!

"You're both beauties if both of you calm down."

*DONK!!*

MY FEET GOT STAMPED BY BOTH PEOPLE!! IT HURRTTSS!!

""STOP COMPARING US TOGETHER!!""

Uwahh, really terrifying...both of them are glaring at me really fiercely. What's wrong? You two hate to be mentioned together? Get along together more, you two. Really...

*DING--DONG--DANG--DONG*.

See, even the prep bell rung because both of you don't get along well with each other--hm? The prep bell?

"UWAHH! IT-IT'S THE BELL! WE HAVE TO GO GET READY FOR CLASS. HURRY UP!!"

Huh, that's weird?

Frantically getting up from the table, I was the only one left. Houki, Laura and Charlotte have already left the table and ran off...uwahh! Wait for me, you people!

"DON'T, DON'T LEAVE ME BEHIND! I REMEMBER IT'S CHIFUYU-NEE'S--NO, ORIMURA-SENSEI'S SHR[3A 9]!!"

It's practically suicide to be late.

"I don't want to die."

"Me neither."

"Sorry, Ichika."

UWWAHHH, THESE PEOPLE ARE TOO MUCH!! EVERYONE SHOULD DIE TOGETHER RIGHT!?

--On a side note, if I were in their shoes, I would've answered the same. Besides, the number of martyrs and salt content should be reduced to the lowest.

Just when I was thinking about this, we arrived at the main door. We had to change to outdoor shoes when we leave the dormitory, and we had to change back to indoor shoes once we reach back to the school building, so it was really troublesome...ugh, the three girls have already disappeared.

"Hurry up, Ichika!"

OOHH! My hand got grabbed immediately after I put on my indoor shoes on. I thought who it was. Charlotte seemed to have been waiting for me. Such a great person. Are you willing to die with me?

"I'm flying off, Ichika!"

"Huh?"

Just when I was about to ask, Charlotte's deployed parts on her legs and back, assimilated them and flew off.

This was a partial deployment of Charlotte's personal IS, the 'Raphael Revive Custom II', which was basically materializing the parts on the legs, to allow thrust, and on the back, to allow flight.

"--OWAAHH!!"

My body got dragged up suddenly. I couldn't even see anyone on the corridors when the official bell that indicates the start of lesson rings. With the IS' flight capability, Charlotte and I got up to the 3rd level in a jiffy...but, about that, what should I say...I think it's best that you don't fly with a mini-skirt, because, well...I just saw her light blue panties.

"We're here!"

"Oh? It's been tough on you."

...That's strange? The official bell hasn't rung yet, and yet the demonic teacher is already in the classroom.

The homeroom teacher of class 1-1, Orimura Chifuyu, my own older sister and the ex-representative of Japan in the IS global tournament. She's also winner of the overall and close ranged categories in the first tournament, and she's a teacher who's still as strong as an Oni even without any equipment.

I glanced at Charlotte's face, and this is the first time I saw her face turn blue like that.

"This school is established as an institute to develop IS pilots, so this place isn't affiliated to any other country or is it affected by external powers...however--"

*BAM!!* The attack of the attendance book sounded as loud as ever.

"You are not allowed to deploy IS without official permission, even if you're in school. Do you understand me?"

"Ye-Yes...I'm sorry..."

To think that the honor student Charlotte would actually do something that would break the rules. This seems to have left quite the impression on the other classmates as everyone just remained dumbstruck.

On a side note, Houki and Laura used the time when Charlotte and I got lectured and sneaked in through the back of the classroom, getting into their own seats. Huh...I guess it's to be expected, but they don't intend to help me.

"Dunois and Orimura, after school, stay behind to clean the classroom. If there's a second time, I'll make you two write a letter of reflection and live in the special classroom, am I clear?"

""Yes...""

Both of us got to our seats with dejected moods. Being scolded by the devil, tough luck.

*DING* *DONG* *DANG* *DONG*. Ignoring the occasion, the bell rung, and SHR started.

"We'll be having an ordinary lesson today. Though all of you are IS Academy students, you are all still High School students. Don't fail!"

That's right. Though there's less lesson time, we have to learn ordinary subjects. These subjects aren't tested in mid-term, but they are tested at the end of the term. If I fail, I have to spend the entire summer vacation in remedials, and that's the only outcome I want to avoid at all costs.

"Also, from next week onwards, it will be the special school trip practical lesson time. Everyone is reminded not to forget your items. We will be leaving school for 3 days, so remember not to play too much during your free time."

That's right, the special school trip practical lesson time in early July--the seaside school will last 3 days. The first day is basically free and easy. Of course, because we're going to the seaside, these girls in their youth of teenage years were already excited since last week.

On a side note, I find that buying trunks is too much of a hassle. But when I mentioned that honestly, Cecilia and Rin warned me like a machine gun, so I have to buy a pair. Well, I'll go take a look during the weekend.

But I haven't swum in the sea for a long time. Actually, I'm really looking forward to it.

"Then, that'll be the end of SHR. Everyone's to study seriously today."

"Excuse me, Orimura-sensei. Is Yamada-sensei on leave?"

The good student in class, Tagatsuki Shizune-san raised an obvious question. To be honest, I'm mindful as well, but she either overslept or got bothered by something else, right?

"Yamada-sensei went ahead to check the place for our field trip, so she won't be here today. Thus, I'm taking over Yamada-sensei's duties for today."

"Huuh, Yama-chan went to the seaside already? That's so cool~!"

"That's sneaky! She should have brought me along!"

"Ah--is she swimming? She must be swimming--!"

As expected of the girls in their teenage years. Once there's something, they can make a ruckus out of it. Chifuyu-nee found it irritating since she continued on.

"Ahh, stop making a big commotion out of everything, it's irritating! Yamada-sensei went to work, not to play!"

Yes--?the girls in class answered in unison. Such amazing teamwork[3A 10].

◇

After school, in the classroom that's dyed sunset, Charlotte and I are cleaning the classroom. There're no other students here, or rather, in this IS Academy, they wouldn't call on the students to clean the floor. The assigned cleaners will clean the classrooms, corridors and even the ceiling are cleaned neatly.

The reason they don't allow students to clean the classroom seem to be because in the past, the caretakers of the students voiced an objection, saying that 'even if it's just a little time, they should focus on IS education' and made the rule.

Thus, cleaning the classroom became a light punishment for students, and we're experiencing this now. But--

"Mn--it's interesting."

"Huh?"

"Nothing. I'm just saying that it's interesting to clean, especially when it's the classroom we use so often."

"Is-Is that so? You're so weird, Ichika..."

Huh? How did it end up like this? I thought Charlotte would agree with me. I'm a little hurt here.

But either way, no matter how she felt, Charlotte's still Charlotte as she seriously helped me in cleaning up.

"Ugh, uu~"

"Ah, don't force yourself. I'll shift the table."

Speaking of which, that's Kishisato-san's table right? Her textbooks are all over the floor. Though she herself said that it's a 'fully-armored' table, there's all sorts of holes to this saying...

"No, no problems! I'm an owner of a personal IS, so my physical ability compared to the rest is..."

Saying that, Charlotte lost to the weight and slipped. I immediately supported her body from behind.

"That was close...wouldn't that be adding insult to injury if you're hurt? See, just let me..."

"Uu, yeah, tha-thanks..."

As I slipped back to support Charlotte's back, the movement feels like I'm hugging her. Maybe she couldn't calm down because a guy's body's around her as her eyes seem to waver.

"Huh--sorry, I'm letting go then."

"Ah..."

Hm? Why do I feel that Charlotte sounded like she felt that it was a pity gesture, how come?

"...That was alright..."

"What?"

"No, nothing!"

"That's good."

Including what happened this morning, I really feel that today Charlotte's been acting strange.

◇

(Wa, wa, my heart's beating so fast...my face, is my face alright? I'm not showing any strange expression, right?)

Though they were punished to clean the classroom, the fact that Charlotte got the dream sequence of being alone together naturally made her heart beat faster.

The classroom that's dyed orange suddenly overlapped with the scene Charlotte saw in the morning, causing even her ears to become red.

At this moment, she also realized that the heat on her face is such that she would be giving off hot air, and that the calm demeanour she would usually show is no longer present.

(Wha-What should I do...got to say something, uu, but I really can't say anything, and I don't know what to say...)

"Oh yea--"

"KYAAHH!"

Ichika's sudden words caused Charlotte to react in shock since her voice went embarrassingly high-pitched. As the voice was too weird, she immediately covered her own mouth after making that sound.

"Wha-What's wrong? Letting out such a strange sound..."

"It-It's nothing! Nothing at all!! I-I was just thinking about something, that's all..."

"Really? That's good."

Seemingly without any suspicion, Ichika moves the table. After putting these things back onto the original position, the cleaning was finished. Thinking about this, Charlotte starts to feel an inexplicable loneliness.

"I've felt something weird since last month started, so I should ask you now."

"Uu? Oh yes, what is it?"

"Huh...when you said to me that 'please call me Charlotte when we're alone', I thought that you intended to continue your disguise as a guy. The next day, you just returned back to your girl identity, so I was wondering if something happened..."

"Ah, huh, well, that, that's..."

As for the details to this, Charlotte really has difficulty saying it out. Normally, she would just answer simply, but today, she's been stuttering all day long.

"Ah, it's not that. It's fine that you don't want to answer, it's just that I feel weird about it."

"Do-Do you care about that...?"

"Of course I do."

"Is-Is that so...I see."

Huh...even though she felt puzzled, Charlotte tried to think of a suitable vocabulary. After exchanging looks with Ichika many times, she finally decided on it and said,

"Well, I hope that Ichika can seriously..."

Even though her face immediately blushed, Charlotte continued to stare at Ichika and say,

"...treat me like a girl. So, when I'm a girl while we're alone, I don't know if it's weird or despicable...but, that, an-anyway, you're the reason, Ichika."

"Is-Is that so? I'm really sorry then..."

"The-There's nothing to be sorry about..."

After saying that, Charlotte turned her face to look at the window. Even under the shine of the orange sunset, her face still looked exceptionally red.

"But I did seriously treat Charlotte as a girl."

"Huh? You mean..."

As Charlotte heard something unexpected, her heart began to pound crazily. But at this point, while the girl in her teenage years was a little expectant for him to step forward, the blockhead of the blockheads, Orimura Ichika, stood there.

"Because you're not a guy."

*KRAU*, *KRAU*. A crow flew behind Charlotte. Well, it didn't actually fly by, but it sounded like a dumbfounded crow's cry.

(Uuu~! Ichika, you, Ichika, you...!)

Recovering herself, Charlotte felt like stomping deep inside her heart, and her face was red from anger instead of the emotion just now.

However, she couldn't say it out clearly, or rather, she couldn't say it out at all, so she ended up at her wits end like this. In fact, she was about to suspect if Ichika was deliberately doing this.

Speaking of which, it was because he didn't do it on purpose that made it irritating. He's definitely a big blockhead, yet he would say things that will make people nervous, causing Charlotte's face to instantly become like a hot water boiler all the time. It was the same this morning; hearing him suddenly say that she's cute, causing her heart to nearly pop out at that moment.

(Never mind...that...I'm really happy...)

But really, she just wished that he would just say those things to her. She knows that it's difficult, yet she couldn't help but continue to wish for this. It's really a girl's complicated feelings.

"But now, the name you asked me to call you has become normal already. Don't you want a nickname?"

"Huh, can-can I?"

"If Charlotte doesn't mind."

On hearing Ichika's answer, Charlotte immediately nodded her head forcefully.

"Yeah, okay! I have no objections at all! It-It's rare to have this chance, so I'll leave it to you!"

As she was excited and shocked, Charlotte's voice accidentally went high by half an octave. In order not to let him realize this, Charlotte tried to act as calm as possible, yet her heart was already showing a scene of a blooming flower field.

(WA~! WHA-WHAT'S GOING ON? WHAT'S WITH ICHIKA!? SUDDEN-SUDDENLY SAYING THAT, I HAVEN'T EVEN GOTTEN MY HEART READY YET...AHHH!! BUT...THA-THAT MEANS THAT HE-HE L-LI-LIK-LIKES ME, RIGHT? I'M RIGHT, RIGHT? AM I!?)

As she was overly excited, Charlotte nearly let out a strange sound, which she clears her throat to hide it as she awaited Ichika's words with expectant feelings.

"Let me think. Mn, how about Charl? It's nice and intimate."

"Charl--okay! It's great! It's very good!"

"Is-Is that so? Having such a large reaction, I guess you like it."

"It-It's okay, Charl...Charl, ufufufufu~"

Right now in the flower field in her heart, there are 4 large-head chibi-Charls holding hands and dancing. If subtitles are allowed, there would be a 'please hold on a moment'.

"--Then Charl, I got something I would like to ask you..."

"Hm? What is it?"

Ichika suddenly grabbed Charlotte's hand forcefully while she's smiling in her own happiness.

As Charlotte had a '?' pop out above her head due to this sudden action, Ichika closes in with a serious expression and says to her,

"Go out with me."

"Huh?"

Charlotte heard the world stop.

◇

"Oh, the weather's great today!"

It's Sunday. The weather's clear. That's great.

To prepare for the seaside school that's starting next week, a certain girl arrived on a street. As for that girl--

"..."

Charlotte is--or Charl is giving an unhappy look.

"...I just heard my dream shatter..."

I don't know what happened, but she's been like this ever since morning started. I don't know whether she's listless or just moody, but she's been looking like that.

On a side note, Charl's wearing a short-sleeved white shirt that's suited for summer, and she's wearing a cutie-top that's of the same color as the skirt. That light cream skirt is short, sufficiently showing her healthy leg outlines.

--Mn, very cute! Especially the elegance of the matching colors, they do look classy and trendy.

"What's wrong Charl? Are you feeling sick?"

As I peered over worriedly, she forcefully pushed my face away,

"..."

And doesn't say anything. However, her eyes seem like she's blaming me badly.

"Charl, that's--"

"Ichika."

"Ye-Yes?"

"Those guys who play with girls' feelings should be stomped to death by horses."

WAH, SUCH INTENSE WORDS!

But as for that, I agree with that all the way. Even if it's not a girl, fooling with other people's feelings like that is still bad and goes against morals. This kind of guy can't even support himself, let alone others.

"Yeah, such a guy should just die."

"Go look into a mirror!"

Hm? Is my hair messy? Not good, this can't do.

"Sigh...beside, besides, you just asked me to go accompany you to buy something. Ahh, I feel that you said something similar last month, Ichika...haa~..."

Wahh, she just sighed deeper than 20,000 meters deep into the ocean. Wha-What should I do? Is it really a hassle to go out with me?

"Huh...about that...I'm sorry, but, it's alright not to force yourself like that, you know? If you're really feeling unwell, we can always go back to rest. Health is first priority."

"..."

Charlotte continued to stare at me as she gave off a silent pressure. What's with this oppressing feeling? It's making me feel painful.

Because it's painful, I started making some ridiculous concessions,

"Huh, well, to thank you, I'll treat you to parfait at the shop in front of the station."

"Just the parfait?"

"An-And cake! And drinks!"

"Good. Also, this."

After that, she suddenly reached her hand out. Hm? Hold hands? It's not that I can't. For some reason, I feel that she just let out a sharp glare.

Huh...got to think. Think fast! Me!

"I won't argue with you if you're willing to hold hands with me."

"Ohh, so that's how it is. Okay."

Speaking of which, this is a street she's unfamiliar with, and since she's in a foreign land, it would be really bad if we lose each other. It's Sunday, the day when everyone's resting, so there're a lot of people.

Thus, to prevent this, Charl actually thought of holding hands. She sure can think fast. I have to learn from her more.

"..."

Huh? That's strange? Why did Charl suddenly become so silent? For some reason, I find that she looks different, her face just seemingly blushed, and her eyes are wavering. Does she have a cold?

"Are you alright?"

"KYAH! Wh-Who-Who're you asking?"

"Huh, you. Do you want to go back to rest?"

"No, no need! I'm alright, I'm good, no problem! Le-Let's go!"

Being dragged by Charl as she suddenly took large strides, I follow her to the train station.

Even so, right now, Charl's hand that's holding onto mine is a lot slender than expected. It contains the warmth of a woman, causing my heart to beat ridiculously.

◇

"..."

"..."

Two figures were hidden in the shadows, noticing Ichika and Charlotte walk towards the station.

As both of them passed the crossing with the green light on and disappeared into the crowd, those two figures used the opportunity to appear from the tress. One of them had a pair of lively ponytails, and the other one had elegant blond hair. In other words, they were Rin and Cecilia.

"...I say."

"...What is it?"

"...Well, did they just hold hands?"

"...They did."

Even if they asked 100 people, they would get 100 same answers. Cecilia lets out a spastic smile as she holds onto the PET bottle. *PACK!* The bottlecap flew up!

"Is that so? That happened, right. I didn't see it wrongly, and I wasn't daydreaming. So that happened--alright, let's kill him."

Rin clenched her fist, and the IS was partially deployed on it as she got ready to battle. There were about 2 seconds before the Impact Cannons were fired.

Girls' naive feelings can be that terrifying.

"Oh, seems like you're having fun. Let me join in."

""!""

The voice of the person behind them caught them off guard.

Standing over there was the opponent that caused Rin and Cecilia to suffer defeat, the one person they would never forget, Laura.

"KYAH! Wh-When did you appear there?"

"Don't be so wary, I don't have any intention to have it at you for now."

"Who-Who would believe that! If you want to battle again, I'll accept it willingly!"

Having been beaten in a 2vs1 match, Rin and Cecilia began feeling suspicious, but in contrast to their reaction, Laura didn't seem to mind as she replied,

"About that? Oh well, I forgive you."

Hearing her say that casually, both of them just remained rooted to the spot, unable to respond to what she said. However, they immediately recovered.

"Wha-What forgiveness, you...!"

"Who would say 'Is that so? I got it?' after hearing you say that...!"

"Is that so? I'm going after Ichika then. Got to make a move first."

As Laura really made a move after she said that, Rin and Cecilia frantically stopped her.

"Wa-Wait-Wait a minute!"

"Tha-That's right, what are you going to say after catching up to them?"

"It's obvious, right? I just want to tell them that I'm joining in."

Hearing Laura's direct response, both of them cowed back. As her response was so direct, they didn't know whether they should be unhappy or envious.

"Wa-Wai-Wait a minute! If you want to fight against an unknown enemy, we have to collect information first, right?"

"Well, that's true. What do we do?"

"So we should tail them from behind and observe what state they're in."

"I see. Let's do it."

Thus, under ridiculous reasons, they became the mysterious 3 stalkers.

◇

"Let me see...the swimsuit're over here."

Right now, we're standing at the 2nd level of the shopping center in front of the station. Being the transport hub here, it's easy to find anything, whether it's the train, subway, public bus, taxis or whatsoever. This place is accessible from every single place in the city, and can allow access to any place in the city.

Also, this shopping center 'Resonance' that links to the station and the surrounding underground streets has all sorts of restaurants, whether it's European, Chinese, or Japanese. The shops selling clothes have all sorts of top class international brands. Also, there're all sorts of entertainment facilities for all ages. It's been described as 'if you can't find it here, you can't possibly find it anywhere else'. It's that simple, no wait, it's extremely glamorous.

On a side note, this place is linked to the station, and yet I called it 'in front of the station', which makes it unbelievable. However, this is already 'in front of the shop' since the beginning, so it can't be helped. In middle school, Dan, Rin and I would often come here after school. Such fond memories.

"Oh yeah, Charl, do you want a swimsuit?"

"This, well, that...Ichika, well, do you want to see me in a swimsuit?"

Hm? She just asked a weird question. Wouldn't the main point be whether you want to swim instead of asking me if I want to look at it? Charl can be really be weird at times.

"Well, since it's rare, let's go for a swim. I haven't been to the seaside for a long time, so I'm really looking forward to it."

"I-I see. Th-The-Then, since we're here, I'll just buy a new one then."

Charl slightly increased the force of her grip as she nods a few times. Maybe she's feeling excited about being able to swim after a long time? Speaking of summer, we can't miss out the sea, the watermelon and the fireworks. That's right, that's right.

"Well, the guys and the girls have different areas to shop, so let's separate here."

"Ah..."

As I let my hand go, Charl let out a sound as if she missed it. After that, she has 'that kiddy look of wanting something but can't say it' as she stares at me.

"Huh-what's wrong?"

"Ah, nothing, nothing at all."

"That's good. We'll meet back here in 30 minutes."

"Mn, got it."

Charl nods her head in understanding and heads off to the girls' swimsuit area. Just looking at those arrays of colorful swimsuits, it makes me feel like I'm in a Southern country.

"No, hold on, I need to choose my own swimsuit as well."

Good thing I saved up quite a bit of personal money as I went working during middle school, and now that I'm living in the IS dorms, the meals, electricity and gas are all free. Ahh, how is it that this unique independent school IS Academy is run by Japan so brilliantly.

Speaking of which, I haven't chosen swimming trunks for a long time. I feel that there's a ridiculous sort of colors, but I just chose a simple navy blue swimming trunks.

(Mn, that can do. There's still 10 minutes, but let's go wait for her.)

Thinking about this, I return back to where I left Charl. Unexpectedly, she's already waiting for me.

"That's strange. You're fast. Is everything complete?"

"Ah, no, well...I want Ichika to choose for me."

"Really? Let's go look at it then."

Saying that, we arrive at the female swimsuit area. But, what should I say? The colors, the styles or whatever, the number of women's swimsuit far exceed the number of men. Seeing such a huge variety of them, I inadvertently backed away with 3 large steps.

(Uu, but since Charl wants me to give her suggestions, I'll just endure it for now...)

As today's Sunday, there're female customers all over. They seem to immediately notice a guy walking into a place where female goods are sold.

"Over there."

"Hn?"

Looking around, Charl and I are only ones standing here.

"I'm calling you, man! Arrange the swimsuits here!"

A woman whose name I don't know suddenly said to me. 10 years after the introduction of IS, the female superiority quickly spread throughout the world, and every country treats women better. When guys walk down the streets, they will be ordered to do something by someone they don't know. But I--

"What? Just do it on your own! If people like to order other people to do things, humanity will became dumb!"

I hate this the most. Forget about it if it's a friend I know, but when I don't know the person, I don't think I have the need to listen to this, and I don't want to follow it.

"Oh, do you want to say that? It seems that you don't really understand your own circumstances."

After that, the female customer intends to call the guards. Right now, this is a women superiority society, so if she says something like 'he suddenly exerted violence on me', I don't need to defend myself and will be deemed as guilty.

That's how society is right now.

"Sorry, can you hold it here. I (boku)--I (watashi) brought him here."

Charl entered at the right time. Since both of them, are females, things won't go out of hand.

"He's your man? At least train him better!"

Wah, you heard that? That's basically men=dogs!

On a side note, only a few females would be this arrogant. Most females would still think that men are of equal standing to certain extents. However, that attitude was obviously out of the thought that 'men have to help women do things'.

"Really, it's because you people never trained them properly that men would..."

The female customer grumbled as she left. What's wrong? Did she end up meeting something irritating? A stressful society's really isn't good for humans.

"Sorry Ichika for making you meet such unpleasant things."

"Hm? No problems. I'm the one who should be thanking you for saving my life."

"That's to be expected! That, well...can you help me choose a swimsuit?"

"Okay."

Now that I answered that, Charl dragged me over. Feeling puzzled, I got dragged by Charl to the changing room...huh? Hold on? Charl-san?

"We-Well, I can't tell if a swimsuit's suitable if I don't buy it...right?"

No, that...well, even if you ask me that, I can't answer that easily...

But I just seem to notice that there's a large promotional board with the notice 'females can try this', which seems to make this popular. Also, it seems that those that were worn before will be washed by the staff. Ohh, how luxurious. Female superiority has extended to such levels.

"I-I'll be done soon. Just wait for me."

"Huh, then I'll go outside--"

"No, no you can't!"

No, even if you say so, I...

"It-It's okay, I won't take too much time."

Charl said this as she started taking off her shirt.

"WAAH!!"

I immediately turn my back on Charl.

I immediately turn my back on Charl.

In the crammed changing room, only Charl and I are here. And no matter how unwilling I am, I can hear the sound of clothing being rubbed, which makes my heart beat faster. And since the space is so crammed, I can immediately detect the sweet smel-->>

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