic one--why am I like a dirty old man now...

my hand's holding tightly onto Yamada-sensei's breast, grabbing it.

She normally doesn't wear tight-fitting clothes, so I couldn't tell; but the IS suit she's wearing now is the the kind that's extremely voluptuous. Her hefty beautiful breast curves are exposed in front of everyone.

Hu, those breasts are huge...bigger than Chifuyu-nee's...

However, the problem is our positioning--I got knocked away, and she and I tumbled together, so right now, I'm pressing down on Yamada-sensei, and my hand's holding tightly onto Yamada-sensei's breast, grabbing it.

No, I understand that it's bad if I don't let go. But even so, I can't let go for some reason...no, I'm serious, serious! I know I have to let go soon, but my body's mysteriously frozen. Is this what they mean by being crushed by ghosts--

"--!?"

After my instincts detected danger, I got out of my frozen state and leapt away from Yamada-sensei. At that moment, the lasers shot past where I was just a second ago.

"Hohohohoho...what a pity, I missed."

She's smiling, but I can see veins on her forehead--she's the firmament of the sky, Cecilia Alcott (Large dragon buster mode). Wa...

"..."

I seem to hear the sound of something combining together. Wha? It's that thing right? That's Rin's 'Souten Gagetsu', right? The blades are separated at the beginning, and they can be combined to a create a double-bladed form. And in that situation, it's possible that she may throw it. That's right, that's right, she may throw it--

"WAAAAHHHH!!!"

SHE JUST THREW IT AT MY HEAD WITHOUT HESITATION!

At the last moment, I bent backwards to dodge the attack, but my momentum carried me further back. Then, I saw the sight of despair.

The 'Souten Gagetsu' that was thrown out spins back as its shaped like a boomerang.

"HAA!"

*PAM!* *PAM!*

As the two shots ring, the bullets accurately hit the two sides of the 'Souten Gagetsu' and change its trajectory.

While hearing the bullet shells drop, I turned around to look, and found that the sniper who saved me from such a crisis was actually Yamada-sensei.

Anchored sturdily in her hands is a 51 caliber assault rifle 'red bullet', the firearm and its ammunition made by an American company called Claus. As it's practical and extremely reliable, it became a main essential model that many countries have come to use.

However, what was most surprising was Yamada-sensei's image--she was still lying on the floor in a prone position, only lifting her body slightly to shoot. She looked extremely cool and poised, unlike the normally clumsy demeanor she shows.

Though it's not to the extent that it seemed like she switched personalities, I really can't imagine her being the one who crashed into the wall and couldn't move during the entrance exam.

"..."

It seems like I'm not the only one who's shocked--forget about Cecilia and Rin, even the other girls are speechless.

"Though Yamada-sensei doesn't look like it, she was a former representative candidate, so shooting like what she just did isn't much."

"Well, that was ages ago. And I never got past being a representative candidate..."

It's back to the normal Yamada-sensei presence. She turned around, stood up, placed her rifle into the weapon box on her shoulder, and then used both hands to adjust her glasses...ah, looking at the actions, this is the Yamada-sensei we know alright. It seems like she's shy about what she heard Chifuyu-nee say as she blushed.

"So then, little girls, let's start already."

"Wha? Erm, 2 vs 1 is..."

"No, this is too..."

"Relax, if it's you two, you'll definitely lose."

Maybe they felt unhappy after hearing that they would lose, as Cecilia and Rin's wills start to burn, especially Cecilia, since it's important for her to beat her opponent at least once, so her killing intent and power have risen.

"Then, let's start!"

Cecilia and Rin shouted out as they flew. Seeing this, Yamada-sensei flies up as well.

"I won't hold back!"

"I wasn't serious back then anyways!"

"H-Here I come!"

Yamada-sensei's talking as per normal, but her eyes are now as cool and sharp as they were before. Cecilia and Rin launched a preemptive attack, but Yamada-sensei easily dodged them.

"Then, during this time...Dunois, give a commentary on the IS Yamada-sensei's using."

"O-Okay."

Charles continued to watch the battle in the sky as he explained with a reliable voice,

"The IS Yamada-sensei's using is a [Raphael Revive] from Dunois Enterprise. It's a machine developed at the end of the 2nd generation phase, but the specifications rival that of the early 3rd generation machines. In terms of deployed mass production IS models, it was the last to be sold, but has the 3rd largest user-base in the world. Only 7 countries are permitted to create it, and 12 countries use it as a standard IS. Most notably, because of the controls it can allow pilots to fit what they want. By changing the equipment, it can be configured for all types of combat, including close ranged combat, sniping and defending types, so there are many partnering companies working on it."

"Mm, that's enough for now...it's ending!"

Engrossed in Charles's explanation, I forgot to look at how the battle is right now.

I turned back to look at the battle, and found that Yamada-sensei's shots were luring Cecilia and Rin to collide together. Yamada-sensei then threw a grenade at them, and once the explosion occurred, two figures crashed onto the ground in a puff of smoke just like that.

"Ku, uu...to think that I actually..."

"Ah, you...she predicted so much of your evasive maneuvers, it's so silly..."

"Is-Isn't it the same for you, Rin-san? We failed because you made too many meaningless mixed tactics and Impact Cannon attacks!"

"That's my line! Why did you release your BITs immediately? The power was depleted so fast!"

"Ggggrrr....!"

"Kkkkkkk...!"

Seems like this is a?Battle Royale--anyway, it doesn't look like they have a good relationship anyway.

What should I say? Both of them have their own ideas that are pretty random. Anyway, I just can't watch this further. I can hear the 'representative candidates with their personal suits' stock drop drastically. However, the most heartless thing seems to be that there's doesn't seem to be a limit in the drop.

In the end, both of them continued to glare at each other until the girls of class one and class two started to chuckle.

"Okay now, everyone should understand the ability of the teachers now. From now onwards, please show some respect to the staff members."

Chifuyu-nee clapped twice to divert everyone's attention.

"The ones with personal frames are Orimura, Alcott, Dunois, Bodewig, and Rin. Then, we'll be dividing the class into groups of 8. Personal machine users will act as leaders, got that? Split up now."

The instant Chifuyu-nee finished, the 2 classes of girls rush over to Charles and me.

"Orimura-kun, let's work hard together!"

"Teach me what I don't know~"

"Dunois-kun, please show me your piloting skills."

"Hey, hey, can I join in too? Let me join you too!"

...What can I say? The reaction's a lot stronger than what I expected, and Charles and I don't know how to respond as we could only stand about.

Either because she couldn't stand this situation or 'cause she's angry that she didn't foresee this, Chifuyu-nee presse-->>

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