Facing someone whose "core" is your past-life sister, as expected, brings confusion. Knowing Celia's identity made Yugen extra cautious.
"So, why'd you leave that letter? If you were healthy, no need, right?" Celia asked.
"Says the one who crashed my place under the guise of attending a nearby school," Yugen shot back.
His current life with the Shiba family mirrored his sister's past antics, so he avoided digging up old memories. Still, since Celia asked, he answered honestly.
"You never know when something might happen. It was insurance, meant to go unused... but it came up."
His sister, overly caring and a brother complex, might've chosen self-destruction facing his death. Even in a peaceful, magic-less world, risks like sudden accidents loomed.
"Feels like you dodged that... What happened to that parasite?" Celia asked.
"Slipped it through as planned, but who knows? Kudou's former head is in Kanto, so you're not unrelated."
Unlike the original, where the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion moved, Yugen told Kazama to stay put. A clash with Stars would spark an international crisis—already brewing with Tatsuya and Yugen targeted, risking military regulation violations if exposed.
"You could've been gentler, knowing it was me," Celia pouted.
"Don't sulk. I had no proof then, and I can't just reveal this."
Reincarnation is an anomaly here. Yotsuba's enemies hinted at similar techniques, but Yugen and Celia's reincarnation timings differed (hers before awareness), making the topic sensitive.
"You've caused your share of chaos. Lifting a building hundreds of meters with basic movement magic..." Yugen said.
"That's nothing you couldn't do," Celia countered.
"Possible, but pointless."
Celia's actions often tied to Lina—a topic best left alone.
Yugen reviewed her Stars recruitment files; examiners clearly struggled. Despite Stars' "world's strongest" claim, bureaucracy ruled. Notes scrawled: "Beyond Stars' handling—consult government." Celia's test half-destroyed the venue with 'Muspelheim' alone. Yugen mentally chided her lack of restraint.
She avoided becoming a government-exclusive magician because Lina faced similar scrutiny. Though clumsy outside magic, Lina excelled in tests without strategic magic, unlike Celia, earning wary looks—a nuisance for her.
"What's your grandfather, Kudou Ken, like?" Yugen asked.
"Grandpa loves his grandkids. Sometimes misses Japan."
"He's alive?"
"Living secluded in the Rockies. Only communicates via hawk-delivered letters."
A deviation from the original: Ken, Retsu's brother, alive at 84—same as Chihime—maintaining a youthful body through magic and martial arts. USNA likely avoids him; as "Trick Star's" brother, he probably influenced Lina and Celia's Stars recruitment.
Yugen didn't know due to Ken's analog communication and remote lifestyle.
"When Stars scouted us, he beat them up after hearing about it. No idea how they convinced him," Celia said.
"Like my grandpa," Yugen noted.
"By the way, Lina's been asking about 'Onii-sama'—Tatsuya. Something up?"
"Don't wanna touch their issues, but I'll ask subtly."
Yugen vaulted the rooftop fence. Celia, amused, noted his trouble-avoiding nature despite magic.
◇ ◇ ◇
February—Valentine's Day
Japan's secular Valentine's diverged from its religious roots. Returning home, Celia saw Lina and Sylvia in aprons.
"Be patient, don't rush," Sylvia coached.
"I know!" Lina snapped.
Celia, doubting Lina's cooking skills, questioned if this chocolate-making was a dream—until Balance's voice grounded her.
"Welcome back, Lieutenant Colonel," Balance said.
"Colonel... I get why you're here, but what's that?" Celia gestured.
"Sharp as ever. I tried stopping them, but Sylvia got fired up by Lina. I surrendered."
"What happened?"
Celia had inklings but wondered who sparked Lina's fervor. In middle school, Lina received chocolates from girls but never gave any, even store-bought, to boys. This study-abroad shift puzzled her. Balance voiced the likely cause.
"Lina challenged a First High classmate—not in magic, but martial arts."
"Martial Magic Arts club member?"
"No, likely a Disciplinary Committee member, per Lina. I shouldn't pry further. Can you, Lieutenant Colonel?"
"Don't expect much," Celia sighed.
Balance might suspect the person; she couldn't ignore mission risks, but Lina was keen on neutralizing strategic magicians. Celia sighed, sensing Lina's growing attachment.
◇ ◇ ◇
Despite being Student Council VP, Yugen had no work. President Azusa told him, "We'll call when we're desperate," likely eyeing next year. Skipping light sports club for graduation prep and Miyaba training, Yugen returned to the Miyaba estate, spotting Shina and Jirou at a dorm room door.
"What're you two doing?" Yugen asked.
"Welcome back, Yugen-san," Shina said.
"Welcome back, Brother," Jirou echoed.
"Thanks. This is the guys' dorm, right?"
Jirou answered Yugen's query.
"Miyuki went in to ask Tatsuya something. Shina overheard; I didn't."
"(...No way.)"
Suspecting Lina's involvement, Yugen opened the door. Miyuki stood, arms crossed; Tatsuya sat on the bed. Both glanced at them.
"Yugen..." Tatsuya began.
"Yugen-san, isn't Brother outrageous!?" Miyuki exclaimed.
"Explain, Miyuki, or I can't react."
Miyuki blushed, embarrassed by her outburst. Tatsuya sighed, relieved her grilling paused.
"So, Tatsuya, is this about Lina?" Yugen asked.
"You're unreal," Tatsuya said.
"Idiot. Celia mentioned something, so I wondered."
During Disciplinary Committee rounds, Tatsuya visited the Martial Magic Arts club, where Lina, observing, challenged him. He declined, but Lina provoked him by mentioning Miyuki, forcing his hand.
In a match banning serious injuries, Lina chose uniforms. Tatsuya's light novel protagonist aura kicked in. Lina used 'Parade' to deceive him; he countered with 'Elemental Sight,' aiming to pin her. Restraining for the crowd, he grabbed her chest instead of her shoulder. Lina, red-faced, shook him off and fled. The match was void.
"What did Celia ask?" Miyuki inquired.
"Lina's been asking about Tatsuya. Probably tied to that incident. Her escape makes sense," Yugen said.
The micro black hole news hit the next morning, explaining Lina's reaction. Tatsuya's "light novel protagonist" rumor wasn't wrong, leaving Yugen unsure how to respond.
"No idea how much Celia knows, but she should be on Lina's info level," Yugen said.
"Was she probing me?" Tatsuya asked.
"Not deeply, from what I gathered."
With Shina and Jirou present, Yugen withheld Tatsuya and Miyuki's Yotsuba ties. Both spoke cautiously, while Shina and Jirou listened silently.
Celia's tone suggested curiosity about Tatsuya's behavior from the martial arts incident, not his magic or strength—more romantic than strategic.
Yugen realized his presence rippled in unexpected ways.
-------------------------------
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