"Sorry for making you help me."

"Don't worry."

Under the red sunset, Ichika and Charlotte were walking together through the corridor. Both of them were carrying the itinerary information for the seaside school that was to be held this month.

"But...is this really alright? You're supposed to go with Cecilia and the rest, right?"

"It's alright. It's pointless for me to go if Charlotte's not going."

"Huh?"

"Well, how should I say this. Even if it's just giving out pamphlets, I still prefer to be with the ones I like."

Saying that, Ichika's face blushed somewhat. That didn't seem to look like the color of the sunset.

"Ichika..."

"Charlotte..."

On the corridor where they were standing on, both of them were looking at each other in the eyes.

At this point, silence is golden.

In this orange scene, the two shadows overlap--

"--That's, weird?"

She looked around to confirm. She had spaced out.

She was in her own first-year dorm room in IS Academy. It was 6.30am in the morning.

"..."

While she was still a little drowsy, Charlotte blinked twice, and finally grasped the current situation.

"It was a dream..."

Siiggghhh....she sighed deeply, so deep that it reached 20,000 feet below sea level.

(Ahh, at least let me dream on for another 10 seconds...)

She continued to cling onto to remnants of her dream, obviously looking unwilling to give it up.

Even the dream sequence that would be quickly forgotten continued to linger as she continued to hang onto it. The image that was left in her mind was like a video record she loved to watch, as the 'play' button seemed to be pressed in her mind.

"..."

Charlotte's face blushed.

As her consciousness started to clear, she began to feel embarrassed about the dream.

(We actually...in the sch-school corridor...)

However, as the words indicated, that was just a dream. She placed her hands on her chest, and found her heart beating wildly.

(Wha-What was I thinking...)

Ever since the individual division tournament last month, she went from Charles Dunois to her actual gender of Charlotte Dunois. Right now, she was sleeping in a separate room from Ichika.

But every week, she would dream of such a thing twice a week. She knew that they're in different rooms, but she would turn her eyes to look at the bed beside her for Ichika.

"That's strange?"

Her roommate wasn't in the bed.

And that didn't mean that she left the bed and went off. That bed wasn't used.

"...Well, never mind."

Right now, the most important thing to her is to continue to dream. If she were to sleep again, maybe she might dream of the continuation.

Carrying such casual thoughts, Charlotte closes her eyes, intending to sleep again.

(Since it's rare to have a dream, I won't mind having some erotic content in it--)

...

"Wha-What am I saying!!"

Charlotte covered the top of her head with the blanket, as if trying to hide her rapidly blushing face, and finally calmed her crazily beating heart down.

◇

*Chirp chirp...*

"Mn..."

The sun that frantically tried to enter the room passed through the window, and the chirping of the sparrows seemed like they were prompting me to get up.

(A little longer...just a little longer...)

At this moment, staying in bed is the most wonderful feeling. I suppose everyone knows how to enjoy this peaceful feeling, right? Well, that should be the case.

It's soft.

(...?)

Soft and squishy.

(Huh? What's this feeling? Do I have something smooth in my bed?)

However, right now, I can't get myself to give up on this comfort and laziness to stay in bed and search for the unknown.

(Ahh--how wonderful...)

Soft and loose.

"Mn..."

--HOLD ON A MINUTE! I just heard a voice that doesn't belong to me. And that's most likely not a guy's voice. (Speaking of which, it would be really terrifying if it's a guy.)

A premonition passes my mind, letting out a *GONG* like sound effect.

*POW!* I flip the blanket off, and what appears in front of me is--

"La-LA-LAURA!!?"

The German representative, Laura Bodewig. Ever since she transferred in last month, she suddenly challenged me, and after that, a lot of things happened--lots of them.

However, that's not the problem. The problem is 'why is she not wearing any clothes?'; which means, well...she's completely naked. She has only a left eyepatch and an IS on standby--the black leg band on her right thigh. The flowing silver hair is scattered down her waist.

"Mn...what...? It's already morning...?"

"IDIOT, IDIOT!! HIDE THEM!!:

"You're saying such weird things. I heard that spouses don't hide things from each other."

"Maybe you're right...NO! HURRY UP AND PUT SOME CLOTHES ON! WEAR SOME CLOTHES!!"

Ignoring my chaos, Laura just rubbed her eyes once and immediately reverted back to her usual expression...amazing, she can actually get out of bed easily. Such a terrifying person.

--No, now's not the time to think about this! Just when I was busy thinking about it, Laura said,

"I heard that this manner of waking people up is very common, isn't it? It's said that engaged couples do this."

"...Who's the bastard who gave you such false information?"

"But it seems to be have an instant effect..."

"?"

"Are you awake?"

"Damn right..."

Anyone who's still not awake after seeing this either has a damaged brain or a rotten body, right? Either way, their specialty is that they're dead, devoid of response and just like an ordinary corpse. But to a bystander, only a psychologically abnormal person would talk to the dead, right? The dead need a grave, and that guy needs a doctor or something.

"But there's still some time 'til breakfast."

Laura's covered with the blanket, and the hair that was bundled behind at one point is scattered. I'm unhappy about it, but that shiny silver hair that's basking under the morning sun is really beautiful.

(Even so, this gal here has been doing this kind of stuff ever since the tournament last month. It's really troublesome...)

She basically treated eating food at the same table as something to be expected. Once, she appeared when I was showering, and even before that, she was below me in an IS suit...no way! If I leave her like this, she would be even more incorrigible.

"..."

Uu--is there a way to make her less enthusiastic?

"What's wrong...ah, stop staring at me like that! I'll get really embarrassed."

I have a liar in front of me. But the way this liar looked embarrassed is a little...no, extremely cute.

(Ugh, ah...NO! NO, NO, NO!!)

--Oh, I got a great idea!

"Laura."

"What?"

"I like dignified and elegant girls, you know."

"Oh--"

Seemingly surprised, Laura widened her eyes slightly, and then nods her head twice, seemingly processing what I meant.

Ohh, things are proceeding smoothly! I'm glad. Here's a reward! Haha, thanks for your reward. I'm the Master and the Servant is Me[3A 1].

"But that's just what you like, right?"

"Huh?"

"I'm me."

Those eyes filled with determination are staring at me.

The hand that's seemingly pointing at where the heart is draws what looks like a heart.

"..."

...Whaa--

What's with this organism that's full of belief? I'd likely sleep with her if I'm a girl, I guess? Sorry, I was just spouting nonsense.

"Bas-Basically, didn't you say that..."

Huh? What did I say? Damn it, I can't remember?

"You told me to do anything as I wish, but now...that's too despicable..."

Uu, I seem to have said that before, but what should I say...being liked to such an extent. I should be troubled or something like that...

Speaking of which, she went from a brazen attitude to looking up at me and talking to me now. It looks abnormally charming. This is what she's talking about, right? Besides, it nearly caused her to blush or her heart to start pounding like crazy...well, I don't really know anyway.

Once this thought developed, even the hand that she placed in front of her chest so openly now looked like it's blocking my sight. Unbelievable.

"Yo-You're telling me to cover them, but you seem to be enjoying it, isn't it?"

"WHAT....? I-IDIOT! I'M NOT! I'M NOT!!!"

"The-Then, do you want to look? You've been really daring ever since morning started..."

"WAAH!! WAIT A SECOND!!"

Seeing Laura flip the blanket off, I panicked. Though I intend to make her cover it up, I got easily passed, causing me to end up in a wrestling match.

It's now 6 plus in the morning...to the residents in the rooms besides me, above and below, I'm really sorry.

"You...!"

I tried to grab a corner of the blanket to suppress Laura...or so I intended. But she used my momentum that was going above to sweep me down. It's over, this is a military combat skill. I can't possibly win.

And thus, having been flipped over, my head landed directly on the floor in an embarrassing manner, and my neck got twisted by 90 degrees. IT HURTS!!!

"You should do some more wrestling techniques."

Huh...Laura's tone is just like Chifuyu-nee. As expected of her ex-student, even the icy cold stare's the same.

"Bu-But, about that...if you want to do sle-sleeping technique training, it's not that I can't join in..."

Why is she blushing? Basically, the sleeping technique she's mentioning is--AH!

"I-IDIOT! GIRLS SHOULDN'T BE SAYING SUCH THINGS!!"

"Oh? You want to say it yourself? I-I'm fine with it..."

"NO WAY! SPEAKING OF WHICH, YOU DID SUCH A THING TO ME, AND YOU NEVER REFLECTED ON IT!!"

"What thing?"

"Wha, huh, that, that..."

Huh--ah--uu--

"A...a kiss..."

Uu...remembering this, I didn't just blush, my body went hot on it's heart. However, I don't want to remember the hellish sight from that time, so I have to stop here. Anyway, my lips got taken by Laura last month, and also--

"Th-That was my first time..."

Though I feel inferior for saying this, this is still a fact. That was my first kiss. As it was too much of an impact, who would notice the taste? Those people who said that a first kiss has a taste of lemon, stand right up!

"I see."

"What do you mean by 'I see'..."

The irritating response made me rage, but before I went berserk, Laura continues,

"I-I'm the same as well...first time! Mnn...I'm really happy..."

Because she blushed as she said that, I had nothing to say at all. Please think carefully. When the girl in front of you is blushing and extremely cute (outstandingly cute), who can complain? Any guy who can complain isn't a guy at all, or at least that's what I think. I guess.

"..."

"..."

Huuh, what's with this silent presence? More than awkward, it feels more like we feel more aware of each other's presence.

No wait, let's change the atmosphere.

"WAAH!!"

Intending to stand up, I got forced back by Laura back onto the bed. That's a splendid yet quick skill, making me suspect 'where did she get such tremendous strength on those slender arms?'.

"You, you're really troublesome. I really want to ask you, why are you so capable of inflaming other people's feelings?"

Wh-Wha-What's she saying!? I don't understand at all! But right now, time is essential. Laura's blushing as she's covered by the morning sun, slowly pressing down on me.

◇

Behind the dormitory, in an empty space that's occasionally used as a simple gathering place, Houki would come here to train seriously almost every day.

"Hoo..."

Having finished her morning shadow swing practice, Houki pulled out her towel from her bag of belongings.

The beads of sweat that were lit by the morning sun shone like precious stones.

The white torso guard (do) and the navy blue skirt (hakama) covered her healthy skin. Houki actually wore tabi socks and straw shoes (zori). To put it seriously, footwork has a very important significance in kendo. The tabi[3A 2]and zori[3A 3]?that can allow the practitioner to step forward, defend and conserve energy are the 'imaginary battle practical equipment'.

In kendo tournaments, the practitioners are required to be barefooted. And the tabi and zori combination can give a barefoot-like touch.

But either way, Houki seemingly never went to the kendo club before. Even so, she continued to practice in order to not waste her skills.

(But it's already July...)

Recently, the morning sun began to rise earlier. Besides that, she began to feel that the gradually rising hot air was mixing in the atmosphere. Though exercising did improve her mood, she wouldn't feel good after being all sweaty and sorts.

(Let's go take a shower then.)

If that's the case, my roommate should be sleeping, right??Though they're rather distant, she would feel bad waking her roommate up, thus Houki walked towards the club tower bathroom.

(July--it's July already, Ichika, you haven't forgotten about it, have you?)

At this point, the first month of summer is extremely special to Houki.

"Oh my, you woke up early as well. Good morning."

"Good morning, sensei."

The teacher who's in charge of the club tower still opened the facility at this time today for the students who were practicing in the morning.

Sakakibara-sensei, who was about to be 29 today, is gentle to students, has great morals, and has good looks, but her luck with men is abysmal. Anyway, the guys she likes every time are the ones where other females would think 'no, I think he's a little...', guys who aren't going to have positive impressions. Many times during the year, she would be dumped badly and would go drink alone.

But this is the last year where she's going to be 20+. Her parents have been trying to matchmake for her, which is her present trouble recently. Unable to refuse, Sakakibara-sensei went dating with a few people, but she kept having the same thoughts.

"He's good. But I just can't fan my passion..."

Yes, that's right. She doesn't want peace nor stability. That's why she keeps falling for strange guys. She feels it herself too. If the target she meets can't fan her passion, nothing he says can change her mind. She doesn't want to end a marriage just because she's tired of it--that's Sakakibara Natsuki's introduction.

"I'm here to borrow the bathroom."

"Okay, take your time. Make sure that the faucet's turned off properly once you're done."

"Okay."

Hearing Houki's clear answer, Sakakibara-sensei smiles as she nods her head--she's a beauty, but as for her luck with guys, just read the above.

(Then...)

She walked into the changing room. There was no one here other than Houki, and it was to be expected given the time. Before the students end their morning exercise and run in, she could probably dilly-dally for another 30 minutes.

In fact, Houki came here earlier because she didn't want to meet the students who were training.

And the reason why she did this is--

"..."

As the 'do' was taken away, the breasts that were held down underneath bounced out.

The breasts that were way too developed for a girl her age would attract looks from people of the opposite gender?and?of the same gender.

Once, she was changing with the girls who were doing morning exercise, and all of them stared dumbstruck at her breasts. As Houki walked towards the bathroom, the girls started following her like she was the piper who led the girls away[3A 4]. After that, though everyone went into their own bath cubicles, she couldn't calm down with all the stares around her.

And that time, something worse happened. After someone mentioned the word 'watermelons...', everyone started playing a charades game with round-shaped fruits like they were hypnotized.

Embarrassed and angry and blushing red, Houki escaped the bathroom that time.

(Uu, seems like they've gotten bigger...)

Uu, seems like they've gotten bigger...

Huge breasts aren't as good as what people say, at least that's what the person who has them will say.

First, the shoulders would ache. They shake every time she made a large movement. She also found them bothersome. There seemed to be few matching bra sizes for her, and because of that, the number of clothes she could wear were few. And no matter how she wore them, the clothes seemed to emphasize the bustline, attracting looks from both genders.

(Can't I deal with this problem...)

Haaa...she sighed. On a side note, if she were to say that trouble to Rin accidentally, she would face a situation even worse than being pursued and hunted by her till the end of the world. It's that terrifying. A woman's pride is higher than the Everest, deeper than the Mariana Trench and even more delicate than the sweets from that famous Kyoto Ogiya. It's also classified as the first kind of dangerous items, level 1 'highly explosive and dangerous', to be handled with respect and cautiously.

(B-But, that...if Ichika likes girls with large breasts, it would be a different thing altogether...)

She remembered that when she argued against Cecilia last month, she couldn't help but grab Ichika's arm.

To Houki, that was an unbelievably daring thing to do for her normally, but seeing that Ichika realized that she's of the opposite gender, it made her even happier than she imagined.

Truth be told, even though she wanted to go against Cecilia, just having Ichika's arm touch her breasts made her self-aware and embarrassed at the same time. However--

(If that can make Ichika be aware of me...)

Anyway, that's good as well. No matter how much kendo training she puts in, she's still a girl in her youth, so it's unavoidable that she would like someone.

And there's also the seaside school this month. In terms of timing, there's nothing better than this activity.

Of course, the main aim of the seaside school is to have IS equipment mobilization in the open unlimited space, but this is IS Academy, where 99% of them are girls, so naturally they would consider the girls' feelings. The first day would be free and easy--in other words, everyone can swim or play, and the school did think of the students feelings by not limiting them to just school swimsuits. It's all free and easy.

(This is a rare chance...!)

There will be an intense battle to get the only guy, Ichika. Though this is to be expected. Houki has her own plan.

"Okay! I'll get him to buy something with me this weekend!"

Unknowingly, as Houki clenched her fist, her voice echoed throughout the bathroom that has only her in it.

◇

(...Okay.)

Having used the shower to wash away her sweat and blow her hair dry, her clean summer clothes were already put on herself.

Then, she checked her hair thrice, cleared her throat five times to adjust her voice. After doing all that, Houki finally knocked on Ichika's room door.

*Knock* *knock*.

"I-Ichika, are you in there? It's a rare chance, so how about we go out for breakfast?"

Silence, no response.

"Ichika? Are you still sleeping? You'll miss breakfast if you don't wake up."

But even after saying that a second time, she didn't get a response.

Somewhat unhappy, Houki placed her hand on the door handle.

*Clack*.

(Hm? The door isn't locked...that guy's really careless. Really!)

"I'm going in, Ichika. Hurry up and get ready--"

"Ge..."

"Mu?"

*BISSH!!* Houki's expression, movements and her entire body froze.

As she pushed the door open and walked in, she saw a thoroughly naked Laura pressing on Ichika's body, getting ready to kiss him. For some reason, Ichika didn't look like he was making any resistance.

Understanding till this part, Houki finally lost it.

"ICHIKA! WH-WHA-WHAT ARE YOU DOING, YOU WEAK BASTARD!!"

*SWOOSH!* She drew out a real sword at one go. That was the result of training everyday, but to Ichika, who's being pointed at, this isn't a joke.

"What? Hold it, Houki! That's a misunderstanding!!"

"WHAT MISUNDERSTANDING!? HOW DID I MISUNDERSTAND! HUMPH, JUST LET ME SLICE YOU UP!!"

"AHH!! STOP IT, I'M TELLING YOU TO STOP, YOU IDIOT!!"

"YOU'RE AN IDIOT! YOU BIG MORON!!"

Being unreasonable, Houki raised the blade above her head, getting into a position where she's about to slice my head in half. Unquestionably, that blade that's reflecting pure light is as serious as ever. I can tell that I won't just be injured if I get hit.

"YOU-YOU-YOU BETTER ACCEPT PUNISHMENT NOW!!"

*SWOOSH!* As the sound of the blade dancing through the wind could be heard, Ichika felt his sweat foreboding his imminent death.

--But that blade stopped at the last second. More accurately, it got blocked.

"It'll trouble me if you end up killing my bride."

"Cheh, you..."

Laura's right arm deployed the IS. It seems like she put the AIC on that part to block Houki's blade.

Being held down by that invisible force, Houki was unable to move, making her even more impatient.

On a side note, Laura's bride = Ichika. Though it should be the groom, but it's unknown where Laura heard that 'in Japan, everyone would treat the people they love as 'their bride'[3A 5]. So the conclusion became Ichika = Laura's bride.?One day, just one day, I have to choke that person who taught her this extremely wrong piece of information--Ichika swore deep inside.

"Hoo, I'm saved...hm? Laura, you took off your eyepatch?"

Noticing the shiny gold left eye Laura's showing, Ichika's shocked. Once, due to a certain event, this eye changed color. It contained Laura's self-loathing past, thus she fought with her sealed left eye, but lost.

That's because that left eye had nanomachines that were used to complement the IS's extremely potent sensors. It enhances her sights, and even if the IS is in standby mode, she can see objects more than 2km away.

"I really hated this eye in the past, but not anymore."

"Oh, really? That's great."

Ichika added on with a 'no point hating your own body...' as he nodded his head. Seeing him like this, Laura blushed again.

"Be-Because you said that it's pretty..."

Seeing Laura turn away in an embarrassed manner, Ichika's heart raced for some reason. But Houki didn't feel interested.

"Che..."

"Che?"

"CHIESTOOOOOO---!!"

Roaring, Houki broke through Laura's AIC with brute force and swings down.

"WAHHH!!"

*ZUDOMU!* The blanket and bed got sliced down in half. She had such talent wielding a sword at 15 years of age. Any swordmaster who's around would definitely recruit her into his clan.

"ICHIKA!! DIE!!!"

"YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT!!"

"How rude of you, putting moves on other people's brides."

3 people, 3 different reactions. The standoff continued as they trudged on line by line. The morning commotion proceeded until the dorm caretaker Yamada-sensei frantically came running in.

◇

"..."

After a while, the location changed. This is the first year student cafeteria. Having been released from the hellish calamity just now, I'm eating a slightly late breakfast.

On a side note, Laura's sitting beside me, and Houki's sitting opposite me.

I ordered a natto and grilled fish set, Laura chose bread, corn soup and chicken salad. As for Houki, she chose-

"Hm? Do you want to eat it?"

Having noticed my stare, Laura added 'I'll share some with you' and used her mouth to pick the bread up. Hm? Why must you use your mouth to pick up the bread...sigh, WAH!!

"Hm...what's wrong? You can bite it, you know?"

"ID-IDIOT! WHO CAN EAT LIKE THIS! THIS IS JUST LIKE KISS--"

The moment I said 'up till there', Houki forcefully slammed onto the table.

"Can you please be more quiet when eating...?"

Her lips are twitching, giving a terrifying smile.

"Fuu... are you jealous?"

"What?"

"You're envious because you couldn't do it?"

"Wh-Who, who can't do it! I-Ichika!!"

After drinking a large gulp of miso soup, Houki reaches out. Don't tell me this is...no, whatever the taste is, isn't she going to feed me with her mouth? Huh, when can I eat breakfast?

"...!...!"

The meaning of this is to prompt me to drink. So this is the meaning of talking with your eyes. It's referring to this. It'll be good if those eyes can be less like some highly-skilled sniper.

"Let me tell you something. Ichika said this himself."

Laura, who stuffed a large amount of chicken salad into her mouth, swallowed it before saying.

"Ichika likes elegant and dignified girls, you know."

"!"

Facing Laura who said that without any care, Houki revealed a mystified look.

Then, she swallows the miso soup in her mouth and then sits down. After that, she keeps a serene expression on her face as she eats her breakfast. Maybe she's mindful of the 'elegant and dignified' part, I guess? The amount of food she picked up is a lot less than usual.

(But, Houki's really a beauty when she can remain serene like this...)

Due to her daily training, her back's normally straight, and she doesn't have any additional fat on her arms and legs. The fingers that are holding the chopsticks are exceptionally pretty and her skillful use of the chopsticks has the elegance of a pianist.

"WAAHH!! I-I'M LATE...I'M ALMOST LATE...!"

Suddenly, a rare voice range.

The person who spoke hurriedly rushed into the cafeteria and picked one of the remaining sets that's closest to her.

"Yo, Charlotte."

"Ah, Ichika, good-good morning."

As there happened to be a seat beside me, I waved my hand to call her here.

It's rare for Charlotte to come to the cafeteria at such a late timing, and it's easy to tell from her hurried expression. It's true that in this situation when she just got ready to eat breakfast, she'll be late if she doesn't finish it up quickly.

"What's wrong? Charlotte? You would be punctual most of the time. Did you oversleep?"

"Y-Yeah, a bit...well, too much..."

"Oh, so Charlotte also oversleeps."

"Uu, well, yeah, oo...that's because...I went back to sleep..."

Maybe it's because she's eating? Charlotte seemed to be mumbling. Also, I don't know if it's just me, but she seemed to be delicately keeping her distance from me...?

"Charlotte..."

"Uu, hm?"

"You seem to be avoiding me."

"No, no, such thing!! Mn, not at all!!"

Though she said that, it seems that she's wary of me.

Besides, she was my roommate who stayed with me for about a month, so I can more or less tell that Charlotte's hiding something.

(But it will be irritating if I press on. Never mind. Speaking of which--)

Unknowingly, I start to look away from Charlotte who was hurriedly eating her breakfast.

On a side note, after my one on one training with her, she became rather skilled with chopsticks. Right now, for her to remove the bones of a grilled fish is as easy as washing her face before breakfast...we're eating breakfast, and I just mentioned about before breakfast[3A 6].

"I-Ichika? You're staring at me, you know? Is-Is my hair messy due to sleep?"

"No, that's not it. It's because you've been wearing guys clothes the past month that I felt it's refreshing to see Charlotte in girl's clothing."

"Re-Refreshing?"

"Hn. I feel that you're cute."

Maybe she's not used to being praised, I guess, as Charlotte immediately blushed on hearing my words.

"...Though you say-say that, you told me to wear guys clothing in the dream..."

"Hm? Dream?"

"NO-NOTHING! NOTHING AT ALL!!"

Charlotte forcefully shakes her head and waves her hands to deny it before retracting her hands to continue eating her breakfast.

And because I'd finished eating breakfast, I intended to drink some tea. However--

"OWW!!"

There was a shoe stomped on my feet, and my face got pinched.

"Saying to others that you like elegant and dignified girls, yet you're pretty frivolous, aren't you?"

"You're my bride. You should praise me more."

On a side note, Houki and Laura said these as they did those things respectively. Huh? Where did this hell come from? Do I have to keep pressing the 'B' button to escape[3A 7]? Spare me the deep-fried punishment[3A 8].

"Huh..."

Hurry up and think of somethin--okay, got a good idea-->>

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