Infinite Stratos - Volume 9 - Chapter Pr

Chapter N: Knockin’ On You & You 

“Open wide.” 
The scene: IS Academy’s school hospital. There, Ichika was caring for Tatenashi during her long stay. 
“C’mon, I can at least feed myself.” 
Tatenashi’s—Katana, to use her real name—lips curled into a mild scowl, but at the same time, her cheeks began to flush. 
“Say ‘ahh.’” 
“Ahh...” 
Something about seeing Ichika, normally so indecisive, taking the initiative made her smile. As had become routine, he’d brought a handmade boxed lunch, with tater tots, bacon-wrapped asparagus, an English muffin, and a salad. After lunch, there was orange sherbet for dessert. In other words, Tatenashi’s favorites. Ichika grinning friendlily; Tatenashi in joyful embarrassment. And a line of eavesdropping shadows lurking just outside the window... 
“What’s with that?” Ling asked, her eyes lifeless. 
“I can’t believe it! Are... Are they a couple? Ahhh...” beseeched Cecilia. Her head was swimming, and her face was a ghastly pale shade. 
Charlotte watched with a serious look on her face. She wasn’t exactly happy about what was going on, but remembering all the times she’d lucked into situations a little more special than Ichika had meant them to be, she was willing to accept that this was like that too. 
“I... I can’t...” 
Whoosh! Two shadows snapped to attention. 
“I can’t just sit here watching this!” And those were Houki and Laura. One gripped her katana, the other her combat knife. 
“Stop...” Kanzashi stuck up a palm to hold them back. 
“What are you doing?!” 
“Are you just sticking up for her because she’s your sister?!” 
Turning away from the angry Houki and Laura, Kanzashi pulled open the window. 
“Pardon me.” 
Both Ichika and Tatenashi were startled by the sudden intrusion. Not least because they were on the third floor and you’d need an IS to be standing outside the window. 
“K-Kanzashi?! How long have you been there?!” Ichika, caught completely by surprise, shifted nervously. 
“Kanzashi?! W-What are you doing?!” Just like Ichika, Tatenashi was caught off guard and scrambled to recover. 
“Are you two together?” 
“What do you mean... Together?” 
“In a relationship.” 
“......?!” 
Ichika and Tatenashi quickly looked at each other, shocked. Their faces reddening, they began to make excuses. 
“It’s not like that! It’s just, she’s hurt, so I came to check up on her, and— Gah!” He cut off as Tatenashi dug an elbow into him. 
“...Mm.” 
Tatenashi angrily folded her arms, her cheeks puffing up. Looking at their reactions, it was obviously just another one of the misunderstandings that sprung up around Ichika. 
It looked like she had something more to say about that, though. Meaning, Tatenashi was probably into him. Into Ichika. As a boy. 
“I figured...” Turning around, Kanzashi beckoned the five, floating in their IS, closer. “Ichika said they’re not together.” 
Hearing that, they piled into the room. 
“Is that true, Ichika?!” 
“You’d better not be lying!” 
“I... I believe you, I think...” 
“You’d better be telling the truth!” 
“Explain yourself, then!” 
Ichika was at a loss as to how to deal with the intrusion. Sighing, he spoke up, trying to clarify things. “I mean, I do enjoy being with Tatenashi.” 
“Wha—” the five gasped in unison. 
“What’s that supposed to mean?!” Ling glared at him, a tear welling up in her eye. 
“Well, I mean. She’s got a nice figure,” Ichika responded. 
“Ugh!” (Ling.) 
“She’s not domineering.” 
“Ugh!!” (Cecilia.) 
“But she knows what she wants and she’s not afraid to ask for it.” 
“Ugh!!!” (Charlotte.) 
“Without ever getting violent.” 
“Ugh!!!!” (Houki.) 
“And I don’t have to worry about her sneaking into my room at night.” 
“Ugh!!!!!” (Laura.) 
“Oh, and she always has a smile on her face.” 
“That hurt more than I expected,” muttered Kanzashi. 
“But I think you’re all of those things too!” 
“HOW DOES THAT EVEN FOLLOW?!” 
The angry yells echoed through the halls of the hospital tower. 
 
“I can’t believe he said that...” 
Two days later, Tatenashi’s wounds had finally healed. But the IS Mysterious Lady still wasn’t fully repaired, and that cast a shadow over Tatenashi. 
I need to give it a full overhaul before too much damage builds up. But if she was going to do that, she’d have to go to Russia. And it would probably take around a week. 
“And I wouldn’t be able to see Ichika the whole time...” 
Surprised at the words she’d just whispered, Tatenashi tried to take them back. Jeez, what am I saying? It doesn’t matter if I don’t see him—She couldn’t even finish the sentence without her heart aching. 
No. She wanted to be with him. Even right then. Every second of the day. She shook her head back and forth, as if trying to fan away the heat building in her cheeks. No way. It’s not like that. I can’t be... 
“Tatenashi, can I come in?” 
Her heart pounded. She wasn’t expecting a knock on her door. Ichika hadn’t planned on coming today. While she cast about in her mind for how to react, the door suddenly opened. 
“Pardon me.” 
“Gah!” 
Bonk! A box of tissues, thrown by Tatenashi, bounced off Ichika’s head. 
“What are you doing?!” 
“I could say the same thing!” She glared at Ichika. “You don’t just walk into a girl’s room! Even you should know that!” 
“C’mon, I know you well enough that it isn’t a big deal.” 
Tatenashi’s breath caught. Ichika may not have been thinking that hard about what he said, but she definitely was now. That emphasis on you—Me... Do we have something special? Does he not think of the other girls the same way? As she thought that, she felt her cheeks flush a bright red. Jeez... My heart’s pounding now... There was a bittersweet ache in her chest. Tatenashi was realizing that no matter how much she might insist otherwise, in some ways, she was just a girl. 
This is no fair... Pressing her hands to her chest to hold back her throbbing heart, she took a deep breath, then turned to face Ichika again. 
“A-And what brings you here today, Orimura Ichika?” Tatenashi cleared her throat, trying to act like everything was normal, only to be answered with a laugh. 
“Ahahah. What’s gotten into you? You’re really weird today, Tatenashi.” 
“I am not! I’m completely normal. See? I’m even all healed!” 
She yanked up the hem of her blouse, exposing her stomach. Her pull was so forceful that the light pink of her bra peeked out as well. 
 

“Whoa! What the heck are you doing?!” 
“You said I was weird, didn’t you?!” 
“Okay, okay! I get it! Just pull it back down! That has to be cold!” 
Tatenashi got more and more frustrated by his refusal to look straight at her. 
“See? I’m all back to normal! C’mon! Look!” 
“I saw, I saw!” 
As embarrassed as Ichika was, Tatenashi kept pressing, “Oh really. Well, you should feel to make sure too.” 
“Whaa?” Ichika was dumbfounded. Tatenashi continued to flaunt her slender waist. 
“Touch and make sure it’s really healed. That way you can be sure there’s nothing wrong with me.” 
“Ehh?” 
It was only the suspicious look on Ichika’s face that brought her back to reality. What am I doing?! I mean, it’s true that between the healing nanomachines, the stem cell therapy, and the adhesive membrane, my wounds are healed over, but... 
He’d be touching her. Touching her body. Her sensitive skin. With his big, strong hands. Ichika would. 
Tatenashi’s face went red to the tips of her ears, and she began to say, “Actually, wait, you’re ri—” 
Before she could finish, Ichika’s fingertips brushed over her skin. 
“Ah!” 
“Wow, I can’t even tell you were hurt. This is amazing...” 
Poke, poke. 
“Ichika...?” 
Poke, poke. 
“Hmm. Huh. Wow, really?” 
Ichika was lost in his own world, a serious look on his face as he alternately prodded and stroked Tatenashi’s stomach. Ahh... Ahh, nooooo... Anymore and... Ahhhh! She could feel his eyes, his touch, his warmth probing her as if she were completely naked. Just as she was about to go over the edge, they were interrupted by a brusque bark. 
“What the hell are you two doing?!” 
“Huh?!” 
“Stop that! It’s against the rules!” 
Chifuyu and Maya had entered the room, hoping to check up on Tatenashi, IS Academy’s strongest student and student council president, a pivotal point in its defense, and a key factor in its strength. In other words, doing their duty as teachers. 
“N-N-N-Nothing! Ahahaha!” Tatenashi let her blouse drop back down while slapping Ichika’s hand away. 
“Ehh?” Not understanding the sudden rebuke, Ichika looked up in confusion, only to be met with a glare. 
“...What?” 
“Nothing, just...” 
“Good, then.” Chifuyu was trying to act as cool and collected as always, but Tatenashi could see in her eyes how close to snapping she was. 
“Sarashiki.” 
“What?” 
“What happened to your fan?” 
That was a bit of a sore point. But Tatenashi was able to calmly pull it out and snap it open. 
“‘Romance,’ huh.” 
Realizing she’d pulled out the wrong fan, she panicked. “W-Wrong one! I meant this one!” 
She snapped open another, reading ‘Invincible.’ 
“Sarashiki.” 
“Yes?” 
“Are you falling for him?” 
The fan creaked as Tatenashi subconsciously squeezed it. 
“W-Where on Earth did you get that idea from?” 
“It’s written all over your face.” 
“Of course not! See, I’m—” As she reached for another fan, her hand slipped, and dozens came pouring out onto the floor. “Ahaha, whoopsie.” 

Tatenashi bent down to pick up the fans. As she did, Ichika reached out his hand. 
“Let me help.” 
“I-I’m fine...” 
“C’mon.” 
Their hands brushed together. 
“......?!” 
Startled, Tatenashi pulled hers back. Ichika watched curiously. She turned away, while holding her right hand that brushed against him with her left. No... No, I can’t... 
She was realizing that Ichika... Was a potential partner. Someone she could love. 
Ugh, I’m such an idiot! If I hadn’t pushed it further than I had to—Than she had to? No. She’d wanted even more. Even I’m realizing... She couldn’t let it go any further. She needed to put some distance between them before she lost herself. The name “Tatenashi” wasn’t that light of a load to carry, and the position of head of the Sarashiki family was something she couldn’t just step down from. 
Chifuyu and Maya didn’t miss the pained expression which flitted across her face. 
The girl’s fallen for him. 
Head-over-heels. 
Ichika, oblivious to the thoughts of the women around him, finished picking up the fans and held them out to Tatenashi. 
“Here you go, Tatenashi.” 
She could barely stand the feelings his happy innocence stirred up in her. 
“Anyway, that’s enough for today. Ichika, could you finish the things for the student council?” 
“Of course. I’m almost done already.” 
He was a diligent worker, too. No— She was getting carried away again. 
“Excellent. Take good care of Kanzashi.” 
“Wait, shouldn’t I be taking care of you right now?” 
Taking care of her right now... 
Taking care of her... 
Of her... 
“......!!!” 
Tatenashi, her face so red it seemed like she was about to blow steam from her ears, fled the room. 
“Huh...?” Ichika tilted his head to the side in dumbfounded confusion. 
“Just great. My brother’s a natural-born gigolo.” 
Still crouched down on the floor, Ichika’s butt was just on the right level for a good hard kick from Chifuyu. 
 
Later that night, Tatenashi was soaking in the bath alone, thinking. What do I do, what do I do? 
She had fallen for Ichika. She couldn’t stop thinking about him. She knew it was the one thing forbidden to her, but she still couldn’t help herself. 
I need to do something, something to change my mind... Maybe if she pushed Ichika off the student council. No! If I do that, I’ll never see him! So what about finding a reason for him to be stationed outside of the Academy? No, that’d be a bad idea even outside of how I feel. There are too many organizations, too many countries after his Byakushiki. 
Then, what? 
“If I knew, this would be a lot easier...” 
She sunk her mouth under the water and exhaled a strand of bubbles. Sigh... I thought I was better than this. 
She’d thought she could do anything by herself. For the most part, she had done everything by herself. But what she really wanted... What she really wanted was to ask someone to set her free. Free from this cage of loneliness. 
“I told him my name...” 
Her real name. Katana. Something she absolutely must not tell anyone outside her family. 
Well, I-I’ll just have to make him part of my family! That was the conclusion she came to. Sarashiki Ichika... Didn’t sound bad. 
“Tatenashi, dinner’s ready.” 
“C’mon, Ichika. When are you going to remember? I’m Katana.” 
“Oh, right. Sorry, Katana.” 
“No fair hugging me while you apologize.” 
“Then should I kiss you—” 
“You have a nosebleed.” 
Eh?! With a sudden splash, Kanzashi nonchalantly sat down in the bath beside her. 
“Wh-Wh-Wh...” Surprised by Kanzashi’s sudden appearance, Tatenashi sprang to her feet. What was she doing here?! 
“Were you thinking something dirty?” 
“No! I definitely wasn’t! What are you doing here?! This is a second-year dorm!” 
“I was worried about you.” That was a lie. I need to keep an eye on my rivals. Kanzashi imagined herself sticking out her tongue. Sometimes girls in love keep tricks up their sleeves. “Anyway. Sit down.” 
“What’s gotten into you?” Tatenashi, nonplussed at being ordered around by her little sister, slowly sat down. As she did, Kanzashi stared at the luscious melons dangling from her chest. “Wh-What?” 
“Ichika said you have a nice figure, didn’t he. Must be nice.” 
The last part escaped Tatenashi’s notice, though, for just hearing the words again sent Ichika’s voice looping over and over through her mind. 
“Tatenashi, you’ve got a nice figure.” 
“Well... I guess, maybe...” 
“And I want to enjoy every inch of it.” 
“Wait, not yet, that’s— Mmm!” 
“You have a nosebleed again.” 
“Whaa?!” 
The water between the sisters was stained a faint crimson. 
 
“All right, I’ve gotta get going.” 
It was just after class, and Cecilia was blocking the way to the student council room. 
“Could you hold on for a moment, Ichika?” 
“Cecilia? What’s up?” 
Cecilia posed, as usual, with a hand clutched to her chest. It was no surprise that when a magazine ran a photoshoot of British cadets, she was the most popular by far. 
“I’ve begun to feel that I, Cecilia Alcott, should aid my fellow students by joining the student council’s executive branch,” she flounced. And as usual, Ichika couldn’t help but notice her well-proportioned bust. 
“Ohh, I see. So, would you like a recommendation?” 
Cecilia’s eyes glimmered at Ichika’s recognition of her efforts. 
“Yes! Of course!” After shaking his hand, she smoothly linked arms with him. 
“All right, let’s go, then. Before anyone else gets any ideas.” 
“Hey, hold it right there!” a voice echoed through the halls. No one but Ling could have been that energetic. 
“Do make it snappy, Ling. We have business to attend to with the student council.” 
“Hey, c’mon! What’re you doing arm-in-arm?!” 
“Ah, is it not only natural for a proper lady to claim her droit du seigneur?” Cecilia sniffed haughtily while brushing her bangs back. As she did, the scent of roses filled the room. 
Ugh... And I thought I was doing good with a peach-blossom perfume... It’d seemed like such a good idea buying it, but if Ichika didn’t notice it was pointless. And with Cecilia right up against him, the odds of that were slim. Ichika, you idiot! 
Just as her hopes began to sink, Ichika suddenly reached out and brushed Ling’s hair. “Huh? Rin, you smell nice.” 
“Eh...” 
“Not sure what it is, but... Yeah.” Ichika gently cradled one of her pigtails in his hand, and began to sniff. Ling’s face flushed a deep red in embarrassment as she stared at the floor. 
“I... I just use perfume sometimes, that’s all...” 
“Wow! I didn’t realize you were so grown up!” 
Ling smiled gleamingly at Ichika’s words, “R-Really? Do you think it works on me?” 
“Of course it does! You smell great, and so does Cecilia.” 
Cecilia, who’d been looking for ways to get back into the conversation, was caught off guard by Ichika’s direct mention. 
“I-Ichika, you noticed my perfume?” she asked tentatively, with a slight blush. 
“Well, all girls like to smell good, right? I’ve been picking up on that. Cecilia, yours is rose, right? I liked the lavender one you’ve been using too.” 
“Well! Perhaps I should use a new perfume every day, and give your nose a varied diet!” Cecilia, fascinated by the idea, held a palm to her cheek. At the same time, Ling took Ichika’s free arm. 
“Anyway, Ichika! Can you make more than one recommendation? I’d like to help everyone out too,” she giggled while grinning up at him. 
Ichika, taking it at face value, smiled back and said, “Well, I’ll ask Tatenashi. No guarantees she’s gonna go along with it, though.” 
“Okay! Thanks, Ichika!” 
On his other side, Cecilia struggled to hold back an exasperated frown until the joy of her perfume being praised won out. He truly is growing into the kind of gentleman I prefer. Step one on the path to Ichika O. Alcott! Her heart soared as she imagined Ichika as the power behind the throne of Alcott and Company. 
Back on his other side... 
Wow, Ichika. You pay a lot more attention than you let on. I need to start thinking about a path toward being Orimura Rin! She may have seen herself fighting in the Mondo Grosso tournament, but it didn’t necessarily have to be as the Chinese representative. Fighting as Japan’s representative would be fine too. 
A fangy grin. 
A palm held against the cheek. 
Ichika was flanked by roses with thorns. 
 
“Rejected.” Two birds with one blunt, direct stone. Tatenashi’s voice was clear and cold. 
“Why?!” 
“But why?!” 
Of course, Ling and Cecilia instinctively argued back as they stood before Tatenashi’s desk in the student council meeting room. 
“C’mon, I’m trying to help you out here! You should be grateful!” 
“I can certainly see why you wouldn’t be interested in Ling, but, obviously, I can contribute and shouldn’t simply be ignored!” 
They each slammed a palm onto her desk. 
“What’s wrong with you? Did you just come in here to play games with me?” 
“Of course not! Not at all!” 
They turned back to Tatenashi. 
“But why?!” 
“We’re already full.” 
Tatenashi pointed at Kanzashi, whose fingertips were racing over a keyboard. 
“Sarashiki Kanzashi... Newly-appointed manager of Orimura Ichika I/O,” she pantomimed a bow without even looking up. 
“Orimura Ichika I/O...” 
“Yes. My primary responsibility is scheduling and planning for Orimura Ichika.” 
“What kind of terrible pun is that?!” Ling shot back. 
“O-rimura I-chika... I/O... Ahahaha!” Surprisingly, Cecilia enjoyed the wordplay. 
“Oh, so Kanzashi’ll be taking care of that now? Great, Miss Casual was so lackadaisical about it that I had no clue what I was supposed to be doing half of the time.” Ichika was blissfully unaware of the implications flying around him. 
“Yes... I’m looking forward to working with you.” Kanzashi smiled. 
“Grr...” Tatenashi suddenly realized the potential pitfalls of bringing Ichika and Kanzashi closer together. 
“Ahh. The tea is wonderful.” Nohotoke Utsuho was pretending not to notice the conversation. 
“Whew. The weather today’s almost as good as these snacks.” Miss Casual was happily chowing down. 
Suddenly, the snap of a fan opening cut through the confusion. “Very well!” On the fan was written “duel.” “I’d like to announce a Field Day! In one week, the first years will compete for Ichika!” Tatenashi’s voice was clear and sharp, even as her cheeks burned and she tried to avoid making eye contact with Ichika. 
The stage was set. Life is short, maidens; find love while you can! Take the object of your affections before he’s taken by another. Reach out your hand and grasp glory! All’s fair in love and war!