Tatsuya was heading toward the spot where they had left the two successfully sealed Parasites. However, someone had beaten him to it. Two groups stood facing each other in the darkness.
On one side was a squad of men in black suits, led by an elderly man whose posture remained ramrod straight despite the deep, weathered wrinkles of his years. On the other side was another group in black, led by a lovely young girl clad in a luxurious black dress. Though they were squared off, the atmosphere wasn't one of overt hostility—at least, the girl's group showed no animosity. This was likely because their mistress looked upon the old man not with malice, but with profound respect.
At least, that was the mask she chose to wear.
"Lord Kujima, it is an honor to meet you. I am Ayako Kuroba. I serve as a humble representative of the Yotsuba family, acting as a messenger for our head, Lady Maya."
Ayako stepped forward and performed a curtsy so graceful it bordered on the poetic. Yet, for all its elegance, there was nothing "demure" about her. The light burning in her eyes was far too sharp for that.
Lifting her head, Ayako offered a bright, charming smile—one that was simultaneously provocative and strangely captivating. However, Retsu Kujima was not a man easily swayed by a pretty face.
"A proxy for the Yotsuba, I see. That explains why you carry yourself so well despite your youth. It seems you know who I am. Or should I introduce myself properly?"
"Oh, no. I wouldn't dream of putting you to such trouble, My Lord."
Retsu looked at Ayako as a "competitor," his gaze carrying the weight of his legendary reputation. Yet even under that crushing pressure, Ayako's poise—a blend of girlish charm and fearless audacity—didn't flicker.
"Now, Lord Kujima, since time is of the essence, I have a small proposal I would like to discuss."
Her tone was bold, almost impatient, but the Elder Kujima showed no sign of offense.
"Speak."
"You have my thanks. I presume your intention is to take custody of the demons known as Parasites that have been sealed here. To be perfectly frank, the mission I received from Lady Maya is exactly the same: to bring back a sealed Parasite."
"I see."
"Fortunately, there are two sealed vessels on this field. Might I suggest we play fair? One for His Lordship, and one for myself."
The light in Retsu's eyes sharpened, growing more intense. Ayako flinched for a fraction of a second, but she quickly smoothed over the crack in her armor with a defiant smile. She had come here specifically for this, and she wasn't about to back down now.
"Well, well... you truly are something. You're still in middle school, aren't you? Very well. Let us be neighborly and take one each."
"You are most kind."
Ayako felt a wave of relief wash over her. She knew she stood no chance in a direct magical confrontation with the man once hailed as the "World's Most Skillful," but her gamble had paid off.
(Tatsuya-san, thanks to you, it looks like I'll be able to complete my mission without a hitch.)
Even though Tatsuya had never officially agreed to help her—and she hadn't even asked him in the first place—Ayako quite shamelessly thanked him in the privacy of her own heart.
In Tatsuya's arms, Miyuki had gone rigid, making herself as small as possible. No matter how much she protested, today of all days, Tatsuya refused to let her go.
(This silence is agonizing... I need to say something... anything...)
To an outsider, her reaction might have seemed theatrical, but Miyuki felt as though her heart was about to burst from the sheer intensity of being held. Desperate for a distraction, she blurted out the first topic that came to mind.
"Brother... what about Lina?"
Lina. Her former rival.
Miyuki knew that Tatsuya cared for Lina more than most—certainly more than he cared for a typical friend. Because of that, she usually avoided bringing up the American girl's name. But in her current state, it was the only thought she could grab onto.
"Hm?"
"Do you think... she will truly take your words to heart?"
"I don't know. There's no way I could. I'm not her. Lina has her own circumstances to deal with. She isn't the only one who finds themselves unable to live exactly as they wish."
"But even so, you reached out to her, didn't you...? Why?"
"Why?" Tatsuya repeated.
Miyuki realized the conversation was heading in a direction she hadn't anticipated. She knew she should stop, but the words wouldn't stay down.
"Why are you so determined to help her? Is it because... you harbor special feelings for her?"
Tatsuya's eyes widened, but the surprise lasted only a heartbeat.
"It seems there's been a misunderstanding. You say 'only Lina,' but she is simply the first person of my generation I've met who shares my specific kind of burden. Most of the military people I deal with are much older—people who chose the path of a soldier as a career. The feelings I have for Lina aren't what you're imagining."
He paused, his voice turning characteristically pragmatic.
"To put it bluntly, it would be strategically advantageous for us if Lina left the STARS. Ideally, I'd want her to do more than just leave the military; I'd want her to move here. Naturalizing as a Japanese citizen would be the best-case scenario. It isn't 'pity.' In a way, Lina and I are very much alike. Neither of us had a choice in how we ended up in our 'current positions.' I suppose you could say I fought to earn the 'choice' of attending First High, but Lina likely never had even a choice that small."
Tatsuya looked ahead into the dark woods.
"Someday, I intend to create the choices I wasn't given. I will cast aside the 'role' assigned to me and walk off the stage I was forced onto. If Lina desires the same, I thought I'd offer a hand, as a kindred spirit... but I suppose it was uncalled for—?"
His sentence broke off as his breath was suddenly squeezed out of him. Miyuki had wrapped her arms around him, clinging to him with a strength that was almost overwhelming.
"It was not uncalled for... Your kindness will reach her someday. No, it will reach her very soon. This incident has surely planted the seeds of doubt in her heart. Lina may be a bit simple at times, but she is a bright girl. After becoming so deeply involved with you, Brother, there is no way she could remain unchanged."
"Calling her 'simple' is a bit harsh, don't you think?"
The siblings shared a small, quiet laugh and, matching their steps, began to walk home together.
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