Chapter 3: Campus Life
Tatsuya is a student at Magic University. Although it can no longer be said that it is his principal occupation, Tatsuya has no intention of dropping out of university even though he has been appointed as the vice president of an Non-Governmental Organization, the executive director of a general incorporated association, and the president of a newly established company.
Two days after the establishment of Magian Company, Tatsuya managed to return to school for the first time in about a week. During the morning he managed to make up for the week's delay by bowing to his professor who had been unreasonable with him, submitting all the reports for assignments that were not allowed to be submitted online from outside the university, and downloading new assignments.
It was past noon. The campus was crowded with students. There were about 3,000 students enrolled in this university. Even though it wasn't too crowded to the point of overfilling, on the current degree it was difficult to find a place where there were no people. Tatsuya walked through such a crowd to the place where he and Miyuki and Lina were going to meet.
On the way, he encountered a group with a high ratio of female students. At the center of the group is Ichijou Masaki. Unlike Tatsuya, he seems to be enjoying his university life to the fullest. ──However, there is a difference of opinions as to which life is more fulfilling, Tatsuya, who has an impeccable fiancée named Miyuki, or Masaki, who is surrounded by a large number of persons of the opposite sex, but does not have a specific lover. Probably both of them would agree that Tatsuya's life is more fulfilling.
Masaki also noticed Tatsuya. But they didn't speak to each other. Just a quick raise of their hands to each other as a sign that they weren't ignoring each other. Masaki probably knew that Tatsuya was going to meet up with Miyuki. But he wouldn't act like he couldn't read the atmosphere, like slipping away from the group he was in by himself.
However, not everyone who reads the atmosphere follows it blindly.
"Oh my, Tatsuya-san."
At least she didn't.
While passing through an intersection, Tatsuya was approached by a familiar voice from the side.
"Ayako."
Kuroba Ayako. She was also enrolled in Magic University along with her twin brother, Fumiya.
"Somehow, it's been a long time since I've seen you. Even though we are neighbors."
Ayako and Fumiya live in a mid-rise apartment building one block away from the Yotsuba Tokyo Headquarters where Tatsuya, Miyuki and Lina live. As a matter of fact, that building is also owned by the Yotsuba family. It was bought and remodeled as a sub-headquarters in case the Tokyo Headquarters building was rendered unusable for some reason.
Because it's so close, it's easy to get from one place to another in case something happens. But in terms of risk distribution, it should be located farther away. Perhaps the fact that the Yotsuba's priority is convenience over risk is a sign of their overconfidence.
When Ayako said "neighbors," there was a murmur in the background. She had a large group of male students in tow, in stark contrast to Masaki.
"Right. We live near each other, but we don't get a chance to see each other as much as we might think."
Tatsuya casually emphasizes the fact that they don't meet often. His aim is to mitigate the jealousy of the group of boys following Ayako. She is the reigning "princess" of the group, whose members are mainly in the same year as her.
Kasumi and Izumi, like Ayako, are a year below Tatsuya, both of which are well loved by the people of the same sex. Though, Ayako is a step ahead of the "Saegusa twins" in terms of popularity among the opposite sex.
To be honest, Kasumi and Izumi have not changed much since their high school days.
Kasumi and Izumi have not really changed their impression much since their high school days. The only changes they've made are that they now wear makeup without cutting corners, and they've stopped wearing ribbons to tie their hair up.
On the other hand, Ayako has changed her hair into a medium layer and her make-up and clothes have been changed for a more mature look, which gives her a more devilish impression. In regards to which one is more stylish, objectively speaking, Ayako would be the winner without a doubt.
"Tatsuya-san, you're going to lunch now, aren't you? May I join you?"
Ayako comes right beside Tatsuya, putting on a coquettish act.
Tatsuya wasn't fazed by this degree of agitation. And Ayako also knows that, as she is not playing with Tatsuya, but with the boys in her circle. She is a true little devil, a true evil woman.
"I don't mind, but ……."
Saying that, Tatsuya turns his attention to the boys Ayako has with her.
Ayako says "Oh!" as she nodded modestly, turned back to them and bowed with a slightly pretentious gesture.
"I'm sorry, everyone. I'll be having lunch with my cousin today."
The relationship between Tatsuya and Ayako is that of a second cousin, though Ayako often refers to Tatsuya as her cousin. Whether it's a bother or not; when Tatsuya introduces Ayako or Fumiya, he refers to them as his younger second cousin.
This isn't something Tatsuya and the others chose to do on their own. Ever since Fumiya and Ayako became college students, the Yotsuba have stopped hiding the fact that they are magicians of their family. Maybe the reason why there are so many boys around her is not only due to Ayako's beauty, but also because they have interests in making a connection with the Yotsuba family.
Some of Ayako's followers raised complaints. But no one complained outright, nor did any of the boys challenge Tatsuya, which was not surprising considering they were hoping for a good relationship with the Yotsuba family.
Well, even without such an ulterior motive, no one would have had the courage to stand up to Tatsuya. He was avoided by his fellow Magic University students, except for his acquaintances from high school. The summer of three years ago, when he had struck a challenge to the world, was still fresh in the memories of those who were involved with magic.
--4th of August, 2097. It was on that day that Miyakijima, the newest island in the Izu archipelago, was attacked by rebel forces from the USNA and the New Soviet Union.
'I want a peaceful coexistence with magicians and non-magicians alike. But if it's necessary to use force for self-defense, I will not hesitate to do so'
Tatsuya sent a message to the world via satellite global network after repelling both invading armies, together with the elite of the Yotsuba family. Showing that he had the power to back that up──
"Shall we go, Tatsuya-san?"
Ayako smoothly twined her own right arm around Tatsuya's left arm. There were suppressed screams and hushed moans from her followers. But Ayako didn't look back. She urged Tatsuya to move on, acting like she didn't have a lot of male friends.
There were three female students waiting for Tatsuya at the appointed meeting place in the food court. No, there were three of them around the table, but technically, only two of them were waiting for Tatsuya.
Needless to say, it was Miyuki and Lina who were waiting for him. As soon as she recognized them, Ayako untied her arm from Tatsuya's.
The other girl at the table is Izumi. Kasumi is nowhere to be seen. Unlike their high school days, Izumi and Kasumi often act separately. Especially since the courses were separated in this school year, they've been almost always acting separately.
"Oh my, Saegusa-san"
"Well, If it isn't Kuroba-san"
Ayako and Izumi were surprised at the unexpected appearance of each other's character in the scene. These two had been rivals ever since they clashed in the Nine Schools Competition of the year before last.
Furthermore, their match was in Mirage Bat, of which Ayako was the winner.
To Izumi, it was simply in regards to her defeat.
To Ayako, it was a matter of just being one step away from being beaten in a competition in which she had the absolute advantage.
They couldn't help but to be aware of each other.
"I didn't expect Saegusa-san to be here"
"I'm the one who didn't expect to see Kuroba-san here,"
The table where Miyuki and Lina are sitting is for four people. There is only one empty chair.
"Kuroba-san, thank you for bringing Shiba-senpai with you."
"No, no. Saegusa-san, I'm the one who thanks you for keeping company to Miyuki-san."
Ayako and Izumi's words are followed by the same sentence, which is omitted. That is to say --You can go away now that you've finished your business--.
Izumi doesn't get up from her seat, and Ayako looks coldly down at her.
Miyuki and Lina avert their faces from those two. It's a blatant "I don't want to be involved" attitude. Or maybe it's just "do as you please".
Neither Ayako nor Izumi seems to be bothered by such a cold treatment. Both of them must have their eyes only on their rivals at the moment.
"……Kuroba-san, unfortunately, there's only a chair left open for one more person, right?"
Izumi indicates the obvious facts in an overly polite manner.
"Yes, so it would seem ………Does Saegusa-san wish to have dinner with Tatsuya-san?"
In regards to that, Ayako's words were accompanied by a ridiculing tone and a cold look.
"Wha-……!"
Izumi was the first to break her outward composure.
"A- And what problem does Kuroba-san have with that?"
"Me? Of course, I wish I had the opportunity to join Tatsuya-san.”
Ayako responds to Izumi with a relaxed smile.
"……If that is the case, why don't you and Shiba-senpai take a seat together?"
After regaining her composure by taking a short pause, Izumi shot back in a teasing tone.
"That would be discourteous on my part. To dine alone with Tatsuya-san, disregarding Miyuki-sama, the next head of the Yotsuba family……"
Ayako puts one hand on her cheek in a pompous manner.
"As a member of the same Yotsuba clan, it would be a real honor for me to be able to sit with Miyuki-sama and Tatsuya-san. However, if Saegusa-san says that she wants to be with Tatsuya-san no matter what, I'll give it to you, okay?"
"…………!"
Izumi's face is slightly flushed. Looking closely, it is possible to see her clenched hands trembling.
I guess that means that it was the end of the match.
"──Miyuki-senpai, please excuse me!"
Izumi got up from her seat and walked away quickly before anyone could call her back.
Miyuki returned her hips to the chair, and turned a mildly accusing gaze on Ayako.
"……Ayako, you really can't get along with Izumi, can you?"
Not only in his stare, but also in his dumbfounded voice, Tatsuya indirectly chastised Ayako.
"It's not like I despise Saegusa-san. I consider her as a rival."
Expressing an excuse in her expression, Ayako gave to Miyuki a bow that was not too deep.
"I am sorry for causing a commotion. I've spoiled the atmosphere unnecessarily, so I too, will refrain from joining you for today."
Ayako seemed to be reflecting on the fact that she had gone too far.
"……I understand, Ayako-san, let's meet again another time."
Miyuki didn't stop Ayako. Miyuki knew that sitting in the same place would only make Ayako feel a stronger sense of inferiority, or even guilt, towards Izumi.
"Yes, by all means."
Ayako smiled and bowed, then took her leave from Tatsuya and the others.
After lunch, Tatsuya attended a seminar. Miyuki and Lina were also in the same seminar.
Since Tatsuya has a lot of things to do other than being a university student, he knows that he cannot attend seminars as diligently as other students. Therefore, he chooses seminars that accommodate his schedule in various ways. One of the Yotsuba branch families, the next head of the Tsukuba family, Tsukuba Yuuka, was associated with this seminar room until last year.
Professor Higashiyama Kazutoki [7] is not a member of the Yotsuba family, but he has blood ties to the family. He is the grandson of their great-great-grandfather (grandfather of their grandfather). He is just sixty years old. And, while he hasn't made any spectacular achievements in the development of Strategic-Class Magics, he has been steadily building up his research achievements and is highly regarded internationally in the world of magic.
The state of affairs that resulted on Tatsuya's, with his poor attendance, enrolment in the seminar is clearly due to his connections. In terms of funding, Prof. Higashiyama research was being backed by Toudou Aoba, the Yotsuba family and Tatsuya's private sponsor. ──For the record, Yuuka was not acting as an intermediary of Toudou. Toudou is not suiting things according to the Yotsuba family's convenience, but to Tatsuya's.
Even though he is often absent, Tatsuya is not a bad student in the eyes of his professors because he submits reports and helps with the research. Today, Higashiyama has been talking to Tatsuya for more than an hour, leaving the other students behind. It has become a tradition in the Higashiyama Lab to listen to their discussions while the other students gave a wry smile.
Although Tatsuya is spending his time as a regular university student, once he gets back home, he has more things to do besides those important to his studies. Upon returning home, Tatsuya was greeted with an email from Hyougo and Fujibayashi, reporting the same thing from different aspects.
Upon reading it, Tatsuya couldn't help but frown.
"Tatsuya-sama, what is the matter? Is it bad news……?"
Tatsuya's expression was so bitter that Miyuki knit her eyebrows as she asked.
"It seems that the eldest daughter of the Saegusa family wishes for a job in the Company."
"Eh! Saegusa-senpai is?!"
Miyuki's eyes widened at Tatsuya's answer, and she briskly put her hand over her mouth.
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