Volume 17, Chapter 3

This chapter is updated by wuxiaworld.eu

Wednesday morning, the second week of the new semester.

“Good morning.”

Having entered Class 2-E, Tatsuya received the morning’s greeting from Mizuki, who sat beside him as before.

“Good morning, Mizuki.”

Mizuki answered Tatsuya’s reciprocation with a smile. Except, her smile was a bit awkward.

It would have been rather suspicious if she gave a natural smile, Tatsuya thought without a hint of doubt.

He felt blessed that his friends would strain themselves nonchalantly trying to smile.

There’s no mistaking, from Mizuki’s perspective at least, that she would prefer to keep her distance from a suspicious character such as himself, Tatsuya thought. Mizuki is not privy to the World of Magicians. She’s bound to dread the infamy of the Yotsuba Family more than one normally should. On top of that, here’s a suspicious character who’d been covering up his real identity for close to two years now. Even then, a normal girl like Mizuki has been trying to connect with him as a friend. Tatsuya is not irritated about this, rather he’s come to think it’s normal.

He approached his own seat while wearing a faint smile on his lips.

A sound echoed from the windows to the hallway that were right beside Tatsuya as he took his seat.

“Good morning, Tatsuya-kun.”

“Good morning, Erika.”

It was Erika who spoke to him from the other side of the window. She wasn’t with Leo today, but Tatsuya didn’t point this out. He remembered the last time when Erika had gotten mad at him for treating them like a couple. Besides, it’s not like Erika and Leo were dating. Them not being together was not something strange in particular.

“Good morning to you as well, Mizuki.”

“Good morning, Erika-chan.”

Erika gleefully nodded her head with a satisfied smile akin to a bright day in spring, no less than what Mizuki would normally do.

With that smile alone, Tatsuya could tell that Erika's meddling was intended to cheer Mizuki up. Even so,

“What’s the matter, Erika? You seem energetic.”

Tatsuya dared to ask.

“Eh, it’s nothing.”

Erika returned an answer that Tatsuya had expected.

◊ ◊ ◊

With the afternoon classes having ended, Miyuki got up from her seat and turned toward the Practical Building where Tatsuya was waiting. The Practical Building also had a meeting room for mass fighting instruction.

And so, a week passed with them having lunch at a specific time to try and avoid attention. It had been pleasant for Miyuki to be alone with Tatsuya, but she felt lonely when she reminded herself of their relationship.

“Miyuki.”

Miyuki suddenly heard her name called from behind her, and she dashed onwards thinking she shouldn't make Tatsuya wait.

“Honoka, what’s the matter?”

Honoka let out a noise.

Her face was stiff with tension.

Miyuki, despite wearing an unchanging expression this whole time, was also tense. It had been almost a week since her last exchange with Honoka that didn't have to do with work.

No, tense would be better applied to the state of Class 2-A who had fixed their eyes upon the two girls, making no sound.

“Oh, this must be about that thing later this afternoon, right? Shall we go to the Student Council Room?”

Miyuki had been unable to instantly craft a response. She wanted to make amends with Honoka, but she didn't fathom that Honoka would meet her halfway

“Would it be alright if I went along with you?”

Shizuku raised her voice from the side before it turned into an awkward situation where Miyuki's silence could be interpreted as her refusal. That single utterance from Shizuku was hospitably received by both Miyuki and Honoka.

“Alright, go ahead.”

Miyuki wore a small yet bright smile and nodded to Honoka and Shizuku.

Miyuki, Honoka and Shizuku had already made it to their seats by the time Tatsuya, who was contacted through his mobile terminal, had entered the Student Council Room.

Neither of the girls had picked up their chopsticks yet. Miyuki hadn't opened the lid of her bento box; Honoka and Shizuku hadn't gotten anything in front of themselves yet either.

“Onii-sama, thank you for waiting.”

“Tatsuya-san, go ahead. Please, over here.”

Miyuki and Honoka stood up to guide Tatsuya to his seat. It was located beside Miyuki’s and in front of Honoka’s. Shizuku also stood up, but she went to the dining server and took out trays for two which had been warming on standby.

The four congenially started to eat. It was just Honoka and Shizuku who offered topics for conversation at the dining table, while Tatsuya and his sister never brought themselves to break the ice. It felt like Honoka and Shizuku were avoiding having a conversation about the Yotsuba Family.

It was Tatsuya and Miyuki returning their bento boxes to their valises that broke the calm atmosphere. This was after Honoka and Shizuku had returned the trays to the dining server’s inlet, and Miyuki distributed tea to everyone.

“Miyuki.”

Standing up, her voice and expression betraying her stress, Honoka raised her voice.

“What is it?”

Miyuki, too, shed her smile and looked up at Honoka with a serious face.

Shizuku gazed at the two of them intently from Honoka’s side.

Tatsuya, too, silently observed the situation from Miyuki’s side.

“Umm… Umm… I…”

Honoka was wringing out words with a frantic expression.

Miyuki, while waiting, had never averted her eyes from Honoka’s. “I won’t give up!”

Miyuki, Tatsuya and Shizuku turned to Honoka. To ascertain Honoka’s intentions, and to see Honoka’s resolve with their own eyes.

“I will not give up on Tatsuya-san!”

Honoka successfully spoke her feelings without faltering, even with everyone's eyes fixated on her.

“I will not yield.”

Miyuki responded without a moment’s delay.

She then courtly stood up and held her right hand out to Honoka. That hand was in a position that demanded it be shaken.

“I will definitely not be defeated.”

Honoka gripped Miyuki’s hand. Her competitive spirit was showing through her face.

Miyuki showed a smile. Though it was much more than just a 'smile', it was the manifestation of her aggression and competitiveness.

Tatsuya tried to put on a bitter smile, but it failed miserably. The two women in front of him just declared rivalry over his affections. It was only natural that he would be dumbfounded in regards to what expression he should make.

Shizuku, on the other hand, was more expressionless than usual. No, since she was always bereft of changes in her expression, we can't say she was 'now' expressionless. Rather, this time she deliberately rid herself of expression.

Speaking of one’s true feelings, Shizuku hoped Honoka would immediately give up on Tatsuya. But Honoka chose the path of battling it out with Miyuki on her journey to Tatsuya’s heart. She frowned at the thought that Honoka would choose such a harsh, thorny path—a frown which Shizuku endured for dear life.\n◊ ◊ ◊

After school in the Student Council Room, things were progressing with the friendly attitude that existed before the announcement. Izumi and Minami noticed this minute change, but neither wanted to investigate into the reason why. They were relieved that the tense atmosphere had abated, which showed through their facial expressions and actions.

However, they weren't the type of people that would just act carefully. That would put them in the minority in High School.

“Hey, Izumi. Doesn’t the atmosphere feel sort of different from usual?”

Kasumi had come up the stairs since it was nearly time for the school gate to close. She had stealthily gotten close to Izumi —— and asked in a fairly loud voice.

“Is that so? Everything seems normal to me, Kasumi-chan.”

With a calm expression on her face, Izumi responded with an intensity that was difficult to oppose.

Sensing that she had somehow angered Izumi, despite not understanding why, Kasumi nodded lightly and dropped the subject.

“Huh? …Uh, yeah.”

Having also just come up from the Public Morals Committee Headquarters, Mikihiko’s reaction was slightly more guarded than Kasumi’s.

“What’s the matter?”

His reaction was even greater when hearing Tatsuya’s voice, “No, it’s nothing.”

He was responding in the same way he had prior to Winter Break. —— It was different from last week.

Tatsuya had thought that Mikihiko got yelled at by Erika. Tatsuya thought so, but of course he didn’t say this.

Despite that, he couldn’t help the fact that his lips were trembling. “What’s the matter, Tatsuya? Did something good happen.”

“Yeah. But, it’s nothing important.”

Yes, it was nothing important. It was definitely a “good thing.” For Miyuki, and for himself.

Having reached that conclusion, Tatsuya decided to change the mood.

“Moreover, show me today’s report.”

“Alright. It’s no problem if I show it to you while we’re at school.”

Tatsuya quickly looked over the e-reader that Mikihiko gave him, and entered his hard key for the Student Association confirmation signature.

“Has some kind of trouble started outside of the school?”

Tatsuya asked as such when he returned the e-reader to Mikihiko. Mikihiko had agreed to show him “at school” which had drawn Tatsuya’s attention.

“Yes… after those candid photographs, the number of students following us has increased.”

“Stalkers?”

Unaware, this was the first time Tatsuya had heard of it. His hands had been full lately and he had eyes only for what was directly around him.

“You could call them stalkers… it seems to be a ‘Humanist’ Organization.”

“You’re saying the students at this school have become the target of an anti-Magician Organization?”

Tatsuya’s eyes glimmered sharply.

Mikihiko had also drawn the attention of Miyuki and Honoka as they were preparing to head home.

“It looks like no students have been threatened or assaulted yet. That being said, ever since the group formed, some students have reported being verbally abused.

Mikihiko answered Tatsuya’s question in a provocative tone. “Minami-chan.”

Returning to her designated President’s seat, Miyuki spoke to Minami. “Yes, President.”

Minami stood up and moved to stand in front of Miyuki. However, Miyuki stopped her in place with her gaze.

“Regarding the case we heard from the Public Morals Committee Chairman, has the Student Council noticed it?”

“One moment please.”

In response to Miyuki’s question, Minami hit the switch on her desktop terminal that she had already shut down. Contrary to how information systems from half-a-century ago worked, it booted up near-instantly. The operating system appeared on the screen immediately.

Minami entered a search term and then read out the results that were displayed.

“The number of people and events discussed at the Student Council includes 24 people spanning a total of 38 events. They’re already reporting these to the police, but there are no reports of any concrete crackdowns being reported.

“They’re ignoring it!?”

Honoka had raised her voice as if to say “I can’t believe it” in response to the facts Minami had read out loud.

“They may be speaking rashly, but a crackdown would be difficult.”

Shizuku replied with a sigh.

“Despite the candid photographs, it’s difficult to present evidence of stalking.”

Mikihiko muttered irritably.

If it had been like the obvious enemy in the Yokohama Incident, they could easily counterattack and crush them. But they had no way of counterattacking a divided, vague attack coming from among the otherwise virtuous townspeople. If they raised a finger, they would be branded criminals. To begin with, they had no idea who the enemy was, or even how to defeat them.

“We should likely urge all students to be careful. Be on the lookout for any direct assaults and also be careful not to overreact at risk of appearing to be in the wrong. Or rather, so that you are not branded a criminal.”

“Understood. I will handle it immediately.”

Tatsuya had shown concern in response to Miyuki’s reaction.

◊ ◊ ◊

Saturday, January 19th. The end of the second week of the new school term.

Morning lectures were over, and now it was time for club and committee activities.

Kasumi and Izumi had previously dropped by the dining hall to replenish their energy. Izumi had wanted to eat lunch with Miyuki in the Student Council Room, but she couldn't resist Kasumi who had insisted on a whim "We should eat together once in a while."

Kasumi and Izumi were both popular among the Year 1 students. No, they also boasted high popularity with the Year 2 and 3 students, but they were especially popular people to the Year 1 group. The twins weren't the type to be very helpful so they couldn't form factions like the 'Kasumi Army' or 'Izumi Guard', but at the same time they were unrelated to any factional disputes so they were adored as though they were 'Everyone's Idols'. It left a stark contrast compared with Takuma who steadily formed the 'Shippou Group' because of his outgoing assistance.

Kasumi and Izumi didn’t normally have anybody in particular who followed them around so it wasn’t difficult for them to keep to themselves. On the other hand, when it came to lunch, they had continually accumulated a group of Year 1 students with their lunch trays in hand.

What stood out about the two was that the students who came close to them were mostly girls. That said, boys weren’t intimidated by them like they were by Miyuki, so the boys could express affection for them much like they would for a mascot.

For that reason, although they constantly had lots of people around them, not a single one would interrupt them when they were talking. Under these circumstances, the two of them engaged in unrestrained conversations while slurping their noodles.

Izumi ate, true to her proper image, but Kasumi also ate carefully. She slowly cut her kakiage into bite-sized pieces and ate them with good manners. She never talked with food in her mouth which meant her pace was fairly slow. Without a doubt, this calm lunch scene made it hard to guess what they were talking about.

“In these last two or three days, the atmosphere at school has become really gloomy, hasn’t it.”

“Those rumors about Shiba-senpai and Miyuki-senpai? It’s going to be a real problem if senrou people like them run around making a fuss all the time.

“…What’s does ‘senrou’ mean?”

“It means abject.”

“Ah, you mean they should keep their lowly curiosity in check and not make a fuss all the time, right?”

“If you want to be direct about it, yes.”

“Then you should have said that in the first place.”

"I don't even call my classmates 'lowly', much less an upperclassman. I believe every student at this school are proper gentlemen and ladies."

“I said the same thing you did, but you need to be less cruel, Izumi.”

“That isn’t true, Kasumi-chan. I simply think while nobody’s true character is ‘lowly’, occasionally they become delusional when obsessed with such base things.”

Izumi, having said that with an unruffled expression, picked up the rice bowl that she had placed on her tray. (Inside: the lunch menu has small/medium/large sizes for lunches.)

“Well, I don’t think you should hide your real feelings with complicated words.”

Kasumi had quietly muttered this while Izumi was focused on her hands. If she didn’t let off any steam during conversations with Izumi, even though she knew her twin sister’s true character, things would become too tense for her.

“Kasumi-chan, did you say something?”

But her timing had been a little too quick, and Izumi raised her face as she was putting her chopsticks in her rice bowl.

“No, I didn’t say anything.”

Kasumi said so, while picking up her rice bowl as Izumi had done.

Kasumi slurped her soba with a little more enthusiasm than Izumi. With her brows furrowed at her twin sister, Izumi also moved her chopsticks.

Having used her manners as a shield to redirect the conversation, Kasumi set her bowl down and spoke to Izumi as though nothing had happened.

“By the way, how do you feel about the Student Council Room? I only had a glance but it looks like they’ve made it peaceful again.”

“Although they are only slightly different from us, I believe all involved parties are adults.”

Izumi had answered Kasumi’s question in a not-entirely-complimentary tone of voice.

“I think Mitsui-senpai in particular has a lot of good things about her… Miyuki-senpai and Shiba-senpai are both excellent at behaving themselves as well.”

“Hmm… Well, the President has reined in how clingy she is with Shiba- senpai, and it looks like she’s finally paying attention to other people.

Izumi had knit her face at the words “clingy”, but Kasumi was indisputably correct.

“No matter how close you are as friends, ignoring each other will cause you to drift apart for sure.”

“Even close friends have to be courteous, right?”

"Correct. Disregarding the fact that plenty of people lack that level of intimacy, rather, they look down on it, and prefer to amuse themselves by spreading irresponsible rumors. It can lead to an inevitable drop in the overall relationship."

Izumi stopped for a moment, then added as though remembering something.

“At the utmost, that’s a general rule.”

Kasumi and Izumi’s classmates all hung their heads and huddled up.

◊ ◊ ◊

Around the same time —— well, it was actually a fair amount of time thereafter —— the Magic University’s cafeteria was thronged with students.

Mixed among them are students who are visiting from the National Defense Academy's 'Special Warfare Research' course. Out of all these students, two girls were facing each other, a normal student and a magical officer trainee. There wasn't a real difference in how the two students looked, just glancing them over wouldn't help. The officer's brilliant smile was making it difficult to tell if she was a normal or Magic University student.

“Hey Mari! You don’t have to laugh like that, do you?”

“Sorry. But still, him and you…”

Watanabe Mari, a visiting student and the former Chairwoman of the First High School Disciplinary Committee, apologized as she continued to suppress her laughter. Opposite of her was Saegusa Mayumi, the former First High School Student Council President, her face blushing red and her eyes glaring into Mari’s.

The blush on her face was not out of anger but of embarrassment. She glowered at Mari with teary eyes, yet they did not feel threatening at all.

“Hey!”

“No, I’m really sorry.”

In the end, it was Mayumi’s sulking and turning away that made Mari stop laughing.

“Are you seriously telling me that the Head of the Saegusa Family wants to make you and Tatsuya-kun marry?”

“It’s an engagement! Not marriage!”

Keeping her face averted and her arms crossed, Mayumi snapped at Mari’s statement.

Mari suddenly asked herself how that was supposed be different, but she decided to keep those words to herself.

“Well then, why are we even talking about Mayumi and Tatsuya-kun’s marriage?”

The Magic University is more flexible in regards to breaks and lunches than the National Defense Academy. At the same time, it's not like the students can have lunch as long as they want. Mari decided to move on to the main topic.

“You heard about it as well, Mari?”

This conversation was originally started by Mayumi, who wanted to voice her idle complaints. Still sulking, she realized that their respective breaks were almost over, and her face regained a serious expression.

“Is this about the Yotsuba Family? Well, I can't say I expected it, but it's also not that surprising.”

In this case, expecting and being surprised are two completely different things, but Mayumi did not press her to make up her mind. She felt the same way as Mari after all.

“How much did you know about this, Mari?”

“How much… Those siblings are actually cousins and direct descendants of the Yotsuba Family. And wasn’t Shiba appointed as the next Head of the Yotsuba Family and hasn’t Tatsuya-kun been engaged with Shiba? Isn’t that all there is to it?”

Mayumi closed her eyes and shook her head to Mari’s doubtful inquiry. “That's all that was publicized. There's more to the story, you know.”

Mayumi leaned toward the table.

Having lured Mayumi, Mari brought her face closer.

“The day after the Yotsuba Family announced Tatsuya-kun and Miyuki- san’s engagement, the Ichijou Family raised their objection to the engagement.”

“Objection to the engagement?”

It was as if Mari’s face was asking, “Can they do that?” Mayumi hinted a forced smile.

“They said they’re too related by blood that there is a risk the marriage would harm magician genetics, which is an invaluable resource of the country.”

“They said ’resource’ now?”

Mari looked stunned. This way of thinking, which is quite contentious even within the Ten Master Clans, would sound like a suspicious excuse by the Hundred Families to Magicians not in the know.

Mari's conclusion is most likely correct. Rather, it's spot on. 'Resource', in this context, is being used synonymously with property. Calling a person's genes 'property' makes that person no different than livestock. One wrong step could lead this whole situation into a dangerous political mess of placing genes above all else.

“I can never find myself to like that aspect of the Ten Master Clans.”

"If I were to choose between saying whether I like it or not, I'd go for the latter, but this decision is for the greater good. Even so, I won't consent to them meddling with my private life, such as this whole engagement business."

“Is there anything else?”

As the topic approached the climax, Mayumi let out a sigh.

“The Ichijou Family raised their objection, citing close blood relations as their grounds. At the same time, they proposed Miyuki-san’s engagement with their eldest son, Masaki-kun, to the Yotsuba Family.”

"I don't know whether they're just shameless, or insensitive…"

Looking at Mari who had turned speechless, Mayumi shrugged her shoulders.

“But surely a marriage between Miyuki-san and Masaki-kun would be more preferable than one between Tatsuya-kun and Miyuki-san. They just have to ignore the feelings of the people personally involved.”

“So, this would be what they call a marriage of convenience, which the magical community is celebrated for.”

Mari thought of it more as the mating of thoroughbred livestock more than a marriage of convenience, but she hesitated describing it as such.

“That’s true, but… I don’t think it’s purely out of the convenience for the families. I mean, Masaki-kun is the eldest son, so normally he would be in the position to accept a bride.”

Having gone as far as to say it, Mayumi turned her eyes away for some reason as if a little embarrassed.

“The Ichijou Family’s display of bravado is because Masaki-kun likes Miyuki-san, I think.”

“…Oh.”

Mari, who was frowning just earlier, grinned wilily as if she had just discovered something groundbreaking.

“So that’s it. …Your Father is trying to make you marry because you like Tatsuya-kun. Is that it?”

“No, it’s not!”

Mayumi’s face turned red as she hit the table with both of her hands. There was no mistaking the disruption field in place around them was the only thing preventing the entire school cafeteria from looking at them. Mayumi's reaction had been that fierce.

“That sly dog just got it wrong! He’s just trying to use me to annoy the Yotsuba Family!”

“Really now?”

“Why do you look so unconvinced!? I’m really the one being inconvenienced here!”

“So you would rather not?”

Mayumi was rendered speechless, without her even realizing it, by Mari’s quick questioning.

Mari raised both ends of her lips as if to show she had got it all according to plan.

Impelled by the sense that she is in danger of actually acknowledging Mari’s words, Mayumi forced her frozen tongue to move.

“It’s not that I would rather not, but… But I just can’t see Tatsuya-kun that way. I can’t imagine being engaged to Tatsuya-kun.”

“Why is that?”

Mari attacked without delay.

“’Why you say---”

“Surely Saegusa Mayumi won’t make a good match with Shiba Tatsuya. However, the story changed when he became a direct descendant of the Yotsuba Family. He is not unqualified to become the husband of the eldest daughter of the Saegusa Family, both in terms of blood relations and power.”

“I mean, Tatsuya-kun is even two years younger than me!?”

"I don't think an age difference of just two years would be a big problem though. …Does he even look younger than you to begin with? You look younger than Tatsuya-kun from my point of view."

“How rude! If you’re going to say that, then you don’t look any much older than him, you know!”

“In what universe do I look younger than Tatsuya-kun?”

“’Oh, I can’t do this,’ ‘Oh, the terminal isn’t working right,’ ‘Oh, it won’t print out a report.’ You’re always just cozying up to Tatsuya-kun! Actually, isn’t it you who likes Tatsuya-kun more!?”

“I have Shuu, you know!”

“That’s not a reason to like or not like Tatsuya-kun, now is it!”

Mayumi and Mari glared at each other face to face, then immediately averted their eyes.

Both their faces were red. Normally, this would be the scene where they would exchange empty smiles, and move on to a completely different topic from their petty argument.

However, that didn’t happen this time.

Mari ended up flustered from their exchange of inflammatory words, but she immediately recovered her serious composure. A smile could be seen on Mari’s face as her eyes once again fell upon Mayumi.

“Mayumi, what do you really want to do?”

Mayumi, surprised by Mari’s unimaginably serious voice, looked back at Mari.

“What’s with you all of a sudden?”

Mari stared at Mayumi fixedly. That face could not possibly be joking.

“It doesn’t benefit Tatsuya-kun’s sister, but is also holds no real downsides for you, Mayumi.”

"What're you getting at? I mean, I don't think of Tatsuya-kun as anyone special…"

“You don’t have to say any more. Just shut up and listen.”

Having heard Mari’s strong words, Mayumi stopped making up excuses.

"I intend to know why you haven't had a boyfriend up until now. Regarding your lacking pursuit of a relationship between you and the eldest sons of the Juumonji or Itsuwa Families, I understand that it’s a modest protest against the future that was decided for you."

Mayumi didn't object to Mari's statement. It wasn't that Mari hit the mark with her words, but Mayumi wanted to listen to everything Mari had to say first.

"Didn't you always tell me you never looked at Juumonji as a possible boyfriend? Is that because he's the type of partner who would notice right away? Juumonji has always been a fellow Magician from the Juumonji Family to you, not even a fellow student. That's why he sees you as Mayumi, the eldest daughter of the Saegusa Family, not someone who came from an all-girl's school."

Mayumi listened to Mari’s words without saying a word nor showing a reaction. Her expression was reminiscent of a Noh mask.

"You're looking at him to see if he's suitable as a member of the Ten Master Clans, not if he's suitable as a partner. There's no way feelings of love would arise like that. Respect, maybe, but not love."

Mari continued to speak, not paying attention to Mayumi’s lack of response.

"But Tatsuya-kun is different, isn't he? You were first introduced as someone older than him, and gradually came to like him, and then found out he was from the Ten Master Clans. I would like to consider my usage of like to mean affection towards the opposite sex, but I wouldn't go so far as to imply it. However, you at least like him. Am I wrong?"

“You are not wrong. I don’t think my liking of Tatsuya-kun is love, but everything else is as you said.”

Mayumi answered disinterestedly; Mari nodded.

“Incidentally, the person that you like is the person that they allowed to date the eldest daughter of the Saegusa Family. This would be your first experience.”

“Hmm, that’s right.”

“Well then, what’s your first step? No, wait, that’s not how this should be asked. Mayumi.”

“What?”

“Do you just want to wait without doing anything? Or do you actually want to do something?”

“I don’t want to be passive, but what can I do?”

“I want to tell you, ‘Find the answer yourself,’ but yeah. Well, here’s an idea; you have the chance to confirm how you really feel about Tatsuya- kun.”

Mayumi said, “I know,” then she stopped. “What do you mean by that?”

“If you know if you have feelings for Tatsuya-kun, you can align your interests with your father’s. You can act like you are being used by your father, but in reality it’d be you who’s actually using him.”

“Using that sly dog, you say… That’s tempting.”

Mayumi stopped short of hinting at an evil smile without realizing it.

“…But that would involve a lot of work.”

“You’ll know that once you actually try dating him, now won’t you? “Date someone I don't like? Rather, someone I'm not sure I like or not?”

Realizing they had almost gone full circle with the denial, Mayumi surrendered and spoke her thoughts.

"That wouldn't be too weird, would it? Isn't that a common saying? 'Let's start by being friends,' or something along those lines?"

"That's not what you'd say to someone you don't really know. We're bound to start out as friends with our current relationship. And just what do I do when that fails? Say I dated him, and we went straight to being engaged. I can't back off with just 'Turns out being lovers won't work out' after going through all of that!"

“So that’s how it is?”

“Of course!”

"I see… Well then, it seems your only choice is to date Tatsuya-kun without his sister finding out."

"How did you even reach that conclusion!?"

“Didn’t you want to confirm it for yourself? How you feel about Tatsuya-kun?”

“I told you that wasn’t the case…”

“Well then, why are you discussing this with me?” Mayumi’s expression froze.

"Haven't you always come to me when you're troubled? Even though it may be your first time dating someone who's already engaged, isn't being unable to solve this on your own the problem? If you think hard enough, shouldn't you have just declined the proposal? Since he's already engaged, the situation is borderline impossible as it stands."\n“…I did decline. But that sly dog would keep bringing it up again and again.”

“Your father probably has seen through that, you know. The fact you don’t really object to it.”

“……”

“Mayumi. At this rate, you’d just end up going with the flow, indecisive until the end.”

“Even if you say that…”

Mayumi was stumped. She might break down if she went any further than this. Mari pretentiously turned her eyes to the multifunctional military watch wrapped around her left wrist.

“——Our time’s up. Mayumi, you should properly think it over.”

“Yeah. …Thank you, Mari.”

Mari stood up while Mayumi also nonchalantly left her seat.

◊ ◊ ◊

Tatsuya who had just arrived at home saw he had mail, which was unusual and forced a frown out of him. It wasn't an email, but rather a discrete communication using the message board for First High's students and alumni.

The sender was Mari.

Tatsuya thought that she might have sent it to the wrong person, but he couldn't check that without opening the letter. He also thought of opening it using a trick to prevent the read receipt, but it would lead to a more cumbersome after effect. He wouldn't mind if he didn't have to meet Mari afterwards, but that didn't seem to be the case.

Even though he had a hunch this would lead to a meddlesome situation, he opened the message.

The first thing he concluded was the message was, indeed, for him.

The message started out as a simple seasonal greeting, asking about his recent condition, and how he had been doing as of late. It was unexpectedly written in a polite manner. It was probably the result of her military education.

The heart of the mail was very simple.

It was merely a question of whether they could meet the following night. It would be a good idea to keep this a secret.

Well, normally that would be the case, but now that he had a fiancée, he needed her permission to meet a girl alone.

Without sending a reply, he knocked on the door leading to the room next to his.

“Watanabe-senpai said she wants to meet with Onii-sama?”

Tatsuya saw abundant suspicion in Miyuki's expression. If it was just a little flicker of doubt, he would write it off as an inevitability, but being distrusted to this extent was totally unexpected.

"I'm as surprised as you are about this sudden invitation. The last time I saw her was during the graduation ceremony."

Tatsuya was nonchalantly playing the innocent.

“Then what is her intention with this?”

Miyuki didn’t think that Tatsuya was cheating on her, it was actually Mari who she was doubting.

Tatsuya (in Miyuki's perspective) is a very attractive man. Even though it was known that Mari has a boyfriend, Tatsuya would be a very desirable partner to have in an affair (again, in Miyuki's perspective).

"It isn't a love affair."

He wasn’t only aware of what his sister was thinking, but he also frankly expressed that he saw through her.

Miyuki’s face quickly became red.

While observing his innocent sister, Tatsuya feigned ignorance and continued speaking.

“Chiba Naotsugu-san is a good lover for Watanabe-senpai.”

“…She might have had a fight with him.”

Miyuki hid her embarrassment by stating her opinion with a disgruntled tone.

“If she just wanted to grumble, she would have called Saegusa-senpai, right?”

Miyuki's easy to understand behavior made Tatsuya chuckle during their exchange.

“…No, actually, it’s the opposite.”

Taken by surprise, she put on a serious, albeit dazzling, expression.

“The opposite… So that means Saegusa-senpai vented to Watanabe- senpai?”

Tatsuya put on a completely serious expression and nodded back to Miyuki’s question.

"It isn't limited to just Watanabe-senpai. If a First High alumni had something to discuss, considering what's happened recently, it would most likely be about the Yotsuba Family matter."

“Ah, that’s right.”

There are also people who give suggestions without considering the time or place, and merely say it for their own convenience. Miyuki's first thoughts went to that by reflex, but she also understood that there are some exceptions to this.

"Even if you think about it, I'm going to ignore the exceptions we can't do anything about."

Miyuki’s thoughts were plainly seen through again by Tatsuya. “……”

Miyuki's white skin became vermillion again.

Without concerning himself with her looking at the floor, Tatsuya continued his reasoning.

"If I were to guess as to who will take action regarding the notification given by the Yotsuba Family, the most likely culprits would be those from the Ten Master Clans. I assume that Saegusa-senpai was dragged into a scheme conceived by the Head of the Saegusa Family. Then, the puzzled Saegusa-senpai went to Watanabe-senpai for advice. Considering their relationship, this invitation isn't a mystery at all."

“It can’t be!”

Miyuki vigorously lifted up her face which still had a tinge of red to it. Intense anxiety surfaced on her face.

“Why are you panicking like that?”

He couldn’t understand why Miyuki got panicked, because of that Tatsuya paused his reasoning and asked why.

“Could it be that… the Saegusa Family is scheming to make Onii-sama Senpai’s fiancée?”

Miyuki's thought took Tatsuya by surprise. This would definitely warrant her concern.

“…No matter how you look at it, isn’t that progressing a little too quick?”

Of course it wasn't an impossibility, but Tatsuya was of the mindset it wouldn't happen even if the chance was there. Mayumi's nature wasn't one that would be obediently married as a political piece.

"I wonder…”

Miyuki and Mayumi shared that trait, neither would readily become a puppet of their own parent. But if Mayumi shared her father's decision

——it would be a whole different story.

“No, it isn’t like that.”

To shake off her anxiety, she spoke words of denial to herself.

“So then Onii-sama, what are you going to do with Watanabe-senpai’s invitation?”

"I don't have the luxury of ignoring it. Plus, I'm curious about why she went through so much trouble to contact me."

Tatsuya nuanced his words to mean 'there is no other way' so he could avoid distressing Miyuki.

◊ ◊ ◊

The next day, in the afternoon at 5:55 P.M., Tatsuya visited a café near the National Defense Academy’s Special War Skills Research Department's auxiliary building.

To make it brief, the Special War Skill Research Department is a course with a curriculum for Magicians focused on research and also training for combat Magicians. They conduct a lot of joint research and also have a secondary building near the Magic University.

The Special War Skill Research Department’s students have been exempted from a dormitory lifestyle. Even so, Mari made the location for their appointment to be near the school building due to military drills they have on Sunday.

Tatsuya arrived 5 minutes before the meeting time. Then at 5:59 P.M., he saw Mari’s figure.

“Hey, sorry to make you wait. It’s been a while Tatsuya-kun.”

“Yes, it has.”

Under the coat, Mari was wearing plain clothes. Her pants-suit combo wasn't rare in the university, nor in government or company offices. Chances are that she got it from the National Defense Academy, and it was a uniform.

"I rented a room in this area."

Mari gave an explanation when she noticed Tatsuya gazing at her clothing. It seems she picked this place not because of being near the school, but rather that it was conveniently close to her place.

"That's right, we also had a drill today too… I feel bad for calling you out at this hour."

“Let’s ignore that for now. What’s your business with me?”

Tatsuya wasn't trying to push Mari away. Just like she had said, it was quite late for a man and woman to be meeting. Since they were close to the National Defense Academy, it wasn't a strange sight to see students visiting this place… but to avoid misunderstandings, they decided to finish their matters quickly.

"That's right. We both have classes tomorrow, so let's save the idle chatter for next time."

After stating her piece, she ordered a hot coffee from the terminal on top of the shop’s desk.

"But I'd rather not leave with just having water. Please wait a little bit."

Just as Mari said, she didn't say anything until her drink arrived. She was planning her words during the lull.

By happenstance, the shop they were meeting at wasn't an 'old school' shop. It didn't even take a minute from ordering for the completion ring to sound out. Mari came back from the counter and sat in front of Tatsuya, suddenly moving her face close to his.

“Tatsuya, what do you think about Mayumi?”

Without any preface, she whispered a question.

“I think she’s a great Magician. She has talent, and also experience. As for her life and stature, she can separate them well. I have a good impression of her because of that.”

In spite of that sudden question, Tatsuya answered it without any hesitation.

“…You know, I hate that part of you.”

Mari glared at Tatsuya with an annoyed expression. She could tell that he knew what she was getting at, even if he put on a face feigning ignorance.

Tatsuya reacted to Mari’s glare without faltering. She didn’t even put her drink down.

"Why do you want to know about something like that?"

Tatsuya's expression changed to a frown as he fired a question back.

Mari didn’t answer Tatsuya.

"I’m gonna ask again. What do you think of Mayumi as someone of the opposite gender? Do you like her? Do you dislike her? Please answer seriously.”

"As someone of a different gender, it can't be explained in such black and white terms."

“Even so, I want to hear it.”

Tatsuya didn’t have any obligation to answer Mari’s question. With Tatsuya’s current situation, answering would bring him more trouble than merit.

"I will say that I like her.”

But he still answered. Not because of the pressure the girl in front of him was putting out, but rather out of curiosity as to what would come next.

"As someone of the opposite sex right?”

“Yes."

"I see…”

Tatsuya didn't have any sensibility on the feeling of 'liking someone from the opposite gender.' It wasn't within the extent of his limited emotional processing. Affection for a member of the opposite sex was of far lower priority than his fondness towards Miyuki. But he didn't have to explain any of that to Mari.

“Is that affection considered love?”

"It is not. If I must say it, these feelings are more like sexual desire."

Tatsuya showed no embarrassment when delivering that line. Mari, on the other hand, was blushing.

"Y-you have that kind of desire as well, huh?"

'Mari was quite inexperienced on this topic,' Tatsuya thought. Even though premarital sex was a taboo in this generation, her reaction was very innocent for someone who had been in a relationship for a long time.

Of course, Tatsuya had the common sense to not sexually harass Mari with those words.

“Of course I have it. It’s a primordial desire to preserve one’s own lineage.

That wasn't a lie. But Tatsuya didn't share the whole truth that his upper sexual limit was predetermined. It has no capability to rule over his actions or thoughts. Miya's Mental Interference Magic ensured this.

Because of that, Tatsuya's matter of 'sexual desire' isn't about to entice him to make out. This had no need to be said either.

“Watanabe-senpai. You asked me about how I feel towards Saegusa- senpai. What do you plan to do with this information?”

Mari hadn't recovered from the shock she originally got from Tatsuya. Having the main subject of their meeting suddenly brought up, she consoled herself to stop her flustering.

“Tatsuya-kun, would you want to try going out with Mayumi?”

"…By going out, you mean like that, right? Does Senpai not know about Miyuki and I?"

Tatsuya's cold glare disheartened her, but she gathered her courage and continued.

"I know that your little sister is actually your cousin, and you both are engaged to each other.”

“So you should understand that Saegusa-senpai and I shouldn’t be going out.”

Tatsuya's gaze became even more frigid.

Cooling magic should be his little sister's domain, but Mari felt his look could freeze her to death. She was screaming internally at herself to stay awake, for some reason she had started hallucinating that falling asleep could cause her to die from frostbite.

“Your engagement is being contested by the Ichijou Family. Isn’t that right?”

“You are quite informed. Did you hear that from Saegusa-senpai?”

The formal objection made by the Ichijou Family shouldn't have reached her ears. The engagement between Tatsuya and Miyuki was legal —— though, if the actual link between Tatsuya and Miyuki got leaked, they would be punished for forgery of official documents ——, the Ichijou Family had already caused a scandal in the world of magic. With that in mind, this whole topic has been kept more or less private.

"Oh yeah. Also, Mayumi is in the same situation as well. Hmm, saying this the wrong way will cause misunderstandings… Mayumi is in the same boat as the Ichijou Family's eldest son. They're both being ordered to fill the same role."

The iciness in Tatsuya's glare vanished. It was replaced with a chill that made Mari shift uncomfortably in her seat.

“That… is a shocking story.”

Tatsuya's remark was his evaluation of the Saegusa Family's decision, but his heart was different. He shuddered in amazement at the revelation that Mayumi was made to be a fiancée candidate for Tatsuya. He was awed at Miyuki's intuition being so spot on. Even though she is still considered a young lady, a female's intuition is scary… that was the only thought in Tatsuya's mind.

"I think so too.”

Mari's casual remarks were welcomed by Tatsuya's sharp tongue.

“Do you really understand what will happen?”

"What?”

“The one who will be slandered by the public won't be me, but Saegusa- senpai.”

Mari's eye suddenly tinged with soft light.

"How kind of you.”

“This amount of concern is normal.” Tatsuya's gaze didn’t relax.

"If Mayumi didn't have feelings for you, I would have dropped this a long time ago. I told her she didn't have to suffer from this, but she doesn't understand her own feelings."

And then? Tatsuya asked back with his eyes.

"Mayumi doesn't comprehend how she feels about you. She doesn't know the depth of her affection. No, it's more like she doesn't want to admit it. She's running away from her emotions."

“Isn’t that because she understands her position in this matter?”

“She does. Mayumi isn't able to just choose someone based on love interest. Having a lover and being married are different things, so falling in love is pointless. That's how she feels about it.”

"Are you sure you aren't overthinking this? There's certainly a tendency to prevent high level magicians from being single, but it isn't to the point where you can't pick your marriage partner."

“How about you? Your little sister?”

This time Tatsuya stayed silent.

Mari didn't pursue any further for information about those two.

"I want to make her experience love. It may be an unneeded and meddlesome thing to do, but after thinking about her situation, I don't want her to just throw in the towel. You're a guy so you probably don't understand what I'm getting at."

"You're right. I don't.”

"Ok… well at least just understand this; Mayumi has recognized that she has feelings for you. You might be the first and last love that she has."

Mari's words were full of sincerity. She was only thinking about her friend's feelings.

"You’re overthinking it again.”

But Tatsuya threw that sincerity aside with only those words. "Tatsuya-kun, you!”

"I don't know her as well as you do, but Saegusa-senpai doesn't seem like she'd be that weak."

Mari's enraged tongue was stopped by Tatsuya's objection.

"Give up on this matter. Abandon it. She won't be seen as an obedient child if she pursues this road. Even if I don't return her feelings, she would eventually find someone. Right?"

Tatsuya stood up, looking down at Mari who was at a loss for words.

"And above all else, it's impossible because I am Miyuki's fiancée." The payment for Mari’s drink had already been taken.

And like that, Tatsuya left the shop.

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