After dinner in the living room, Minami handled the dishes as per their assigned roles. Miyuki placed coffee cups before Tatsuya and Yugen, set her own on the side table, and sat beside Yugen. The conversation turned to the new students, including Riri, whom they met after school.
"From Katsuto-senpai?" Miyuki asked.
"Yeah. He must think I'm better suited than Touya, given my demonstrated strength. But having only been a Mitsuya from high school to the Nine Schools Competition—barely four months—I'm not sure I can teach the ways of the Ten Master Clans," Yugen replied.
Yugen disclosed Katsuto's email, as he might need Tatsuya and Miyuki's help later, with Katsuto's prior approval. He mentioned possibly borrowing a friend's strength, implying Touya, so it wasn't a lie.
"You both competed in last year's Nine Schools, so you'd understand. Being called 'the strongest' demands exceptional performance. Mere brute force, like Chiyoda-senpai's tactics, suffices only so far," Yugen said.
In last year's Men's Pillars Break rookie tournament, Yugen showcased perfect defense with hardening magic and piercing offensive spells, destroying only the ice pillars without damaging the venue. In Monolith Code, he deceived opponents, neutralized their magic, endured prolonged battles, and emerged unscathed from a collapsed building. Disrupting an opponent's pace, minimizing damage, and swiftly selecting the right magic—while staying within rules like those of the Nine Schools—was, in Yugen's view, proof of being "the strongest."
"You're wary of the Shippou heir? He was eyeing you and Miyuki, wasn't he? I heard he's also an actor," Tatsuya said.
"He's taking a break for Magic High School. As the next head of a Juhachihoshu family, with the Clan Conference next year, it's no surprise he's aiming to score points for Ten Master Clans selection. Hmm, this coffee's a bit bitter today," Yugen noted.
"Sorry, Yugen-san. Not enough sugar?" Miyuki asked.
"No, it's fine occasionally," Yugen said, patting Miyuki's head to ease her sad expression before sipping again and continuing.
"I know the Nanakusa twins, and Riri-chan seems fine. I've met the Shippou head, but as I mentioned this morning, someone's definitely stirring things up with Nanakusa-senpai," Yugen said.
"You've got a hunch, don't you?" Tatsuya asked.
"Maki Kowamura, from the Kitayama party. She's the most likely to be manipulating Takuma," Yugen replied.
Yugen met Maki through last year's Nine Schools media operations. She had quickly noticed Takuma's acting debut, likely plotting to build a "New Order." Her father, head of the Culture Communication Network (Cal-Net), likely supported her maneuvering.
"Even Shizuku mentioned her cousin being 'used,'" Yugen added.
"So, your warning to Honoka was about Takuma?" Miyuki asked.
"Sharp, Miyuki. Takuma's gathering allies for his 'New Order' at school. Hating the Nanakusa while mimicking their internal power struggles is quite ironic," Yugen said.
The fitting phrase might be "birds of a feather." After last year's Great Asian Alliance battle, the failed New Soviet Sado invasion, and this year's three USNA-related incidents (attempted strategic magic neutralization, Parasite Incident, Seventh Plague fall), the Clan Conference should unify leadership. Yet, the Nanakusa push to undermine the Yotsuba continues, like a comedic routine overstaying its welcome. Koichi, in a position to intervene, does nothing, rendering Yugen's post-Yokohama Incident warnings pointless. They likely assume they're untouchable.
(Are they addicted to the Yotsuba's untouchable reputation? Though, the eldest son's no better…) Yugen thought.
In the original story, Koichi's eldest son tried making Miyuki a scapegoat at the youth conference. If he tried that, Yugen would punch him and say, "Do it yourself if you're so bold." He couldn't deny his soft spot for Miyuki. If the eldest son was this bad, the younger brother wasn't promising either. This raised the chance of Mayumi, the Nanakusa's most capable, being named next head, following the precedent of female heads in the Futatsugi, Yotsuba, and Mutsuzuka families.
"Yugen-san?" Miyuki said.
"Just thinking. With you and Tatsuya in the student council, Takuma won't join, but stay cautious," Yugen said.
"Got it. The club alliance, where you are, is likely safe too," Tatsuya replied.
"Depends on how he's being manipulated," Yugen said.
A stronger "threat" against the Nanakusa might be needed, leveraging Yugen's connections to ensure they couldn't refuse. Reviving his broken engagement with Izumi conditionally might be necessary, requiring confirmation of original terms and possibly days away from the Shiba household. He'd make up for inconveniencing Miyuki and others.
"I don't know Takuma well, but the Shippou's rivalry with the Nanakusa fuels their Ten Master Clans obsession," Yugen said.
Numbered families' research themes matter. The Mikazuki, sharing the Mitsuya's "three," fulfill Juhachihoshu duties through cooperation, with little Ten Master Clans ambition. Yugen's presence accelerated this, focusing on refining magic techniques collaboratively. Mitsuya's "Round Order" and "Lightning Order" were perfected with Mikazuki's help.
"Our age is full of ambition. Don't you have some, Tatsuya?" Yugen asked.
"Mine's average. You seem above that," Tatsuya said.
"Not ambition, but I'm competitive. Why's Miyuki laughing?" Yugen asked.
"Sorry, Yugen-san. You seem so detached, I didn't expect competitiveness," Miyuki giggled.
"That's harsh," Yugen muttered, sighing before continuing.
Most people crave recognition, especially kids. The Shippou head is rational, steadily earning points against the Nanakusa. But Takuma's the opposite. Unaware of manipulation, he narrows his focus at the mention of Nanakusa, eerily like Koichi's Yotsuba obsession.
"Takuma thinks he's Ten Master Clans material, but he understands nothing," Yugen said.
The Ten Master Clans' "strongest" title comes with burdens—obligated to show strength yet restrained if too powerful. Lacking formal power but wielding influence through politics, business, defense, and security, it's a contradictory system.
When Yugen was named Kagurazaka heir, a temporary Clan Conference debated his status, initiated by Retsu Kudou. Despite Retsu's bond with Gozo, Yugen lost goodwill toward him. An apology email from Retsu's grandson led Yugen to take a neutral stance toward the Kudou family.
"That's unusually harsh, Yugen. But as a top-tier magician, even acknowledged by our aunt, you can say that," Tatsuya said.
"Don't sidestep your own status, Tatsuya," Yugen retorted.
"Just being fair," Tatsuya said.
"True. Even I couldn't beat Yugen-san," Miyuki added.
Yugen stayed silent, fearing further debate would erode his humanity. Takuma likely resented the trio's academic and practical excellence. Without Nanakusa-level intelligence, he might disdain Tatsuya's magical engineering, especially since Shippou's CAD-less "Million Edge" group control magic overshadows it. Yugen didn't mind but noted potential interference or Takuma belittling Tatsuya as a Course 2 student.
He asked Shizuku to stick with Honoka, her childhood friend, to avoid issues. Tatsuya could dominate alone, and if Takuma provoked Miyuki, Yugen wouldn't be responsible for the resulting "ice statue."
April 8, 2096: First High School Entrance Ceremony
Relieved to avoid last year's ambush—Sanada pointing a supersonic launcher at him the moment he left the Mitsuya estate—Yugen knew such actions violated weapons laws but followed to avoid family trouble. While probing for presences in the Shiba basement, Tatsuya sensed something odd and rushed in, later apologizing but understanding after Yugen explained. Tatsuya muttered, "Typical captain, not sending a normal escort." Yugen wondered what "normal" even meant.
"Is this okay, Minami-chan?" Yugen asked.
"Fine. Last year, I had too much free time," Tatsuya replied.
They arrived at First High two hours before the ceremony for preparations. Tatsuya and Miyuki, as student council members, were expected, but Yugen and Minami, a non-member, joined as volunteers. Tatsuya had insisted on Minami's help, citing last year's experience.
In the auditorium prep room, Isori and Honoka were already present, exchanging greetings.
"Morning, Tatsuya-san, Yugen-san, Miyuki!" Honoka said.
"Morning, Shiba-kun, Yugen-kun. Right on time," Isori added.
As Miyuki and Honoka chatted, Tatsuya and Yugen greeted Isori.
"Morning, Isori-senpai. You're early," Yugen said.
"My habit. I can't settle unless I'm early," Isori replied.
"Morning. Early's always good," Tatsuya said.
Likely a nod to Kanon, who was probably checking auditorium seats. Isori noticed Minami behind Miyuki.
"Who's she? A freshman?" Isori asked.
"Yes. Minami," Yugen called.
"Yes, Yugen-niisama?" Minami replied, showing a hint of joy as she approached.
"Is she the sister you mentioned?" Isori asked.
"No, she's a cousin-in-law, related to my brother Genji's wife. Minami, this is Isori-senpai," Yugen said.
"Nice to meet you, Isori-senpai. I'm Minami Sakurai. Thank you for looking after Yugen-niisama, Tatsuya-niisama, and Miyuki-neesama," Minami said.
Her distinct honorifics for Yugen, Tatsuya, and Miyuki signaled her Mitsuya connection, which Isori noted.
"Nice to meet you, Sakurai-san. You know Shiba-kun too?" Isori asked.
"Her aunt was like family to Tatsuya and Miyuki's household, so we met through that. I only learned recently," Yugen explained.
Calling a guardian "like family" felt odd, but Minami's aunt had handled the Shiba's chores and was close, making the term truthful. Isori accepted this without further questions.
Tatsuya's glance seemed to say, "What's your brain made of?" but Yugen ignored it. Azusa, Kanon, Celia, and Riri entered, with Celia eagerly approaching Minami.
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