I've never been one to seek approval. My father aside, I trust my mother deeply. If you ask why, it's probably because she's the reason I haven't gone off the rails.
Then there's my two childhood friends—or rather, my lifelong burdens. Mikihiko—Miki—is just too easy to tease, and I can't help poking fun at him. Yugen, on the other hand… I knew from the moment we met. Something about him felt dangerous, like getting too close would cost me something precious.
Of course, that gut feeling came true in the form of modern magic's rules being turned upside down.
When we met, he was introduced as a relative of Lord Ueyama. Even then, he'd mastered the advanced techniques of Shinonome-ryu swordsmanship. Two years of training, and a kid younger than me had reached that level.
I knew he wasn't ordinary, but when he accompanied Lord Ueyama to our Chiba family dojo as a martial arts instructor, I was floored. Lord Ueyama boasted, "His potential far surpasses mine. He could probably take down your siblings now." While he puffed up with pride, Yugen and Genji-san let out synchronized, exasperated sighs.
I couldn't help but crack a smile at the sight.
That led to a duel between Yugen and my second-eldest brother, Tsugu-nii. Tsugu-nii unleashed "Crushing Slash," a move reserved for serious combat, closing in on Yugen. But Yugen, as if he'd seen it coming, caught the blade bare-handed, channeling psions through both hands to shatter the spell.
Before anyone could process that anti-magic feat, Yugen closed the distance in a flash. Tsugu-nii, using a variation of "Gale Thunder"—a technique Kazu-nii excels at—forcibly maneuvered into Yugen's blind spot.
An attack from an imperceptible angle should've been unbeatable. But Yugen instinctively ducked forward, nearly hitting the floor, then planted both hands and flipped backward with a handspring. Activating interference armor around his legs, he struck Tsugu-nii.
The result? Tsugu-nii was sent flying, crashing through the dojo wall and the estate's fence before passing out. Thanks to Yugen's quick check, he avoided serious injury, but he needed days to recover.
In that moment, I wasn't angry at Yugen for defeating Tsugu-nii. I was captivated by his skill as a martial artist. Unlike our Senba-ryu, bound by magic's constraints, his Shinonome-ryu wielded magic as an extension of his body.
A guy who could beat Tsugu-nii, a master with a full license, was way out of my league. I won't deny that's part of why I'm so hard on that Watanabe girl.
After the dojo incident, my father set his sights on Yugen, scheming to make him my fiancé. But snatching a Ten Master Clans-level talent into the Chiba family would stir up all kinds of trouble. Besides, Yugen saved my mother's life, so I can't just mess with him. Still, when I saw my mother—Anna=Rosen=Katori—showing flickers of romantic interest in him, I muttered, "Think about your age…" and got a temple-grinding scolding I'll never forget. Looks-wise, she could pass for my sister, though.
My mother, a mistress, refused to take the Chiba name despite my father's insistence. But me? I took it, partly with an eye toward a potential engagement with Yugen. I'll milk the Chiba connections for all they're worth, though.
At high school, I was lucky to make friends like Tatsuya-kun, Mizuki, Miyuki, Honoka, and Shizuku. I also learned Yugen was a direct Ten Master Clans heir, thanks to a letter from the Mitsuya family before enrollment. So, when Yugen stepped into trouble, I wasn't surprised.
But when Tatsuya-kun's sister flung herself at Yugen with a beaming smile, I felt a mix of shock and relief. If I'd fallen for Yugen and had to compete, I'd have no chance against Miyuki. Teasing her last winter and getting frozen in an ice hotel was my bad, I'll admit.
Then there's him. Leo called me "that chick" when we first met, which pissed me off, but he was the first guy to see me without the Chiba name's baggage. Other dojo guys treated me like some princess, and my personality made me more popular with girls than guys. I'm not thrilled about being compared to her, though.
Tatsuya-kun and the others told Leo about the Chiba family, but he didn't change how he treated me. To me, he was just a guy I could bicker with freely—at first, that's all it was.
Maybe Miyuki and Shizuku rubbed off on me. Training with Leo in the Shinonome-ryu dojo led to some… incidents, making me hyper-aware of myself as a woman. I talk smack about Yugen, but Miyuki and Shizuku don't call me out—they get it.
In the end, I shoved my Valentine's chocolate at Leo, barking, "You better eat it all, or I won't forgive you!" Then I bolted to the cafeteria, collapsing onto a table in embarrassment. Saya, dragged into my mess, said, "For you, Erika, that was pretty good." Her calm tone left me speechless.
When Yugen and the others returned to the Mitsuya estate, the servants were bustling about. Deciding not to get in the way, they retreated to their rooms. Yugen changed into casual clothes and booted up his terminal. The screen displayed text in English, Russian, German, and more. Thanks to "Language Comprehension," reading them was a breeze, but the content drew a sigh.
(Germany's Rosen Magicraft Japan branch has a new president, a Rosen relative… Erika and Leo are possibilities, but the main goal is likely finding "Taurus Silver.")
Erika's mother, of Rosen lineage, meant Erika inherited potential succession rights—a fact Yugen had confirmed. He'd treated her mother's condition during a "Floral Wind" trial, but ever since, she'd given him intense looks. Erika's "Think about your age…" comment earned her a temple-grinding hammer, which Yugen found amusing.
Ignoring her mother's condition wasn't an option—not after treating Gozo, Honami, and Mayonaka. As Erika's childhood friend, he wanted her to stay grounded. Using magic for treatment was supposed to be purely practical, but making someone fall for him as a side effect? That felt excessive… probably.
Erika's mother, unmarried to the Chiba patriarch, now served as Gozo's caretaker at the Ueyama estate. Gozo, retired, claimed, "It's improper for a former patriarch to take a lover." He urged Genji, the current patriarch, to take wives beyond Senri—good luck, brother.
Erika's mother and Genji getting together seemed unlikely, though. Legal issues aside, Genji's romantic instincts were dull. He'd only married Senri through drastic measures.
(Only Leo, Erika, and I have fully thought-controlled CADs… Should I give one to Tatsuya?)
Yugen had hinted at it, but Tatsuya politely declined, wanting to pursue his own approach. Yugen respected that and didn't push.
The German texts tied to Rosen, Russian to Bezobrazov's moves, and English to USNA and UK developments. Yugen also tracked Edward Clark and Gu Jie's "Frithskálf" activities. "Yatagarasu" was an overpowered spell, requiring utmost caution if retained.
A knock interrupted his thoughts. Closing the terminal, Yugen opened the door to find Shina.
"Onii-sama, dinner's ready!" she said brightly.
"Alright, let's go," Yugen replied.
"Yes!" Shina chirped.
The dining hall had transformed into a birthday celebration. Though no longer a Mitsuya by blood, Yugen was touched by the lavish affair. Before high school, birthdays were modest due to appearances. A birthday cake felt embarrassing—his reincarnated mental age was over 20, after all—but he couldn't say that aloud.
This year, gifts came from most of the family and Tatsuya's group. The biggest surprise was Tatsuya's.
"…A theme park free pass?" Yugen asked, puzzled.
"A friend gave it to me, but I won't use it," Tatsuya said. "Figured you'd make good use of it."
Tatsuya's pointed look screamed you know who. Likely Ushiyama. It was a pair pass, and Miyuki's expectant gaze made Himeri smirk. Other gifts were practical, with chocolates from his sisters as usual.
The party ended smoothly, no bath-time mishaps, and Yugen thought the day was done. But back in his room, Miyuki stood waiting, hands clasped at her waist.
"…School's tomorrow, Miyuki-san. What's this about?" Yugen asked warily.
"I wanted to give you your Valentine's gift," she said sweetly.
Her words sounded like a surprise, but her outfit—a sheer negligee, barely concealing the essentials—was anything but subtle. Moving too much would reveal everything.
Himeri had given her Valentine's gift the day before, keeping things calm due to school. Miyuki, however, had other plans.
(Calling Tatsuya won't help…) "So, the gift?" Yugen asked.
"First, this," Miyuki said, holding out a wrapped box.
Before he could open it, she threw her arms around him. Her allure and softness, far beyond her 15 years, nearly overwhelmed him. He could've pushed her down right then.
Despite their relationship, Yugen was careful not to let it disrupt school life. But Miyuki's affection had only intensified, and her current outfit was proof.
"Yugen-san, for your birthday, take me," she whispered.
"You should value yourself more… but no take-backs, alright?" he said, half-joking.
"Oh… you're going to devour me completely tonight, aren't you?" she teased.
When a gorgeous woman you love tempts you, only a true hero could resist—and Yugen wasn't that guy. Since dating Miyuki, her feminine charm had only grown.
Honestly, going lingerie shopping with her (and Shizuku and Himeri) was mortifying. He'd wanted to sulk afterward.
Still, he'd sworn to hold one final line. With that resolve, he pushed Miyuki down. What happened next… let's just say I can't spill the details. Suffice it to say, Miyuki was in an excellent mood the next morning.
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