----Kouki Arakawa Viewpoint


"Developing a power suit?

　When I said that, Shingo and Aikawa-san nodded. When I woke up in the morning and arrived at my research building in the academy as usual, I couldn't understand it if you told me all of a sudden, I asked Alice for help while troubled and she told me with a bitter smile.

''Both of you have to say it properly from the beginning, or else you won't understand Gongju-kun.

　I've learned from what Alice told me that the two of them have explained to me, and it seems that the new model is a combination of the advantages of the "6th Generation Suit" that my mother developed, the "suit for outside the atmosphere" that I wore during the last transfer to another world, and the "civilian suit made by Quartet Corporation" that I use personally. They're going to build it up...

'Can you do that?'

　We might be able to reconfigure a suit that was developed by a research institute and a private company to begin with, but the suit my mom made is a piece of mysterious technology. When I ask questions about that as well...

Yeah, I think I'll be fine. I'm good at engineering. I just need the blueprints for the sixth generation.

　Okay, the point is, you said to me, 'Please! You want me to play "mother," right? I decided to hand over the blueprints to them, thinking that they wouldn't misuse them even if I handed them over. I tell Shingo to wait a bit and email my mom to send the blueprints of the Arakawa Model to my personal computer.

I've attached the blueprint as requested by Kou-chan. I've attached the blueprints as you requested, so please don't make the mistake of modifying them to fight with another country's military.

　　Are you the kind of person who would do that? Stop looking at me like that. I don't have a history of doing that, nor do I plan to!　I erase the extra text and forward it to Shingo.

''Huh!　Now we can get into the real work.

　As I looked at a delighted Shingo, I promised myself, 'I'll have a serious talk with my mom one of these days.




　After several days of comparing the three types of suits, we found that the 6th generation suits were superior in maneuverability, the exo-atmospheric suits were superior in durability, and the ones made by Quartet were superior in fit. We decided to create a power suit that had all of these qualities.

The original Arakawa model uses a control system that converts electrical signals in the brain to move the suit.

Shingo muttered in disgust. Just as Shingo said, what a surprise to find out that the suit that Mom had made was being used for the main maneuvering by converting the signals in the brain. In other words, the actual maneuvering action that the wearer performed was only an aid.
　Once I used this suit to pick weeds in the garden, but Shingo and Alice said, 'To begin with, power suits are not suited for such detailed work. The suit that you made is designed to only accept signals from 'me' in my brain; to put it simply, it was a super high performance suit made just for me.

"So it can be used for small tasks like weeding the garden?

　Even Aikawa-san says with a dumbfounded look. But then, ordinary people can't wear it, can they?　I asked Shingo.

'Yeah, so could you ask Gongju's mom how to build the main control module and trace the signal?'

　It was returned to me. I sent Mom a text message again and it came back a short while later and we all looked at my device.

　I've attached the blueprint as requested by Kou-chan. It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on it. The system used in your mother's suit does indeed trace the signals in your brain.
　But it is the result of years of deciphering by your mother. Since the information doesn't accumulate immediately, I've also attached a program to protect the information from being erased when you remove the control module of the suit you brought to the institute. Please type it in and then remove it and use it. Also, I'm having a hamburger for dinner tonight.

　Well, hamburgers ... let's get home. That's not what I'm talking about!　Why are you decoding my brain signals without my permission?　I don't know when I've done that. I'm a little scared for my mom.　The other members were also making 'wow...' kind of faces.
　In the midst of this delicate atmosphere, we decided on the concrete work to be done in the future. Firstly, the exterior is to be made extremely durable, because this is a prototype, a one-off machine, so we can ignore the cost. Next, we decided to minimize the burden on the wearer, as we did for the quartet. In the end, the company decided to port a module from the sixth-generation machine to make it easier to operate.

We're aiming for the 7th generation model!　Kunugi-kun, let's do our best.

　Alice laughs next to me and cheers me on. No, Alice works hard with me too........ Hmm, but if you have the ability to increase your durability and apply it outside the atmosphere, you can fly, right?　I think about it and ask everyone.

'Hey, let's add thrusters and flight capability anyway.'



　When I said that, everyone froze, but did I say anything weird?　I think it's cool........





----Alice Alford's point of view----


Hey, why don't we just add thrusters and flight capabilities?

　When I was deciding on my plans for the future, Kouki-kun suddenly said something like that. The ability to fly?　I wonder if he's aware of what he's talking about, and even I, who's not familiar with power suits, can understand the impossibility of it. There are so many things that need to be solved, like attitude control and fuel issues, and he can't even understand that?

Mm, it's impossible, Goki. How in the world are you going to control your posture?

As expected, Saito-kun replies to my question on behalf of me, but Kuniki-kun replies as if nothing is wrong.

'You're tracing my brain signals, right?　Then I think we can build in some aerodynamic drag and an auxiliary function to calculate airborne attitude control, and the control module will do the rest automatically.

　I see, originally the power suit had the ability to automatically control its attitude if it was about to fall. Do you have any ideas?　As I was thinking about this, this time 'Megumin' asked a question.

「操縦モジュールを積むせいで、余計なバッテリーもスラスター用の燃料も積めないわよ？」

「なら大きくすればいいじゃん。なにも今のサイズに拘らなくて良いよね？」



　その答えを聞いた瞬間に、私は今まで普通に接していたせいで忘れていた功樹君の本当の姿を思い出した。私の恋人は『天才』だという事を……。



　功樹君からしてみれば、私達の無理だという考えが理解出来なかっただろう。一般人である私達は『常識』に囚われている、しかし天才である彼はそんな事を気にしないで私達の遥か先を歩んでいる。確かに今のサイズで足りなければ大きくすれば良いのだ、だが私達はそんな事も思い浮かばない。斉藤君は興奮しながら『いける！　できるかもしれない』と叫んでいるが、私は暗い表情になってしまう。
　功樹君と一般人である私が上手くやっていけるのだろうか？　私なんかと別れてもっと別の優秀な女性と付き合ったほうが良いのではないかと考えていると、

「アリスにもやってもらいたい事があるから、頑張ってね」

　そう功樹君が微笑みながら話しかけてくる。塞ぎ込んでも仕方ない、私は大好きな彼の隣にいる為に今出来る事を一生懸命する事にした。



　数日後、私達の目の前に大型のパワースーツが鎮座していた。功樹君の隣で製作の指揮を執った斉藤君が胸を張って皆に説明する。

「昨日皆が帰った後に最終調整を終わらせたんだ！　これがこの世界でたった1機だけ存在する『自立飛行』可能なパワースーツだよ」

　さらに斉藤君の説明は続くが要約すると『普通なら大体3メートルか4メートルが平均の大きさなのだが、このパワースーツは8メートルで背中と足には飛行用のスラスターを搭載している。
　また第6世代と同じで非常事態には全ての部品がパージ出来る仕組みになっている。追加能力として、間違いなく行く事は無いだろうが大気圏外でも使用できるように耐久性と気密性も高めてある』そうだ。そんな中、功樹君が斉藤君に質問する。

「1機だけって、じゃあこれ第何世代になるの？」

「うーん、定義が分からないんだけど『第6世代機』で脳内信号のテストをしてたよね？　たぶんだけど功樹のお母さんはそれを使って大気圏外用とかの局所対応型リモートモデル、つまり遠隔操作タイプの『局所用第7世代機』を作りたかったのだと思う。でもボク達が作ったのは、遠隔操作じゃない『局所対応型飛行モデル』例えるなら『第8世代機』だね」

　功樹君は『凄ぇえ！！』と言いながら喜んでいるが、あくまでこのパワースーツは操作モジュールの関係で功樹君しか動かせないのだが分かっているのだろうか？

「でもコレ、功樹しか動かせないよ？」

私の考えていた事を斉藤君に教えられて、ちょっと落ち込んでいる功樹君は可愛らしかった。功樹君は早速パワースーツを装着しようとして、私の方を振り返り聞いてくる。

「アリス、頼んでおいた薬出来てる？」

　私は持って来ていた鞄から使い捨て注射器が入っているケースを取り出して使い方を説明して渡すと、功樹君は『ありがとう』と言いながら頭を撫でてくれた。そして、スーツを起動させる……

「浮いた！　やった！！　成功だよ」

　功樹君がスピーカーで私達に話しかける、スーツが浮く様子をみながらメンバー全員で喜んでいると学院内の放送で突然、緊急事態が告げられた。


　『全学院生にお知らせします。太平洋上で大型客船と化学薬品を満載したタンカーの衝突事故が発生しました、現在状況は非常に逼迫しています。20分前に日本政府は非常事態宣言を発令、国際科学技術学院にも協力要請がありました。
　学院生で医療技術を取得している者、又は災害救助に使用可能なパワースーツを持っている者で救助活動に参加する意思がある学院生は、航空自衛軍が迎えに来ますので正門前に集まってください。1人でも多くの人命を助ける為です、協力をお願いします』


「信吾、このスーツの最大飛行速度と航続距離は？」

　放送を聞いた時、功樹君はいつもの笑顔じゃなくて厳しい顔で斉藤君に質問してきた。まさか救助に向かう気なのだろうか？　危険すぎる、装着しているのは試作機なのにそんな所に行かすわけにはいかない。だが斉藤君は私の想いなんか関係なく答える。

「耐えられる最高速度は1600キロ、航続距離は3200キロだよ。ボク、カタログスペックが嫌いだからスラスター用の燃料は満タンだし本体のバッテリーも十分にしてある。でも出力を最大まで上げないでね、かなりのパワーが期待できるけど壊れるか最悪スーツと一緒に吹き飛ぶ」

「じゃあ、俺このまま行くわ。現場の情報は直ぐに端末に送信してくれ。学院長には先に行くからって伝えておいて」

　それだけ言って功樹君は飛んで行ってしまった。私が斉藤君になんで止めなかったのかと怒りながら詰め寄ると、斉藤君は苦笑いしながら答えた。

「だって功樹は優しいから止めても無駄だよ、アリスちゃんなら分かるでしょ？　それに自分の事を『俺』って言ってたし。功樹って本気になると『俺』っていうんだね、初めて知ったよ」

　確かに、功樹君は優しい……。私が好きになった理由もそれが一番だ、だけどなにも1人で行かなくてもいいのではないか？　帰ってきたら絶対に怒ってやろう、私はそう心に誓い一先ず学院長に報告する為に走り出した。





----山本香　視点----


　学院生に災害救助の協力を促す放送をした後、自衛軍の幹部と通信していると部屋がノックされた。この忙しい時に誰だ！　私は直ぐに追い返そうとしたが、荒川君かもしれないと思いとどまり入室を促す。

「失礼します」

　部屋に入ってきたのは『欧州の悲劇の治療薬』を作り上げたせいで、マスコミや医療関係者からの問い詰めで扱いに困って面倒臭くなったので、荒川君の研究棟に隔離……もとい押し込んだメンバーだった。

「なにか用かしら？　今凄く忙しいの」

　私が遠まわしに『帰ってくれ』と言うと、その中のアリスという名の生徒が代表で話を始めた。

「荒川君が救助の為に現場へ向かっています。新型のパワースーツを装着して行ったので混乱があっては困ると思い報告に来ました」

　そう言ってパワースーツの概要が書いてある紙を私に見せてくる。なんだこれは？　単独飛行可能なパワースーツ？　それに航続距離3200キロ！？　しかも小さく武装可能と書いてある、ふざけているのだろうか？　コレはパワースーツなんかではない。



It's just a strategic weapon........



　What is that kid thinking, going to wear this thing, I'm getting called out again, even though the last time I was petty about the 'state of progress in ethics education' from the UN. Shall I call him back now?　However, it's not good if Arakawa-kun, who was offended by such a thing, riots in the academy.
　I'm not sure if the academy will be lost if such a weapon is used when it's usually untouchable, or perhaps I'll die before that.

''I'll contact the Marine Self-Defense Force that is conducting the rescue. So will Mr. Alford and the others participate in the rescue?

　Aikawa-san is a rabbit, but I would love to have the performance of the power suit Saito-kun is using. Besides, Alice-san's knowledge of pharmacology is needed to treat the wounded, I look at the students as if hoping they'll agree.

''Of course I'm in,''

　Alright, we'll deal with Arakawa-kun's problem later, but for now, our priority is to save lives. I told him to wait in front of the main gate and resumed the communication I had just made.







----Kouki Arakawa's Viewpoint...


　It's good that I jumped out of the academy in style to show Alice that I'm a good person, but I'm beginning to regret it now. I'm not sure if it's because I broke through the speed of sound in human form or not, but the vibrations are bad, and the powerful anti-intoxication medication I asked Alice to make for me didn't have much effect, and I feel like I'm going to vomit. And most importantly.....

'Scary!　Fast, too fast!

　When we went out to sea, the sea was stormy due to the typhoon as the information sent to us. We were flying in such a situation where there was almost no visibility, but it was terrifying. We were currently flying at a high speed of 1360 km in dim light. The vibrations and fear made me feel like I was about to reunite with the food I had eaten for lunch, but I couldn't.

"Ah, I see it. That's it.

　A self-defense rescue ship came into view, desperately trying to get closer to the cruise ship in the storm. But I can only see one ship, could there be no others?　I scanned the area with my radar, but it seemed to be only the two ships that had caused the collision and the Self Defense Force. I approached the ship of the Self Defense Force to inform them that I was here to rescue them.

"I'm Arakawa Yoshiki from the International Institute of Technology. Please give me instructions.

Thank you very much. We are unable to approach due to the storm. There are no injuries on board at this time, and there are no reports of flooding. However, we do have dozens of casualties on the cruise ships, and dozens of people are seriously injured. As a matter of priority, would you be willing to move the seriously injured from the cruise ship to our ship?

Copy that, sir. We're moving into action. From now on, let us use this frequency as our exclusive channel for all future communications.

　After announcing this, I moved towards the cruise ship, but there are quite a few people on deck waiting for me, I tried to move the wounded to avoid impacting them, but there are too many.... I'm not going to be able to catch up with them if I don't, so I send a message to the self-defense forces.

There's a limit to what we can do with just one plane. Where are the other rescue vessels at this time?

We're moving at full speed, but the weather is making it extremely difficult to descend to the surface. But the weather conditions are making it extremely difficult, and impossible for us to descend to the surface of the ocean with the same level of aircraft.

　I know you're trying your best to do a little bit of everything, but it's more like this. I keep thinking about this as I go through the transfer process, but there are still too many people on board. The worst-case scenario for not being able to make it in time goes through my head, so I think of a solution and ask a question.

"With regard to the aircraft, for example, if it can land, will you be able to conduct a quick rescue operation?

It is possible.

　Satisfied with the self-defense force's immediate response, I make a decision, there must have been an island nearby when I scanned it with radar earlier....




We will tow the cruise ship to that island's cove.



　I remember Shingo's words, "Don't max out the power, you can expect quite a bit of power, but it will break or at worst blow up with your suit," but it will be fine. I'm sure he's a genius and a great guy, and he's my 'best friend', and there's no way that best friend would make a power suit that would kill me, I tell the Self Defense Force with absolute confidence.

I tell my self-defense forces, "We're going to tow a passenger boat to a nearby island cove, land a rescue team at that location.

What?　What did you say? I think I misheard you, I'm sorry, please repeat that again.

That's why I'm pulling the boat to the cove!　Stop screwing around and get ready to go!　People's lives are at stake.

　I shouted at him and said, 'Rhiyi, I understand! The cheerful reply came back to me. Okay, now we just need to get the same communication to the passenger ship to let the passengers know........



　I grab the ship's anchor and fire up the thrusters as fast as I can...50 percent, 55, 60, 75...the power gradually increases, but the ship doesn't move. After the 80 mark, the ship starts to vibrate more and more, but it still won't move. 90 percent and I hit 100, as expected, and the memory shakes out, but the passenger ship doesn't move at all. I fire up my spare thrusters and scream

Yeah!

　I wondered if my wishes had been answered, and that's when the cruise ship began to move, albeit slowly. I towed the cruise ship to the cove at once if it moves inertia afterwards if it moves even a little, I towed the cruise ship to the cove at once. I was going to the sandy beach of the cove, but I think it is inevitable that the passenger boat was in the form of a full ride up to the island of the momentum than expected. Well, on the contrary, this way will be easier to rescue.
　I was relieved to hear that, when suddenly my suit's alarm went off. I'm going to be able to purge my entire body and escape from the building because that's what was displayed on the main screen.






　While falling from the sky with only a reinforced skeleton, I dive into the sea, muttering to myself, 'Can rescue come soon?




----Captain's Point of View of the Maritime Self-Defense Force Disaster Rescue Ship


We have an object coming in fast from the mainland!

　We were heading to the scene of the rescue in bad weather when the communications officer suddenly reported to us. Isn't this an air force rescue helicopter?　When I ask him that, he denies it.

"No response to friendly identification signal, sir. We are unable to respond to friendly fire signals, and rescue helicopters cannot fly above the speed of sound.

　Then what is it?　If it's from the mainland, there's no way it's an attack of any kind, and as I was thinking that, another communications officer read out a report from headquarters.

"Incoming call from the Maritime Self-Defense Force General Staff Headquarters. "A power suit from the International Institute of Science and Technology is currently flying toward you. Cooperate and assist.

　What did you just say?　In flight?　 It's impossible for them to come this far away, over 800 kilometers away. Most of the time, the intellectuals in the General Staff Headquarters, who don't understand the scene, were spouted off by academics who wanted to look good. As I was thinking this, a power suit flew in front of me with a tremendous roar.


That power suit is really floating.


　One person on the bridge speaks out in surprise, probably all of them thinking the same thing. And then a transmission comes in from the suit in front of me.

I'm Koki Arakawa from the International Institute of Science and Technology, and I'm here to help. Please advise.

　Arakawa Kouki.........I knew from the news that the son of that genius had been admitted to the academy, but I thought it was just his parents' fault. But what's the result?　The son has developed a talent that surpasses his mother's, and has developed what is known as a 'flying power suit'.

What do you think we should do, sir?

　A voice from the person in charge brought me back to myself. The priority now is to save lives, the person in charge told Arakawa as I hurriedly gave him instructions. As we all watched the operation, I noticed that the suit moved like a human being.
　It's a very good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for. But what was that movement all about?　I'm going to see if one of my people can identify him.

"Let me guess, if I may?

　Hmm, this subordinate was the wearer of this ship's power suit.

He said, "We believe that it is probably using the 'brain signal conversion type control module' that is installed in the 6th generation aircraft as an experiment. But that's only for the 7th generation, which will be developed in the next generation, and if you take flying into account, that suit would fall under the 8th generation. On a technical level, that's more than 30 years away.

　An 8th generation plane?　Nonsense!　Did a mere child develop such a thing? It's a monster, that kid named Arakawa Koki must be a true monster. Just as I was thinking this, we received another transmission.

We're running low on one. Are the other ships still in the air?

We're moving at full speed, but the weather is making it extremely difficult to descend to the surface. But the weather conditions are making it extremely difficult, and impossible for us to descend to the surface of the ocean with the same level of aircraft.

　The person in charge responded immediately. If we could do it, we wouldn't put our children in danger, and we take pride in being a professional marine rescue team. But now we can only rely on one child, and we are painfully aware of our helplessness to the point of gnashing our teeth when we receive three communications.

'Regarding the aircraft, for example, is it possible to conduct a quick rescue operation if it can land?'

It is possible.

　Unlike earlier, the aviation officer responds immediately. He's a very responsible guy, and he's enthusiastic about the fact that he might be able to be of some use even if he's not in charge. But where is the place to land an aircraft on a cruise ship?　What are you doing?

"We're going to tow a boat to a nearby island cove, where you'll land a rescue team.

　Arakawa told me what I thought was impossible. What are you talking about?　A power suit is going to tow a cruise ship that has a drainage capacity of more than 200,000 tons, I was listening to the communication in disbelief, and the officer in charge would have done the same, as expected. Then the officer in charge, who had been communicating with me in a mild manner, shouted back.

'That's why I said I'm going to pull the cruise ship to the cove!　Stop screwing around and get ready to go!　People's lives are at stake.

　The officer in charge hurriedly replies to his words. He then turns to all the aircraft flying overhead and gives them instructions, but they don't take it up at all, saying, 'There's no way we can tow it to that island, and it's impossible because we haven't gotten permission from above. The officer in charge, who had been listening to it in silence, replies in a thunderous voice: "Shut up!

''Don't be silly!　That kid is doing the rescue all by himself. Isn't it a shame that we, the adults, as professionals, are just going to sit back and watch in silence at a time like that!　If they don't understand that, they should turn back to the base now and quit!

　Having been told that, the pilots began to fly in unison, directing their routes to the island as if they understood what they really needed to do.

'Captain, I'm sorry. I got emotional.

That's all right, man. You're just representing the wishes of your crew, and if there are any consequences for you later, I'll take them.

　When I say that, he looks at me with some confusion. What's with those eyes?　I may be a hard man to deal with, but I'm sure you understand the reasoning behind this... don't look at me like I'm some kind of rare animal!　
　He looked at the power suit Arakawa was moving to escape his gaze. He was just about to ignite the thrusters, clutching the anchor. But it's not moving........on the contrary, I can see smoke blowing from the suit. Stop fooling around, if you put any more load on it, the suit will explode!　I grab the microphone to send a transmission, but the voice I hear stops me from moving.

'Queer!!!!!

　I could hear a shout from the line that was still connected, and that's when I realized that the cruise ship had started to move, albeit slowly. They're really towing it........I almost laugh at the joy of success and the lack of any sense of reality. Then I look at the suit that accomplished that feat and I'm at a loss for words.



I saw the angel in my eyes.



　I could see it clearly in the rain and poor visibility as it frantically towed the cruise ship, even igniting its spare thrusters. The flames erupting from the thrusters shine like angel wings, and not long ago I thought that suit was like a 'demon', but I want to punch myself in the face for that.
　The angels successfully towed the cruise ship to the island's cove with gradual acceleration. Everyone on the bridge cheered, this would allow for a smooth rescue operation!　With that thought, the bridge froze as he tried to send a communication of thanks to Arakawa, but the bridge froze. After purging everything and escaping, it falls to the surface of the sea, I see it and send instructions to my men in a hurry.

'Rush to the drop point ASAP!　Don't let that kid die, he's the greatest asset of this rescue mission. And if you do, we'll be treated as 'incompetents' forever!　Hurry.




　The child who saved the majority of lives for us... Now it's our turn to save them.....





----Point of View ---- Kaoru Yamamoto


　A few days after the accident happened, I was called out of the United Nations. I was expecting to be nitpicked again, or so I thought, but I had to be surprised by something completely different.

'Oh no, I'm really impressed with the educational skills of the dean of the school, as expected.

　The President of the United States in the video communication praises me. The Russian prime minister says, 'You're absolutely right,' but I don't understand. But I don't understand.　So I ask the question.

Again, your modesty. That 'Kouki Arakawa' putting himself in danger to save lives is the result of the Dean's ethical training!

From what I've heard, he did his duty to the end, even though the power suit he was wearing caught on fire. I'm glad to hear that he survived unscathed and didn't do any serious damage to the world.

　I'm sorry to say that this is a very exciting time for me, but I had planned to educate him on ethics, but due to his attendance and other reasons, I hadn't done it yet, not even 'once'. However, there was no way I could say that in this atmosphere, so I decided to just go along with it.

Of course!　I am confident in his skills as an educator. I will continue to focus on his ethics education.

　When I say this, 'Great! I can hear them discussing things like 'I have to consider a bonus to reward the head of the academy for this'....... I don't know what they're mistaking for the current situation, but I just want to go home, drink and sleep.






　From then on, I stood in silence until the meeting was over, trying to escape reality.





On June 18, 2102, a collision occurred between a large passenger ship and a tanker full of chemicals in the Pacific Ocean. However, thanks to the efforts of the 8th Generation Prototype Power Suit, which was worn by Arakawa Yoshiki, who arrived at the scene as quickly as possible, 560 people were injured, but the accident was miraculously resolved with no fatalities.
　The British military recovered the parts purged during the escape, but as all data was reset the moment the "control module" was removed, it ended up wasting 300 million pounds of recovery costs.