The Saegusa sisters and Itsuwa Mio
PS; I made a mistake earlier with Mayumi's epithet, it's "Elven Sniper" not "Fairy sniper"
****
Nearly a week had passed since the conclusion of the Nine Schools Competition.
During that entire week, Yotsuba Mahiro had lived the life of a true slacker king. Every day he would sleep in until his body naturally decided it was done resting, and when he finally woke, there would always be a beautiful girl preparing breakfast for him.
"Man… maybe this is what it means to reach the pinnacle of life," Mahiro muttered lazily one morning, stretching across his futon like a cat.
But today, that blissful peace shattered with the shrill ring-ring-ring of his phone.
"…Mayumi-senpai?" Mahiro blinked sleepily at the caller ID, his voice still thick with drowsiness. "It's still summer vacation, right? Why's she calling me now?"
The moment he connected the call, a cheerful but slightly teasing voice spilled through the speaker.
"Is that Mahiro-kun?"
"Ah… it's me, Senpai… What's the matter at this hour? Yaaawn~"
"Mahiro-kun, it's already noon. Don't tell me you were still asleep?" Mayumi's tone sounded just a little sharper than usual, almost as if she were holding back a sigh.
"What's wrong with noon? It's still summer break, isn't it? What else should I be doing—studying my textbooks like a model student?" Mahiro chuckled, only half-serious.
On the other end, he heard the sharp sound of her faint "Hmm~" filled with annoyance.
Then came the sigh.
"I say, Mahiro-kun," Mayumi's voice lowered in that dangerously sweet way of hers, "do you remember what you promised me on the final day of the Nine Schools Competition?"
"…Promise?" Mahiro scratched his bedhead, frowning. His brain worked overtime trying to recall.
Flashback.
The image resurfaced in his mind: the bus ride back after the competition. Mayumi sitting beside him, smiling that faint, mischievous smile.
"Um, Mahiro-kun, about what we talked about earlier… does that still count?"
"Of course."
"Thank you so much, Mahiro-kun. Then, how about you rest at home for a few days… and five days later, you come visit my house?"
"Okay, no problem!"
No problem… No problem… No problem.
End of flashback.
Mahiro: "…"
His eyes went wide. "A-ah… crap."
"Sorry, Senpai! I totally forgot—But wait a sec, I'll be there right away!!!"
He didn't even let her respond. He hung up, shot upright like a spring, and in record time changed clothes, dashed into the bathroom, and washed up with lightning speed.
Then—whoosh!—he vanished from his room at a speed invisible to the naked eye.
In the living room, Sakurai Mizuki was dusting when a sudden gust of wind blew her hair back.
"…Was that… Mahiro-sama?" she muttered, blinking in confusion.
A voice echoed from the hallway: "Minami! I'm going out for a bit. Be good while I'm gone!"
"Eh? But, Mahiro-sama, what about lunch—?" Minami peeked out, only to see the front door slam shut. She stared blankly, murmuring:
"But… how can you just skip meals? Mahiro-sama, your blood sugar is always low…"
That was perhaps Yotsuba Mahiro's one glaring weakness—though he himself never admitted it.
...
After following the map Mayumi had sent, transferring trains three times, and trudging under the blazing summer sun, Mahiro finally stood before a grand gate.
The sheer scale of the mansion and courtyard before him was staggering. The Saegusa Family, one of the Ten Master Clans, truly lived up to its reputation. Its grandeur rivaled even the Yotsuba estate.
Just as Mahiro reached for the doorbell, the gates opened with a loud clang.
"Who are you!? What business do you have at our house!?"
A sharp cry rang out. Two girls, strikingly similar in appearance, stood there glaring at him.
"Kasumi! That's rude!" the other girl scolded, her voice gentler and more refined. She stepped forward, bowing slightly. "Please forgive my sister's manners. May I ask who you are, and what brings you to the Saegusa household?"
Mahiro smiled politely. "No problem. I'm Yotsuba Mahiro. Mayumi-senpai invited me, and I apologize for dropping by unannounced."
The moment he finished speaking, both sisters froze. Their eyes widened as though they had just witnessed a legendary spirit descend.
"So… you're… Mahiro-nii-san?"
The gentler one—Izumi—covered her mouth with trembling hands, clearly overwhelmed.
And Kasumi's reaction was even wilder. She lunged at him like a missile.
"Mahiro-nii-san!!! I can't believe I finally get to meet you in person! You're even more handsome than in the recordings!"
Mahiro: "???"
Hold on. Nii-san? This was literally their first meeting! What kind of bizarre delusion was this?
Before he could process it, a familiar voice echoed from the entrance.
"Kasumi, Izumi! What are you doing? How could you leave a guest standing outside?"
Mayumi emerged elegantly from the hall, frowning. She grabbed Kasumi by the collar and—bonk!—chopped her lightly on the head until she released Mahiro.
"Honestly, you two… you're making me look bad in front of him," Mayumi muttered with a wry smile.
"I'm sorry, I've made a fool of myself in front of you, Junior," Mayumi said with a wry smile as she gestured behind her. "These are my younger twin sisters, Saegusa Kasumi and Saegusa Izumi."
"I'm Saegusa Kasumi, the elder twin."
"I'm Saegusa Izumi, the younger twin."
"Nice to meet you, Mahiro-nii-san!"
The two girls introduced themselves in perfect rhythm, speaking one after the other like they had rehearsed a manzai routine.
Mahiro chuckled softly. "Hello, Izumi-chan, Kasumi-chan… I didn't bring any omiyage for our first meeting, but I'll make it up to you next time."
As he spoke, he handed a small wrapped package—the real souvenir he'd prepared—to Mayumi instead.
"Eh? Really, Mahiro-nii-san?!"
"If you say so, then Kasumi won't hold back!"
The twins' eyes sparkled with excitement, their voices chiming in unison as they leaned forward expectantly.
"Kasumi, Izumi!" Mayumi's tone sharpened as she glared at them. Then, turning back to Mahiro with a gentler smile, she said, "Mahiro-kun, you really didn't have to. You're far too polite."
In truth, Mayumi's heart was conflicted.
She knew very well that Mahiro's financial situation wasn't ideal, yet he had still prepared a gift for her and even considered her younger sisters. Moreover, the reason she'd invited him over today wasn't entirely innocent. That thought pricked at her conscience.
"Ahaha… it's no big deal." Mahiro waved his hand dismissively, urging her not to worry.
Led by Mayumi and the twins, he stepped further into the Saegusa residence.
"Oh, by the way, Mahiro-kun, there's something I should mention first," Mayumi said as they walked. "Besides my father, there are two other guests here today."
Mahiro blinked. "Did I come at a bad time?"
"No," Mayumi shook her head, her lips curving in a soft smile. "Actually, you came at just the right time."
"I see…"
It was only then that Mahiro noticed Mayumi's outfit. She wore a simple, refined casual dress with a white shawl draped loosely over her shoulders. Her long, wavy hair—which was usually free—was tied into a neat low ponytail that trailed gracefully down her back. The look gave her an air of elegance, almost like that of a virtuous wife preparing to host her husband's important guests.
With that impression lingering in his mind, Mahiro followed as they passed through the entrance hall and arrived at the spacious main living room.
On the central sofa sat a middle-aged man wearing dark sunglasses. His youthful handsomeness still lingered faintly in his features, but it was tempered by a serious expression. A sharp gleam flickered in his one visible eye, and his perfectly buttoned black suit radiated the pressure of a formidable presence.
Across from him sat a man and a woman. The man had an ordinary face and gentle demeanor, though his posture hinted at a lack of confidence. Beside him, in a wheelchair, was a beautiful woman who looked delicate yet carried an aura that made her stand out immediately.
Mayumi quickly began the introductions. The man on the sofa was her father, Saegusa Kouichi, head of the prestigious Saegusa family. The gentle man opposite was Itsuwa Hirofumi the fiancé Mayumi had once mentioned as the source of her distress. And the woman in the wheelchair, nearing thirty years of age, was none other than Itsuwa Mio—Japan's only publicly recognized Strategic-Class Magician, and the elder sister whose very existence weighed heavily on Mayumi's heart.
However, in the midst of the introductions, Mayumi subtly slipped closer and leaned against Mahiro's arm. Her face instantly flushed crimson, but she stubbornly refused to pull away.
Mahiro straightened and bowed politely. "I am Yotsuba Mahiro. Please forgive my sudden intrusion."
Saegusa Kouichi stood up, smiling faintly. "I am Saegusa Kouichi, head of the Saegusa family, and Mayumi's father. You may call me Uncle. Although this is our first meeting, I've been acquainted with Yotsuba Maya for many years."
Although Kouichi had been displeased by his daughter's recent behavior, his mood improved considerably upon seeing that she had brought home the infamous Yotsuba Mahiro. In his mind, Mahiro was already the most suitable candidate for son-in-law of the Saegusa family.
"Hello, I am Itsuwa Mio," the woman in the wheelchair said with a graceful nod. "I've heard many rumors about you from Mayumi. Now that I see you in person, I can understand why."
Her gaze lingered on him with subtle scrutiny. The young man before her possessed a calm, unfathomable aura far greater than what any recording or rumor could capture. His striking features and refined bearing already eclipsed her brother Yoji. A faint unease tightened her chest—if Mahiro truly vied against Yoji for Mayumi, did her brother even stand a chance?
She silently hoped Kouichi would keep things within the family, yet the thought of Mahiro, an outsider from the powerful Yotsuba clan, stealing away the sister-in-law she favored filled her with quiet resentment. Her polite words carried a warmth her eyes did not.
"Ah… hello, Mahiro-kun," Itsuwa Yoji said awkwardly, forcing a bitter smile. "I was also a student at First High."
Even before considering magical power, Yoji could feel he had already lost. The way Mayumi clung to Mahiro made it impossible to deny.
"Hehe, Mahiro-kun, don't just stand there like a fool." Mayumi tugged his sleeve and guided him toward a side sofa, balancing the seating into a tense triangular arrangement. Then, with an almost wifely air, she poured him a cup of chilled barley tea.
The subtle domestic gesture only intensified the delicate tension in the room. Though no words of conflict had been spoken, the scent of gunpowder already lingered faintly in the air.
That silence broke with two simultaneous cries.
"Wow, a guest! And he's so handsome! Hey, hey, I'm Saegusa Kasumi, Mayumi-neesan's younger sister!"
"I'm Saegusa Izumi, also Mayumi-neesan's younger sister!"
Hand-in-hand, the twins rushed into the living room and circled Mahiro with sparkling eyes, their excitement practically bubbling over.
Mahiro rose slightly and offered a polite smile. "Hello, I'm Yotsuba Mahiro, Mayumi-senpai's junior."
The twins giggled as they continued to orbit around him like curious little satellites.
Mayumi could only press her fingers to her forehead with a sigh. They had already met Mahiro at the door, and yet here they were pretending otherwise. Of course, she knew exactly what her mischievous sisters were up to.
But the most frustrating part? Her beloved Mahiro-kun was actually going along with their act!
"Hehe, Nii-san," Kasumi chirped, eyes sparkling with mischief, "are you here to propose to our father?"
Izumi jumped in immediately, nodding furiously. "I think so too! Mayumi-neesan has never brought a boy home before, so their relationship must be special, right, Onee-chan?"
"B-baka! Don't just say anything you like!" Mayumi's face turned crimson.
Their chatter only grew more outrageous until—
"Ahem! Enough. Where are your manners? You should greet your elders first," Saegusa Kouichi's cold snort silenced the twins.
Only then did Kasumi and Izumi "notice" the Itsuwa siblings sitting stiffly nearby. Mio and Yoji had been silently observing, tea cups in hand.
"Ohhh! Onee-chan Mio, Onii-chan Hirofumi you're here too," the twins sang, sticking out their tongues cheekily before scampering over to sit obediently beside Kouichi.
Mayumi sighed again. Truly, these sisters were devils in angelic skins. Beautiful like her, yes, but with far more mischievous tendencies. And their little act had clearly been directed to rile the Itsuwa siblings.
Mio only chuckled softly, resting her chin on her palm. "Hmm… it seems Izumi-chan and Kasumi-chan have really grown. Hirofumi you should talk to them more."
"....."
Itsuwa Hirofumi who had just taken a sip of tea, almost choked on the spot.
S-sis! You can't be serious… How old are they again?
Yoji wanted nothing more than to hide under the tatami mats. Born into the Ten Master Clans, his marriage was never truly his choice. The pressure of carrying his family's bloodline weighed heavy on his shoulders, and his sister never let him forget it.
Mayumi, seeing the strained mood, suddenly spoke. "Yoji-nii… actually, I've been thinking about it carefully, and I believe we aren't suitable. Of course, it's entirely my fault. You're a good person, really. There's nothing wrong with you."
Her tone was gentle, but the words stabbed like daggers.
A "good person" card.
Even if Yoji had long given up on Mayumi in his heart, hearing her say it aloud was devastating. His knuckles whitened as he gripped his cup, forcing himself to remain silent.
At that exact moment—
"Mayumi-senpai is right," Mahiro cut in, his voice smooth yet sharp. "She likes me very much… and I also like Mayumi-senpai very much."
Gasps filled the room.
Mahiro didn't stop there. He boldly reached out and clasped Mayumi's slender hand, intertwining their fingers before everyone's eyes.
"Wha—Mahiro-kun?!" Mayumi's pretty face turned scarlet, her voice trembling. Yet after a heartbeat, she nodded in quiet agreement, her eyes lowered.
Kasumi and Izumi squealed, covering their mouths with both hands, their excitement overflowing.
Meanwhile, Yoji looked as if he'd just swallowed the bitterest medicine in existence, his face twisted in pain.
Mio's brows furrowed, her fan-like composure breaking. She had never once imagined that her brother's rival would so openly challenge them. She had even envisioned a future where Yoji and Mayumi's marriage was secured after graduation.
That plan was now burning away before her eyes.
Fixing her gaze on Mahiro, Mio leaned forward, her tone polite but razor-edged. "Mahiro-kun… you don't mind if I call you that, do you?"
Mahiro inclined his head. "Not at all, Sister Itsuwa."
"Good. Then tell me, Mahiro-kun… what do you plan to do after graduation?"
"I haven't thought about it yet."
Her lips curved slightly, her voice honeyed with poison. "So you have no plans for the future, right?"
The weight of her words hung in the air. Mayumi's expression stiffened, her heart tightening. Even Saegusa Kouichi adjusted his sunglasses slightly, catching the dangerous undertone.
Mio pressed on mercilessly. "I've also heard among the Ten Master Clans that you, Mahiro-kun, were already abandoned by the Yotsuba Family. Is that true?"
The room stilled.
"...What are you trying to say?" Mahiro's smile vanished, his expression cooling into calm steel.
"I am asking," Mio's tone sharpened, "what future can you offer Mayumi-neesan? You have no backing, no family to support you. Can you truly say you are worthy of her brilliance? Can you give her the future she deserves? Perhaps, rather than Mayumi, you should consider Izumi or Kasumi. Their age is more appropriate for you."
Kasumi and Izumi, who had been about to cheer at the mention of their names, froze mid-breath. Their smiles fell into frowns, their little fists tightening. Even they thought Mio's words were going too far.
"Mio-nee, that's enough!"
Mayumi slammed her hand on the table, her voice trembling with anger. "No matter what you say, Mahiro-kun is the one I chose! His excellence is recognized by the Ten Master Clans themselves! Don't you dare insult him!"
But Mio brushed her words aside as if they were leaves in the wind. Her eyes never left Mahiro, sharp and unyielding.
However, Itsuwa Mio completely ignored Mayumi's rebuttal. Her sharp eyes never once left Yotsuba Mahiro.
Mahiro, in response, gently patted Mayumi's hand as if to calm her. When Mayumi turned her head to glance at him, she froze. That faint smile had returned to Mahiro's lips, but this time it was different—calm on the surface yet carrying an unmistakable edge of danger.
The shift was subtle, but terrifying enough that even Saegusa Kouichi, who had been quietly observing from behind his sunglasses, felt his pupils contract. His heart gave a faint lurch.
That smile… that bearing…
Yes, it was the very same as Yotsuba Maya's. The graceful but chilling movements, the composed yet unsettling presence—everything about this young man carried her shadow.
Without a doubt, Yotsuba Mahiro was her son.
If someone had been able to peer into Mahiro's teacup at that precise moment, they would have sworn they saw faint streaks of starlight ripple across the liquid's surface, like meteors cutting through the night sky.
Mahiro calmly set down his cup, crossed one leg over the other, and with that dangerously elegant smile still on his face, finally spoke.
"I must say, Itsuwa-san, you are right about one thing," his voice carried easily through the tense air. "At present, I don't have much. But that doesn't mean I won't in the future. And besides—" his gaze briefly flickered to Mayumi, "—if Mayumi says she doesn't like Itsuwa-senpai, then he should be looking at other girls. There's no reason to tie himself down to a single tree, ne?"
"It's fine if Mayumi doesn't like him now. Feelings can be nurtured." Itsuwa Mio's tone was curt and laced with superiority. "Marriage within the Ten Master Clans isn't something a child like her can decide alone."
Her words weren't wrong. The Ten Master Clans often married among themselves, and if no suitable candidates were found, they chose from the Hundred Families. But to her, the reason for rejecting Mahiro was clear and simple:
To Itsuwa Mio, Yotsuba Mahiro was nothing more than an abandoned child. A discarded piece cast out by the Yotsuba Family. A stray branch of a lost bloodline, utterly unworthy of someone like Saegusa Mayumi.
Mahiro's eyes narrowed slightly. So that's why Mayumi always struggles when facing her… She knows she doesn't have the strength to oppose these arranged marriages forced by the clans.
Had Mahiro not entered the picture, the Saegusa Family would have had no alternative but to hand Mayumi over to Itsuwa Yoji.
"Well then," Mahiro's gaze shifted lazily to Saegusa Kouichi, the head of the family who had been enjoying the spectacle in silence until now. "What does Uncle Kouichi think?"
Kouichi gave a wry smile. "Although Mahiro was abandoned by Yotsuba Maya and expelled from the Yotsuba, I admire his talent greatly. Therefore, this matter rests on Mayumi's personal wishes. I will not interfere."
As expected of an old fox… Mahiro thought. The man had cleared himself of responsibility in one sentence while leaving all doors open, taking advantage of every possible outcome.
"Tch, sly old man," Mahiro muttered under his breath, lips still curved in a knowing smile.
"Seriously, Kasumi is willing to marry Mahiro-nii!" Kasumi suddenly raised her hand with sparkling eyes.
"I-Izumi too… I don't mind!" Izumi followed quickly, cheeks red.
Mio forced a stiff smile. "Ara, look how popular you are, Mahiro-kun. Not all girls would be this devoted. Perhaps you should take their feelings seriously."
What is going on here? Mio's thoughts darkened. Is my brother truly so inferior? Why do all three Saegusa sisters show such different attitudes toward him?
"Kasumi, Izumi!" Mayumi snapped, smacking the twins lightly on the head. "You're still in middle school! Don't talk nonsense about marriage until you're at least in high school!"
"B-But Father also arranged for Yoji-nii to meet you when you were in third year of middle school!" Izumi protested, rubbing her head.
Mahiro chuckled softly at the sisters' squabble. Then, out of nowhere, he spoke a line that froze the entire room.
"Well, since Kasumi and Izumi like me so much, I don't mind. Whether it's Mayumi-senpai, or Kasumi, or Izumi… I'll marry them all."
The room fell into stunned silence.
Every eye turned toward Mahiro. Even the unflappable Saegusa Kouichi raised his brows in genuine surprise.
Though truthfully, he had considered this possibility himself. Mahiro's magical power was absurdly strong, beyond imagination, and he had even helped refine the Saegusa' secret techniques so that even the twin daughters could wield them effectively. With someone like Mahiro, having him take multiple wives wasn't inconceivable.
Still, hearing Mahiro declare it so openly left everyone reeling.
"E-Eh?! Mahiro-nii!" Mayumi's face turned scarlet as she stared at him in disbelief.
Meanwhile, Kasumi and Izumi practically jumped for joy, hugging each other.
They didn't care about sharing a husband. What mattered was staying together as sisters, ensuring their elder sister's happiness, and marrying someone they genuinely liked.
In magician families, after all, polygamy was nothing unusual.
Across from them, Itsuwa Mio's expression had already turned stormy.
Her brother Yoji wasn't the most gifted among the younger generation, but he was hardly the weakest either. And compared to most of the Ten Master Clans, his standing was far from disgraceful.
So why did the three sisters show no interest in him at all? Why was their affection poured entirely onto Yotsuba Mahiro?
Even if marriages among the clans were often treated as business arrangements, Mio had both the Itsuwa name and her status as a Strategic-Class Magician to offer. That should have been enough to tilt any scales in her brother's favor.
"...Sister, let's just go," Yoji finally muttered, unable to bear the humiliation.
But Mio snapped back, "Yoji! We were the ones who first came to discuss an arranged marriage. As a man, you shouldn't just give up. You should fight for the woman you love face-to-face!"
She remembered clearly how Yoji and Mayumi had been close in childhood. To Mio, there was no way Mayumi could truly be unwilling. All of this, she thought, was Mahiro's fault. This outsider had come and shattered the bond between her brother and Mayumi.
"I'm sorry, Sister… but I can't," Yoji admitted at last, lowering his eyes. "Mayumi and I… there are no feelings between us. It's better this way."
Yoji's voice trembled, but his eyes carried a firm resolve. He and Mayumi had no romantic feelings between them, and deep down, he knew it would be cruel to keep dragging things out. For too long, he had been silent, caged by his sister's persistence. But today, he finally found the courage to speak.
Mio's lips pressed into a hard line. "If you won't, then I will."
The sharp voice cut across the room. Itsuwa Mio, seated in her wheelchair, rolled forward with an aura that made the air itself tense. Her eyes, burning with intensity, locked straight onto Yotsuba Mahiro.
"Yotsuba Mahiro," she declared coldly, "I demand that you give up Mayumi!"
"Ha? Why?" Mahiro blinked, dumbfounded. "You've got to be joking, right?"
This woman—this so-called elder sister—was so unreasonable it was almost laughable.
"Because I am one of the Thirteen Apostles!" Mio's voice rang like a war bell. "And since you dare to snatch a daughter-in-law from our Itsuwa Family… you'd better be prepared to face our wrath!"
In an instant, the frail-looking girl's presence exploded into a crushing aura, making the others gasp.
"Ugh, Mio… how can you say things like that?" Mayumi muttered, her cheeks puffing in an uncharacteristic pout.
But Mio didn't back down. For her younger brother's happiness, she was willing to throw all reason out the window. Her pale face turned pink, her eyes unwavering.
"Listen, little girl, don't misunderstand me," Mio said, forcing a playful smirk. "I'm a very reasonable onee-san, you know. So let's make a deal: let him fight me. If he can prove himself worthy—if his abilities pass my judgment—then I'll gracefully bow out and let him take Yoji's spot. Otherwise, Mayumi stays out of this!"
"Eeeh?!" Mayumi gasped. Her jaw nearly dropped. "You're being ridiculous, Mio-oneesan!"
Mahiro couldn't help but laugh. "Wait, wait, wait… You, a Strategic-Class Magician, one of the esteemed Thirteen Apostles, want to compete with a high schooler like me? Do you even realize how embarrassing that sounds?"
He spread his arms in exasperation. "This is like a pro gamer barging into an internet café to bully newbies! Isn't this just outright unfair? What are you, some kind of battle junkie?!"
Mio's face flushed crimson. "Wh-what? Are you scared, Mahiro-kun? If you're scared, then just admit defeat! Without my approval, Itsuwa will never give you Mayumi!"
Her words wavered slightly, but her determination never faltered. Shameless? Absolutely. But she didn't care. Who would criticize her when her little brother's future was on the line?
"A-ah, a brother-complex demon…" Mahiro muttered under his breath, sweat forming on his brow. Truly terrifying.
Saegusa Kouichi, who had been watching silently, finally spoke up, his voice brimming with curiosity. "Interesting… As far as I know, Yotsuba Mahiro is proficient in a wide range of A-rank magic. I've also heard rumors that he has even restructured advanced spells like Yotsuba Maya's Meteor Swarm."
Kouichi's eyes narrowed as he turned to Mio. "And Mio, besides your mastery over Abyss—that Strategic-Class spell—you're also formidable with conventional A-rank magic. A duel between you two… could be very enlightening."
"Mahiro-kun, don't listen to Mio!" Mayumi clung tightly to Mahiro's arm, her face tense. "You can't be her opponent!"
Her words came from genuine concern. Itsuwa Mio wasn't crippled—her wheelchair wasn't a weakness, but a method to conserve her immense power. Her magical reserves were monstrous, and though frail in body, she was terrifying in strength.
Mahiro gave Mayumi a reassuring smile. "It's fine, Mayumi-senpai. Since Miss Itsuwa has gone this far, if I back down now, what kind of man would I be? You want a duel, Mio-san? Fine… I accept."
His eyes gleamed with a quiet fire. Opportunities to witness—and possibly learn from—Strategic-Class magic didn't come every day. He had no intention of letting this slip away.
Mio paused, her lips parting slightly in surprise. For a moment, a glimmer of approval shone in her gaze. She had expected him to retreat, but instead he stood tall, unshaken.
"…At least you're braver than my brother," she admitted, almost too softly for anyone else to hear. If she were ten years younger… she might have fallen for a man like this herself.
Hirofumi standing awkwardly at the side, felt his face burn with embarrassment. He wanted to say something, but every word died in his throat. What bothered him more than humiliation was worry—his sister's health. Using a Strategic-Class spell was a brutal strain on her already frail body.
"Alright then," Kouichi announced, breaking the tension. "Let's move to the training ground."
He led the group to the Saegusa Family's backyard, a wide sandy expanse designed for combat practice. Unlike conventional training arenas, this one embraced the natural terrain. The loose, flowing sand made it an unpredictable battlefield.
Mio's lips curved in satisfaction. "Perfect… sand is most convenient for me."
Kouichi stepped forward with a stern expression. "Mio, even if this is a duel, I must remind you—crippling or fatal magic is strictly forbidden. If you go too far, I will intervene immediately."
"Understood, Uncle Kouichi," Mio said sweetly, though her aura told a different story. She raised her hand, and with a shimmer of psions, her wheelchair and body flickered into the center of the arena.
She and Mahiro stood ten meters apart, facing one another with silent determination. Both were preparing their respective spells, tension crackling in the air like static.
A dense psion light surged from within Itsuwa Mio's frail body, so concentrated it almost seemed to solidify into shimmering waves. It was an overwhelming display of magical energy—one that made it clear she was no ordinary opponent.
The only pity was that her body was far too fragile to sustain such power for long.
Mio's gaze sharpened with resolve. Sorry, Mahiro-kun… I'll need to end this quickly.
Her delicate fingers gripped tightly around her specialized CAD—tablet-shaped, sleek, and refined. With her magical strength already formidable, the CAD amplified her efficiency. Even high-level spells could be constructed in a mere second, while more straightforward magic could be unleashed almost instantly.
"Begin!"
Saegusa Kōichi's firm announcement rang out.
Both combatants moved at once.
"Turbid Sea Flow!"
Mio's hand extended with elegance and precision, her magic formula blazing into existence. The sand beneath her feet rose in waves, whipping up with violent winds until spiraling tornadoes of grit and dust converged. They merged together, compressing and compounding, surging forward like an unstoppable tide.
It resembled the Saegusa Family's Million Blades—but fiercer, heavier, and more relentless, gathering mass and momentum as it bore down on Mahiro.
The compound spell Turbid Sea Flow was originally a derivative of the Strategic-Class Magician spell Abyss, a fusion of strengthening and aggregation magic. Its true power was designed for water, but by sheer coincidence, the battleground beneath them was sand.
Though sand lacked the fluidity of water, it still sufficed as a destructive medium—and for the purpose of teaching Mahiro a lesson, it was more than enough.
The tornado merged into a vast sandstorm that howled toward him.
The three sisters of the Saegusa Family instinctively shielded their faces with their sleeves. Even twenty meters away, the dust and grit scraped their throats and stung their eyes.
If it was this suffocating for them at a distance, how unbearable must it have been for Mahiro in the storm's heart?
"Mahiro-kun…" Mayumi's eyes brimmed with worry.
But Mahiro raised his hand calmly.
"Phalanx!"
Boom!
The ground trembled as a shimmering barrier erupted outward from his palm. The towering sandstorm slammed against it—yet the torrent split apart as though colliding with a colossal reef. The storm raged and roared, but the barrier stood firm, the wall of prismatic light dispersing the destructive force to either side.
It was none other than the Jumonji family's strongest defensive technique—an immovable shield capable of withstanding nearly any magic.
Mayumi gasped. So Mahiro-kun wasn't exaggerating… Mahiro really has mastered the Jumonji family's strongest magic.
Even Saegusa Kōichi's lips twisted into a strange smile. Mahiro's talent was terrifying—so flawless it bordered on inhuman.
If this boy's bloodline were to be combined with our Saegusa Family… just what kind of child would be born? The thought both tempted and unsettled Kōichi.
But he couldn't help but wonder… Yotsuba Maya, who had lost the ability to bear children long ago—how had she managed to raise such a powerful heir?
On the field, the clash continued.
Compared to Mahiro, who stood relaxed behind his shimmering shield, Mio was already beginning to sweat. Not from magical exhaustion—her psion reserves were immense—but from the strain on her frail body.
"Spell Dispel!"
A burst of psion light tore through the storm.
The entire sand torrent lost cohesion in an instant, collapsing into ordinary grains that rained down like a suffocating sand shower.
But before Mio could even catch her breath—
Whiz! Whiz! Whiz!
Three sharp projectiles materialized behind her, streaking forward with deadly speed.
"That's… Magic Bullet Shooter?!"
Her eyes widened. Mahiro had copied the Saegusa Family's signature spell and launched dry ice bullets from thin air!
Mio jerked her CAD, invoking movement magic just in time to dodge, but her expression hardened.
She had believed one overwhelming strike would be enough—at the very least, enough to rattle Mahiro's composure and force a surrender. But not only had he parried with Jumonji's strongest defensive art, he had also stolen her family's spell and used it against her!
No wonder Uncle Kōichi approved of Mayumi's feelings for him. His raw talent was terrifying—and enviable.
Her breath came in sharp bursts. If that's the case… then don't blame me, Mahiro-kun.
She touched her CAD again, fingertips dancing across its interface like she was weaving invisible threads of data that snaked into the earth.
Mahiro's lips curved faintly. Finally… it's coming.
He could have ended this duel much earlier—he knew that better than anyone.
But he wanted to witness it. The trump card of a Strategic-Class Magician. A magic said to be invincible upon the sea.
"ABYSS!!!"
The earth roared.
The training ground beneath Yotsuba Mahiro's feet shook violently, the entire arena trembling as though it were being devoured by a magnitude eight earthquake. The reinforced flooring, built to withstand even the most destructive spells, cracked open with jagged fissures. Countless grains of golden sand gushed upward, like an underground river breaking free from its prison.
Though there was no seawater, this spell resembled a Strategic-Class technique—its flow mimicking the Turbid Sea. Instead of currents, it used sand as its vessel. The tremors deepened, and the ground began to sink.
"…So it's here?" Mahiro's lips curved into a sharp smile as he steadied himself. The scene brought back a memory—three years ago, the first time he witnessed Shiba Tatsuya's Material Burst. That same pulse of danger and excitement stirred in his chest.
He allowed the yellow sand to swallow his legs, let the sinking earth draw him into its depths like a gaping maw.
"Mio, stop this at once! What you're doing is against the rules!!!" Mayumi's voice rang out, shrill with panic. She tried to rush forward, but a storm of sand and dust lashed against her, forming a wall she couldn't break through.
She hadn't expected Mio to go this far. Was she truly willing to risk everything, to use such reckless methods… just for a petty match? Just to push Mayumi to Yoji?
"Father, you can't just stand there!" Mayumi turned toward Saegusa Kōichi, her eyes pleading.
But the elder only smiled. Not his usual courteous smile, but something sharper—something that chilled her blood. His gaze was fixed on the battlefield, his body unmoving. He had no intention of stopping this.
"O-Onee-sama, what do we do?! Mahiro-nii… he won't die, right?" Kasumi and Izumi clung to Mayumi's sleeves, trembling. They had never witnessed a duel turn so catastrophic. Even Mayumi herself had no answer, her heart thundering.
"Mahiro-kun! Give up already—you've lost!" Itsuwa Mio's voice cut through the chaos, harsh and commanding. She stood at the edge, maintaining her technique: Abyss. The spell had already sunken the arena into a vast hemisphere, thirty meters deep.
If she released it now, the weight of the sand would collapse instantly, burying Mahiro alive under thirty meters of crushing debris. There would be no escape.
"Surrender? Heh… you're way too early for that." From within the pit, Mahiro's voice rose, calm yet defiant. "Miss Itsuwa, your family's so-called Strategic-Class magic is… a little underwhelming."
"Don't bluff with me!" Mio's grip on her CAD trembled, her voice cracking with both rage and fear. "If you don't yield now, you'll really die!"
And yet… it wasn't an empty threat. Her forehead was drenched in sweat, her breathing unsteady. She had unleashed Strategic-Class magic, but her body wasn't built to sustain it for long. Every second was pushing her closer to collapse. Even maintaining it this long had already been a reckless gamble.
"…So that's what you're betting on? That I'll crumble under this?" Mahiro looked around at the churning tide of sand, his lips curling in disdain.
This was the mighty Abyss? To him, it felt no different than an oversized trap spell. Nothing compared to the overwhelming annihilation of Tatsuya's Material Burst.
His mind ticked rapidly. In the span of mere moments, he conjured over ten ways to break free. He could freeze everything solid with Ice Mist Divine Realm, overwhelming her sand with sheer output. He could simply fly out using aerial magic. Or even imitate the Jumonji family's Phalanx, crafting footholds to walk his way out.
But none of those interested him. No… Mahiro wanted something far more entertaining.
He raised one hand toward the swirling sand. A sharp light flickered in his pupils.
"—Technique Reversal: Anti-Demon Counterstrike!"
A surge of will burst outward from his feet, an invisible wave of thought energy spreading through the pit.
This wasn't a spell anyone had taught him. It was Mahiro's own creation. Inspired by Bleach, it followed the same logic as Yoruichi's legendary counter technique. By observing an enemy's attack, he reversed its flow and rewrote its essence.
But this wasn't Soul Society. There was no "mutual cancellation" here. Instead, the reversal became its own new phenomenon—an inversion.
What happens when a machine suddenly spins in the opposite direction mid-motion? Naturally, it rips itself apart. And magic… was no different.
"Y-you idiot! What did you just do?! Stop! Stop right now!" Mio screamed, her body shaking. The CAD in her hand rattled violently as the currents of sand spun out of control.
She could feel it—the Abyss slipping from her grasp, tearing itself apart under the force of Mahiro's reversal. She had no strength left to stop it.
"No way back now. Watch closely, Itsuwa-san… this is how your Abyss gets broken!"
In the next instant, chaos erupted. The swirling desert collapsed in on itself, dozens of tons of sand and dust roaring toward the center like a starving beast.
"AAAAHHHH!!!" Mio cried out, the backlash of the collapsing spell crashing into her. Pain shot through her body, and blood pooled at the corner of her lips. She had nearly been consumed by her own magic.
And then—something no one could have imagined occurred.
The sands inverted. What had once been a pit now reversed direction, a colossal surge of sand blasting upward, forming a dune that burst skyward. A towering sand pillar exploded into existence, piercing through the training ground.
And standing proudly at its peak—Yotsuba Mahiro.
The roaring winds whipped his fringe across his sharp eyes, his expression calm yet unshakably resolute. He gazed down at Itsuwa Mio, his voice soft, almost mocking in its composure.
"How's this move of mine, Mio-san?"
Her chest heaved with the remnants of resistance, but the strength to fight back had long drained from her. Slowly, her shoulders slumped, and with a trembling breath, she bowed her head deeply.
"...I lost," she admitted, her tone stripped of pride. The elegance she usually carried so naturally was gone. "The Itsuwa will uphold our agreement. We will no longer interfere with the matters between you and Mayumi…"
Turning slightly, her eyes softened at her younger brother. "I'm sorry, Yoji… this sister of yours failed. I couldn't secure your marriage with Mayumi."
Yoji clenched his fists, his guilt heavy. He shook his head with a bitter smile.
"Sister, don't apologize. It's fine… Mayumi-san never liked me to begin with. Even if we were forced into marriage, neither of us would've been happy. Maybe this is better."
Hearing that, Mio's lips trembled. Watching her proud, capable sister suffer defeat—defeat delivered by a boy nearly a decade her junior—cut deep into Yoji's heart. The woman who had always been a shining figure of excellence now stood in tatters.
If only he had refused her stubborn insistence from the beginning… would it have spared her from this humiliation?
Mio lifted her gaze, her eyes conflicted as they lingered on Mahiro, who now descended gracefully from the sand pillar. With a casual wave of his hand, the battlefield restored itself, the dunes and scars of their clash vanishing as though nothing had ever happened.
Why? she thought, biting her lip. With this kind of strength, why would Yotsuba Maya cast him out of the Main Family? Someone like him… he could easily form his own branch family—no, even rival the Main Family itself…
"Maa… it doesn't matter anymore." Shaking her head, Mio exhaled. "Hirofumi let's go."
Without another word, she turned her wheelchair. Yoji gave a final bow to Saegusa Kouichi before pushing his sister away, their figures disappearing beyond the gates of the Saegusa compound.
"Mahiro-kun!!"
The moment they left, Mayumi rushed forward, her face alight with excitement. She slapped Mahiro lightly on the shoulder, her voice almost squealing.
"It really was you, Mahiro-kun! You even shattered Mio-neesan's Abyss Domain—so cool!"
"Mahiro-kun, can you tell Izumi how you did it? Please?"
"Kasumi wants to know too! Don't leave us hanging!"
The Saegusa twins practically sparkled as they circled him, their eyes full of admiration. Their usual cool demeanor had vanished completely, replaced by the giddy aura of fangirls seeing their idol up close.
After all—he had just gone toe-to-toe with Itsuwa Mio, one of the most terrifying Strategic-Class Magicians, and came out victorious.
Strategic-Class Magicians… only thirteen were publicly acknowledged, though in reality, there were fewer than fifty in the entire world. For a high school student to clash with one and survive was beyond comprehension.
"Haha… it's nothing big, just a little trick I've been working on…" Mahiro scratched his cheek, trying to downplay it.
But before he could finish, a sudden wave of dizziness slammed into him.
His vision blurred, the ground tilted beneath his feet, and his body lurched forward uncontrollably.
"Mahiro-kun?!"
With no time to brace himself, Mahiro collapsed—straight into Mayumi's embrace.
"W-wait…!?" Mayumi's entire body stiffened, her cheeks instantly burning crimson. Mahiro's head was buried against her chest, and for a moment her brain nearly short-circuited.
But then she saw his unfocused, spinning eyes. Panic seized her heart.
"Mahiro-kun, what's wrong?! Don't you dare scare me like this!"
Her voice cracked, her hands trembling as she held his head close, no longer caring about appearances. All her usual grace and poise were gone, replaced with the raw, unfiltered fear of a girl who thought she was about to lose someone dear to her.
"Mahiro-kun! Please, hang in there!"