"...What's your take, Yugen?" Mikihiko asked.
"Well, if the goal was just to break the enemy's spirit, you wouldn't use a weapon that causes an explosion on that scale. That leaves little doubt it was Strategic-Class Magic."
The signs of high-level magic being invoked had been felt by Tatsuya and the others; no one in this room was naive enough to take the NSU's vague announcement at face value. After Yugen answered Mikihiko, Tatsuya was the next to speak.
"If it's a spell from the 'Thirteen Apostles' that hasn't been identified yet, it would be the New Soviet Union's 'Tuman Bomba.' We should consider that possibility."
"Well, the chance of us getting directly involved is low, but the Ten Master Clans and those close to them can't remain bystanders," Yugen noted.
"Does that mean we might be targeted?" Kasumi asked.
"It's not impossible. After all, the 'Crimson Prince' who became famous during the Sado invasion five years ago—Masaki—is an Ichijou. It wouldn't be strange for the NSU to plot revenge."
They were the successor state to a regime that had thought nothing of breaking non-aggression pacts to seize territory. It wouldn't be surprising if they invaded under some flimsy pretext. Furthermore, since the NSU had already broken their oaths, Japan owed them no courtesy or reason.
The only reason Yugen hadn't made a move yet was out of respect for Japan's international standing. If he were given the green light, he'd be ready to storm the Kremlin, drag the Premier out, and force him to prostrate himself before the Emperor and the Prime Minister.
The afternoon's work proceeded smoothly, devoid of any gloom. Perhaps because the magic had been used by the NSU rather than Brazil (as in the original timeline), the mood remained pleasant. They made significant progress on the preparations for the entrance ceremony, catching up on the work delayed by the mission in Okinawa.
Usually, the head of the Club Management Group wouldn't be helping the Student Council, but the exception was made because Honoka—one of the council members—was out with a fever.
"Yugen-san, is that an email?" Miyuki asked.
"It's from Shizuku. Apparently, she went to visit Honoka with Celia and Himari."
Honoka had pushed herself too hard trying to "seduce" Yugen in a swimsuit before the season had even begun. Her fever was likely a result of her own bashfulness and overexertion.
Meanwhile, Riri, who wasn't there, had gone to pay her respects to the Mibu family. Knowing things would get busy once school started, she was likely meeting with Minoru's current parents and his grandfather, Retsu, to finalize their formal engagement. From the Juumonji side, the previous head, Kazuki, and his wife were also in attendance. Since it was a vital matter for the couple, Yugen had stepped in to cover her duties.
"I'm so jealous of Riri-chan. I want to do romantic things with Yugen-oniisama too—mmph!"
"Yes, yes, I hear you. Just don't say those things here," Yugen said, cutting Izumi off.
As a side note, now that the Kagurazaka family's engagement hierarchy had been settled, Izumi had formally greeted Miyuki again. On that occasion, Izumi had said:
"I am deeply sorry for the trouble that man—whom it is far too presumptuous to even call my father—has caused Miyuki-senpai, Shiba-senpai, and my brother's household. My life is now in my brother's hands; he may boil me or bake me as he sees fit."
Her apology was so laced with vitriol for her own father that even Tatsuya and Yugen were taken aback. Miyuki, looking troubled, had turned to Yugen for help. Yugen had simply made a request of Izumi.
"In that case, I'd like to put that little devil Mayumi to work. Will you help me?"
"Little devil... Ah, you mean that 'thieving cat' of an older sister? If it is my brother's request, I will cooperate gladly."
"...Um, Tatsuya-senpai? What should I do?" Kasumi whispered, seeing the look in their eyes.
"There's nothing I can do. Just give up, Kasumi," Tatsuya replied mercilessly.
"Oh... okay."
Kasumi could only nod. It was clear who the two of them were thinking of, and Tatsuya's lack of intervention left her no choice. It went without saying that Miyuki, who understood the situation perfectly, had a radiant smile on her face.
In the original history, Shiina's evaluation of Tatsuya and Miyuki had been shaped by her older brothers and sisters. However, in this world, one of her sisters, Kana, was the fiancée of the next Yotsuba head, Tatsuya. And her brother, Yugen, was engaged to Tatsuya's sister, Miyuki. Having met them several times over the last two years, Shiina didn't feel the need to be overly anxious.
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