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Infinite Stratos - Volume 9 - Chapter 1




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Chapter I: Hamster Cluster! Love Rival Warning 

“So that’s what’s going on?” Laura asked as she set down the clay she’d been kneading, and looked around the table. It was late at night in the IS Academy first-year dorms. Normally, this was when they’d be enjoying an evening tea time, but today, everyone’s faces were stony. 
“The winner is placed in the same class as Ichika, and everyone else is moved to another. And...” Charlotte finished kneading her own lump of clay, and placed it next to Laura’s spiky creation. Together they looked like the king and queen of a chess set. “And the winner also moves in with Ichika.” 
A jolt ran up the spine of the cadets gathered at the table. 
Living with Ichika. An experience unlike any other. Houki and Charlotte, especially, knew that well. 
I could be with him again, like we were... 
This time we’ll do couple things! 
Hopes of being back in those sweet days. Their quiet reminiscence was shattered by Ling speaking up. 
“Anyway! I’m up against you all, and I’m not gonna hold back!” 
Cecilia looked up from her tea and intoned calmly, “Are you sure you’d like to say that? We’ll be on foot, not in our IS. Need I remind you of your chances? My champions are simply invincible!” 
“What will matter the most are squad tactics. I don’t intend to lose.” Kanzashi was in a rare mood, and her glare was as sharp as a knife. 
“Hmph. If it’s tactics you want, you’ll learn how the Bundeswehr fights.” Laura puffed up with pride, not even remembering that her classmates were civilians with no military training. 
“All right, let’s form up teams and then all practice after class! I’ve always wanted to do something like this.” Charlotte’s passion was visible under her air of unconcerned enthusiasm. 
“Everything lies in the way of the blade... The true meaning of bushido is found in death.” Houki spoke tersely, an intense look on her face, only to be interrupted with Ling’s “Wait, we’re not trying to get anyone killed here.” 
“Anyway!” Houki continued, banging on the table. “I meant, it’s with this that we can give it our all.” 
Everyone nodded with a nervous swallow. 
“And. This won’t be a lewd delusion, it’ll be the real Ichika...” Houki’s voice was husky, and the faces of her opponents, other than Kanzashi, flushed red. 
“No, that wasn’t like this! That was just psychological warfare!” 
“Indeed! Really, it’s a problem that it managed to seem so realistic...” 
Remembering how vivid their experiences in the World Purge were, they each shrunk into themselves. 
That... That was different from this... 
But he truly was wonderful in that dream... 
It’s not like I didn’t want it, but maybe it went too far... 
Mine was a nightmare! No matter what, it wasn’t something I was actually thinking! 
Each had their own excuse that they couldn’t quite believe themselves. 
“Anyway! This time, it’s no-holds-barred. Are you prepared?!” The smile fell from Houki’s face as she spoke and was answered with nods. 
“I’ll show you how serious I am!” 
“Who better to wear the laurel crown?” 
“I won’t let myself lose either!” 
“Ichika is my bride!” 
“...I’ll win.” 
Flames danced in their eyes as the curtain rose on a war between maidens. 
 
“Tatenashi, are you there?” 
It was lunch break the next day, and Ichika had brought some student council paperwork to the second year classrooms to hand it over. 
“Oh, it’s Orimura!” Tatenashi’s classmates had found him before he could find her. 
“What’s up? Did you need something from us?” 
“We’ll be happy to do anything you want, and I do mean anything.” 
“Tell us who you’re after!” 
Soon, he was surrounded by a gaggle of girls, some brazen enough to reach out and touch him. 
“Hahaha, look at him squirm.” 
“Did you come here to see what a real woman looks like?” 
Ichika had no idea what to do about a reception like this. 
“Hey, c’mon, hold it! I came here to see Tatenashi!” he cried out. Shouting, though, was no escape from the grasping hands. 
“Get his shirt!” 
“Heave-ho!” 
“Whooooa!” Just as he thought he was really in trouble, he heard a fan snap open. 
“Oh, my, Ichika. What trouble are you up to?” 
“Oh, Tatenashi! Finally! You saved—” Ichika’s hopes of salvation slipped away as Tatenashi spun on her heel and walked to her desk. “Whaaaa? What’s going on? Um, Tatenashi?” 
Managing to escape, he spoke while fixing his clothes. But her reply was cold and harsh, “What is it?” 
“I, uh, I came to bring that paperwork...” 
“It can wait until after school. You probably just wanted to see who you could pick up, didn’t you.” 
“N-No way!” He cringed at her sudden anger, and was wondering what had upset her when the bell rang. “Anyway, here, I’ll leave them. Goodbye!” 
“Thank you for finishing that.” 
Rather than follow his sprint out the door with her eyes, she turned to stare out the window. Hmph. When did Ichika get so flirty with everyone? Maybe she’d gotten used to it and that’s why she normally let it go. But when he showed up today... Just remembering it made her mad. 
Hmph! Without noticing it, she had worked her way up into jealous frustration in a way she never had before. It’s Ichika’s fault. If he wanted me for something, he should have just texted. I even gave him my number, and still, he never does. Tatenashi pulled out her phone and looked at the ‘from Ichika’ folder. 
[I’ll be late to student council today.] 
[I’m finished with the paperwork.] 
[I finished the club schedule.] 
They were all about work! And she had still saved them all! Can’t he ask me out or something? Just once? I can’t believe him. It was only then that she realized how red her face had gotten thinking of him. But... But it’s not like I’m in, in... No. Tatenashi couldn’t finish that sentence. 
She took deep breath after deep breath trying to calm down. All right. That was better. 
“Now, Sarashiki. If you could open your book?” Tatenashi snapped back to reality as her teacher’s face filled her vision. 
“Y-Yes, ma’am!” Flustered, she opened her textbook. 
“I know it’s good to be thoughtful, but you shouldn’t take it too far. Especially about boys.” 
It wasn’t like that. But Tatenashi, unable to explain how it wasn’t, let out a sigh. 
 
“I really didn’t expect to get told to go shopping.” 
“Are you complaining? Even though I’m coming along to help?” 
Laura gave Ichika a frustrated poke. The two had left campus after school to shop for supplies for the upcoming field day. Now, they’d just stepped off the bus and were about to walk into the mall by the station, where they could find just about anything. 
“All right, first up, hmm... Fifty anpan? Yeah, we’re going to have to get those delivered.” 
“Anpan? Oh, you mean those buns filled with bean jam? Why do we need so many?” Laura looked inquisitively at Ichika. 
“They’re for the bread-eating contest. It’s one of the traditional competitions, have you heard of it? They get hung on strings, and then you have to jump and bite into them.” 
“What’s the point of that?” 
“It’s all in the technique. Anyway, let’s get this done with.” 
Ichika took Laura’s hand, and there was no more need for words. He’s gotten a lot better at dealing with women... Leading Laura around like a pet, Ichika ordered the buns. 
“What next?” 
“Looks like headbands and gloves.” 
“Hmm. Will we be having those delivered?” 
“Yeah.” 
A question mark floated over Laura’s head in response to Ichika’s casual nod, “So why did you invite me along, then? I thought I was here to carry things.” 
“There’s no way I’d make a girl do the heavy lifting. But that green tea café we went to before has new things on their menu, so I wanted to stop in for a drink with you.” 
Laura’s heart somersaulted at Ichika’s casual grin. Things had changed since the World Purge, and it seemed like he was a lot less distant. It definitely looks like he’s gotten more comfortable with girls now... Laura had expected this to play right into her own assertive style, but somehow turning from the hunter to the hunted only revealed her own naïveté. Still. It feels nice to be alone together. As they walked hand-in-hand through the crowded mall, she focused on the feel of his hand around hers. Its warm, tender clasp. She let that warmth wash over her. 
“All right, here we are. See? They have green tea shakes now.” 
“Yeah.” 
“These days everyone keeps selling shakes all through the fall. I guess it makes sense, it’s still pretty hot.” 
“Yeah!” 
Ichika chuckled at her energetic nodding. 
“Wait, Laura, are you nervous about something?” 
“Wh-What are you talking about, you idiot?!” 
Worried that he might have been able to tell by her body heat, she suddenly snatched her hand back and paced into the café. 
“Hey, wait, you don’t need to— Oh, right, sorry! Could we have two green tea shakes?” Ichika called across the counter to a friendly-looking twenty-something lady who half-smiled apologetically. 
“I’m sorry. We’re down to the last one.” 
“Oh, really? Uh, hmm. Just the one, then. And an iced green tea latte.” 
“Will that be all?” 
With a quick nod, Ichika paid and took their drinks. Taking the tray in hand, he followed along beside Laura. “Do you see any empty seats? I’d rather not sit by the window, it’s probably pretty toasty... Hmmm.” 
“I-It’s fine! I don’t mind!” 
“Oh? Then let’s sit there.” 
They sat across a table for two. Laura’s heart began to pound at how manly Ichika seemed today. 
“All right, here you go.” 
“How much was it? Let me pay you back.” 
“Don’t worry about it. It’s my treat.” Ichika was now, at least provisionally, a Japanese National Cadet, and received a decently large stipend. However, his generosity wasn’t because he was suddenly loaded. It was because Laura was a girl. Ichika was sure of it in his own mind. 
“Uh, thanks...” Laura lifted the shake to her lips, and her face lit up as she took a sip. “This is great! How do they get it this tasty? Is it honey? Bean paste, maybe?” 
Laura stared in fascination at the shake, and Ichika in turn watched her bemusedly. His own iced green tea latte was tasty, sure, but Laura’s reaction made it seem like her drink was even better. 
“It’s that good? Too bad we didn’t get here early enough to get two of them, then.” 
“Fine, fine. I’ll let you have some of mine.” Laura pushed her cup toward Ichika. 
“Oh, thanks.” Ichika popped the straw into his mouth and took a sip. “Ooh! This is really good!” 
“I-Isn’t it?!” Suddenly realizing that they’d indirect-kissed, Laura snatched her shake back from Ichika. 
“H-Hey, why’d you do that?” 
“B-Because.” 
She sucked on the straw, trying to calm her heart. I... I indirectly kissed him! What do I do? What do I do?! 
Just as the idea of asking Klarissa whether she should apply for maternity leave rushed through her head, she noticed familiar faces outside the window. Wait, is that Charlotte?! What’s she doing here? It wasn’t just Charlotte. It was several of their classmates. It seemed like they were out shopping after school, too. 

“Ichika. We need to get out of here. Let’s go.” 
“Eh? What’s wro—” 
“Just hurry up!” 
“This should be far enough.” Laura had dragged Ichika into the blinking lights and loud booms of a video arcade. The multicolored gleam illuminated a scene of teddy bears behind glass, flashy games, and loud light-gun shooters. None of them were like anything Laura had seen before. “W-What is this place?” 
“Huh? It’s an arcade.” 
“Oh, so that’s...” She caught a glimpse of the “Plush Catcher” machine a friend had told her about. “So you pick them up with that arm? I see.” 
“Wanna give it a try?” 
Just as Laura began to nod, she noticed Charlotte and her group pass by the entrance. Panicking, she pulled Ichika into a nearby booth. 
“What’s gotten into you, Laura? Why are you dragging me around?” 
“Shut up, you idiot! Just be quiet!” 
“Be quiet? Wait, you wanted to try this?” Ichika and Laura were in a photo booth. 
“What even is it?” 
“It takes your picture, and prints it out on a sticker. Why don’t we do it to remember this?” 
“W-Wait, what? Hold on, I—” Laura, who hadn’t dressed up to be photographed, tried to act hesitant, but Ichika was already feeding coins into the slot. 
“C’mon, Laura, pick a frame.” 
“W-Wait, what? What do I pick?!” 

“Whichever one you like. Look, there’s one with a black rabbit.” 
“Ooh! Let’s do that one!” With a beep, the machine switched to pen input mode. 
“You’re supposed to write something now, Laura.” 
“Hmm... Can I just write whatever I want?” Laura cleared her throat nervously. “Ichika, how much German do you speak?” 
“Uhh. ‘Baumkuchen’ means ‘good morning,’ right?” 
All right... Ichika being a moron is coming in handy. 
“Okay, there.” 
The shutter clicked, and then the machine spoke. “Out of frame. Please step closer.” 
Surprised, Ichika and Laura bunched up in front of the camera. Laura’s heart was about to jump out of her chest, but somehow, she managed to stay calm and hold it together until the photo was taken. 
“All right, they’re done!” 
They each took 10 of the 20 stickers to remember the day by. Below their faces was written, in German, “Ewige Liebe,” eternal love. 
 
“Looks like I’m not going to be able to just sit around waiting for it to repair itself.” Tatenashi, in her IS suit for once, hopped out of the fully-opened Mysterious Lady for a quick break. She was in the IS hangars, and the time was coming up on 8 P.M. “The internals are coming along fine, but the armor and weapons are still a wreck. There’s no way I can call myself the strongest in this state, now, can I?” 
Her soliloquy was interrupted by the sound of a door sliding open. 
“You look like you need a break, Tatenashi.” 
The sudden appearance of Ichika, holding a tray, spooked her, “Wha— I-Ichika?! What are you—” 
Not wanting to deal with Ichika or the meal he’d brought, she put the Mysterious Lady between them, then spun away from his accusing stare. 
“Kanzashi told me you were here. I brought some light potato salad sandwiches. You like those, right, Tatena—Katana?” 
Ba-dum. That was a low blow. Hearing her real name out of nowhere flipped her world upside down. 
“...You’re such a brown-noser,” she shot back quietly, but Ichika didn’t hear. And since she’d skipped dinner, the smell wafting up from that midnight snack was irresistible. “I’ll have it later. Just leave it there.” 
She jerked her head up and to the side, motioning for him to leave, but he replied, “We never get to eat together anymore, so why don’t we tonight?” 
‘No thanks!’ was what she wanted to say, but that would be wasting the chance. Tatenashi ran her fingers through her hair, stealthily activating the hangar door’s lock. 
“Let me set it up on the tab—” 
She suddenly cut herself off. I don’t want to be looking into his eyes while we eat! That would be bad. Really, really bad. A disquiet she couldn’t quite put her finger on ran up on her spine. 
“Let’s sit on the floor!” 
“Huh?” 
“Let’s eat sitting on the floor. We can sit back-to-back.” 
Argh! What am I saying? No... Actually, that was a really good idea. Huh? I think that’s actually the best idea I could’ve had. Go, me! She couldn’t cheer herself on or give a thumbs-up visibly, but she definitely was in her head. 
“Oh, uh, okay. I guess.” 
Ichika sat down on the floor, pulling his knees up. Tatenashi then sat behind him with her knees up too. This way, they couldn’t see each other’s faces, but they could still feel that the other was there. The combined closeness and distance had its own appeal. 
You know, I think I like this..., Tatenashi thought to herself, as she leaned back into him and felt him respond. He must be getting embarrassed, she thought. She was close enough to him, now, to feel that. She wanted to nod to herself. 
“Hey, Ichika.” 
“Mm?” 
“How have things been going?” 
“What do you mean?” 
“You know, how’s it been?” 
“Like, really, what? Hahaha.” 
She turned bright red at his laugh and she replied, “Oh, just everything! How’s everything going?!” 
Her face wasn’t that of the head of the Sarashiki family. It was that of an average 17-year-old. 
“Everything? Well, not bad, I guess.” 
“And what’s that supposed to mean?” It was Tatenashi’s turn to laugh. “Haha. You’re so silly.” 
“I am not.” 
“You totally are.” 
“Really, I’m not! C’mon, let’s eat.” 
Tatenashi, her mood improved, took a bite from her sandwich wedge. 
“Mmm, this is delicious.” 
“You’re welcome.” 
“Oh, are you mad about something?” 
“I-I am not!” 
“You definitely are.” 
“No I’m not!” 
Leaving it at that, Tatenashi reached out for another sandwich wedge. 
“Ah—” 
Her hand brushed against Ichika’s, and their mouths both opened at the same time. 
“.........” 
“.........” 
The two fell back into silence. Tatenashi used to be able to brush things like this off effortlessly, but now she couldn’t. What do I say? I need to say something... All the initiative her age advantage normally gave her was gone. Now she was just a girl in love for the first time. 
Ugh... She couldn’t even glare at him when they were back to back. Now that she thought of it, she couldn’t help but wonder what expression was on his face. He wasn’t angry, she thought. No, now that the idea was in her head— 
Ugh! She couldn’t stop it from racing through her mind. Suddenly, she spun around and wrapped her arms around him. 
“Wha?!” Ichika yelped in surprise. “What are you doing?!” 
“Hehe...” Tatenashi was a little surprised at her own embarrassed grin in reaction. “Ichika, your shoulders are so broad!” 
“Huh? What are you... Of course they are, I’m a guy.” 
“You sure are, aren’t you! Ahaha!” While Ichika brushed it off as her usual teasing, Tatenashi freaked out and began to babble to herself.Hehe. He’s definitely a guy. She smiled even as she could feel her heart twist in knots. 
“Anyway, I should get going.” 
“EHH?!” she unintentionally shouted in surprise. She hadn’t even done anything yet! More importantly, he hadn’t done anything to her yet! Her mind raced in the way only a maiden’s could. “W-Wait! I need you for something.” 
“Mm? What?” Ichika asked back. If he turned and they came face to face, it would all be over. 
Tatenashi was silent, her cheeks turning redder and redder. Almost bashfully, she searched for the right word. 
“......S-Se—” 
“Huh?” 
“Se-Service! I need you to help me service my IS!” 
It took everything she had to finish her sentence like that, but Ichika just smiled back and said, “Oh, sure, fine. Not sure how much help I’ll be, but I’m up for it.” 
Gleaming, carefree, pure, the smile of a little boy. 
“Mm...” 
It was so bright she couldn’t look directly at it. Tatenashi gazed down at her shoes, turning back to the Mysterious Lady without making eye contact with Ichika. I’m an idiot! A total idiot! It was all she could do to keep from stomping her feet. 
 
The next day, Cecilia walked up to Ichika as soon as class let out for lunch. 
“Shall we have lunch together today, Ichika? There’s no need to answer, I already know your answer is ‘yes.’” 
As Ichika wondered why she was suddenly being so bossy, astounding words left her mouth, “I packed my own, and I’ve already taste-tested it.” 
A shiver ran up and down Ichika’s spine. 
“Cecilia! Are you feeling okay? Does anywhere hurt?!” 
“Hmm? I’m perfectly fine.” 
“Ugh... You’re already past the point where you can feel pain... Why would you...” 
He cursed his own powerlessness. Why couldn’t he have stopped her before it was too late? Ichika couldn’t help but feel that it was all his fault. 
“Ichika, you don’t happen to be pondering something extremely rude, now, do you?” 
“You don’t need to strain yourself talking. Don’t worry. I’ll never forget you...” 
“As. I. Was. Saying. This time, I measured my ingredients carefully and paid close attention to the recipe.” A shocking statement. But one which didn’t seem to be a lie. 
“Uhh... Uh, really?” 
Charlotte put Ichika’s remaining worries to rest, “It’s fine. I lent her the cookbook.” 
“I see... Good... She’s gonna be okay...” 
“Hahaha,” Charlotte couldn’t help herself, and let out a wry giggle as Cecilia pouted with puffed cheeks. 
“This is simply beyond rude!” 
Cecilia had learned to cook. News spread rapidly, first through the classroom, then the floor, and finally the entire school. To top it all off, even the intercom opened up with [This is not a drill. Repeat, this is not a drill.] 
“Ugh!” Cecilia glared up at Ichika, tears in her eyes. 
In response, he gently patted her head while smoothly calming her, “Thanks, Cecilia. Let’s have lunch together.” 
“Yes! Oh, yes!” Even Houki and Laura were content to let her bask in her small victory. “Then! To the rooftop!” 
Cecilia spoke as if singing, grasped Ichika’s hand and strode as if waltzing. 
A change of scene: the school rooftop. The autumn wind had grown chill, but the sun’s rays were still pleasantly warm. 
“Today, I made tomato soup and ham salad sandwiches!” 
Cecilia and Ichika sat side-by-side on a bench. Ichika apprehensively opened the lunch box she offered, only to find nothing unusual. Is there a hidden trap? he pondered, but Cecilia’s blissful smile wiped his worries away. 
“Enjoy!” 
“Thanks.” 
Munch. 
Sip, sip. Gulp. 
“Wow, this is good.” 
Cecilia giggled, “But isn’t it!” 
She seemed truly happy as she pulled out the tomato soup. It was excellent, salted just right. 
“Wow, Cecilia! You really did it!” 
“It took some doing, but frankly, I’m quite pleased with myself.” 
“No, really, I’m amazed. I’d always heard that the English were, like, tone-deaf but for tastes instead.” Remembering his complaints earlier, he sunk his head apologetically and continued, “Oh, it’s fine. I share in the fault, at least.” 
She remembered her own initial suspicion of Ichika, and was nothing but embarrassed. 
“Can I ask, though? What prompted the change of heart?” 
“Eh?” 
“I mean, why did you decide to follow the recipes and taste them before you put them on the table.” 
“It was because of Chelsea.” As Ichika wondered how she was involved, Cecilia continued, “I sampled both something I made my way and something I made following her suggestions.” 
“Wow, that’s—” He cut himself off before he could finish with “pretty reckless.” 
“And I found that Chelsea’s tasted better than mine.” 
‘Well obviously,’ he whispered to himself. 
“And naturally, an Alcott can’t accept defeat. So, when faced with an opportunity to march forward on the chef’s path...” 
“Wow, and that’s all it took? I’m impressed.” 
“Well... I also needed someone to feed...” Cecilia pressed both palms to her cheeks, demurely. Together, Ichika and Cecilia enjoyed their lunch, looking up at the wide blue sky. 
“It’s beautiful.” 
“Truly.” 
A peaceful respite. A gentle respite. Until Tatenashi noticed... Tatenashi, a home-cooked lunch in her hand, quickly hid it behind her back when she noticed Ichika was looking. 
“Oh, hey, Tatenashi. What’s up?” 
“Nothing much. I just like to come up on the roof sometimes. Ahaha...” 
Forcing a smile, she turned about-face and fled. I’m an idiot! A total idiot! Ichika, with no idea of what was going through her head, could only watch in confusion. 
 



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