ortho shroud [ athletic gear ] r - "what a bottom-tier character does"

[mandytl]

Location: Ignihyde Dorm - Lounge

Ortho: Wow. Look, Nii-san! They’re playing football on the grounds. It looks like a good time.

Idia: You think? You’d never catch me out there.

Ortho: Running around and kicking a ball with everyone while getting all muddy… sounds like fun…

Come to think of it, I’m always flying around. I wanna try walking like them every once in a while!

Idia: No way. Not happening! Hover flight’s every man’s dream, the evidence of a top-tier character!!

Ortho: Uh, really?

Idia: Ground-based mobility’s too ancient. It’s what lame, bottom-tier characters are capable of. Top-tier characters spend their time flying through the air gracefully.

Ortho: Aww… But it looks super, duper fun…

Location: Library

Ortho: Jeez, that brother of mine. He gets super defensive over the weirdest stuff…

Uhm, let’s see. The fashion magazine archives are… —oh, there it is, the “sneaker issue”.

There’s sooo many cool-looking sneakers in here… ah, this page has some super stylish designs!

Who knew sneakers came in such a range of shapes? I had no idea until now.

Let’s see… “These soles, designed according to human engineering, promise to prevent your feet from wearing down by absorbing the shock from the ground…”

...Sigh.

Walking… really must be nice. Even I want to enjoy the sensation of being on the ground sometimes...

Floyd: AH—!

Ortho: Uwah!

Floyd: I love that sneaker manufacturer too.

Ortho: You surprised me… Floyd Leech-san, with Jade Leech-san at your side.

Jade: I prefer the sneaker on the next page. This brand never disappoints when it comes to their refined product.

Floyd: These shoes would look good on you for sure, Jade, even if they’re too simple for me.

Jade: Really? This sneaker with a bright and colorful upper seems like it would suit you nicely, Floyd…

Ortho: They took the catalog from me. At least they’re having a good time…

Hey. Is picking out shoes really that fun?

Floyd: Well, yeah?

What’s the point of finally having legs if you don’t wear your favorite shoes?

Jade: Surely one of these products has caught your eye… —ah, but I suppose you can’t wear regular sneakers with those feet.

Ortho: Yep… I can’t.

I wanted to walk on the ground, but Nii-san said…

“Using your feet’s what a lame, bottom-tier character does! No way I’m letting that pass!”

Floyd: ...Oh, really. A “bottom-tier” character, huh. Ahah! That’s real funny.

Jade: Never mind how “lame” it is, hmm. I see… fufufu.

Ortho: I wish I could try stepping in puddles and kicking rocks…

Hey, are you guys listening to me?

Jade: We can’t let this go unchallenged. Isn’t that right, Floyd?

Floyd: You said it, Jade. We’ve gotta make sure he understands juuust how wrong he is.

Jade: Idia-san’s private information should be… fufu…

Ortho: You two are a little weird, grinning to yourselves like that…

Location: Sports Field

—3 days later.

Ortho: It’s a dream come true… Nii-san built me a body that’ll let me exercise like a human!

There’s no anti-gravity devices attached! Look, I can step on the ground! Now I can make all my wishes come true!

Thanks again, Nii-san. You really are the nicest!

Idia: Hahah. I’m so glad you like it... Hahah, hah…

Floyd: Yep, yep; isn’t it cool? The springs on his shoes are a nice touch.

Jade: Style starts from the shoe upwards, some say. “You’re just a small fry if you can’t fly” is such a heartless prejudice.

You agree with me, don’t you, Idia-san?

Idia: Y-Y-Y-You’re right… A-Anyway, s-so about that thing we were discussing...

Jade: Not to worry. As promised, since you constructed the feet Ortho-san desired, I’ll never speak a word about that matter.

Floyd: It’s pretty awesome that it only took you three days. Good thing your secret didn’t get spilled, huh. Ahah.

Idia: Uuu. How’d you even know about that…? If that got out, I… it’s too embarrassing...!

Ortho: Hey, Nii-san, let’s play tag. Floyd Leech-san and Jade Leech-san can join in too!

I’ve finally got a body from Nii-san that’ll let me do physical activities! There’s no way I’m gonna lose!