Infinite Stratos - Volume 10 - Chapter 5

Chapter V: Re:Kyoto! Return to Kyoto 

“All right, I’m on my way!” Ichika bid farewell to the student council members who’d come to see him off, and set off alongside Miss Casual. 
“Ehehe, I get to sit next to Orimu! Someone up there’s looking out for me.” 
“What’s that supposed to mean?” 
As they walked along, the cadets looked rather displeased with this course of events. In fact, they were glaring at Miss Casual. 
“What really matters is when we get to Kyoto.” It wasn’t clear who had said it, but the idea definitely cheered all six of them up. 
“You’re right. That is what really matters.” 
“I bet the foliage will be beautiful.” 
“I’ve been there so many times it’s basically a second home.” 
“The Gold Castle is famous, isn’t it? I’d like to go see it with you.” 
“The matcha! I want a real matcha latte!” 
“Everyone’s getting so excited...” 
They’d already made their way to the platform at Tokyo Station. With every first year coming along, they’d reserved several cars, and there was no need to form neat lines, so instead they just relaxed while waiting for the train. Or at least tried to, unsuccessfully. The reason was obvious: Miss Casual had wrapped herself around Ichika’s arm. 
“Hey, hey, Orimu! What are you getting for lunch?” 
“Something light. The ryokan we’re staying at is supposed to have really good food.” 
“Oh, wow! They have masuzushi from Tomiyama! I need to get some!” 
“...You’re not listening, are you.” 
Miss Casual was greedily clutching a box labeled ‘genuine masuzushi,’ all without letting go of Ichika’s arm. 
“Honne’s so lucky...” 
“Isn’t she being a little too clingy?” 
“That’s just how she is.” 
Miss Casual’s friends sighed resignedly. The big sister who couldn’t tell a lie, and the little sister who could only say what she meant. The Nohotoke sisters from the student council were famous for their forthrightness. 
This didn’t mean that the cadets were particularly pleased about it, though. However baggy her normal pajama-like clothes were, she had the body of a supermodel. Even her outsized school uniform did little to hide it. Ling and Laura, especially, were worried that he might get a little too used to the extra cushioning. 
Dammit, Ichika! Stop drooling all over her! 
She’s trying to steal my bride! 
You could pack a surprising amount of darkness into hearts without much space in front of them. 
“Oh, there’s the train. Let’s board.” 
The crowd of first year IS Academy students began to line up. As they did, the other passengers noticed their uniforms. 
“Oh wow, they’re from IS Academy!” 
“Wait, that means Orimura Ichika’s probably here.” 
“Where is he?! I’ve been really into him ever since I saw him on TV!” 
“You say that about every guy you see on TV.” 
“Like you weren’t talking for a week about how they get to customize their uniforms.” 
“That’s different! That’s because I want to be a designer!” 
As the crowd buzzed, the first years walked onto the train like it was a parade. 
“Okay, is everyone here?” As the voices of 150 or so of the flower of humanity rose up, Chifuyu nodded. 
“Masuzushi! Masuzushi!” In the seat next to Ichika, Miss Casual began to unwrap her bundle of Tomiyama deliciousness. 
“Mm? What’s with that?” Inside the package was a tiny bamboo box. 
“The thing with masuzushi is, you’ve gotta wrap it up reeeaaaalllll tight to keep the fish fresh.” 
“I see.” As a chef himself, Ichika was intrigued by the prospect of learning about a new dish... Well, at least as someone who did the cooking. 
“Can you take the rubber band off for me, Ichika?” 
“Huh? Oh, sure.” He picked up the masuzushi and slid the rubber band off. And as he did— 
“Oww!” It immediately snapped back on his hand. 
“Ahahahahaha! That happens to everyone the first time they do that.” 
“You should’ve told me!” 
The cadets squinted in suspicion at their happy domesticity. 
“Why can’t Ichika be like this with us?” 
“Just because she gets to sit next to him, she thinks she can do whatever she likes.” 
“If you’re sitting across from them, keep an eye on him.” 
“I wonder if he’s really that disloyal.” 
“My chicks... I had to leave my chicks behind again...” 
“Laura, you can buy those pretty much anywhere.” Laura was the only one with a different reaction, and Kanzashi took it as an opportunity to get a jab in. 
And then it was time for another train ride. 
 
“Ahh, it’s so much fun riding the bullet train!” Miss Casual remarked as they got off the train in Kyoto. 
“You ate the whole time, Miss Casual. Not that I can complain, it kept me fed too.” 
Starting with the masuzushi, she had moved on to a banquet of snacks, drinks, and even some appetizers. Meanwhile, Ichika was a one-man photography crew getting dragged around by the girls in his class. 
“Orimura! Take a picture of me!” He’d already gone through two rolls of film just from that repeated request. Traveling with this many women meant he wasn’t going to have much downtime. 
“All right, then, let’s—” 
Yes, sightseeing in Kyoto! Just as Ichika was ready to go, Chifuyu caught him by the collar. 
“You’re doing the photography. At least to start. Go to Kiyomizu-dera.” 
“Got it...” 
As Ichika nodded, Miss Casual was the first to catch his hand and said, “Let’s go, Orimu!” 
“Sure!” 
But if Ichika was going, pretty much everyone there wanted to go too. He shrunk back from the rapidly-forming... less a line. It looked more a great migration. 
“Let’s fly, Miss Casual,” Ichika whispered in her ear. 
“Mm? Okay!” 
As she nodded, Ichika opened Byakushiki and lifted her up before soaring into the sky. 
“They ran away!” 
“No fair, Miss Casual!” 
“Ichika, you cheater!” 
Chifuyu, though, chose to overlook this unapproved use of his IS. She must have had her own plan for this. 
“Let’s fly too!” Houki was the first to suggest it, and the other cadets opened their own IS, only to be blocked by Maya. 
“Remember, that’s against the rules.” She had a perfect, and perfectly menacing, smile. There was no arguing with that, and the cadets’ breath caught in their throats. “If you object, you’ll have to get through me first.” 
The white flag went up. And thus, Ichika and Miss Casual’s date at Kiyomizu-dera began. 
“Wow, that was quick.” 
“IS are fast. Was the ride comfortable?” 
“Anything would be with your arms around me. And I was inside the shield barrier, so I was fine!” 
They’d landed toward the back side of the temple to avoid attention, and there were fewer tourists than expected around. But more importantly... 
“There’s no one here. What’s going on?” 
“That’s funny.” 
As they entered the grounds, a woman angrily rushed over. 
“You two! What are you doing here?! It’s closed for filming! ...Wait, are you Orimura Ichika?!” She was so worked up that it was hard to tell what she wanted. 
“Oh, sorry, we didn’t know that it was closed. We can leave.” 
“Wait, hold it! Orimura Ichika, can you be our special guest? People will love it! We’ll sell millions! I might even get a raise!” Her voice shaking, the woman pressed a business card into his hands. “I’m Yukizaki Iwana, a talent agent. Pleased to meet you.” 
She was a competent-looking career woman in her early 30s. 
“Ah... Wait, you’re making a movie? There’s no way I can do that!” 
“Don’t worry! It’s an easy role!” Her words were reassuring, but her handshake was insistent. 
“Er, well, um...” Ichika was dragged along, and Miss Casual followed along with him. 
“Everyone, I’ve brought a special guest!” The mood on-set had been tense, but seeing Ichika, the cast let out a surprised cheer. 
“No way! It’s really him!” 
“Mankind’s, or at least men’s, last hope! Orimura Ichika!” 
“Wow, I saw him in a magazine and he looked awesome!” 
“Director! Director! Let’s change roles!” 
“He can be the lead! But Orimura, can I get your autograph? I’m a huge fan! Ahh, this is wonderful! Can I shake your hand?” 
The set suddenly livened up, and Ichika was dragged along by the enthusiasm. 
“Okay, okay! I’ll be the lead!” A wave of applause arose. But the director, a man with scraggly stubble, was shaking his head while ‘hmm’ing. “So it won’t work? Okay, then, we’ll—” 
“Okay, you’re the female lead!” He suddenly thrust a finger toward Miss Casual. 
“Whaaa?” As she blinked in confusion, he walked up to her and took her hand. 
“Writer! You’ve got thirty minutes to fix the script! Stylist! Get them ready! Lighting! I want illumination, not a laser cannon! Sound! Tweak the mics! Everyone else, go back to filming, but be ready!” Amidst the confusion, Ichika and Miss Causal were pressed into the studio bus. Was Japanese cinema really reduced to this? 
“All right. IS Academy uniforms look good, so you’re fine in those. A little makeup, and you’ll be set!” An androgynous stylist with rolled-up sleeves ran their fingertips over Ichika’s cheeks. “Oh my. You have fabulous skin. Perfect for makeup. Ahh, such a healthy boy.” 
“Y-Yeah...” 
“Such a good boy. I hope I still know you in two years.” The stylist winked, and Ichika laughed nervously. “Now you, on the other hand. Why on earth do you wear such a baggy uniform?” 
“Because it’s comfy!” 
“Ah! That’s no good at all! Fashion needs immediacy—needs impact! You’re a woman, you need to show it!” The stylist’s own muscles rippled under tight clothing, though Ichika was unsure what exactly they were trying to show. “Maybe you two should change. All right, undress, undress.” 
“Umm...” Ichika was flustered by the suggestion, but Miss Casual immediately pulled off her blouse and skirt. “Bwah?! W-W-Wait, what are you doing?” 
“Whaaat? They said to undress!” 
Ichika was half-panicking as she stood there in her underwear. Her breasts were even bigger than Houki’s. She had the body of a fashion model. 
“Oh myyyyy. You’re amazing! This won’t take very much work at all. Ichika, darling, could you step out for a moment? I’ll lay something out for you. Don’t worry, I can tell your size by eye.” The stylist winked again. 
Not wanting to just stand there staring at Miss Casual in her panties and bra, Ichika stepped out of the studio bus. 
“Whoa...” It wasn’t going to be any less hectic for him outside. 
“Can you sign this?” 
“Show me your IS!” 
“Can I get a photo with you?” 
He was being treated like a rock star. But, ever-conscientious, he followed through with everyone... To his own disadvantage, as the director had a flash of inspiration when he saw the IS.

“Now we’ve got you!” 
Kiyomizu-dera. Miss Casual, in a formal gown, was being chased by a group of men in dark suits and sunglasses. 
“Give up, and marry me! Gahahaha!” 
As the villain laughed menacingly, Miss Casual spoke firmly, “He is the wind. Nothing can stand in his way. And someday, that wind will carry me away.” 
Turning, she jumped from the old lover’s leap of the temple. 
“What?!” The villain panicked as Ichika, in his IS Byakushiki, swooped down to pluck her from the air. 
“Ahh, my beloved! Let me be your wind...” 
“No matter how far it carries me! Let my love be my wings, and you the wind which carries them.” 
The two soared away into the night sky of Kyoto. 
“CUT!!” The director’s voice echoed. 
“Good work!” With a round of applause, filming was over. 
“Wait, where’d that darling little boy go?” 
They really had flown off, and it didn’t seem like they were coming back. 
“Ah—!” Cries of dismay welled up from the cast. 
“They ran away!” The absurdity of the whole afternoon set in, and they broke down laughing.

“All right, around here should be fine.” Picking a secluded back street, Ichika landed and closed his IS. “Miss Casual, did you want to go back and get your uniform?” 
“Mmm. I brought plenty of changes.” 
“I see.” A man in a tuxedo, a woman in a gown. They were quite the sight to behold. “Maybe we should fly back to the ryokan.” 
As Ichika pondered, Miss Casual spoke up, “You know, Orimu.” 
“Mm?” 
“You’re always, always there for us. But you should let us be there for you, too.” 
Ichika wasn’t prepared for that. Tears rose to his eyes, rolled down his cheeks. 

“H-Huh? What are you talking about?” 
“C’mon, Orimu.” Miss Casual wrapped her arms around him. “When it gets to be too much, we can help. We’re all here for you. All of us.” 
Ichika nodded, silently, from within her embrace. For a while, they stayed just like that. Only the two would know how tender of a moment it was. 
 
“Where did you run off to, Ichika?!” 
After they returned to the ryokan that night, the cadets were lined up with their arms crossed in a room where Ichika sat stoically. 
“Well, a lot happened.” Keeping what happened with Miss Casual to himself, Ichika bore the full brunt of the questioning. That was a man’s duty, after all. 
“Dinner’s already finished, you know.” 
“Explain yourself!” 
As Ichika attempted to patch things up, Ms. Yamada interjected, “Now, now. Ichika worked hard today, so I’ve put together something special to reward him.” 
“Something special?” 
“Yes, something special!” she excitedly replied. Ichika was famished, and definitely liked the sound of that. “All right! You cadets will get to be geisha!” 
“...Eh?” A cold glare shot him down before he was able to bemoan that the ‘surprise’ wasn’t just dinner. 
“You can get changed in the next room! I’ve got someone there to help you with the kimono.” Ms. Yamada prodded them all into the adjoining room. 
Left alone, Ichika was finally able to relax. 
“Phew...” He stretched out on the tatami mat, listening to the rustle of cloth from the next room. 
“Proper Japanese clothing for a proper Japanese maiden. Meaning, me.” 
“Wait, Houki, have your breasts gotten bigger again?” 
“Share some of that with us!” 
“I wouldn’t mind a little more either.” 
“Hmph, I’m fine how I am! They’d just get in the way anyway.” 
“Laura, just because they’re grapes and not melons doesn’t mean you have to be sour.” 
No matter how many times he heard the girls talking among themselves, he couldn’t quite get used to it. Rolling to his side, he tried to block it out. I can’t hear them... I can’t hear them... 
Half an hour of endurance later, they finally filed back into the room. 
“Whoa!” Six stunning geisha had entered. Ichika couldn’t help but gulp nervously. 
“Anyway, since Ichika hasn’t eaten yet, first things first! Get him dinner!” 
As Ms. Yamada clapped her hands, the ryokan’s hostess entered, accompanied by a waitress. And what they were carrying looked mouthwatering: the freshest seafood, the finest produce, tofu made with the crystal-clear local water. 
“But first, a drink. Shinonono, if you will?” 
“Of course! If I may sit by you, Ichika?” Houki kneeled next to Ichika, perfectly accustomed as a very Japanese girl to movement in a kimono. 
“Your glass?” 
“Uh, okay... Remember, I’m underage.” 
“It’s ramune.” 
“Oh, okay.” 
The drink burbled merrily into his red glass, settling with the reassuring hiss of fresh-poured soda. 
“Anyway, let’s eat.” 
Swigging from the glass, he let the effervescent sweetness soothe his throat. As he exhaled, he felt like all the exhaustion of his day was leaving his body. 
“I’m starving. Can I have some of this?” Cecilia sat to his left as he eyed the banquet laid out before him. 
“I’ll be feeding you, Ichika.” 
It seemed like it was now Cecilia’s turn, as Houki quietly stepped away. 
I knew it was a good idea to practice with chopsticks just in case! Firmly gripping her chopsticks, Cecilia fed Ichika. 
First up was whitefish sashimi. It tasted wonderful, it must have been seasoned with a very good soy sauce. The sweet, savory, more than anything rich flavor spread through his mouth. 
“This is delicious, Cecilia! You should have some!” 
“Ah... No thank you, I...” Cecilia still wasn’t quite accepting of the idea of eating raw fish, but more important to her now was the geisha’s role as a companion. 
As she struggled to find the right words, Ichika took the chopsticks from her hand and said, “Here, I’ll feed you. Say ‘ahh.’” 
With table service like this, she couldn’t refuse. Cecilia nervously opened her mouth. 
“That is delicious!” She didn’t even realize she was saying it until the words left her mouth. That’s how good the whitefish sashimi was. Even the notorious gourmet Cecilia praised it. Though, even more than the flavor, she enjoyed Ichika serving it to her. 
“Ve-Very well, Ichika. Shall we continue?” Picking up another pair of chopsticks, Cecilia fed Ichika the yuba salad. Time seemed to slip away as they ate. 
“All right, next is my turn.” Ling kneeled in front of Ichika. At the same time, Cecilia stepped away. “Ichika, I thought a traditional Japanese card game would be just right!” 
She pulled out a deck of hanafuda cards made by Japan’s most famous video game company. 
“Wait, I thought you didn’t know the rules to this.” 
“Ugh!” 
As Ling wilted, Ichika looked past her, and spotted a box of Jenga blocks. 
“Hey, they have Jenga. Why don’t we play that instead?” Ichika had been really into it in middle school. 
“Oh, yeah, you used to love that one, didn’t you.” Ling had also remembered this, and had made sure to leave it there so he had the option. 
With that decided, Ling opened the box. It was an exceedingly well-constructed set, ready to go as soon as it came out of the box. 
“All right, let’s play rock-paper-scissors to pick who goes first!” With a deep breath only Ichika noticed, the game began. Ling won, and chose to go second. 
“All right, I’ll go first. Hmm... How about here?” His choice was anything but safe. Ichika applied everything he’d learned from Chifuyu to his Jenga play. Just like he did in IS battles. 
“You still like to show off, huh. Well, I’ve gotta keep up then!” Ling went for a risky move as well. She’d learned, over their years as friends, that this kind of competition was the most fun she could have with Ichika. 
Their battle continued until there were only two moves left: one very safe and one extremely dangerous. And now, it was Ichika’s turn. 
“All right, time to have some fun!” 
Ichika, of course, went for the dangerous one, and Ling yelled in dismay, “Agh! I wanted that one!” 
“Don’t yell! You’re gonna make me knock it over!” 
“And that would be your fault! Now put that block back!” 
“How am I supposed to do that?! Then it’d definitely fall over!” 
It was just like they were back in middle school, and the others were jealous. They could only imagine what he was like before they met. 
“Well then give me that piece!” 
“No way!” 
“What’s your problem, Ichika, you idiot?!” 
“You’re always making it someone else’s fault, Rin, you moron!” 
As they were squabbling over the piece, Ling started to stand up, but stumbled and fell on the hem of her kimono. 
“Eek?!” 
“Look out!” Beside the tumbling Jenga tower, Ichika caught Ling. 
Someone let out a sigh of dismay... But just then, Ms. Yamada stepped in to stop things from getting out of control. 
“Next is my turn.” Charlotte, in a kimono, approached, carrying a delicious-looking sweet potato. 
“Ooh, that looks good. Wait, Charl, what are you sulking about?” 
“I am not sulking.” 
Ichika felt like it was a waste for her to have a pout on her face on one of the rare chances she had to wear a kimono. 
“C’mon, how often do you get to dress up like this? What happened to that cute smile of yours?” 
“Eh? Wait, cute? Me?” 
“Totally. Really, I want my cute Charl, like you normally are, back.” 
“Like I normally am... Ehehe...” Charlotte started to slowly shuffle toward Ichika, her expression one of perfect bliss. “Anyway, let me feed you. I cooked this sweet potato myself.” 
“Oh, wow! Yeah, let’s get into that!” While the other girls were fretting about their own worries, Charl had snuck off to prepare a handmade dessert. Ichika wasn’t sure whether this was amazing or entirely what he’d expect from her. 
“Anyway, Ichika. Say ‘ahh.’” 
“Ahh!” 
As he bit into the sweet potato, his mouth was filled with its sweetness, rich yet delicate. It obviously must have taken a lot of effort to get right. 
“What did you mix this with? It’s like nothing I’ve ever had before.” 
“Um, after I chilled it, I mixed it with ice grains, then formed it back into its skin.” 
“Ice grains? Wow, you’re really clever.” 
“If it’s for you...” Ichika watched Charlotte fidget in embarrassment as he enjoyed the sweet potato treat. 
“No, really, this is great. Isn’t it, Charl?” 
The perfect dessert for his meal. She really didn’t miss a single thing. 
“And I’m next!” Laura stepped forward dramatically. With that, Charlotte took what remained of the sweet potato and left. 
“I visited a glassblower while I was here, and had them make you this!” Laura pulled out a phone strap with a small glass charm. 
“Wow! It’s beautiful!” 
“You think so? Isn’t it though.” 
“Yeah, it’s a really great boar!” 
Laura’s palm caught Ichika upside the face. 
“You fool! It’s a rabbit!” 
“Are you sure? It really looks like a boar.” 
A second slap. 
“You double idiot!” 
“Oww! Okay, okay! I get it, Laura! I’ll definitely use it, just stop hitting me!” Ichika pulled out his phone and threaded it through the loop. “See? It’s perfect.” 
He couldn’t quite think straight in between the slaps, but in any case, seeing it seemed to satisfy her. 
“Yeah! It’s perfect!” 
Next in line was Kanzashi. 
“I... I’ll dance for you.” 
An assistant with a shamisen appeared, and Kanzashi danced a traditional Japanese dance. It was bold, vivid, almost unimaginable from the girl whose footsteps were normally so tentative. And it may have been meant for Ichika, but it charmed everyone in the room. 
“Wow, Kanzashi. The tea ceremony, flower arranging, traditional dance... You really can do it all.” 
“I mean, I am a Sarashiki.” 
The round of applause as she concluded her performance marked the end of the feast. 
 
That night, after the crowds had cleared, Chifuyu walked through Kyoto’s old city. Pulling out her phone, Chifuyu entered a secret direct connection code. Three seconds later, it picked up. 
“What is it, Chifuyu?” The voice was the Unnamed Squad Leader. 
“Thanks for sending Maya’s IS, Karen.” She was no longer just ‘Squad Leader.’ Chifuyu had named her Karen Calleria. 
“It was nothing. I’m glad it helped.” Karen, the Squad Leader, sounded pleased with herself. 
“Are you sure you should have gone that far, though? Even as the leader of the Unnamed, do you have that much free reign?” 
“If it’s for you, I can make it happen.” Karen’s tone was nothing but respectful. 
Chifuyu was grateful, but still couldn’t manage much more than a wry laugh, “C’mon. We’re equals, right? You can just treat me like a normal person.” 
“This is normal for me.” 
“I see. Maybe you should take some time to appreciate some flowers. It’ll help you learn about the things in life beyond duty.” 
“Is that an order?” 
Another wry laugh from Chifuyu. Their relationship was almost like that between Tabane and Chloe. 
“Anyway, talk to you later, Karen.” 
“Understood. Thank you, Chifuyu.” 
“I should be thanking you.” Chifuyu laughed again, and ended the call. “...It’s cold.” 
The chill wind blew on her face. 
 
Daybreak. It was morning in Kyoto, and Ichika opened his eyes in his private room at the ryokan. 
“Mmm...” 
Squish. His fingers were poking into something soft. 
“Mmm?!” A sweet aroma filled his nose. Recognizing the scent of a girl, Ichika shot upright in shock. 
“Mmm... Huh? Is it morning?” 
“Charl! Your yukata, your yukata!” 
“Eh? Eeeeeek!” 
For some reason, Charlotte was sharing a blanket with Ichika—and her yukata was open far enough to expose her pink underwear. As Ichika pointed it out, she nervously folded it back closed, but it was already too late. He’d seen everything. 

“Ichika, you pervert...” 
“It’s not my fault!” 
Anyway, though, the big question wasn’t whose fault it was: It was what she was doing in his bed. 
“Ugh...” He could hear moans rising up from the hall. 
“Now what is it?!” 
Ichika flung the door open. And there, lying sprawled on the floor, were the other cadets. Their dying message: ‘Charlotte did it.’ 
“Are you okay?! What happened to you?!” Houki was the nearest to him, and he tried to wake her up first. “Are you okay? What happened?!” 
“Well...” Houki couldn’t find the right words. As Ichika inadvertently glanced down, he noticed her breasts poking out from her yukata, and— 
“Stop staring, you idiot!” 
Smack! He caught a fist to the face. 
“Why me?!” 
As blood streamed from his nose, Ichika slumped back into unconsciousness. 
 
Turning back time to the night before— 
“Bwahaha. With the Schwarzer Hasen Sleeping Drug #5, Ichika won’t realize a thing of what happens tonight. And that’s my chance to...” 
Laura was sneaking into Ichika’s bed. But just as she was about to achieve her goal, embarrassment overtook her. 
“No, this is okay. This is what people do with their brides. It’s okay! It’s okay... I think.” She clenched her fists in determination. A little too hard, as the tip of her syringe dug into her own palm. 
“Ah—” In moments, it had spread through her body, and soon she fell into a deep sleep. “Ugh... At least... At least, let me make it to Ichika’s bed...” 
She collapsed on the floor. Soon, her breathing steadied (but definitely didn’t stop). 
Meanwhile, in the hallway... 
“Gah!” 
“Haaa!” 
Houki and Ling, the two childhood friends, were doing battle. Less metaphorically, more with live steel. Katana clashed against liuyedao. Both of them would rather die—and this was a real possibility—than yield. 
Clang! Clang! Sparks flew as they battled. 
“Out of my way! I’ve got a date with Ichika!” 
“Too bad! I can’t let you near him with something as dangerous as that!” 
Ling was of exactly the same opinion, but no one was there to point that out to them. After a strenuous battle, they both collapsed. 
“Well, that was extremely dangerous.” 
“Definitely.” 
Cecilia and Charlotte had each taken a few blows during the brawl. 
“Okay, then...” 
“That leaves...” 
Sparks flew between Cecilia and Charlotte. Friendship or not, this was a chance neither could let go of. They eyed each other up for a moment. The slightest hesitation and the other’s victory would be assured. Just as the tension reached its peak, Charlotte let out a gasp of surprise. 
“Ichika!” 
“Er?” 
From behind Cecilia, Charlotte smiled like an angel. 
“Damn—” Cecilia crumpled to the floor. 
And then only Charlotte was left, her fists clenched in anticipation. 
“I can finally... Me and Ichika can... Can...” 
Imagining the night they’d spend together, she entered Ichika’s room. Spotting him asleep, she tried to hold back her urge to rush toward him. But her heart, and her body, were too honest, and— 
“Eh?!” Slipping on something, she face-planted on the floor, knocking herself out and sliding forward under his blanket. Thus was the pile of bodies created. 
Meanwhile... Kanzashi was staying up late to catch the last episode of an anime. 
“They have to be up to no good.” 
She was right. 
 
“Shiny! Breakfast time! C’mon, Shiny!” Ichika was trying to care for the cat Allie had given him, but it had no interest in the cream he’d bought. As he did, the cadets pressed their way into his room. They were dressed in their IS Academy uniforms rather than yukata. 
“Ichika, it’s a cat. You can just feed it leftovers,” Houki chimed in from over her bowl of egg on rice. Shiny turned away in disgust. 
“Cats have a highly-developed sense of smell. Perhaps it would prefer moi.” Cecilia sprayed on a dash of perfume, then held out her hand to Shiny. To which Shiny ignored Cecilia, and padded away. 
“Leave it to me! A cat toy should do the trick!” The words weren’t even out of Ling’s mouth before she pulled one out and tried to get its attention. Shiny was somewhere between uninterested and disinterested. 
“Hmm, it’ll take me a while to make some kibble. Should I?” 
At least the word ‘kibble’ got Shiny to perk up for a second. But only for a few moments, until it began to doze off again. 
“I know, the Schwarzer Hasen insignia should do it!” No one really agreed with Laura, but no one really disagreed either, so she gave it a try. Not even a glance from Shiny. 
“Maybe you should find someone else to take care of it...” Kanzashi, allergic to cats, chimed in from the doorway. 
“What’s going on?” Ms. Yamada, wondering why they hadn’t gotten together yet, had come to check on them. 
“......?!?!” 
And seeing her, Shiny leapt toward her. 
“Ahh, cats love these.” She had something which looked almost like a nut in her hands. 
“Meow! Meow!” It almost sounded like ‘Give me! Give me!’ The nutlike thing was the fruit of the Japanese catnip plant. 
“Purrrrrrr...” Shiny rolled around adorably, luxuriating in the scent. 
“Well, Orimura. You should give it some of this, but not too much.” Ms. Yamada handed him the fruit and left. And Shiny leapt into Ichika’s arms, firmly decided on where it wanted to be. 
“Well aren’t you a crafty one.” 
And thus it was finally decided just who Ichika’s roommate would be.