"…I see."
April 15, 2096.
A cryptic email arrived for Koichi Nanakusa, who had secured Reitsu Kushima's reluctant approval. Initially, he assumed it was from his bodyguard, Nagura. But upon decrypting it with his personal system, a chill ran through him.
The sender was someone with deep ties to Koichi—no, to the entire Nanakusa family—and a figure who had significantly altered the Yotsuba clan's ways. The use of the Nanakusa's proprietary encryption suggested this person—Kagurazaka, perhaps—possessed technology surpassing their own. Koichi meticulously analyzed the email's contents.
This individual's presence had always stood out, even among the Ten Master Clans. He had distanced himself from their direct lineage, citing their rigid order. His message carried weight Koichi couldn't ignore, especially since he was visiting as the acting head of both the Kagurazaka and Mitsuya families.
A man of both Guardian and Ten Master Clan blood, he was a formidable figure—an unofficial strategic-class magician. Yet, Koichi, as head of the Nanakusa, wasn't so narrow-minded as to dismiss him. After pondering the email, he reached a decision.
That night, a black sedan pulled up to the Nanakusa estate. From the backseat emerged Yugen Kagurazaka-Mitsuya, acting head of both families, dressed in a suit and tie. Though not as striking as Katsuto, his presence—honed by travels with Gozo and high society—exuded a seasoned gravitas beyond his years. Even Mayumi, greeting him, felt a shiver of tension.
"It's been a week, Nanakusa-senpai."
"You're really sixteen, Yugen-kun?"
"I'd say so. But watch it—outside formal settings, that could be taken as slander."
His words carried the vague tone of someone hinting at a deeper truth, like reincarnation, but Mayumi didn't press. She apologized lightly for her quip and led Yugen into the Nanakusa household.
"Still, Yugen-kun, acting head of the Mitsuya family too? That's unexpected. Did my father mess up again?"
"It's just convenient. I'm the current head's son, so no issue. By the way, has Izumi been told?"
"If she knew, this wouldn't stay a discussion. Only Father, I, and a few staff know."
Yugen nodded, satisfied, and was ushered into the reception room where Koichi awaited.
Steeling himself for the exchange, Yugen greeted, "Good evening, Nanakusa-dono. Thank you for accepting this sudden meeting."
"It's been a while, Kagurazaka-dono. Your proposal's contents are not something our family can overlook."
"I see. What we'll discuss concerns the magical community's future. I'd like Mayumi-jou to hear it as well. Thoughts?"
Mayumi nearly gasped but caught herself, hand to mouth. She'd assumed this was a private meeting between Yugen and Koichi. Judging by Koichi's tightened expression, he thought the same. But Yugen intended to upend that assumption.
"The reason's simple. With anti-magic sentiments—humanism—being fanned by the media, and the Nanakusa family playing a part, you wouldn't want impulsive actions from within disrupting your plans, would you?"
"What!?"
"Mayumi, sit."
Yugen's bombshell left Mayumi stunned, her gaze sharpening at her father. Koichi, unfazed, smirked and gestured for her to sit. Reluctantly, she complied. Yugen noted Koichi's cunning, earning the "fox" moniker from his own daughter.
"Impressive research. As expected of the Mitsuya—no, Kagurazaka network," Koichi said.
"Speculate as you like. But you met actress Maki Kowamura last night, didn't you? She's not just media-savvy—she craves magicians as a direct force. You turned a blind eye, didn't you?"
"…I underestimated you."
Koichi realized Yugen's intelligence network outstripped the Nanakusa's. His meeting with Maki was no secret, but its contents should've been private.
"Yugen-kun, what's this about?" Mayumi asked.
"'New Order.' A movement to replace the Twenty-Eight Families' system with a second magical faction, led by figures like Maki Kowamura."
The Guardians' clans had concluded that such a divisive movement couldn't be ignored. Rather than crush it outright, they aimed to undermine the "New Order" entirely, including stripping Maki's foundation.
"We'll handle that. Back to the point, Nanakusa-dono. As stated in my letter, you've been steering public opinion to prevent a unified backlash, correct?"
"Exactly. Public opinion can't be ignored, but without a clear target, retaliation is tricky. Yet, inaction risks wounds we magicians can't afford. You seem well-versed in how opinion works, Kagurazaka-dono."
Indeed, as Koichi explained, the media could inflame opinion without accountability. Citizens' judgments shaped outcomes, but the barrage of anti-magic articles bordered on information control. The government, running magic high schools, was too inept to intervene. While the Ten Master Clans were barred from political pressure, Yugen faced no such constraints.
"I'll take that as a compliment. You've noticed the anti-magic rhetoric hinting at collusion between magic schools and the military, right?"
"Yes, it's gaining traction. Planning to use it?"
"My father, the Mitsuya head and FLT's second-largest shareholder, mentioned FLT's offer to provide experimental equipment to magic schools—a stationary gravity-control magic thermonuclear fusion reactor. Plans for a demonstration are moving forward."
This was partly a pretext. Officially, it aimed to train magical engineers, but other equipment would also be supplied. Yugen had already coordinated with Principal Momoyama and Vice-Principal Yaosaka, giving them more preparation time than in the original story.
"For Nanakusa-dono, how about arranging a visit from, say, Representative Kanda of the Minken Party, critical of the military, along with media contacts? Since Momoyama will be away on the 25th, schedule it for then."
"Wait, Yugen-kun!? Media at the school!?" Mayumi interjected.
"It's fine, senpai. We'll ensure the curriculum protects students' skills. I'll take the brunt of it."
If they preached human rights, Yugen would counter with the same. But he knew that wasn't enough. Media cared more about pressure from key players than public opinion. They couldn't sustain their narrative under such scrutiny.
"I've requested a temporary Clan Conference through the Mitsuya head, already cleared with clans besides Nanakusa, Kushima, and Juumonji. Post-demonstration, we've also secured an 'address' from His Majesty."
"…The Emperor!?" Mayumi gasped.
Though the royal family held no real power, their symbolic weight was undeniable. An imperial address would drive a wedge into anti-magic sentiment, affirming magicians' essential role in the nation's survival. Denying this would brand detractors as traitors.
Koichi smirked. "Bold and cunning, Kagurazaka-dono."
"I'm glad you understand. Post-demonstration, we'll launch a massive financial operation—tens of trillions in buyouts. If you overlook this, I'll reinstate our prior contract, conditionally."
Even a strategist like Shuko couldn't muster national-budget-level funds. But the Kagurazaka family, with USNA reparations and funds from dismantling humanist groups, could. Buying out hostile media with their own allies' money was ironic but necessary.
Koichi, catching the "contract" hint, adjusted his glasses. "Not a bad deal. Is the Jousen family on board?"
"Yes. The contract's terms, set by Jousen and Kagurazaka, are strict. You must cut ties with a certain individual immediately or avoid any connection. The Nanakusa must not interfere with their handling. These are non-negotiable."
Without naming names, Koichi understood. Yugen was isolating Koichi from Shuko and, by extension, Gu Jie, offering alliance benefits as leverage. The cost of this bond would be steep, but Yugen was prepared to enforce it.
"Phew…"
"Well done, Young Master. How did it go?" Tadatsume Hayama asked from the driver's seat as Yugen sank into the backseat.
"Not bad, but the Nanakusa are a Ten Master Clan for a reason," Yugen replied, gazing out the window.
Though he'd met Gozo before, this was his first high-stakes talk. Mayumi's poised facade had occasionally slipped, revealing her true self.
"I pulled the Nanakusa in, but the Juumonji are investigating independently. Given senpai's nature, she won't stay idle."
"Will you intervene?" Hayama asked.
"No need. The Clan Conference is set, whether she acts or not. What's left is teaching some clans what it means to be a Master Clan."
Yugen hadn't fully embraced his role, but leading the magical community meant setting an example. Competition wasn't bad, but he recalled a quote from a revered magician, once spoken by Gozo's late wife: Magicians must perceive reality calmly and logically, with strict self-discipline.
Later, back at the Shiba household, Yugen received a message from Kasumi: "Yugen-nii, how should I handle Izumi…?" It detailed Izumi's reaction to Yugen's scent, confronting Koichi with a menacing smile. Yugen chuckled—detecting someone's visit by scent? Is she even human anymore?
A descendant of a "weapon" choosing to "abandon humanity" felt oddly fitting.
Note: Every sweet deal has a catch. The surface seems penalty-free, but that's a story for later. "Atawazu" here means "worthy of" or "equivalent to." Also, I mistakenly mixed up Kanda's party with a real-world one—my bad!
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