"Everyone's here right? Then let's start the SHR (Short Homeroom Meeting) "
The vice homeroom teacher, Yamada Maya-sensei, introduced herself, just like before.
She is a shy sensei indeed, so shy you'll thought she's in her twenties seeing her for the first time. What's with all those green hair and eyes?
Not to mention, she sure got a nice che– No, what am I thinking? It's true, isn't it?
But today something's different.
Everyone's in an awkward mood as Yamada-sensei told us to have some introductions.
Well, everyone except THAT man at the side of the classroom.
If you want to know why, I am the only male student in this classroom AND the only one that appeared in the news unwrapped in darkness, everyone else here is a woman, meaning that the man can't possibly be a student here.
"But why would an adult, uninvolved male be here? " I muttered.
(Has his weird clothing alone made him invisible to the girls, or I'm that pleasing to be gazed at?)
Now that reminds me, I'm right in front of the class in the middle row.
I turned my eyes to the familiar looking childhood friend of mine, Shinonono Houki. She seems to notice my gaze as she turned her face away from me, into the windo- wait, why is her face red?
"…san, Orimura Ichika-san?"
"Ye-yes?"
Suddenly having my name called out, laughers were heard from everyone except THAT man, he appears to be eerily calm even in a funny situation.
I panicked, noticing that it really is my turn to introduce myself. Even though it's not like I'm bad at handling girls, there's always a limit. Who eats ramen forever? Although I never liked ramen to that extent, it's the easiest example to be brought up in Japan.
Like I said, I'm the only male student in my class, there're 29 other female students in my class, and the homeroom teacher isn't here. Speaking of which, someone appears to be missing from this room. JUST what is that man doing here?
"W-well, I'm sorry for calling you out so loudly. Did I startle you? Sorry-sorry! But, the self-introductions... we started from 'あ' (a), and now we're at 'お (o)' for Orimura-san now. So, pl-please, could you introduce yourself? Co-could you?"
This attitude is dangerous, especially with the "Spectacles follow Bow" part. And her air of 'anything goes' really worried me. Speaking of which, is she really older than me? If it was said that she's as old as me, I could believe that.
"No, there's no need to apologize... besides, it's just a self-introduction, so please calm down, sensei."
"Re-really? Really? Really? Yo-You said it, so you better do it properly, okay?!"
Yamada-sensei looked up, grabs my hand and held it really tightly in about ½ second, drawing all attention to me in the process.
As man is inferior to woman in this society, I turn around, noticing everyone's gaze.
Yes, everyone, including that man at the side. Fear runs down my spine as I introduced myself to 31 pair of eyes,
"Hm-... Well, I'm Orimura Ichika. I'll be in your care."
I bowed courteously – I guess my classmates expected more from me, weird feelings fill the room as I thought that.
But it seems that man expected this to happen.
With nothing to say, I begin to ask my past of why am I here.
-Flashback No.1-
INCOMING DATA TRANSFER
"Uu—so cold..."
In the middle of February, I, as a third-year, was heading towards the examination center.
"If I only want to get into the high school nearest my house, why must I go to a place that's four stops away from it...and today is so cold..."
Due to a cheating case last year, the government would only divulge the location of each school's entrance exams 2 days before the actual examination took place. Though I felt that it was completely excessive, as you can imagine. I was only a third-year at the time. Besides, what could I say? Basically, I could only think about my bitterness as I grudgingly headed towards the examination center.
My ideal school was the Aoetsu Private School that was situated near my house, a school that was an average standard in education, and also had a school festival.
If there's any special advantage that's worth mentioning, it is that the private school's fees are extremely inexpensive. Exceptionally inexpensive.
Why? That's simple. This is because 90% of all the graduates of this school are employed in jobs related to this school's corporation.
Even if it wasn't like the employment freeze, it's something worth being happy about when you can be taken care of right after your graduation.
And there are so many wonderful jobs out there, and besides, they're all localized. There's no need to worry about flying to a different rural place every other day. Really quite wonderful.
"And in the end, I still want to get away from Chifuyu-nee's care..."
As for my house, a few things happened. My parents are no longer around, and though my older sister, who's a lot older than me, has taken care of me for quite a while, I've always felt inferior to others for having no parents.
Tough, even though we are not destitute since Chifuyu-nee's earnings are good, I'd still feel bad if I continue to be a burden to her.
At first, I thought of working immediately after graduating from middle school, but due to my big sister's overwhelming strength -—- or we could say gentle persuasion -— I couldn't overcome them, so until then, I was still an examinee.
However, getting into Aoetsu Private School was like finding a job. At the same time, I could reduce the burden I've placed on Chifuyu-nee. But, it wasn't really about reducing the burden I placed on her,... it's just that I wanted to do it.
"...Let's just say that I accept what happened before."
Thanks to a year of cramming, I was designated a grade A student. As usual, I went about taking exams, and as usual, I was accepted as per normal, so I wasn't nervous when I walked into the examinations area. Though I knew the name of the examination facility, I didn't exactly know the location, and such a common public facility has many functions. Though it is rare for a private firm to borrow from the public sector, those are all regional enterprises, and many obey it exclusively.
"Hm... Weird, now how do I get to the second floor?"
Not good, I'm lost. Speaking of which, why must this facility be constructed in such a confusing manner? Seems like it was constructed by some designer with a rather good background. Also, that person should be born from some localized industry.
"But what's with this 'I'm too fancy to design this with some semblance of order', feeling about the place ... and, where are the stairs... " Seriously, to call this place a maze would be an understatement. It's difficult to understand why there aren't any maps on the walls. Glass tiles on the walls in the corridor lower air conditioning efficiency, right? And wouldn't it be dangerous to set up tiles on those walls if there's an earthquake and thus render them pointless? Wouldn't those lights that are positioned beside one another use quite a lot of electricity? Besides, wouldn't changing them be extremely difficult? Why is the roof so pointlessly high? Hm...
"..."
A third year already and yet I was lost—no, this is just too embarrassing.
"Never mind, I'll open the next door I see. It'll probably be the right one."
Ah, it's so nice to have a door over here. Shall I open it?
"Ah—you are an examinee, correct? Alright, head over to the opposite side and change. We're in a rush here. We can only borrow it up till 4 o'clock, and we can't have any extensions. Really, I don't know what the government is thinking here..."
The moment I walked in, a 30-something, psychotic looking female teacher started to rattle on. However, she really looked busy, or maybe because she was busy or because she lacked judgment —or both—, she gave me step-by-step instructions without even looking at me before she walked away.
(Change clothes? Hm, do we have to change clothes during an exam nowadays? Ahh, the things they think up to handle cheating, no matter which school it is.)
Once I pulled aside the curtain, I found something mysterious behind it.
How should I put it? It was something like a 'medieval armor placed inside a castle'. Also, it was kneeling down on one leg, as if it was swearing loyalty to its master.
In stark contrast to medieval armor, only minor parts were well protected, and probably no one would find such protection acceptable. Anyway, putting that thing over there would make anyone wonder 'what the heck is going on'.
It has the shape of a human, almost as if it were silently waiting for its user to arrive.
—I know what this is, it's an 'IS'.
The actual name is 'Infinite Stratos'. It was originally created as a multipurpose power suit for space operations.
However, its development did not go as the creator had originally intended, but ended up being modified by the other mechanic specialists involved, into a 'war machine'. However, all the other countries designated it as a 'Sport' —a so called high performance— flying device.
The fatal flaw of the 'IS' is that this machine will only react to females.
Thus, right now, the thing in front of me was like a dummy in a windowed cupboard. It didn't do anything, nor will it do anything. It's just an object.
—Thinking about this, I touched it.
"Hm!?"
Ting! A sound of metal echoed in my mind.
Next, all sorts of information appeared in my consciousness. In just a few seconds, all the things that one wants to know yet is unable to know appeared in front of me. The basic movements of the 'IS', operation method, capabilities, characteristics, existing equipment, active time limit, movement range, sensitivity, radar search, armor residue, output gauge, and so on...
As if I had used it for years, as if it was a technique that I refined, I understood everything about it, and mastered it.
The vision was also linked to the sensors, the numbers directly appearing in my mind. I could also feel the information of my surroundings through numbers.
"What, what's going on...?"
It moved. The 'IS'. Like my own hands and feet.
I felt something expanding over my skin-mucosal armor extended... over.
My body suddenly felt light, and I felt as if I were floating—jets operation normal... confirmed.
While my right hand felt increasingly heavy, a weapon started to form out of light, a close-range combat knife... extend.
I felt chilly about this sudden increase in knowledge of the world, ultra-aware components in the most comfortable way... complete.
I understood everything about what it does. Despite not having known it, despite not having ever learned about it, I understood.
And the world that I saw through the data of the 'IS' was like—
Then I saw him.
That man stopped to glance at the training IS being operated by a male, he muttered "I expected something from the academy" and walked off.
I still remember what he looks like.
-FLASHBACK NO.1 ENDS-
Today is my first day in high school, 29 classmates and 1 man is watching me, expecting mor- that man didn't expect anything more judging from his calm face.
It seems Yamada-sensei is about to cry, your student is confused, palindrome-sensei.
Houki still ignores me a- I better finish this before I become a sinister individual. I inhale deeply.
"That's all" DANG~!
Several girls collapsed to the floor; did they really expect more from me?
"That, that..."
Behind me, I could hear a voice crying. Eh? This won't do?
PANG! I got knocked on the back of my head.
"OW—!?"
It hurts, like something that happened before.
This way of hitting — with suitable force, perfect angle, acceptable speed, someone — though it's extremely similar to someone else's method that I'm familiar with, but...
"..."
I gingerly turned around. Black tight-fitting skirt, tall and slim, the body line of someone who doesn't look muscular even after lots of training. Her hands folded in front of her chest, her sharp slim phoenix eyes would remind anyone of wolves. Her chest sure is big an –Why would I think about that?
It's the sealed evil in a can herself.
"Is that GUAN YU?"
PANG! My sister sure is an expert at dope slapping with a flat objec- what am I thinking? The girls are staring at me.
"Who's a hero in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms? Idiot?"
A deep voice. Though I have heard the sound effect of a gong, but, eh?
Why is Chifuyu-nee here? That older sister who never visit home more than twice per month because of a mysterious job.
"Ah, Orimura-sensei, is the meeting over?"
Oh god no, they now know we're siblings.
"Ah, Yamada-sensei. It's been tough on you, forcing you to make them introduce themselves."
Huh, Guan Yu got replaced by Liu Bei. Maybe because they're history?
"No, it's nothing. As the assistant homeroom teacher, if I can't even do that..."
The crying disappeared, as vice homeroom teacher Yamada-sensei responded to Chifuyu-nee with such an energetic voice and an attentive look. Ah, she's actually embarrassed.
"Everyone, my name is Orimura Chifuyu, and my duty is that for this one year, I'll be training you in the operations and controls of IS. Everything I teach, you have to remember, and understand. To those who can't understand, I'll teach them till they can. My job is to thoroughly train you during your first year, from the age of 15 to 16. You can dislike my attitude, but you still have to do what I say. Understood?"
What's with this declaration of war? No mistake... this is my older sister, Orimura Chifuyu.
But there weren't any awkward cries, but shrieks. No, not Shrek
"KYAAA—! It's Chifuyu-sama, it's the real Chifuyu-sama herself!"
"I've always been your fan!"
"I came to this school from North Kyuushuu because I admired you, onee-sama!"
"I came all the way from southern Hokkaido!"
"I'm so happy to be taught by Chifuyu-sama!"
"I'll gladly die for Chifuyu-sama!"
Chifuyu-nee stared at the chattering girls with a disheartened expression.
"...it's really quite a sight to see so many idiots gather here every year. What a surprise? Or is there a special reason? Are these fools only here to attend my class?"
She really is disappointed in the girls- Wait, did I see that man walking on the ceiling just earlier?
Am I naïve, or am I hallucinating? Whatever.
"KYAAAHH! ONEE-SAMA! SCOLD US MORE! CONTINUE TO SCOLD US MORE!"
"BUT BE GENTLE TO US FROM TIME TO TIME!"
"AND BE EXTREMELY ELEGANT AFTERWARDS~!"
At least my classmates are good at being energetic.
However, I was rather shocked and confused at my homeroom teacher being Chifuyu-nee - that shouldn't be the case, but I managed to calm down due to all of the girls' shouting. Of course, when there's such turmoil right next to you, one will consciously calm down, or something like that. I've experienced such things before.
"Oi, so you failed at making even a simple greeting?"
Extremely sarcastic, extreme sarcasm — is this the meaning of being strict? My own elder sister who takes care of me, she's just that kind of a person.
"No, Chifuyu-nee, I—"
PANG! That's the third time this has happened today, got that, Chifuyu-nee? 5000 brain cells die every time my head's hit.
"Call me Orimura-sensei."
"...Yes, Orimura-sensei."
"Eh...? Then, it means that Orimura-kun is Chifuyu-sama's younger brother...?"
"Maybe that has something to do with him being the only guy in the world that can use the IS?"
"Ah~ Great. I really wanted to switch him over."
I'll ignore those words for now. Let's move forward.
I came here to this public IS Academy as the only male in the world who can pilot the 'I.-
"Sitting there silently sure is energetic, INTRODUCE YOURSELF."
It was directed to that strange man. I don't know how he'll react to that. I'll comply politely if I was him.
"I HAVE to?" The girls are shocked to hear that, even more so that it's his first words in our presence.
Suddenly, he stood up.
"I am the head janitor here, call me Rook, for I lost my name sometime after the Somme"
How did he live that long?
"A genetic mutation make me live longer than a normal human, and it also results in IS piloting capability like this"
He spoke what I don't believe, until he demonstrates partial I.S. summoning. With that said, that arm cannon looks powerful.
"Oh my, I forgot to rewire the visor and the communications- and I no longer qualify as a human"
He sighed in disbelief as he holds what amount to a biker helmet's screen in his hand.
"That's all you'll hear from me in this SHR, dismissed." He walked off right after tha- no, he jumped off the building.
"It seems our beloved janitor has walked off to run some diagnostics on the training I.S.s, he'll be back sooner than we think" Yamada-sensei didn't cracks up Chifuyu-nee at all. The class, impressed by the sudden mood whiplash, calm down. /s deactivated.
ANYWAY. The IS Academy is, as its name suggested, an educational corporation meant to nurture IS operators. The Japanese government sees it as a principle duty to fund it and run it. However, the results of the research are revealed to the entire world due to the common agreement, and at the same time, Japan has no right to either remain silent or hide them. No matter what happens in this school, the Japanese government has to intervene fairly, and has the obligation of settling these matters under the premise that all the countries in the treaty have agreed upon. Also, the school has opened its doors to foreign students without any conditions, and the Japanese government is to provide protection—as accorded to the contents of the IS treaty regarding IS pilot training agencies.
This is the school's code of discipline.
Basically, it's like 'damned Japan, creating the IS and causing chaos in the world, the very least you could do build a school to train individuals in this area of expertise. And hand over your research and technology. Ah, and you will be bearing all the financing costs'. Eagleland was a former military leading force, which is to be expected.
(Why am I at this school? ...Well, because I activated a test IS in an IS examination arena, but speaking of which, how did I end up getting in there?...)
—Are Aoetsu Gakuen and the IS Academy similar? Anyway, that seemed to be the case.
"..."
Suddenly, in this extremely excited classroom, I felt a stare.
Looking back, Houki, who was just now looking outside the classroom, turned around to stare at me.
(Hm—, though she doesn't look angry... did I do something?)
Never mind, I'll ask her later.
Just as I was thinking about it, the bell rang.
"I guess that's enough for SHR today. Everyone, I'll have you memorize the basics of IS within the next 6 months. After that, it's practical applications, you must let the basic maneuvers sink in as a part of your body's instincts within half a month. Okay? If you understand, answer me. Whether acceptable or otherwise, respond to whatever I announce."
Oh, a demon trainer from Hell. Right now, Chifuyu-nee could be a demon in a human skin. No, I would still be able to handle it if it was a demon, because they aren't human. And yet this person in front of me seemed to acknowledge only half of the human functions, how inconsiderate.
(I guess that's an example of a "Sealed Evil in a can"- no, that should go inside "The Obi-wan" or something similar.)
Either way, this Orimura Chifuyu was the first generation IS pilot that represented Japan, and was undefeated in an actual match. However, one day, she announced her retirement and disappeared... which must mean that she came here to teach... she should have at least told me as a family member... I was an idiot for worrying about her.
Wait, I forgot t-
"SIT DOWN, YOU FOOL!"
Yes, yes ... I'm an idiot.
Janitor Rook returned, and the IS hangar is about half a mile away. He's too fast to be even a demon or angel. WHAT is he?
"The training ones are working fine; those limiters are on so it's authorized to be deployed in the arenas"
"We can't let the 1st years use them yet, not without some classes of theorical applications. " Yamada-sensei responded, sounds like she face this everyday
"That's fine, they'll learn from the class representative duel." My sister spoke, cutting off Yamada-sensei's
"You spoiled the surprise again, damn it." Rook spoke in disbelief.
-TIME RUSH-
First theory class, oh my.
"Aahh-..."
I can't bear it. It's too much work. I can't. I'm desperate.
"..."
The first theory class for I.S. is finally finished, and it is now break. But, I didn't know how to react to the abnormal aura within the classroom.
Incidentally, while the IS institute is a profit-earning business, there is also education about IS, that make up the daily courses. The structure of the school? You can look at the map by yourself.
(But, I couldn't make it out one way or another...)
Apart from me, everyone here is a girl. Not only my class, but everyone in the school that is a student, sensei or instructor.
Incidentally, the news that 'I'm the only male able to pilot an IS' has also spread throughout the world, everyone knows about me, from the people of the school to the students.
Which is why, in the middle of the corridor there are girls from the other classes, as well as 2nd and 3rd year senpais. Even though I'm used to seeing girls, but in this case, almost no one has approached me to talk. It seems that, from their expressions, schoolgirls of the same year are thinking 'come talk to me'. The air filled with 'Hey, are you running away from your problems', kind of tension bearing aura.
By the way, even though the IS Academy is the world's only specialized IS school, a lot of schools with the intention of stimulating their students, enter them in the IS study program, so they can take advanced studies.
And these types of schools are 100% all-female. However, in the end, the girls from such schools have almost no immunity against males, and as for the boys in a normal society, there's a dilemma about their status.
The current weapons are waste metal in front of an IS, that's why the balance of the world's military has been broken. And because IS was invented by the Japanese, Japan had monopolized the IS technology. The other countries that had become more aware of the threat signed an IS Application Protocol—commonly called the 'Alaska Treaty', and had authorized the disclosure of the IS's technology and sharing of information, establishing a foundation of world research institutions, and prohibiting military usage, among other things.
In reality? I suggest you to refer to the Eagleland statement above.
That is why, the number of IS pilots in a country has a very close relationship with its military force (a credible defense force). Only girls can be pilots, so all the involved countries created a prioritized female protection program.
That's why, because the ideology that 'woman = great' was accepted, in but the last ten years women had become considered superior to men. The scale has tipped.
When suddenly an equal 'man' had appeared in the news, it was obvious that there would be curiosity first.
(After that, we arrive at our present predicament and pain.)
By chance I looked over at the girl sitting in the next desk, and though she was staring at me before, she immediately looked away in a panic. It created a feeling of anxiety of 'being approached'.
Also, becoming the object of the entire country's girls' admiration, along with being titled Orimura Chifuyu's little brother seemed to make things very complicated.
(Who could lend me a hand in this kind of situation...)
Suddenly, I thought about my old friend Gotanda Dan. That guy always said that he envied me, where is he now? It still isn't too late to switch places with me. You bastard never knew the truth of an unwanted harem.
"...Excuse me for a moment."
"Eh?"
Suddenly, someone is talking to me. Seemed like there's a winner among the girls who were trying to duke it out? ...No, from the almost silent conversations that were carried out inside and outside of the classroom, there's only one girl who would do so.
"...Excuse me"
"..."
In front of my eyes stood the childhood friend whom I last saw six years ago.
Shinonono Houki. We learned kendo together in the same dojo. Her hairstyle was still in the ponytail I remembered. Her more than shoulder-length hair was tied together with a single white ribbon (Shinonono dojo is a half-shrine).
Even though her height is the average for girls of her age, an effect of her practicing kendo over these long years is that she has acquired a slender shape. According to her, she was born with her scowl. ... No, even the possibility of being hated by her isn't zero. Actually, when she called my name, it wasn't just my imagination that she was angry.
My impression of Houki, is someone that reminds you of a katana, which has in these six years grown ever sharper. And yes, it seems she is all grown up.
"Is it OK if we talk in the corridor?"
It's probably hard to talk in the classroom. Forget it, if it can pull me out of this current uncomfortable situation, nothing else matters. It's really a childhood friend who lends a hand. Not fickle. Wanting to apologize to me for what she said before. Ah, me.
"Quickly."
"I-I know."
Houki hurried to the corridor, and the girls gathered there stepped away in the blink of an eye. Like Moses parting the sea.
Even though I came out to the corridor, Houki and I were surrounded by others four meters in diameter. Also, I kinda have the feeling that everyone is eavesdropping. The classroom was also silent.
"By the way..."
"What?"
I just thought about it, so I initiated the conversation. Say Houki, you asked me to come but you're not saying anything, is it too late? You're supposed to start the conversation!
"Last year, you won the world kendo championship, right? Congratulations.
"..."
After Houki heard me say that, her mouth immediately became the shape of a 'へ', and her cheeks turned red. ...Huh? Why is she angry? I was obviously congratulating her.
"Why do you know that?"
"Why, because I saw it in the newspaper..."
"Why, why did you see it in something like a newspaper?"
What are you getting at, Houki? I don't understand. It's obvious that one reads newspapers, when they like them. Also, even though I haven't heard you speak for a long time, you haven't changed a bit, still talking like a man, like a warrior.
"Ah-also."
"Wh-what?"
"..."
"Ah, no..."
Finally I noticed the hostile attitude, Houki becoming uneasy, and now inconceivably excited. Unbelievable girl.
"It's been a long time since we have seen each other. Even though it's been six years, I still recognized you immediately."
"Eh..."
"You see, the same hairstyle." I pointed at my own head while saying this, and Houki immediately started playing with her ponytail.
"At-at least you still remember."
"That, I can't forget that, since we are childhood friends. "
"..."
A fierce gleam flashes. I'm still being glared at. Huh-, why?
So this is the samurai's code of discipline? She also possesses the attributes of a perpetual frowner. What an unlucky combination.
Ding-Dong-Dang-Dong.
Aye, time has already passed. The bell announcing the second period rings, and the bunch that had encircled Houki and me consequently dispersed. They spread like wildfire. Hmm... no wonder they're IS pilots, their actions are swift.
"Let's return to the classroom too."
"I-I know."
Houki immediately showed an unhappy face, and hurried back in the same manner she came. It seems that this childhood friend of mine has no intention of waiting for me. Six years and she has already become like this? -No, that's not it. Houki was like this from the very beginning. Just like a samurai.
Resolute in following through her decisions, improving herself steadily day by day, engaging in training daily, stubborn and unyielding. Shinonono Houki is a girl who is more befitting of these descriptions than any guy. She hasn't changed since elementary school. And she still looks like a female samurai.
"..."
She was still staring at me fiercely. That's not good, did she read my mind? Houki has, since childhood, always seemed to become especially acute to when someone has spoken ill of her. -No, I'm not speaking ill of you. It's entirely my wish.
Bang!
"Why aren't you sitting already, Orimura."
"I'm very grateful to be under your guidance, Orimura-sensei."
It's only morning, and twenty thousand of my brain cells have already died. What a pain.
Oh no, Janitor Rook is right there, at the side of the class.
"Give the poor soul some chance to survive this school, they aren't immortal" He said with a smug face.
"Do you think your way of "teaching" improve their survival chance?" Chifuyu-nee asked with /s on.
"They got to rest 5 times faster than your method; the survival rate for my method is under the chart, though" He sure know how to use layman's term, what a blessing to hav- and he's too scary to be asked for information.
Speaking of which, I have not described what he looks like.
Janitor Rook wears a white hooded jacket; he never puts the hood on. He also wears black jeans with a katana slot on both sides. Is he ambidextrous? The girls seem to have the same thought on this.
Said katana slots have a Ninjato sheathed in a straight koshirae on the left side. Both are wooden and black-clad.
Yes, wooden Ninjato, now that is rare and ineffective; it's even lower on the scale of functionality than an iaito or a bokken.
That thing does look heavy though, judging from the fact that he keep it outta harm's way most of the time.
It's time for the next theorical class.
Wish me luck in surviving this!
What's this, a note right in my bag? Let's read it
"On Mount Golgotha, I fell in vain.
20 centuries have passed, I return to exact the destruction.
- A Monologue from the NOT 4th horseman."
"…."
The hell was that?
-TIME RUSH-
"...Thus, the basic operations of IS have to be guided by the country. If no permission is granted, we have to pursue criminal responsibilities..."
Yamada-sensei continued with her lesson ever so eloquently. However, I didn't understand anything at all.
"..."
Five heavy books were sitting in front of me. Just flipping to the top most page, I could only see columns and columns of meaningless text. I seem to recall tossing a big book like these back home, was that a guidebook on this?
(Er, is it only me? Am I the only one who doesn't understand what's going on? Do the rest know? This active whatever offsets that wide-area something, what does it mean? Does it mean that I have to memorize everything...?)
I took a peek at the girl on the next table, and could only see her listening to Yamada-sensei's words, nodding away and jotting down notes from time to time.
(Ku... don't tell me those rumors about IS students studying before they enrolled are true...)
IS pilots have a direct link with our national security strength, so in a certain sense, this school exists to groom the elites. Also, these are scholars who managed to ace exams several times tougher than regular entrance exams.
(Though I'm not too interested in being an elite... hm-, can't let this continue. Anyway, got to study.)
Feeling somewhat inferior, I lowered my head, and unknowingly, I peeked over at the girl who was jotting down notes.
"Is-, is there something wrong?"
As expected, after the girl noticed me looking at her, she expressed surprise and nervousness, showing a forced smile that conveyed a certain kind of expectation.
"Ah, no, it's nothing. Sorry."
"Is-, is that so?"
After hearing that, the girl showed me a look of relief and disappointment, before returning back to working in her notebook...hm~ did I do something to upset her?
"Is there something you don't understand, Orimura-kun?"
Yamada-sensei noticed me talking to the girl besides me, and thus specifically asked me.
"Ah, that..."
I again looked back at the textbooks —mm, I don't understand anything at all.
"If you have any questions, please ask me. I'm a teacher after all."
Yamada-sensei lifts her chest up and answers confidently. Oh, maybe she really is reliable. Alright, I'll give it a go.
Wait, oh no, her chest, mustn't look.
"Yamada-sensei!" I asked.
"Yes, Orimura-kun?"
An answer that's full of enthusiasm. Seems like this will work, as expected of a teacher.
"I don't understand anything at all."
I honestly blurted out my shortcoming. When I do this, usually, others tend to empathize with me.
"How do I laugh?" Janitor Rook spoke.
"Erm...ev, everything...?"
Yamada-sensei looked extremely bothered wearing a completely stiff expression...that's weird? Where did that reliable teacher go?
"Th-Then...except for Orimura-san, is there anybody else who doesn't understand the current lesson up till this point?"
Yamada-sensei raised her hand to prompt the class.
Silence...
Strange, that's too strange. Nobody raised their hand. If they only understood half of it to begin with, they'll definitely regret it in the future. Is that alright, is that really alright, with everyone?
"...Orimura, did you read the reference book before entering the school?"
Waiting for an opportunity at the side of the classroom, Chifuyu-nee asked. Alright, I decided to reply honestly.
"I mistook it for the old telephone book and threw it away."
PANG!
"Didn't I write 'compulsory to read' on it, you fool?"
Another 5,000 of my brain cells died. Damn it, it'll be cheaper to have the coroner to give me a checkup now.
"I'll issue you another copy later, but you must memorize it within a week, got it?"
"No, that, the thickness is a little..."
"I'm telling you to do it."
"...Fine, I'll do it."
Already surpassing the designation of demonic sergeant, Chifuyu-nee glared at me. A devil, she's a devil in human clothing. She's a human and yet she's so inconsiderate, how could she not understand the limitations of human beings?
"Whether it's in terms of mobility, firepower or suppressing ability, the IS far surpasses all the older weapons in that aspect. If you don't understand this weapon 'thoroughly' before operating it, accidents will occur. We teach you basic knowledge and train you to prevent such accidents from occurring. Even if you can't understand, memorize it, and remain strong and steady. These are the rules and regulations."
Yes, that's completely true.
Let me add on one thing, I didn't wish to be here.
One day, a group of black-clad men came up beside me, said something about 'we'll protect you' and left a notification letter regarding enrolment into the IS Academy. I don't understand, does this 'protection' consist of tossing a boy into a girls' garden and abandoning him? Right now, I want protection, and Chifuyu-nee's the reason.
"...You brat, you're thinking that you didn't come here of your own choice, right?"
I was shocked. Why did she consider it alright to reveal my thoughts so brazenly?
"No matter whether you wished for it or not, people can't get away from an interactive life. If you want to abandon it, abandon your identity as a human first."
As sharp as ever, it's about time for me to face reality. Chifuyu-nee was a realistic person right from the very beginning, and I know the reason.
"..."
Ho— looks like I have to work.
Well, maybe I won't be able to get to the level where Chifuyu-nee won't be all red in the face, but at least I don't want her to be embarrassed on the professional field.
I won't abandon my family members, unlike my parents who I had never seen.
"Th-Then, Orimura-kun, I'll teach you everything that you don't know, so you must work hard? Alright? Alright?"
Yamada-sensei tightened her hands and closed in. As she's shorter than me, it naturally turned to her shyly looking away.
"Yes. Then, I'll leave it to sensei after school."
After saying that, I sat down. Chifuyu-nee also returned to the side of the classroom.
"After-, after school... a teacher together with a student, two people alone after school... Ah! No, no, Orimura-kun. Your sensei will become weak when she's forced... and this is my first time with a guy..."
Suddenly blushing and saying such things. Yamada-sensei, are you alright? I.S. pilots really have no resistance to males. Speaking of which, all the stares directed at me are very uncomfortable. If these stares could generate a physical force, I would have become a pincushion.
"How-However, if it's Orimura-sensei's younger brother, then..."
"Ah—ack ack! Yamada-sensei, continue with the lesson."
"Ye-Yes!"
Chifuyu-nee coughed twice, causing Yamada-sensei to return from her fantasy.
"I heard something not suited for teenagers" Janitor Rook said, aiming his Custom Rifle forward, scanning the room with his eyes.
"...I guess it's not a long-term one" He sighed, visibly distressed and lowered his Custom Rifle.
Yamada-sensei frantically moved back to the stage— and failed.
"Uu—it hurts..."
(...Is she alright? This teacher...)
Only then did I realize just how many catastrophes I would be in for.
-TIME RUSH-
"CHAPTER 1 ENDED, SOMEONE FINALLY FINISHED WRITING IT" Janitor Rook shouted.
"….What?"
"Oh my, nothing."
The class asked in disbelief, which Janitor Rook said it was just nonsense. They didn't get to know they're being watched by someone else.
Speaking of which, his "Custom Rifle" is a M1918 BAR "Bush Warfare" barrel integrated into a M1918A2 BAR, with the magazine guides removed entirely, both the stock monopod and the hinged steel plate is no longer there. Somehow, it's made out of black metal, entirely.
And it has unlimited ammo, due to the fact that it fires energy shaped into a bullet. Also, he removed the sling swivel.
Janitor Rook is not what we perceived him as… a bishounen with grey hair and a Jeff-like face; wearing a white hooded jacket and black jeans. This description would fit a humane killer, except he doesn't possess anything similar to human at all aside from the looks.
What will await me within this place called the IS academy? And I haven't found my dorm room yet.