Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei - Magian Company - Volume 6 - Chapter 9

Chapter 9

[The duty of the inheritor]

August 27th, Friday, Tatsuya and Minoru returned to Japan.

Tatsuya's private jet landed at the Yotsuba Family owned airport in Miyakishima at 6:00 a.m. Despite the early hour, Miyuki and Lina were there to meet them on their arrival at the airport.

"Welcome back, Tatsuya-sama!"

After bowing graciously, Miyuki embraced Tatsuya, who greeted her back, "I'm home."

Behind Tatsuya, Minoru appeared to be slightly uncomfortable, while Lina, seemingly accustomed to their piece, seemed unconcerned.

"Good job out there, Minoru."

As one of the fellow leftovers (?), Lina speaks up to Minoru with some words of appreciation. 

"Hm? Right… Thank you for receiving us, Lina."

Trying to keep Tatsuya and Miyuki out of sight, Minoru came off looking somewhat awkward.

He would have a more casual tone were he speaking with Lina alone. It would seem that it would be easier for the both of them in that way.

"We called Minami to join us, you see. But she said she couldn't leave her post until you and Tatsuya arrived safely."

"I see…"

"Missing her?"

Lina glances up at Minoru with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"No, it's not like that."

"She said she'll be getting down here a little past ten."

"Lina…"

Minoru gave a slightly bitter look at Lina, who was smirking, with more insinuation to it than there's smile.

◇ ◇ ◇

Following a quick bath and a brief nap, Tatsuya and the equally rested Minoru ─ noted that sleep is not a hard requirement for a parasite such as Minoru ─ sat down to a late breakfast.

The time neared half past ten. Since it was nearly lunchtime, the breakfast was kept light. It would be closer to a mid-morning tea break.

Miyuki served Tatsuya with great enthusiasm. Finding amusement in this, Lina proceeded to serve Minoru. ─Once she had changed into a waitress-like outfit. The outfit featured a short skirt and a deep cut at the bosom.

Mimicking Miyuki, Lina poured drinks into Minoru's glass and replaced the empty plate with one of desserts, just as Tatsuya would receive. Each time, she went further than just following Miyuki's example, by leaning in close, just on the edge of touching, and flashing an over-the-top smile. When wiping the table, she made sure to bend forward significantly to accentuate the deep cut around her breasts… She didn't show any underwear, though.

Minoru knew right away that it was Lina trying to tease him. Hence, he laughed and went along with the suggestive service. From the outside, it might have appeared that he was enjoying it. But it was simply Minoru playing along with the joke.

─That was all there was to it, really.

But then it came Minami, who just arrived down from Takachiho.

"…Minoru-sama. What in the world is this…?"

Minami asks Minoru in a low voice.

Minoru fumbles to explain, "No, it's not what it looks like."

"Not like it looks? And how exactly is it different?"

"This was just something that Lina started as a joke to tease me about."

Minami shoots Lina a sharp cold glare.

"Lina-sama?"

"N-No, it's just a joke, you see. A joke."o, no, it's a joke, a joke."

It wouldn't be a good idea to provoke her.

Sensing this, Lina says, "Well, I'll leave the rest to you," before bolting away from the situation.

Tatsuya began sharing what they had discovered in their expedition to the Lhasa ruins a little later than planned, having an unexpected delay in finishing what was supposed to be a quick meal. He was joined by Miyuki, Minami, Hyougo, as well as Lina, who had been brought back by Hyougo.

"…That sounds like the fire of divine providence that destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah."

Lina interjects with a tense expression during the explanation of the dangerous magic developed by the Shambhala civilization.

Miyuki and Minami had similar expressions, but still seemed less shocked than Lina, possibly due to their different religious backgrounds. Lina is still a faithful Sunday churchgoer ─though not quite on the weekly basis.

"That's my thought, too. Maybe the story of Sodom and Gomorrah could be a memento of this magic."

Although he was interrupted mid-explanation, Tatsuya dutifully responded to Lina's inquiry.

"I'm not sure of the details of the magic at this point, but we can assume that it probably involves generating a wide area of super-heated, highly concentrated plasma in the air, and then letting it down to the ground."

"It almost seems like a combination of Lina's [Heavy Metal Burst] and Bezobrazov's [Tuman Bomba]…"

After saying this, Miyuki quivered in a cold shiver. Could be that the thought of what she uttered revived a sense of dread in her?

"If what Tatsuya is saying is true… It would be more powerful than my magic, because the part where it doesn't decrease as a function of the distance from the hypocenter…"

Lina followed up on Miyuki's line with a pallid face.

"There is the issue of the excessive power, but the real problem in question is that, as was with [Babel] recently, as long as there is enough capacity in the magic calculation area, anyone can master that magic using the relics."

"Aren't there only a few people with a magic calculation area that can handle that much, sir?"

The person who asked was Hyougo. His calm demeanor remained unchanged.

"If you respect mageists as human beings, yes."

"So, it could be memorized by many, if they were treated as disposable?"

As per usual, Hyougo wasn't one to show any sway in his expression or tone of voice. However, his beaming smile, which was quite unsuitable for the topic at hand, may have just mirrored what he was really feeling.

"This is speculation, but… if you don't mind the risk of overheating. Better, if you are willing to go to the point of overheating, then roughly 20 percent of mageist population would be suitable."

"If people knew of this legacy, most of the authorities would no longer regard mageists as a mere conventional weapon. And, unlike [Apostles] nowadays, these would be easily replaceable."

Minoru, addressing Tatsuya's line, expressed the concern that both of them take the most serious.

Even with this magic of mass destruction in hands, the authorities may never get to the point of actually using it. But a mageist with a magic installed from a "relic" that exceeds their capacity will break down from overheating, even if they don't actually use the magic. And that within a relatively short period.

Then, those in power could simply use the "relic" again to install the magic of mass destruction in another mageist. The "relics" of Shambhala make this possible.

"…Yeah, I could see that happening."

Lina, an "Apostle" herself, agreed in a dark tone.

"Magians may be created and nurtured just for the purpose of being used as vessels for such magic."

Miyuki, who is herself a mageist tailored for a specific purpose, pointed out in a heavy voice the problems that could arise.

"And there is the possibility that this duty would pass from one generation to the next…"

Minami, who is a second generation, with both parents who had "tailored bodies", could not voice out the gloomy future she foresaw.

"We're still in the middle of the subject, but I'd like to say that our next goal is to seal this… let's call it [Last Flame] for now. It is to seal this Mass Destruction Magic [Last Flame]. We first need to recover the relic used to install this [Last Flame], and then find a way to shut-off the installation function."

"You don't intend that we destroy the relic?"

"I'll leave that as a last resort. Even if mankind cannot responsibly handle it now, it may be needed by mankind in the future."

There was some hesitancy in Tatsuya's expression as he responded to Miyuki's question. He was unsure mankind would be much wiser and responsible in the future. Even so, he refuses to allow the wisdom of the past to be forever forgotten.

"…By the way, is there any other information you wanted to share with us? I might be mistaken, but I am under the impression that you still have something important to say."

Sensing Tatsuya's distress, Miyuki seeks to change the subject.

"I'd like to talk about that, if I may."

All eyes gathered on Minoru.

After receiving a nod of approval from Tatsuya, Minoru proceeded to speak.

"There exist ruins of Shambhala in Japan as well."

"What?!"

The three, Miyuki, Lina, and Minami, express their surprise, each in their own way. Lina being the one to raise her voice.

"And we know the place. You can get there from one of the caves at the foot of Mt. Fuji."

"A cave at the foot of Mt. Fuji, you mean Aokigahara? How weren't the ruins already discovered in a well-traveled place such as there?"

Miyuki tilted her head, puzzled. Understandably so, as Aokigahara's wind cave is a well-known tourist spot. Aokigahara is also being used by the National Defense Forces for military exercises in forest warfare. Various surveys of the area have naturally been conducted by both public and private entities.

"The original entrance was buried during the Jogan eruption."

The Jogan eruption was an active eruption of Mt. Fuji that lasted for two years starting in the 6th year of Jogan (864 AD). Which led to the formation of the present Aokigahara Sea of Trees on top of the remains of the lava flows from that time.

"The ruins themselves, however, remain dormant. One of the caves stretches out near the entrance, so we can access it by just digging from there. And since we know the exact location, we can be sure we'll find it."

"That's amazing, isn't it… That ruin in Lhasa could even tell us the current state of the other ruins?"

Lina interjected with a look of genuine amazement.

"Amazingly, yes. I suppose that's where the legend referring to 'there exists a path under Lhasa that leads to Shambhala' came from."

"And it was just that, indeed. It was really 'a path under Lhasa that leads to Shambhala'."

"The location is surely important, but it is on the magic kept there that we ought to focus our attention."

Tatsuya said, prompting Minoru to continue with his eyes.

"Yes, that's right. The Fuji ruins are where they kept magic related to parasites."

"Eh?!"

This time it was Minami who raised her voice.

"…I'm sorry to interrupt. But what does Minoru-sama mean by the magic related to parasites? Does it mean that we, parasites, were in fact created by the Shambala civilization?"

"Minami-san, calm down."

Taking hold of her hand, Minoru sits Minami back down beside him, calming her down.

Seeing Minami cast her head down with a tinge of blush on her cheeks, made both Miyuki and Lina smile at her innocent reaction.

"We won't know for sure the details until we actually investigate the ruins of Fuji. But there is still the possibility that the Shambala civilization didn't create Parasites, just developed ways of dealing with them."

"…Do you mean that they created magic to deal with the parasites when they appeared?"

"Maybe."

"So, what sort of magic could it be, do you know?"

Lina asked Minoru with a look of picked interest, seeing that Minami had regained her composure.

"……"

"Minoru, if you don't want to."

"No."

Minoru stopped Tatsuya, who was about to say "I can say it", with a resolute voice.

He then turned to Minami instead of to Lina.

"There are two magics related to Parasites that can be acquired from relics stored in the Fuji ruins."

Minami gulped, not only because she was taken aback by Minoru's serious expression, but also by the realization of what he would be about to say could have great implications for both of their lives.

She drew in a deep breath and braced herself to whatever she was about to hear.

Seeing her newfound resolve, Minoru continued.

"One is a magic to reliably turn people into parasites without the risk of death."

Minoru draws in a breath.

"The other is a magic to turn a parasite back into a human."

This time Minami stops breathing completely.

Not only Minami, but Miyuki and Lina also forgot to breathe.

"After we recover the relic for [Last Flame], we'll go to the Fuji Ruins. I don't plan on taking too long, so please don't worry."

Tatsuya's dispassionate voice reminded each of the three of them to breathe.

When the sound of heavy breathing subsided, Tatsuya resumed the conversation.

"But you two can already begin to think about what you're going to decide to do after we recover those relics."

Tatsuya said, to which Minoru replied, "I agree," and Minami followed with, "I will do as you say."

"By the way, Tatsuya-sama. Where would you go to collect the relic of the [Last Flame]? Depending on the location, we may need to arrange a way to travel there as soon as possible."

Sensing the end of the conversation, Hyougo asks Tatsuya in a calm tone, unbefitting of his youth, but appropriate for a butler.

"Right! If the ruins in Tibet are the 'path that leads to Shambhala' as you say they are, then they must have been able to tell where that mass-destruction magic could be found, right?"

No one attempted to correct Lina that "the magics are not stored in the ruins, but the relics, from where the magic can be learned, are".

"It'll be fine. It'll not be difficult to get there."

First responding to Hyougo, Tatsuya now turned to answering Lina's question.

"Because the ruins are located on Mt. Shasta."

Mount Shasta, a 4,000-meter tall volcano located in northern USNA California, and the starting point that led to this relic hunt and Shambhala exploration.

◇ ◇ ◇

Yokohama Bay Hills Tower is a trio of skyscrapers perched atop a hill overlooking the Port of Yokohama. The building is a complex that includes a hotel, shopping mall, private offices, TV station, as well as housing the Kanto branch of the Japan Magical Association.

A dressed up Saegusa Mayumi gazed out at the night view of Tokyo Bay, not from a window at the Magic Association branch, but from a window seat in the hotel's high-rise restaurant.

"Sorry for being late."

A man approached her table and said to her. The voice was heavy, full of bass and gravity, yet Mayumi knew that its owner stood at the same age as her.

"By no means. Thanks for your overtime, Juumonji-kun."

Juumonji Katsuto, a man of a physique that fully matched his voice, followed the waiter's lead and sat down in the seat across from Mayumi.

"Overtime, huh? I was hoping it would be finished on time, since the decision has already been made."

Katsuto chuckled wryly. There weren't many signs of annoyance as there was humor in his expression. He said so in more of a moment of levity than of complaint.

Katsuto came just out of a meeting with the Magic Association representing the Ten Master Clans. It's a regular meeting where the Ten Master Clans exchange ideas and opinions with the Magic Association.

The Japanese Magic Association has its main office in Kyoto and a branch office in Yokohama, where they hold meetings with the head of the Ichijou family, based in Kanazawa, and the head of the Futatsugi family, based in Ashiya, taking it in turns to attend. In the past, this role was exclusively handled by the Kudou family, but since the Kudou family relinquished their position in the Ten Master Clans three years ago, this arrangement has been in place.

Meanwhile, the closest family to the Kanto branch is the Mitsuya family of Atsugi, but it is the Saegusa family of Tokyo that voluntarily takes on the responsibility of interacting with the Magic Association. While most of the Ten Master Clans, all those that comprise the 18 Assistant Houses, have been reluctant to engage with the Association, only the Saegusa family ─ or rather, the present head, Saegusa Kouichi, has in any significant way been proactive in building a relationship with the Association.

However, as of late, Kouichi has refrained from public appearances. Katsuto, the head of the Juumonji family, became the primary liaison with the Association in his place, rather than the head of the Mitsuya family. A point that was strongly encouraged by Kouichi.

Katsuto does not know what Kouichi's intentions were. Still, from Katsuto's point of view, Kouichi is of his parent's generation. It was hard for him to refuse to take on such a chore without making a scene.

And aware of today's meeting, Mayumi invited Katsuto to dinner at a restaurant located in the same Bay Hills Tower ─ strictly speaking, in the adjacent building ─ as a way of repaying him for the last dinner.

In said previous dinner, Katsuto inquired Mayumi if it would be alright if to tell Tookami Ryousuke's sister about his situation. Tonight's dinner invitation was in a way to deliver a response to that question.

After some light banter about the Association ─ despite the fact that the restaurant is frequented by many of the Association's executives, neither Mayumi nor Katsuto paid any attention if they were overheard ─ Mayumi got to the main subject of the meeting.

"Tookami-san doesn't want to meet with his family… Or rather, he doesn't want to show his face to them."

"Sounds like there is a story there…"

Katsuto crossed his arms briefly and closed his eyes. He pondered for about five seconds and then opened his eyes again.

"…I understand. I will respect his wishes. I feel for his sister ─ for the family, in fact, but I'm sure he has his own personal concerns that he cannot compromise on."

Mayumi was relieved to hear that. Even if it was decided they should meet regardless, Ryousuke had already resigned from the company and moved out of the company housing.

"However, as long as Tookami Ryousuke is working for Magian Company, you can never be sure that he won't run into his sister or Alisa by chance. They are all in Tokyo, you know."

With such a large population in Tokyo, Mayumi thought, the odds of two people from different spheres of life and different lifestyles meeting each other by chance were close to zero. Also, the premise for Katsuto's concern was off consideration.

"I don't think there's any need to worry about that."

Hoping to assuage Katsuto's unfounded concern, she started spouting something she wasn't planning to say. ─She was a bit lax with relief from earlier.

"Because Tookami-san quit the Company."

"Quit…? You mean, he resigned from the firm?"

"Yes, all of a sudden. The Magian Company is not a firm, though."

Mayumi's trivial digression brings the conversation to a stalling point.

Except Katsuto didn't let his temper get the better of him here.

"Tookami-san said he wanted to return to America to work for Lena."

Katsuto's face tightens at that sentence. This change is slight, however, and even Mayumi, who has known Katsuto for a long time, could not tell what it represented, since Katsuto tends to have a tense expression on his face on a regular basis. ─Or might be that the alcohol has begun to eclipse Mayumi's vigilance.

"…By this Lena, who is in America, do you mean Lena Fehr of FEHR?"

"Do you know about Lena, Juumonji-kun?"

"Anyone with the slightest serious interest in news related to magicians would know about her. Lena Fehr is the name of the hour in the magician world."

This time Mayumi has widened eyes. A change in expression that, much unlike Katsuto's, was quite easy to read.

"What happened for that to happen?"

"If anything, I'm surprised Saegusa doesn't know."

Katsuto was taken aback. This time Mayumi could clearly see the expression on his face.

"No, I don't, so what? Could you just tell me already?"

Mayumi has a brief moment of impatience. Another way in which Mayumi and Katsuto are in stark contrast today.

Katsuto consciously held back a sigh as Mayumi childishly pouted her lips slightly.

"FEHR, under the leadership of Lena Fehr, recently signed a partnership agreement with the Magian Society. Even though the Magian Society is an upstart organization that was formed back in the spring, it has as its main representative Dr. Chandrasekhar, the developer of IPU's Strategic-Class Magic. With the English [Apostle] McCloud as a witness at the founding ceremony. In the international community, the Magian Society is effectively considered an official organization of the IPU and the United Kingdom. We cannot forget to add that the deputy representative is Shiba, now recognized as the world's most powerful magician. The Magian Society has already risen to become one of the most influential forces in the world."

"…Aren't you exaggerating just a bit?"

Mayumi says with a laugh, jokingly, or at least trying to sound as such.

"It's no exaggeration."

By contrast, Katsuto asserts in all seriousness. It was not a joke or an exaggeration.

"Ah. Right."

The briskness involuntarily made Mayumi turn a straight face.

"…And that Magian Society formed a partnership with a little known entity like FEHR. Out of all the many magicians' organizations in the world, they were the first one. How do you expect this not to raise a buzz?"

Perhaps thinking he had been too strong in his response to Mayumi, Katsuto softened his tone as he concluded.

That did little to ease the astonishment on Mayumi's part. It's not uncommon to see discrepancies between the assessment of an organization from a person from inside and that of someone looking in from the outside. Undervaluation and overestimation occur in equal measure. There are fewer cases when the insider has the right idea than vice versa, though.

"So that's how you knew about Lena."

Since Mayumi had nothing to say in reply, she decided to take that in stride and let the matter slide.

"And, if any, do you have any kind of relation with this Lena Fehr, Saegusa?"

"She's a new friend I made recently. You didn't hear about it, Juumonji-kun? I made a trip to Vancouver the month before last to work out that partnership."

"…No, I didn't know about that. Though, I'm surprised you managed to travel to the USNA."

The surprise Katsuto showed appeared to be nothing but genuine.

It would seem that the government is unwilling to let the word of her visit to USNA to spread around, Mayumi thought.

"So am I. It seems that there was some kind of mess going on behind the scenes."

"Mess? What do you mean?"

"I don't know and I don't want to know."

Mayumi responded to Katsuto's quizzical expression in a curt, almost cold manner.

"Anyway, it's clear that our Managing Director, Tatsuya-kun, had something to do with it, anyway."

"I see… I hope this tension doesn't cause an outburst from the government or the military."

Katsuto wasn't joking about his concern. It was not only in fiction that authority can lose their patience and do something rash when forced to make too many unwanted compromises.

"Right?. Really, I wish Tatsuya-kun would try to be at least a bit more reasonable."

"─But let's put Shiba's affairs to the side for now."

Sensing a surge of complaints and grievances about to pour out, Katsuto seeks to redirect the subject.

"So, was Ryousuke Tookami a member of FEHR, working for Lena Fehr?"

Mayumi's expression, which until then had been upbeat and all good vibes, became clouded.

"─Yes, he was. He apparently only came to Japan on Lena's orders."

"As a spy, you mean? If you knew of a spy trying to infiltrate the Japanese magic community, why haven't you reported in the Ten Master Clan's conference?"

Katsuto's tone was tinged with criticism. In fact, it was less of an accusation and more of a reproach.

He wasn't really harsh with her, but Mayumi looked away nevertheless, unable to look him straight in the face.

"…Though I won't deny the spy part, I've seen no signs that he would've harmed the Japanese magical community. Besides, Tookami-san is a Japanese magician, too."

Still, Mayumi did not lower her head. She didn't meet him eye-to-eye, but she didn't turn her face away.

"He was still spying for a foreign nation, though, wasn't he?"

"Not a nation, though; for a foreigner maybe. Besides, all he was looking for was Tatsuya's intentions. The Company has tons of information that any foreign nation would salivate over, but there was no indication that he was trying to access that data."

"...I don't think you'd be able to tell if there was something like a hacking or not, Saegusa."

"Even if I don't, Kyouko-san is also in the Company. And I'm sure no hacking would've passed unnoticed by the 'Electron Sorceress'."

Katsuto knows of the famous Electron Sorceress, of course. A devilish hacker with god-like skills that is the nightmare of anyone engaging in cyberwarfare and cyber espionage, be it on the offensive or defensive end. Fujibayashi Kyouko might be able to paralyze the modern world that relies on electronic systems overnight if she so chooses, and even cause irreparable damage to society. All without a single trace of destructive cracking. In some ways, she can be more devastating than even Tatsuya.

If that Fujibayashi Kyoko had assessed that "there was no evidence of unauthorized access", Katsuto couldn't argue further in that respect.

"…You seem to be pretty fond of Tookami Ryousuke to be defending him like this."

Was that the reason?

This is unusual for Katsuto, but such a point was very much a low blow.

"Eh, fond─!?"

Katsuto didn't expect his line to receive that reaction.

"Me? Fond of him? No, no. It's not like that…"

Katsuto words seemed to have a critical effect on her to the point that she felt hard to formulate a response.

"Saegusa, you…"

"Wait right there, Juumonji-kun! don't get the wrong idea!"

Katsuto was just referring to being "favorable" to him, as "in his favor". There is a difference in nuance between being fond of someone and being in love with them. Mayumi has evidently dug her own grave, or rather, stepped in a minefield she herself set. Though Katsuto didn't tease Mayumi by pointing this out.

"You're at the age of marriage. So I'd not be surprised if you found a partner in him."

This was not him teasing her. Katsuto was serious.

"I already told you, we're not like that!"

The restaurant fell silent for a moment. After a second of stillness, whispering voices combined into a murmur.

This time, as one would expect, Mayumi blushed and looked down.

Even Katsuto was at a loss for words at Mayumi's unexpected fierce words.

"…I have nothing with Tookami-san."

After some time spent looking down, in what must have been a sign of defeat to her, Mayumi raised her head to look out the window and muttered bluntly to herself. In form it was a response to Katsuto, but in reality it was a mutter to herself ─ a soliloquy.

"Tookami-san said he would be flying back to America."

In a perfectly timed moment, she saw a passenger plane taking off from Haneda Airport, the Tokyo Bay Maritime International Airport.

"He has only Lena in his heart. A man who devotes his heart to another woman can never could never fall in love from the very beginning."

As it happened, Ryousuke was actually on that airliner. But there was no way Mayumi could have known that.

◇ ◇ ◇

August 27, near noon local time.

In Richmond, California, two women visited the house where the FAIR head Rocky Dean had been hiding.

"My lord… I have just returned."

As soon as the front door closed, Laura Simons abruptly kneeled down. The women visiting were Laura and He Xiangu, who had brought her back to the USNA after much effort.

It took three days for Laura to get away from Izayoi Shirabe, because she had to go through Southeast Asia to bypass immigration. once there.

Dean and Laura are still wanted. Though they were able to pass through customs with He Xiangu's Alteration skill, magic alone could not falsify their visas or passport entry/exit records.

"─Laura, I see you're finally back."

Dean looked down at her arrogantly, but there was unmistakable relief and joy in his eyes.

He Xiangu, having brought Laura this far, looked at the master and servant scene with a smile.

Same day, around the same time.

"Milady. I'm back."

"Ryousuke!"

At the FEHR headquarters in Vancouver, Lena widens her eyes at the unexpected re-encounter with Ryousuke.

"Milady, I have interpreted your assignment in Japan as complete through your partnership with the Magian Society. Please allow me to serve back at your side again."

Ryousuke bows deeply. If this was a Japanese occasion, he would be surely rubbing his forehead against the floor.

"Serve me? What are you… Ryousuke, please raise your head."

Despite being told by Lena with a voice filled with bewilderment, Ryousuke still kept a 90-degree bend at the waist. His entire figure exuded the obstinacy of "I will not budge even a degree until I obtain forgiveness".

"…Ryousuke, you are one of my associates."

Understanding the stubbornness in Ryousuke's heart, Lena softens her voice.

"There is nothing to be forgiven or not. Please, I ask you to help me, too. Let's work together again."

Ryousuke raises in vigorous fashion. His expression seemed to be about to be drenched in tears of emotion.

"I am honored, Milady! I will serve you with all my heart and soul!"

"I already told you, you don't need to serve me."

Lena's bittersweet smile was lost on Ryousuke, who once again bowed his head in a gesture of utmost reverence.

It was midnight in Japan at the time, where Tatsuya was diligently planning his trip to the U.S. with Hyougo.

The next stage was about to shift back to the West Coast of the USNA.

〈To be continued〉