The morning news, bordering on scandal, weighed heavily on Lina as she headed to school. As a combat specialist, skipping wasn't an option—especially after Colonel Balance urged normalcy. Seeing her heavy steps, Celia spoke with concern.
"Sis, you okay?"
"No choice. Colonel's orders."
Missing school post-news would raise suspicion. Smiling at Celia's concern, Lina passed the First High gate.
"Morning, Lina, Celia," Tatsuya greeted.
His sudden appearance startled them into fleeing, but Yugen and Miyuki blocked their escape.
"Running at the sight of me? Rude," Yugen remarked.
"Haha..." Lina faltered.
Both Lina and Celia gave wry smiles, but with no intent to interrogate, Yugen spoke as they walked.
"Not here to grill you. Let's talk. You know what about, right?"
"The morning news. The latter half's fabricated," Celia replied.
Fearing Lina's emotional outburst, Celia answered Yugen's query. Mixing lies with truth for anti-magic sentiment was plausible.
"Public manipulation? That's classified info," Tatsuya said.
"Probably the Seven Sages," Lina answered.
Lina feigned ignorance about the seven 'Frizskal' operators (six, post-Chihime's terminal destruction). If Celia was as suspected, she might know details.
(Lina says that, but it contradicts Yugen's info, Miyuki thought.)
(Even military doesn't get all Pentagon or government data. Lina's not lying, Yugen replied mentally.)
Stars, a combat unit, wouldn't receive unneeded info to avoid mission interference. Lina claimed Stars was free of ideology or fanaticism, but they didn't grasp the Seven Sages' full scope. USNA likely knew Edward Clark was key and suspected the operators.
Luckily, the perfect person to ask stood before them.
Celia, curious, addressed Yugen.
"Not asking anything?"
"No point. America's issues are theirs to solve, no?"
Cold, but Japan's involvement risked "meddling" accusations. Shuuji, Yume, and Shizuku's actions raised questions, but curbing Humanism justified bending rules.
Still, it only restrained Gu Jie to delay his Japan trip. If needed, Yugen could backtrace 'Frizskal' to destroy Gu's terminal.
"Harsh," Celia said.
"Reality versus meddling. Maybe someone's bluntness rubbed off," Yugen teased.
"Who's that?" Miyuki asked.
"Who knows?" Yugen grinned.
(What's this vibe? His feelings for Tatsuya redirected? Celia wondered.)
The casual banter, possible only among close allies, left Celia flustered—not just at their bond but at emotions directed unusually.
◇ ◇ ◇
Lunch Break
Yugen was alone on the rooftop, without Miyuki or Himeka, to confirm something solo. The door opened, revealing Celia.
"Yugen... Calling me alone to probe the other day?"
"Not quite probing. Bluntly: you're a reincarnator, right?"
"...Why think that?"
Celia's brief hesitation betrayed her, her counter-question less than admirable. Yugen explained.
"Last time, you knew I was an 'irregular' here. You sensed my presence even Tatsuya struggles to detect."
If her reincarnation perk visualized existences, it fit. Yugen had three perks, so she might have hidden ones. With original knowledge, she'd sense his irregularity—especially Miyuki's shifted affections.
"You didn't drop your concealment?"
"No. I do unconsciously what others do consciously. Biggest clue: you recognized the parasite in Charles Sullivan."
Mikaela's case made silence understandable, but avoiding parasite talk suggested fear of her own exposure. Yugen related, having been grilled by Gen months post-reincarnation, though declaring no intent to inherit Miyaba eased things—albeit making the family absurdly eccentric.
"I just helped Gen, not Tenyama. No other motives," Yugen clarified.
"...I surrender," Celia said.
"Quick to wave the white flag."
"No chance against you now..."
Celia admitted being a reincarnator, revealing their shared nature. Meeting another like her in this world, she looked relieved.
She disclosed her origins, leaving Yugen reeling.
"So... Yugen?"
"Why'd you die too!? Poor Aniki... (God, I'll curse you...)"
"W-Wait, Aniki!?"
Her voice differed, but her intonation confirmed: Celia was his past-life sister. Her brother complex rivaled Miyuki's. Noticing his reincarnation, she teared up.
"I'm so glad... Aniki, you're okay. Seducing Miyuki's your talent, huh?"
"Rude. Not as bad as Aniki."
She died five years after him in a plane crash from an unexplained downdraft. She'd read his contingency letter, vowing to live for both—then tragedy struck. Her brother complex had slightly eased, presumably.
"Reborn as Lina's twin and the President's granddaughter... Grandpa targeted me, and I ended up babysitting Lina."
"Stars can't handle you—classic," Yugen said.
"Stop. Being called that by the world's strongest is hollow."
Only Gen, Gouza, Mototsume, and Chihime—now Celia—could talk freely with him. Her "world's strongest" claim irked him.
"World's strongest? I'd give that title away."
"Haha, still shunning strength and fame."
"Aniki's case taught me what they bring."
Charismatic brother, genius sister—many eyed Yugen between them. He lived minimally connected, mastering stealth and concealment.
The rooftop had soundproof and perception-blocking barriers to avoid misunderstandings of a boy-girl meeting.
"You beat 'Crimson Prince' in two Nine Schools events, right?" Celia said.
"You watched? Father demanded I show Ten Masters strength."
Cable TV allowed overseas viewing; Stars likely permitted it for enemy intel.
"Forcing Ichijou's heir to avoid 'Explosion'... Holding back pre-reincarnation?"
"Idiot. I lacked your clarity or Aniki's charisma."
His strength came from natural talent plus reincarnation boosts—near cheating. Celia's wry smile showed her skepticism. Yugen proposed.
"Fine. Parasites: Stars lack 'Luna Strike'-level mental magic, so we'll handle the final blow. Your other mission—strategic magicians. Targeting me or Tatsuya, right?"
"Yeah, but knowing you're Aniki, I don't want 'Onii-sama' erasing me."
Yugen understood. In Okinawa, he avoided hurting Miyuki, yet ended as her love interest. If he fought Celia, Miyuki might turn hostile, needing his mediation—a heavy prospect.
"With 'Brionac' and your 'Levatein,' Pentagon and Joint Chiefs demand results. I can ensure no physical harm, so I'll play along."
"You might be scarier than anyone," Celia said.
"Harsh."
Her quip—surrendering to him was cheaper than fighting—drew Yugen's sharp retort, despite knowing her weapons' secrets.
They agreed to keep the talk secret.
-------------------------------
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