"I'm back… Tatsuya greeting me? That's rare," Yugen said.
Upon returning to the Shiba household, Tatsuya met him at the door. Typically, Miyuki would rush to welcome him, sometimes clinging to him in moments of loneliness, but her absence hinted at someone else demanding her attention.
"I won't deny it," Tatsuya replied. "We're getting a guest—or rather, a freeloader—from the main house."
"So that's why your email was so cryptic," Yugen noted.
Tatsuya's message mentioned the Kuroba family—likely Fumiya and Ayako—but also someone accompanying them, set to join the Shiba household from spring as Miyuki's new Guardian, taking over from Tatsuya. Even with Guardian qualifications, in the original story, this person came alone. Perhaps this was a precaution to avoid nosy investigators.
Confirming the email, the玄関 held unfamiliar shoes alongside Tatsuya and Miyuki's.
"But… what's with the murderous vibe leaking from the living room?" Yugen asked.
"Sorry, I don't know either," Tatsuya admitted. "Miyuki saw Minami Mizunami and just… snapped."
Deciding that talking wouldn't clarify things, Yugen entered the living room. Miyuki wore a bright smile laced with barely concealed killing intent. Fumiya and Ayako, sweating nervously, stood nearby, alongside a girl in a dress—likely Minami, Tatsuya's mention. All four turned to Yugen. Miyuki's smile softened, Fumiya and Ayako bowed lightly, and Minami… blushed and looked down. Yugen had never met her before.
"I'm back… So, care to explain?" Yugen said. "Also, I'm technically a freeloader here too."
The situation stemmed from Tatsuya effectively "buying" Pixie. As a pretext, Minami Mizunami—niece of Honami, who married Yugen's brother Genji, and an adjusted-body magician—joined as a maid. A letter from Maya outlined that Miya, staying at the Kagurazaka main house (hired by Chikahime as a caretaker, with Maya's approval), would have Minami serve as Miyuki's new Guardian. Tatsuya was to train her in Guardian duties by next January.
Maya's intent was clear: elevating Tatsuya as a candidate for Yotsuba head to secure approval from the four next-in-line, including Miyuki, who knew his strength. This made compliance likely.
The issue was Miyuki, who'd handled the Shiba household's chores. Her earnest desire to care for Tatsuya and Yugen had softened their resistance, but Minami's arrival encroached on her domain. Still, Miyuki's current state suggested more than just that.
Through Tatsuya, Yugen learned Minami had watched the Nine Schools Competition, falling for Yugen at first sight during his Pillars Break performance. Love at first sight was one thing, but being its target was unexpected.
"Sort out the housework with Minami-chan, Miyuki," Yugen said. "If you can't…"
"What happens if we can't?" Miyuki asked.
"I'll have you both taste-test my new spring cake."
"Yugen-san's sweets are strategic-class magic for women…" Ayako murmured.
"You're joining them, Ayako," Yugen added.
He wasn't thrilled with his baking's reputation, but if it silenced them, the cost was minor. Ayako's expression screamed regret, while Tatsuya and Fumiya couldn't help but smile.
"By the way, it's almost like an Okinawa reunion," Yugen said. "Oh, and congrats on enrolling at Fourth High, you two."
"Thank you, Yugen-san," Fumiya said.
"That news reached you fast," Ayako noted.
As a Yotsuba sponsor, the Kagurazaka family gathered their intel. Hayama occasionally visited, chatting with Tadatsume, and once told Yugen, "I hope you and Tatsuya-sama remain good friends." In time, they'd be family, albeit indirectly. Yugen hadn't imagined bridging the Mitsuya and Yotsuba families upon reincarnation, partly due to Gōzō's influence.
"Officially, we're strangers, but Saegusa's old fox likely knows," Yugen said. "I'll greet him normally."
"Only you and Saegusa-senpai would call their head that," Tatsuya remarked.
Yugen held no grudge over the Defense Force's intelligence section. If the Yotsuba's prominence was to be curbed, one should elevate their own value. Maintaining order in the Ten Master Clans was logical, but it hindered addressing global threats. The Mitsuya family wasn't exempt, but with Mototsume and Yugen away, Genji was steadily preparing to take over, having married. Yugen's talented sisters were set to leave, and he'd discreetly arranged for Kana to join FLT's Third Division after Magic University, coordinated with Miya. Mika had suitors, but Yugen respected her choice. Shina, however, had no one but Jirō in his eyes.
March 25, 2096
It was Miyuki's birthday. When she expressed a desire to go out, Yugen pondered a destination—a place tied to their shared history.
"Are you okay with this, Miyuki?" Yugen asked. "I heard about last year."
"Yes," she replied. "Plus, I can date you without worrying about prying eyes."
Miyuki cherished a snowflake hairpiece, a gift from Tatsuya, revealed as Yugen's creation after the Yokohama Incident. When Tatsuya asked Maya about Meteor Line, Yugen was grilled about learning it from her. With Maya's permission, Tatsuya shared the details, including the hairpiece's maker, delighting Miyuki. Back home, she'd interrogated Yugen about hiding it.
As an apology, Yugen enchanted the hairpiece with a perception-disrupting spell to curb Miyuki's allure. Crafted from crystal, it was easily inscribed, drawing ambient psions for constant activation with near-zero cost to Miyuki. She could toggle it, making outings easier, and she rejoiced at shopping or dating without scrutiny.
"You could've come to see me back then," Miyuki said.
"I was nearby, actually… pure coincidence," Yugen admitted.
Visiting a tower restaurant for lunch, Yugen noticed eyes on a couple. Using Kaleidoscope, he saw Tatsuya and Miyuki at a nearby table. Concealing his presence to avoid curious stares, he went unnoticed by Tatsuya.
"If so, next time instead of Brother…" Miyuki paused. "But if you let your presence slip, women would…"
"My existence being worse than a moth to a flame isn't funny, Miyuki," Yugen said.
Superior magicians often had striking looks, a trait Yugen appreciated from his mother. Even with the hairpiece's effect, men's gazes lingered, and Yugen felt it standing beside Miyuki. Sensing it too, she entwined her arm with his.
"Back then, I did my best," she said. "So today, I'll indulge a lot."
"Alright," Yugen replied.
Miyuki often indulged at home, but Yugen didn't object. At a shop handling her hairpiece, the owner's story lit up her face. At another from last year, she disabled the perception block, drawing a flood of curious eyes. Yugen's glare knocked out a talent scout with hostile intent—a justified response.
As night fell, they headed to Eine Brise, a familiar café. Despite its usual hours, a "CLOSED" sign hung, and the interior was dark. Puzzled, Miyuki followed Yugen inside. The lights flared, crackers popped, and confetti rained. Miyuki, stunned with confetti on her, saw Tatsuya, friends, and classmates.
"Happy birthday, Miyuki," Tatsuya said.
"Thank you, Brother… When did you plan this?" she asked.
"Hiding it was tough," Leo grinned.
The group—Leo, Erika, Mikihiko, Mizuki, Shizuka, Honoka, Tōya, Himeri, Sana, Ceria, Minami, and even Lina, set to leave in two days—joined the party. Miyuki glanced at Yugen, who scratched his head with a wry smile.
"Ceria almost spilled the beans," Lina teased.
"Hey, I'm not that careless!" Ceria protested.
While unlikely, Miyuki and Lina's private contact meant leaks were possible. Lina's non-combat military skills were notoriously lacking, but Yugen held his tongue to avoid piling on.
"Enough, it's Miyuki's birthday," Yugen said. "No sisterly squabbles… Miyuki?"
"Thank you, Yugen-san, everyone," Miyuki said, tears welling.
Her joyful tears were obvious. Erika, grinning mischievously, teased Yugen.
"Look, Yugen made Miyuki cry," she said.
"Quiet, Erika," Yugen shot back. "Speaking of, didn't you kiss Leo after White Day?"
"What!?" Leo yelped.
"How'd you know!?" Erika blushed crimson.
"Saw it by chance," Yugen said. "Didn't say anything, figuring it's best left alone."
Erika's jab backfired, leaving Leo flustered and Erika mortified. Some onlookers sweated, others smirked. Miyuki, wiping her tears, beamed at Erika.
"Oh, Erika, you found a boyfriend?" she said. "Need dating tips?"
"I surrender," Erika groaned. "I can't beat two brother-complexes."
"Same here," Leo muttered.
Only the partygoers and Eine Brise's master knew what Yugen and Miyuki whispered to them. The celebration was a roaring success, but with the new school year looming, their second year (excluding Lina) promised anything but peace.
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