Volume 2 - CH 2(2/3)
"These idiots...EVERYONE SORT OUT ACCORDING TO SEATING ARRANGEMENTS! GROUP LEADER ORDER WILL BE AS DESCRIBED. IF YOU DON'T GET SORTED INTO GROUPS FAST, YOU PEOPLE WILL CARRY IS MACHINES AND RUN AROUND THE FIELD 100 TIMES!"
Is that an Authoritarian's roar? The girls who were surrounding us like ants all moved quickly and managed to get into their groups within 2 minutes.
"I should have done this from the beginning. Really, they're a bunch of idiots."
"...That's great. I'm in the same group as Orimura-kun! I'm really grateful for my own surname..."
"...Sigh--, it's Cecilia...she just lost so badly..."
"...I'll be in your care, Rin-san. Please tell me more about Orimura-kun..."
"...Dunois-kun! You can ask me about anything you don't know! Also, I'm still single!..."
"..."
On a side note, the group that isn't saying anything is the group of that German transfer student Laura Bodewig.
The tense atmosphere, the presence that refuses to work with others, the cold stare-down on the other students, and the mouth that never spoke since the beginning.
Facing such an iron wall, even those pure-hearted 10+ girls wouldn't even dare to talk to her. Everyone's just lowering their heads and forced to remain silent...ahh, I really feel sorry for them...
"Then, please listen up. Each group is to take one training suit. There are 3 Uchigane and 2 Revives, so each group, please decide on the type of frame you like the most. Ah, it's first comes first served--"
Yamada-sensei's even more reliable by 3 times--no, 5 times now. The mock battle just now got her confidence back, right? As her attitude's really proper, so just removing her glasses alone seem to make her a 'really capable woman'.
However, what's proper isn't just her attitude. The breasts that girls who are in their teens don't have are now exposed. Yamada-sensei has a habit of adjusting her glasses, and every time she does this, the breasts that seem to be called out will touch her elbows--and the heavy sweet fruits will jingle.
"..."
*CRACK!*
"OW! WHA...WHAT WAS THAT?"
My foot got stamped on, and at the back of my ankles. It's one thing to be attacked on the back like that, it's another to be attacked at a perfect angle, causing me to cry out in pain.
Who, who did that? The only one who would do something like this is...
"What are you staring intently at? Hurry up and start!"
"Yes, Houki..."
"What?"
Wah. She's really angry now. This isn't good.
--Speaking of which, we're in the same group? If that's the case, I have to use this chance to repair our relationship. Due to many reasons, we haven't spoken to each other properly for a week. If this keeps up, I feel that we can't even call each other by our names.
(Okay, time to show my friendliness--)
"Orimura-kun, teach me how to pilot an IS!"
"Aa--n, this IS is really heavy. I never lifted anything heavier than chopsticks."
"I remember that the practical lessons require 2 people in a group. Orimura-kun, let's go."
"Hey, hey, it's great to have a personal IS, right? I'm so envious of you people--"
Just when I wanted to talk to Houki, the girls in my group took the opportunity to surround me, and besides, since I'm the group leader, I can't just say okay to everyone. Things have gotten a lot complicated.
"W-Well, everyone, please listen to m..."
"Every leader is to assist each group member in putting on the suit. As everyone needs to use it, we removed the optimizing and personalizing modes. Anyway, before lunch today, everyone please practice on the initializing."
On the IS broadcast channel, Yamada-sensei's voice can be heard. As it's already past the lesson phase, right now, I still have some aspects that I don't understand. And besides, I'm the group leader. It'll be bad if I mess up.
"So then, please queue up in order of your student number. Practice your walking. The first one--"
"Register no. 1! Aikawa Kiyoka of the Handball club! My hobbies are watching sports and jogging!"
"O-Okay, but you didn't need to do a self-introduction..."
"Nice to meet you!"
She bowed deeply and extends her right hand out. Hm? What? Does she want to shake hands with me?
"Aa, that's too sneaky!"
"I wanna do that as well!"
"Please make a choice based on your first impression!"
For some reason, all the other girls are lined up and bow politely like her, extending out their right hands.
"Wh-What's going on? I don't really understand--"
"""Please take care of us!"""
...At this moment, another few voices can be heard from behind.
Turning around to look, I see a row of people bowing in front of Charles, each waiting to shake hands with him. He sure looks troubled.
"Er, erm...?"
I can see him all confused here. That's a coincidence, I am too.
"""OW OW OW!!!"""
It's a chorus of perfectly timed cries. I guess it's easy to knock them on the heads as they're lined up, right? As Charles's girls are rubbing their heads and looking up, they all seem to realize who's the Asura in front of them.
"It's great that you people have that much enthusiasm. If that's the case, let me see your performance. Who's first?"
"Ah, no, that's..."
"We, we'll just have Dunois-kun teaching us~...that's all."
"How, how can we let sensei trouble herself..."
"Is there a problem? There's no need to be so polite. To all you prospects, I must give you a certain level of training...ahh, let's start by seating arrangement."
I seem to hear a gasp. Let me put my hands together, if you survive, we may meet one day.
Seeing the terrible state that befallen Charles's group of girls, the fear struck Orimura's group, and they naturally fell in line. Right now, Aikawa-san's opening the exterior of the IS controls to confirm the values. Let me add on, our group's training suit is [Uchigane].
"Oh well, let's begin. Aikawa-san, you should have taken an IS a few times, right?"
"Ah, yes, but only during lessons."
"Then there should be no problems. Anyway, please suit up and try to activate it. If we exceed the time, we have to stay behind after school."
"The-then that would be bad! Okay, I'll do this seriously!"
Though it does sound like she wasn't serious up till now, in this situation, I'll just close one eye. We hate sin, not humans, and our past mistakes aren't related to our future...huh, who said that?
Anyway, there's no problem with the suit up, initializing and walking, and the practice went by smoothly.
--Logically, that should be the case, but when the second person suited up, there was a small problem.
"I'm sorry, but, I can't reach the cockpit..."
"Ah! Aa~..."
Damn it, it's over. I forgot everything since I had my own personal machine--while using a training suit, we have to kneel down to get out. If we stand up to remove it, the IS will naturally be in a standing position.
"What's wrong?"
Ohh, Yamada-sensei appears! As she removed her IS already, she's wearing the busty IS suit--so naturally, I can only look away awkwardly.
"The, that, I forgot the instruct to leave the IS bent down..."
"Ah--so you mean that the cockpit is at a high position, right? If that's the case, it can't be helped; Orimura-kun, please escort her up there."
"...Huh?"
"Wh-What?"
"Huuh~ How lucky-!"
Let me add on, in order, the people who spoke that were me, Houki and the 2nd person (sorry, I forgot the name).
"Because that's the easiest way. Orimura-kun, please summon [Byakushiki]."
"Oh, okay..."
Like how she instructed, I deployed [Byakushiki] and suited up. The more-than-one month's training wasn't for show, as I could immediately summon it now.
"Then, please carry Kishisato-san up."
"Huh? No, that--"
"Wh-Why?"
Ohh! Houki jumped in! Nice going! Do your best! I don't know her personal reasons, but I'm a healthy male after all, so obviously I would try to avoid contact with girls. Besides, there would be trouble if something happens.
"Since the IS can fly, if he just needs to send her into the cockpit, this would be the most suitable method."
"There's no need to do that. Just let him be a stepping board!"
That's right, that's right--huh? A stepping board?
"A stepping board? Huh, may I ask who you want to act as one?"
"Of course it's Ichika!"
What's with that 'of course'?
"Hold, hold on a minute. If I have to become a stepping board, I rather send her up. That's safer."
"Yeah, it's a lot safer."
"Che--whatever!"
Ahh-...I seem to have made her angry. Houki just turned her back at me and walked away.
"Then Orimura-kun, please carry me up over there!"
Though I'm unwilling, it can't be helped. Since it's just this one time, I guess it's alright.
"Oh yes, Orimura-kun? You weren't looking at sensei just now. This won't do! We don't have to look at each other in the eyes all the time, but once you enter society, such a response can be seen as rude, so please take note of that."
"Ah, that's..."
"You see? You're doing it again! You must look at me straight on."
Maybe the battle just now increased her confidence, as Yamada-sensei grabbed my shoulder with an unimaginable force and turned me over.
And because she used both hands to pull me, the huge breasts that are stuck between the shoulders are even more ample.
"Ya-Yamada-sensei, please listen to me..."
Damn it, I can even tell that my body's heating up.
However, all my hopes in her to understand a boy's innocent feelings were crushed, as it seems like not even a third of those feelings were passed while Yamada-sensei pulled me even forcefully.
"Look over here, Orimura-kun!"
As she used force, the ample breasts that were crampled between her shoulders started to shake. To be honest, for this 15 year old healthy boy, it was really mesmerizing--or rather, I should say, one poisonous scene.
"Sensei, Orimura-kun doesn't know what to do~"
"Ya ya, that's a low blow, emphasizing on the breasts like that."
"Br-Breasts...!?"
At this moment, finally figuring out where the problem lies at last, Yamada-sensei stares at her own breasts, and then at my face.
"~~!?"
Yamada-sensei seems to back away from me quickly as she frantically covers her own body.
"Wha, that..."
I really want to change this invincibly awkward atmosphere, but I don't really know what to say--'your breasts are superb'...I'm an idiot. I'd get sued for sexual harassment.
"O-Orimura-kun."
With her back facing me, Yamada-sensei turned her face over at me. She sounds really shy as her face is blushing red.
"Th-That...you saw that?"
"Huh, about that...yes."
Even though I told myself not to look, not to look, not to look, I still more or less saw it. As lies will raise a few eyebrows, I honestly admitted it. However, on hearing my answer, Yamada-sensei's ears went red as well.
"Th-That, even though age and gender can't be helped, this isn't good. Besides, we have many problems in regards to age differences and standpoints...personally, I'm happy that I can make you aware of this, but it's still--"
"Yamada-sensei...would you mind telling me what you're doing..."
Chifuyu-nee has a hand supporting her head as she said that. Does she have a headache? That's tough on her.
"O-Orimura-sensei!? No, I-I'm, this...!"
"Sigh...I'll listen to your explanation. Right now, the main point is that Bodewig's group is extremely slow, so please go over to help them."
"O-Okay!"
Yamada-sensei stood up and ran towards Laura's group. On the way there, she glances back, just so happens to meet me in the eyes, and start to blush again.
"What..."
"Hurry up and practice, you idiot. The next slowest group will be yours, Orimura."
Ahh, I got scolded by the instructor from hell. Is that my fault...I guess so.
"Then let's hurry up!"
"Hiyaaa!!?"
Anyway, I followed the instructions and carried Kishisato-san up. However, she let out a strange sound--hold on, hold on, I didn't touch her in anyplace weird.
"O-Orimura-kun's really forceful..."
No, that's because we have so little time left. Speaking of which, girls are really light! Why's that so? That was easy. It wasn't easy the last time I carried up the fainted Gotanda. He was so heavy that I almost thought of dumping him on the road. But of course, I did send him to the infirmary properly--oh well, that's not important.
"Hold on tight or you'll drop."
"O-Okay..."
After confirming that Kishisato-san's grabbing onto my shoulder with slightly trembling hands, I slowly raised her up. However, the height's about only 1m, so it's not that dangerous.
However, the IS training frames are basically maintained in deployed form. Thus, one has to lean back on top to seat in. Thus, it's still dangerous even if it's not too high.
I take care not to drop Kishisato-san as I carry her to the Uchigane's cockpit.
"Then, move your back in and raise your body up. Also, it's better to put your hand on the armor there. Do you understand?"
"I, I'm okay."
As I haven't let go of her yet, our conversation was held in a rather tight position. She's still mindful about being touched by guys, huh? Kishisato-san's eyes are wavering about uncomfortably.
"I'm letting go now. Is this okay?"
"Huh? Th-This..."
"Is there a problem?"
"It's more like I'm in dreamland..."
"?"
While we're talking, the other groups are starting to talk.
"AHHH! WH-WHAT'S THAT!?"
"THAT'S TOO SLY! I WANT TO BE HUGGED!"
"WHY! WHY'S MY REGISTER NUMBER 12? I HATE THE ANCESTOR WHO GAVE ME THIS FAMILY NAME, UNTIL THE END OF TIME!"
No, ancestors should be respected, right? Besides, the end of time would mean your children and grandchildren, so please don't involve them in some strange grudge.
"An-Anyway, I'm okay. Hurry back, Orimura-kun. If this keeps up, I don't know what will happen to me later..."
"Mn, I got it."
I don't know what's going on, but she has some hidden feelings, right? Should be that legend only girls know of. Though I don't know what it is, it's more or less that.
"Try activating it then."
With me prompting, the initiation starts. The opened armor locked up and secured the pilot inside. Then, with a silent initializing sound, the [Uchigane] stood upright.
"Then next--"
◇
(Argh, this is infuriating me!)
Houki folded her arms and shut her eyes as she pretended to look calm. However, her heart was very unstable, and what happened just now was still on her mind.
(And what was that? Was there a need to be so close? Ichika could have just acted as a stepping board. Yes, a stepping board!)
That being said, in actuality, even if that other girl tramples down on Ichika, that wouldn't interest her.
That's because Houki herself is still ambiguous about her own feelings, so even if others are to ask her 'what do you want to do then', she isn't clear about what she wants. That's how the human heart is.
(And he was staring at Yamada-sensei...aahh, such a useless bum!)
To be honest, thanks to kendo training, Houki's still rather confident of her own figure.
Even though she feels burdened by her own breasts, it's good that they can become part of her charm. However--
(He didn't notice it when he was with me...!)
Until when they stopped living together with each other, Ichika's attitude hasn't really changed much, which made her really unhappy.
...However, it's not that Ichika didn't notice it. He just felt that if he showed that he was really troubled by it, Houki would be bothered, so he acted as if he didn't care... Of course, it's not that he would be bothered by everything.
It's also a characteristic of human nature to not be so straightforward.
"Alright, remove the suit now."
While Houki was pondering, the practical training seemed like it was a success, and the second girl finished activating the IS and walking.
"Ah, please remember to bend down and remove it, or else--"
Before Ichika managed to finish, the second girl seem like she just thought of something as she removed the IS while it was still in a standing position.
With that, the cockpit's stuck on top like how it was just now.
"Ahh! Wh, what were you doing!?"
"It's not that, the other girls are staring at me so strongly..."
"Wh-What?"
"Ahem...that's my personal problem."
Adding on, she was obviously referring to the other girls in her group when she said that, as everyone's giving her a 'do you think that you can just earn that benefit like that' look. Wow, that's really scary.
All the other girls in other groups are opening their mouths in envy, looking like chicks waiting for a mother to feed them.
However, what awaited them wasn't a reward, but a stern treatment by the instructor from hell.
"Oh, so you still have time to look at other places, right? To reward you of your boredom, I'll let you run 20 laps around the field. How is it? Are you satisfied?"
"Tha-Thank you sensei..."
The instructor from hell can also cry. No wait, those should be the reflection of other people's tears in the devil's eyes.
"Ahh--...so I have to send someone up again? Huh, who's next?"
Ichika looks really bothered as he scratched his head and looks around.
--Ahem, after clearing her throat to ready her feelings, Houki tries to act calm as she says,
"Me."
"O-Okay."
Seeing Ichika's shocked look, Houki wants to back away, but she knows that she has even more reason not to panic. Maybe it's due to the pride of practising kendo, as Houki's expression remains unchanged while she steps forward.
"Huh--, so."
"What? Hurry up and get me up! I don't really want this, but considering the safety reasons, this can't be helped."
Though Houki wants to emphasize that it can't be helped, Ichika still considered her feelings and thought that it's because of another thing altogether.
"Then, I'll be a stepping board--"
"Didn't I say that this can't be helped due to safety reasons?"
"--I'll send you over, I'll send you over."
Aah, really, what in the world.?Though Ichika muttered so, Houki's not listening.
Because no matter what, he's going to carry her. And seeing how he carried the girl just now--
(Is-Isn't that the legendary 'princess carry'...!? But, what should I say...great...no! Logically speaking, boys and girls shouldn't be sticking that close together!... But forget about it, considering the safety reasons, this can't be helped...that's right, this can't be helped!)
"Ah, ahem!"
"What's wrong, Houki? Got a cold?"
"No, nothing."
Anyway, Houki, who was so happy that she wanted to laugh out is trying her best to hold her emotions back. Perhaps it's due to that strong emotion of holding back that strong emotion that her face's looking twice as serious as usual.
"I'm carrying you up then!"
Ichika wraps his arm around her waist, and it looks like it's happening in slow motion. As his hand reaches over, Houki's heart starts to beat faster, and her body temperature begins to increase.
"Heyo!"
"Kya--ahem ahem!"
She nearly shouted out, but she coughed even forcefully twice to hide this.
(I-Id-Idiot! Who in the world carries someone so suddenly like that!? Is, is he trying to scare me...speaking of which, it feels like he's so well-trained...)
Being mindful, she looks up at Ichika's face, and at that moment, Ichika seem to notice it as he looks around.
"What's wrong?"
"No-Nothing! Nothing at all!"
As their faces are even closer than what she thought, Houki frantically looks away.
What she was mindful about just now has been all forgotten. Right now, she's more bothered by Ichika.
The body warmth of those strong arm muscles, and the breathing and heartbeat of hers that she worries about showing to him if they get too close--those are feelings of expectations and anxiety.
"Houki."
"Wh-What?"
"Nothing. I'm telling you to hold tight, or you'll fall off!"
"O-Okay...that, that's right. It's over if I drop. I have no choice but to grab onto Ichika."
After repeating another 'have no choice', Houki timidly reaches out and slings her arms around Ichika. As the IS suit is a skintight design, once her fingers touch Ichika's skin, Houki's heart start to pound faster.
(It, it's like I just touched him directly--KYA! WHAT AM I THINKING!?)
Ichika stares at Houki with an incredulous look while she continues to shake her head violently, bringing her up near to the [Uchigane]'s cockpit.
"Houki."
"Wh-What?"
"Well, if you don't sit in onto the IS, we can't continue with the practical class. Do you mind if I bring you closer in?"
"No, no! If you bring me closer in, even I can't remain calm--"
"? What did you say?"
"No-Nothing! An-Anyway, I'm okay!"
Like what Houki said, she pushes her hand away from Ichika and quickly sits inside the Uchigane.
"Doesn't look like there's anything wrong. Then after you finish the activation and walking, please hand over to--"
"Ichika."
"Hm? What is it?"
"We-Well you see, do you have plans for lunch today?"
Though she's acting calm, her voice's obviously a bit louder than usual.
"No, not that I know of."
"Oh, really?"
Seemingly looking like she just randomly asked, Houki's expression immediately lit up, but only for a few seconds as she reverts back to her cool expression.
"If, if that's the case, how about we have lunch together once in a while! Hm, just like that."
"Hm? Ohh, I guess it's sounds nice."
Houki continues to say as she activates the [Uchigane] before making it walk. This process isn't draggy, and it feels like some kendo movement.
However, while Houki looks like a samurai who's trained before, she's actually overwhelmed with joy. She hid her feelings though, so of course Ichika doesn't know.
"There's no problem! As expected of Houki! Okay then, please bend over and come down--"
"..."
"HEY! WHY IS THE?IS?STANDING AGAIN!? ARRGHH! I'M GOING CRAZY!"
Before hearing Ichika's words, Houki quickly landed. Of course, she knew she has to let the IS bend down, but she still can't refuse the silent demand of the girls in her group.
However, a more accurate reason would be because she's feeling so happy that 'it doesn't matter even if she gives the other girls a little welfare'.
(Ev-Ever since that day, I never had a chance to talk to Ichika properly. I have to do whatever it takes to get it back!)
To be honest, she does have a secret plan.
Anyway, having gained an advantage over the other girls (or so she thought), Houki's mood is as great as ever.
◇
"Then, that's it for morning practice. As we have to inspect the machines that're used in the morning, all groups please gather at the hangar. All people with personal machines please watch out for the training machines and their own. Then, class dismissed."
Our combined group of class 1 and 2 barely managed to complete the activation test. After everyone managed to hurriedly move the IS to the hangar, they returned back to the field. As time was really short, everyone's moving about crazily. At this moment, if we're late, I don't know what the instructor from hell will say.
And after we huffed and puffed till we finished all of that, Chifuyu-nee and Yamada-sensei quickly left the scene.
"Ah--...never expected it to be so heavy..."
Though the training machines were delivered by IS escort vehicles, there's nothing to move this. In other words, 'humans' are the moving forces, and in this group, obviously, I'm the main person pushing. All the girls think that manual work has to be done by guys, and even if there're some people who don't think that way, right now, the men have almost no right to say that. It's that kind of a culture now.
(But if I, a guy, don't push it and call the girls to do it, wouldn't it be too shameful instead of weird. I'll do it anyway.)
On a side note, Charles's group is having a situation when 'how can we let Dunois-kun do this!' as they have several sports-group girls transport it.--huh? Hold on? Why's the attitude different from my group...
"Sigh, forget about it Charles. Go change now! We still need to get to the changing room at the arena."
"Huh, erm...I'll go after I adjust the suit, so you go first. I may need to take some time, so it's okay not to wait for me."
"Hm? No, I'm okay with waiting for you, you know? I'm used to it--"
"No, no no non, there's no need! I have a problem! Is it alright? Can you head back to the classroom?"
"O-Okay, I got it."
Under his ridiculous pressure, I inadvertently nodded my head. But why's the chap so desperate?
Anyway, since he said so, there's no point waiting for him, so I quickly headed towards the changing room.
(The IS suit sweat absorbing function is working almost perfectly. Despite operating for quite a while, it is generally amazing that it is completely not sticky.)
I don't know whether it's because it's developed for space, but even if I'm not certain, I'll treat it as the case.
Alright, finished changing. It's 3 times easier to take it off than to wear it. I use my towel to rub my head and leave the changing room.
◇
"...What is this."
"Hm?"
During lunchtime, all of us are at the roof.
Normally speaking, a high school's roof access will be sealed off due to many reasons, but this IS Academy has no such rules—on the garden that's decorated beautifully, as the seasonal flowers bloom, the floor's of a stone cold floor that makes people think that they're in Europe. As all the round tables have chairs, on a bright sunny afternoon like this, there would normally be many girls waiting around here to talk.
Maybe everyone ran to the cafeteria to look for Charles? There's no one here to occupy the space other than us! Yay, we have the entire place!
"Didn't I tell you that I want to come up here to eat since the weather's good?"
"That's not what I'm referring to...!"
Houki glances aside to look at Cecilia, Rin and Charles.
"Since we're having lunch, the more the merrier, isn't it? Besides, Charles just transferred in, so he doesn't even know where to eat."
"Th-That's true..."
Uu. Houki looks like she wants to say something as she clenches her raised fist. She's holding some home-made bento that's wrapped into a cloth.
As the IS Academy is a boarding school, it seems like they open the kitchen early for the students who want to prepare their own bentos. I went there to look, and found that there were all sorts of utensils that expert chefs would use. As expected of a specially designated school that's controlled directly by the government, the spending's on a completely different level.
--And then, Houki looks like she just made a bento today, and even had my share! Childhood friends are really wonderful.
"Here, Ichika. This is for you."
After saying that, Rin throws the container to me. Hey, don't throw food.
"Wow, it's sweet and sour pork!"
"Yup, I made it this morning! Didn't you say that you wanted to eat it?"
Let me repeat it again, childhood friends are the best! However, to have sweet and sour pork without white rice, that's a daring innovation! Let me add on, Rin did go to the cafeteria to buy the white rice she wanted to buy here. She's smart.
"Ahem—Ichika-san. For some reason, I woke up earlier as well, so I prepared some things as well. If you like, please try some."
Cecilia opens her basket. There's a stack of neatly arranged sandwiches, however...
"Th-Thanks, I'll eat it later."
I timidly responded. On a side note, Rin's giving a 'wow' expression. Che, this person is either thinking of eating it herself or watching a show.
"What's wrong?"
"No, nothing!"
...Let's just put it this way. This English representative candidate Cecilia Alcott just can't cook—though it looks tasty, the food's just bad. Why must she just add stuff that she doesn't know of? I really, really wanted to seriously ask her, but right now, I don't have any intention to do so. For some reason, I felt t-->>