While Azusa and Isori, the third-year duo, successfully recruited Riri, the remaining student council members—Tatsuya, Miyuki, Honoka, and Celia—along with Yugen, tackled their tasks.
Honoka and Celia handled post-ceremony cleanup, managing guest attendance checks, speech organization, and photo data handovers with vendors. Celia adeptly covered what Honoka couldn't manage alone.
Tatsuya oversaw second-year volunteers. Unlike last year as a Course 2 student, no one questioned his authority as a Magical Engineering student. He collected armbands and headsets from peers.
As for Miyuki and Yugen:
"I wanted to hear your speech, Kagurazaka-kun," the Prime Minister said.
"Should I take that as a compliment, sir?" Yugen replied.
Surrounded by adults, Yugen maintained a polite smile. Speaking with the nation's leader, accompanied by secretaries and security, he was recognized as the Kagurazaka heir. Even the Prime Minister showed deference.
"Of course. In calmer times, I'd enjoy tea and conversation," the Prime Minister said.
"Indeed. These times are frustrating," Yugen agreed.
Avoiding specifics, the Prime Minister alluded to humanists. Yugen knew humanists had sympathizers in both opposition and ruling parties, fueling media anti-magic campaigns, troubling the Prime Minister. Deploying a soundproof field, Yugen whispered, "Recent media operations trace to the continent. Some opposition MPs received hefty donations."
"The Great Asian Alliance?" the Prime Minister asked.
"Yokohama's Chinatown, acting with extraterritorial impunity. Linked to 'Headless Dragon,' 'Blanche,' and one of the USNA's rumored 'Seven Sages.'"
The Prime Minister's face darkened. The government tacitly allowed Chinatown's autonomy for defectors, but learning it fueled anti-magic sentiment posed a dilemma. Acting risked cabinet resignation amid hostile public opinion.
"I can't ignore this, Kagurazaka-dono, but public sentiment ties my hands," the Prime Minister said.
With elections looming, Yugen understood his hesitation. Anti-magic sentiment was a headwind for the ruling party. Yugen didn't expect immediate action but deemed the Prime Minister's intent sufficient for now.
"Your resolve is reassuring. Let's discuss later," Yugen said.
"Very well. Excuse me," the Prime Minister replied, leaving with his entourage.
Yugen, relieved a Ten Master Clans status would've complicated things, approached a man chatting amiably with Miyuki. "Long time, Professor Uesugi."
"Oh, Mitsuya-dono—no, Kagurazaka-dono. Been a while," Uesugi replied.
"No worries, the public sees me as Mitsuya. Thank you for attending despite your busy schedule."
Yugen rarely asserted his presence, only doing so to make a point. Now, he deliberately exuded it, signaling he wouldn't tolerate lecherous glances at his fiancée, Miyuki. Uesugi, a former external auditor at the National Magic University and magic-friendly politician (for political gain), knew Yugen's lineage: Mitsuya blood, grandson of Gozo Uesugi, and Kagurazaka heir. Seeing the Prime Minister's deference confirmed the Kagurazaka's reputation wasn't mere rumor.
Uesugi grew nervous. "Sorry for startling you earlier. Miyuki Shiba is my fiancée, so I got protective."
"I see. Nearly fell into trouble there. Oh, look at the time. Excuse me," Uesugi said, bowing and leaving.
Yugen sighed, turning to Miyuki. "I'm still childish. Sorry, Miyuki."
"It's fine, Yugen-san. Fiancée, though?" she teased.
"It's true, isn't it?" Yugen replied.
Spending much of last year together, their rumored romance was real, and as fiancés, public acknowledgment posed no issue. The only miscalculation was Mayumi overhearing, approaching with a shocked expression.
"Yugen, what was that about? I wasn't told!" Mayumi exclaimed.
"It's just the truth. Who I date doesn't concern you, right?" Yugen countered.
"Well, yes, but…" Mayumi faltered.
Her concern likely stemmed from the Shiba family's lower status. Only clan heads knew Gozo Uesugi and Chikihime Kagurazaka oversaw Yugen's engagement, prioritizing compatibility over lineage, even favoring love matches. Miyuki's Nine Schools achievements made her worthy, but the Shiba's low standing risked backlash, as seen with Masaki's hesitation to confess to her due to his Ichijou status.
Yugen, as a third Mitsuya son not inheriting the family, faced less scrutiny. As Course 1 students and former council colleagues, their time together drew no objections. With ties to the Yotsuba, Watanabe, Uesugi, and Kagurazaka, Yugen's position was secure.
"Anyway, Nanakusa-dono, Juumonji-dono, thank you for attending. The exit is that way," Yugen said.
"What—Katsuto!?" Mayumi gasped.
"Your sisters are looking for you. Lingering will bother the staff," Katsuto said.
"Fine, but I'm not satisfied!" Mayumi huffed, leaving reluctantly.
Like a sudden storm, Mayumi's tsundere outburst passed. Yugen felt a soft touch on his arm—Miyuki clinging to him. "Miyuki-san…"
"Just staking my claim," she said.
Their brief exchange showed how deeply their year together had bonded them.
Post-ceremony, Yugen parted from Tatsuya's group and headed to the club alliance headquarters, finding only Hattori, the head, and Kirihara.
"Done, Hattori-head, Kirihara-senpai," Yugen greeted.
"Hey, Kagurazaka. Perfect timing," Kirihara said.
"Yeah," Hattori agreed.
The club alliance had shifted from ad-hoc staffing to a permanent system under Hattori, with 20 members in four rotating shifts, outscaling the student council and disciplinary committee. Last year's CAD-carrying approval for executives gave Hattori appointment authority, targeting four to eight assistants alongside the deputy head. To align with the student council, a head election was introduced this year.
Hattori raised a hand, addressing Yugen. "We're training executive candidates like the student council. I recruited Shippou, the second-ranked freshman, and he agreed, wanting to excel in clubs to build strength."
Yugen paused. Despite rumors of Tatsuya and Miyuki's ties to Mayumi, Yugen wasn't targeted. Mayumi's affection occurred privately, like in the council room or during a walk home. Hattori, once a council vice-president smitten with Mayumi, likely influenced Takuma's acceptance.
"Who should mentor Shippou?" Hattori asked.
"Second-year Juumonji's fine. He's ideal for freshman recruitment week," Yugen said.
"Not volunteering?" Hattori pressed.
"We don't mesh," Yugen replied.
His rotation included Leo (mountaineering), Erika (kendo), Eimi (hunting), and Touya (mountaineering). Yugen's rare refusal stemmed from avoiding stress with peers and disliking Takuma's dismissal of magical engineering, tied to his CAD-less "Million Edge" magic.
"Million Edge" counters like Juumonji's "Contact-Type Gram Demolition" made him a perfect mentor, nullifying Takuma's spell.
"Don't mesh… even as clan peers?" Hattori asked.
"Shippou's 'Million Edge' doesn't use CADs, so they devalue magical engineering. I'd rather not say more to avoid slander," Yugen said.
"Alright, I'll ask Juumonji," Hattori conceded.
Yugen's stance was selfish but practical—avoiding Takuma's hotheaded anti-Nanakusa bias to prevent trouble. If forced, he'd deal with it. For now, countering anti-magic sentiment took priority, and Yugen acknowledged ignoring Takuma's issues.
As Yugen left, Kirihara turned to Hattori. "Mistake, Hattori. I get why Kagurazaka dodged it."
"What do you mean?" Hattori asked.
"Shippou didn't tell you everything," Kirihara said.
Hattori had planned to assign Yugen as Takuma's mentor, but Yugen declined. Without his consent, Hattori couldn't force it, especially after deciding Yugen's alliance role unilaterally. Kirihara, present at Takuma's recruitment, recalled his words: "I want to excel in clubs, become a magician who won't lose to the Ten Master Clans."
"Ambitious, but what's the issue?" Hattori asked.
"He'll stir trouble soon," Kirihara said.
Kirihara, from a non-numbered family, knew the Shippou as a Juhachihoshu clan. Takuma's words hinted at creating a new order, alarming Kirihara, who saw echoes of his own past conflict with Sayaka. He kept it vague, knowing Hattori would dismiss it.
"You serious?" Hattori asked.
"I'm not lying. It's like seeing myself a year ago—reckless. Kagurazaka probably sensed it too," Kirihara said.
"Juumonji's strong, but we might need Kagurazaka. Just a swordsman's gut feeling. Hope it doesn't happen," Kirihara added.
"Yeah…" Hattori muttered, hoping no issues arose at tomorrow's alliance meeting.
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