April 5, 2096, Thursday. The day before the opening ceremony at First High School, affiliated with the National Magic University, and three days before the entrance ceremony.
Yugen wasn't at the Shiba residence but at the Yotsuba main estate—in the private chambers of the clan head, a room even clan members rarely entered. Imagining Tatsuya being pestered by Miyuki to wear the Magic Engineering course uniform, Yugen awaited the words of the room's master, Mayumi, his gaze steady.
"Sorry for the sudden summons, Yugen-kun," Mayumi began, her tone warm. "Minami-san practically blushed just mentioning your name."
"It wasn't too much trouble," Yugen replied. "If anything, I nearly clashed with Miyuki over household chores, but I proposed a compromise, and we settled it."
Minami had taken over cleaning, laundry, and meal cleanup, but Miyuki was adamant about handling meal preparation, tea service, and personal grooming. Minami, with her housekeeper's pride, refused to yield on those duties either. As someone partly responsible for the situation, Yugen had suggested a compromise, successfully calming the waters.
"Still, this year's lineup is intriguing," Mayumi continued. "The heir of the Shippo family, the Saegusa twins, and... the hidden gem of the Juumonji family. Quite the fascinating group, don't you think?"
Yugen had been stunned when Chihiro first shared the entrance exam details (ignoring the privacy concerns). The Juumonji family, known for safeguarding the capital, didn't seem the type to have a hidden child. Yugen knew some Juumonji members, but Katsuto's siblings were much younger, ensuring they wouldn't enroll until after Yugen's graduation.
Yugen's visit to the Yotsuba estate wasn't just for pleasantries—it involved discussions about the future. Nodding at Mayumi's remark, he offered his thoughts.
"We looked into 'her' background. Genetically, she's definitely a Juumonji. Seems my grandfather had a hand in it."
"Oh? Gozo-san was involved?" Mayumi's eyes sparkled with curiosity.
After extensive research, it was confirmed that Kazuki Juumonji, the current head, had a sister skilled in "Phalanx," but she lost her magical abilities, likely due to overheating her magic calculation area. Her daughter, however, could wield "Phalanx" as well. The reason this surfaced only recently? Her parents' professions. Both were naval officers, killed in the recent battle at South Shield Island—undoubtedly by the Stars.
Kazuki, informed through Katsuto, hurriedly investigated and took his niece in as a Juumonji foster daughter, granting her the family name. The Uesugi family stepped in to support her recovery from the emotional shock.
Yugen typically investigated matters directly threatening him, but he might've overlooked broader information gathering. Regardless, this filled the gap left by Katsuto and Mayumi's departure. The master clans attending First High now included Mitsuya (Yugen), Yotsuba (Tatsuya, Miyuki), Rokutsuka (Toyama), Saegusa (Kasumi, Izumi), Shippo (Takuma), Kushiro (Ceria), and Juumonji. Fortunately, the new Juumonji girl was said to be as reserved as Katsuto.
"Riri Juumonji, formerly Soga," Yugen said. "She's this year's freshman representative and a relative of General Soga. My grandfather likely arranged it due to their wartime camaraderie."
As a special major general in the National Defense Army, Yugen had spoken with General Soga during a confidential promotion ceremony. Soga, the army's supreme commander, had studied Shinkage-ryu swordsmanship and was one of the few who knew Yugen's true background. He'd once muttered, "I'd love for her to connect with you, but Gozo-dono would have my head." Yugen couldn't help but smirk when that wish came true in just six months.
"Anyway, to the main topic..." Yugen prompted.
"Let's get to it," Mayumi agreed. "I consulted Chihiro-san beforehand, but she left it to 'Yugen's judgment.' At next year's celebration, I plan to nominate Tatsuya as the Yotsuba's next head candidate. As the Kagurazaka head, I'd like your opinion."
Yugen suppressed a sigh. Chihiro, the current head, had dodged such a critical decision. Still, treating it as practice for the future, he took a breath and began.
"By Ten Master Clans rules, Tatsuya's nomination is fine. I spoke with Miyuki, Fumiya, and Ayako-chan, and none of the next-generation Yotsuba candidates object."
If the Yotsuba's mages were anything but ordinary, Tatsuya's candidacy made sense. His strategic-class magic, "Material Burst," had proven itself during the Okinawa and Yokohama incidents. The only issue would be if branch family heads feared or sought to isolate Tatsuya. There was a time they allegedly plotted to kill him, but now, Gozo, Chihiro, or even Miya would intervene decisively.
"The Yotsuba may become an outlier among the Ten Master Clans, but that's manageable," Yugen continued. "As for the Kagurazaka stance, we'll only intervene if it leads to clear disadvantages."
With Tatsuya nominated and backed by Miyuki and others, the branch family heads couldn't ignore him. Yet interference was likely, and Mayumi's request likely included rallying support for Tatsuya. This also explained why the Kagurazaka head nomination was expedited. If a branch head demanded Tatsuya's removal via sponsor orders, Yugen was prepared to deliver a punishment worse than death. He knew Mitsu, the Kuroba head, but courtesy depended on their approach.
"You're quite optimistic," Mayumi noted. "Do other sponsors, like Lord Todo, feel the same?"
"Yes. Tatsuya's strategic-class magic could cause catastrophe if mishandled. Isolating him would be like advertising 'I have dangerous magic.'"
Eliminating or isolating Tatsuya would play into their enemies' hands—not just the Great Asian Alliance, but the USNA, New Soviet Union, Britain, and Germany. Removing the story's protagonist would be a clear disadvantage, thrusting Yugen further into the spotlight. If that happened, he'd expose every schemer's "dark secrets" worldwide. This approach was finalized during a meeting with Aoba (held at a Tokyo restaurant in early April, where Aoba also requested support for Mikihiko and Sana).
"Indeed..." Mayumi glanced at the clock. "Oh, it's about time."
"Seems so. I can't visit often, but I'll return when I can."
"You're always welcome," she said warmly.
Yugen had planned to return via the "Mirror Gate" for Shizuku's homecoming and promotion party at the Kitayama residence that evening. But Mayumi had arranged a Yotsuba car, which he gladly accepted. He'd arrived the previous day, spending the night at the estate. Mayumi had coaxed him into sharing a bed—purely for sleep, nothing more, he could firmly state. As an unmarried woman and clan head, such arrangements risked complications, but Hayama would handle any fallout.
The meeting followed breakfast, and with the car, Yugen would reach the Shiba residence by late afternoon. After a polite bow to Mayumi, he followed Hayama out of her chambers.
◇ ◇ ◇
Having overcome two spring break crises, Yugen advanced to the next grade. Original story troubles were one thing, but he desperately hoped to avoid more Ideation Dimension battles. Even with his near-cheat abilities, defeating a materialized divine weapon was uncertain.
Shizuku's voices had ceased, and the two magical crystals were shelved indefinitely. Heavenly Blade Armaments couldn't be used openly, and justifying their use was left to Chihiro and Gozo.
Minami settled on calling Tatsuya and Miyuki "Brother Tatsuya" and "Sister Miyuki," as in the original story. Officially, she was a Kagurazaka-sent housekeeper, but in reality, Miyuki's guardian. When Honami became a Watanabe foster daughter, her connection to Tatsuya and Miyuki allowed Minami's background to be fabricated—a two-for-one cover story. Still, Tatsuya would rigorously train her as a guardian.
Honami, married to Yugen's blood-related brother Genji, was technically Minami's aunt (though more like a sister). This tie facilitated Minami's cover story. Yugen reluctantly accepted her calling him "Brother Yugen." Initially shocked, he grappled with her apparent affection. While pulling her closer for Miyuki's sake made sense, managing a potential double-digit fiancée list was madness.
Fortunately, his unofficial fiancées coordinated to keep things smooth, though they leaned on him more as a result. Miyuki, influenced by her mother's situation, was the prime example.
Returning earlier than expected, Yugen ran into Tatsuya, already dressed, instead of Miyuki. He donned a sharp suit, while Miyuki, in a dress exuding both allure and her mother's mystique, made his heart skip a beat. Her barrage of questions and Tatsuya's exasperated sigh became a familiar routine. Minami, watching, gave a wry smile.
◇ ◇ ◇
Shizuku's homecoming and promotion party, held the day before the opening ceremony, reflected her family's status. Beyond being a top student and promising mage at First High, she was the daughter of a major industrialist. Her duties as a mage were personal, but as a CEO's daughter, they extended to family, employees, shareholders, and partners.
Once, shortly after meeting Shizuku through the Uesugi family, Yugen had curiously investigated Hokusan Group's stocks. He discovered the Kamisaka Group—essentially the Kagurazaka family's conglomerate, spanning diverse industries—held a significant share. That's when he learned of the Kagurazaka family, assuming they were sponsors like the Todo family and stopping his inquiry. He never imagined he'd be named their next head, nor that they were a yin-yang magic lineage on par with the Uesugi.
Returning to the present, Shizuku's titles were already impressive in the original story. Add to that her lineage as the granddaughter of Chihiro's sister through the Naruse family, her role as the seventh seat of the "Divine Assembly," and her place among Yugen's fiancée candidates.
Though called a "home party," it was hosted by Ushio Kitakata—Shizuku's father, Tsutomu Kitayama, using his business alias. Beyond Shizuku's immediate family (paternal grandmother, parents, younger brother), her father's five siblings brought their families, fiancés, or soon-to-be-engaged partners. Most cousins were older, as Shizuku's father married late, resulting in a large gathering despite its "intimate" label. Yugen, having attended as Yuto Nagano, was familiar with the dynamics.
"The Kitayama family's roots as industrialists stretch back to the last century," said Shizuku's mother, Lady Kitayama, once a renowned A-rank vibration mage, Benio Naruse (maiden name), and Chihiro's niece. "It comes with inescapable obligations."
In the original story, Tatsuya was cornered, but Yugen, due to his ties with Shizuku, found himself in her sights. At their first meeting and past Kitayama parties, Benio had interrogated him like Tatsuya in the original. As an apology, Yugen sent homemade sweets with a thank-you note. Shizuku later reported her parents' excessive affection, hinting at a potential sibling, and Benio's demeanor softened. The cookies, made with standard ingredients and no hidden tricks, had delighted Shina during a taste test, so Yugen saw no issue.
"You're saying Ushio-san's kindness leads him to invite even unrelated guests to an intimate party?" Yugen ventured.
"As expected from the man who won Shizuku," Benio replied. "I'm still shocked that my joke back then became reality."
Benio's earlier jest had carried weight, and Shizuku's gaze had indeed held a certain warmth. It wasn't clear romantic affection then—more a vague sentiment. Had Shizuku harbored defined feelings before high school, Yugen might've faced Miyuki's wrath from spring. He didn't mean to disparage his fiancées but hoped they'd maintain boundaries.
Miyuki, along with Minami and Tatsuya, had gone to Honoka. Yugen occasionally felt sharp stares but had no intention of pursuing a married woman—such an act was unthinkable.
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