Erika was not particularly aware that she was a beautiful girl competing in this for 2nd to 3rd place in First High. ...Not for the 1st to 2nd place, because there was one person in a special situation.
Naturally, it attracted the attention of the male part of the students. The rumors that Erika "staked out" the newcomer guy, dashed across First High.
"Onii-sama. Have you heard of Erika?"
This was said even at the dinner table in Shiba's house.
"Yes. You're talking about the fact that Erika had a fight with Yaguruma-kun in the small gym No. 2? From the president of the club kenjutsu Aizu came an explanatory that 'it was not molestation.'"
"Already? Aizu-kun is so punctual."
Aizu Ikuo was not selected as a participant in the Nine Schools Competition because of his habit of using his favorite magic, but he was a famous participant in the kenjutsu tournaments, consistently ranked highly.
These two were naturally familiar, and Tatsuya to some extent also had an acquaintance with him through Erika.
"Really. If the Vice-President helps a little more, then he will be able to breathe a sigh of relief..."
Hearing Tatsuya mutter with sympathy, Miyuki showed a smile, behind which was a small giggle. Two members of the school board were also familiar with Saitou Yayoi. Tatsuya and Miyuki had not had much interaction with her, because problem children are the concern of the local disciplinary committee. Salvation was still possible, because there were no malicious violations of school rules that are subject to control by the disciplinary committee.
"Nevertheless, it's unusual for Erika to take care of a particular person."
So it is, but it does not seem like a frivolous interest, Tatsuya thought.
"Maybe she felt some special talent in Yaguruma-kun."
"A special talent...? Did Onii-sama see anything in him?"
Yesterday Tatsuya caught Saburou on unauthorized use of magic.
Knowing Tatsuya's "eye", it was not strange for Miyuki to think that if he had an outstanding talent, he would have noticed him then.
"He's really well trained, but I did not notice anything outstanding, except for psychokinesis."
"Does Yaguruma-kun own psychokinesis?"
"Yes. Part of the magic calculation zone is occupied by Movement Systematic-type Magic, intended for direct control. In this situation, problems arise with the use of other magic. As a person with the same flaw, I cannot suppress compassion."
"...Partially occupied?"
"As far as I could see."
"...Compared to Onii-sama himself, who has the entire zone occupied, this is not such a problem."
Although Miyuki said so, even when this is only a part, there is no difference in incompetence with limited abilities.
"That's right."
However, Tatsuya agreed, without saying too much, to reassure Miyuki looking at him with worried eyes.
"Then, what could this Chiba-senpai notice in Yaguruma-kun?"
It was unusual for Minami to interfere with the conversation of the two, but she had no choice, and she did it to distract Miyuki from Tatsuya's shortage.
"With a skillful combination with taijutsu, psychokinesis can be an excellent weapon. Because of the additional "invisible hand", which increases the chances of winning in close combat."
Miyuki, it seems, did not quite understand the meaning, but Minami, who had undergone heavy training in the main house of Yotsuba, heard about the "extra hand", nodded heavily.
"I do not know how much Erika is aware of the psychokinesis of Yagurumai-kun. But this is Erika. I do not doubt that she feels something intuitively. There is something in Yaguruma-kuna, she could feel and want to train."
This time, Miyuki also nodded confidently. She felt that the phrase about
"Intuitively" was exactly about Erika. At that moment, as if waiting for the end of their conversation, a bell rang.
He did not report the arrival of the guest. I did not notify you of an incoming call or message. It was a delivery service signal.
"I'll take a look."
Minami stood up before Miyuki stopped her. Tatsuya and Miyuki for some reason stopped eating, waiting for the return of Minami.
"...This letter. The recipient in the address is Tatsuya-sama and Miyuki-sama."
In times of actively progressive electronic information networks, paper letters were to disappear as a species. This was predicted by many experts, but at the moment, this prediction has not yet come true. As the logistics network developed as well as electronic networks, or even better than them, mail delivery occurred in less than 24 hours throughout the country.
Staff costs were reduced due to intensive automation. This allowed us to obtain a level that is acceptable for practical use in terms of speed and cost. The postal service has existed up to now as an active service mainly for ceremonial needs.
"Who is the sender?"
After Tatsuya's question, Minami turned the envelope in her hands. Prior to this, according to the rules of decency, she did not look at anything other than the name of the recipient.
"It's from Juumonji-sama."
"From Juumonji-senpai...?" Miyuki asked in a puzzled voice. Driven by this voice, Minami tried to give Miyuki the envelope, but Miyuki gave the command to her eyes. "Give it to Tatsuya." Minami, without showing any displeasure, handed Tatsuya an envelope and a paper knife.
They have not finished eating yet. Tatsuya was puzzled if it was worth discovering it now. However, seeing that Miyuki and Minami want to quickly find out the contents, he cut the envelope with a knife.
The letter did not say much. Quickly reading, Tatsuya briefly retold the text:
"It seems that Miyuki and I are invited to a meeting to discuss measures against the anti-magic movement."
"For a meeting to discuss measures against the anti-magic movement ...
us? Not both?"
The question posed by Miyuki was quite natural.
"It seems that this is a meeting for young people from the '28 Houses'."
In the future, it is planned to expand the scope beyond the "Numbers"
and create something like the Youth Branch of the Japan Magic Association.
"...Is this what Juumonji-senpai says? No, I do not think I'll say it rudely, but it seems to me that Juumonji sempai does not look like someone who will plan such things."
Tatsuya showed a bitter smile, because the word "plan" used by Miyuki seemed to him amusing. It seems that she too succumbed to the bad influence of the world of conspiracies and intrigues.
"There will not be decided any bad things. Perhaps this will be a place, exclusively as a forum for exchanging views."
"Planning" * was usually understood as a term used for adverse plans.
Realizing this from this indirect explanation, Miyuki blushed embarrassedly.[For the word "plan", the Japanese have several different words. The word used by Miyuki has a meaning that is closest to the
"weave of intrigue."]
"That's how... Sempai may be trying to create a community of magicians who will be responsible for the next generatio ..."
"Although, this time, most likely, Juumonji-senpai does not plan anything."
"Well..."
"Well, Onii-sama," Miyuki wanted to say playfully, but stopped short.
The meaning of Tatsuya's words penetrated her mind with a slight delay in time.
"...It was not a thought of Juumonji-senpai?"
"As you said, Miyuki. This proposal is not at all like the sempai."
Tatsuya picked up soft words, but his tone was confident.
"Then, who..."
"You can think of the Saegusa family, but, in my opinion, Mr. Koichi's methods are not like that." Tatsuya did not show modesty in words about the head of the Saegusa family, who was of age similar to his father, because he was not here as an interlocutor.
"Well, it's an arbitrary guess. There is nothing to check it, and there is no choice but to assume so."
Tatsuya gave Miyuki a letter... that is an invitation. It meant "read?".
Miyuki waved her head slightly.
"So, Onii-sama, what are we going to do?"
Regardless of what was written in the letter, for Miyuki it only meant
"what will Tatsuya do."
"I will attend this meeting." Answered Tatsuya without hesitation.
"You alone?"
"It's better for Miyuki not to appear there." Tatsuya did not explain the reason for this.
"I understand."
Miyuki also did not ask for an explanation. Instead, Minami had a person asking for explanation.
"The meeting will begin next Sunday at 9 o'clock. The venue is a branch of the Kanto Magic Association. On this day, Miyuki will stay at home.
Minami, you remain an escort for Miyuki. I rely on you."
"Yes."
However, there were no objections to Tatsuya's orders. Miyuki and Minami responded synchronously.
Needless to say, the invitation from Katsuto was sent not only to the Shiba family. The letters moved at about the same speed, so Mitsuya's family in Tokyo received a letter from Katsuto almost at the same time as Tatsuya.
Shiina, who had six older brothers and sisters, did not have anything to do with this. Shiina was rarely attracted to official interaction with 28
houses.
The eldest sister and the three older brothers who hurriedly gathered to give an answer, this time also did not include Shiina in the discussion.
Shiina was the only one among brothers and sisters, so distant in age.
The nearest triplets-twins were 8 years older than her. Everyone is used to not taking her into account at such moments. The feeling of alienation was small, because this time it was not the only one left unattended.
After dinner, while enjoying free time (or simply speaking, sitting around) Shiina, decided to take up magical practice.
The mansion of the Mitsuya family and the still functioning Third Research Institute were at a distance from each other. Although the car ride would not take long, but the time was later, and instead of the Third Research Institute, Shiina went to the training hall of the mansion.
The Mitsuya family, which, together with the Mikazuki family, operates the current Third Magician Development Laboratory, also has the most modern training equipment in its mansion. Although this equipment did not have the latest experimental prototypes, its quality and equipment were no worse than in magic schools.
Needless to say, the training rooms of the mansion were used only by the inhabitants of this mansion. Of course, the priority was with the Mitsuya family. Many employees often preferred to use the Third Lab for training. As a result, the training hall was idle without use quite often.
Seeing this vacant place, Shiina often thought that it was a waste, that such a wonderful equipment was worthless, but that night there was a visitor.
aburou was falling on mats for practice.
"...Saburou-kun, what are you doing?"
Hearing the voice of Shiina, standing up from the mat, Saburou froze.
"Look and you will understand."
He looked at her and quickly resumed the mysterious (for Shiina) movement. Leaping up, he fell on his back. Immediately standing up, he fell again, but after making a half-turn, landed on his stomach. At the time of the fall, a groan was heard, it seems, it was painful.
"...I do not understand anything at all." Shiina immediately raised the white flag. She did not lag behind her childhood friend in eccentricity, and simply refused to think. Saburou stood up and sat on the floor, cross-legged, then looked up at Shiina.
"It's a practice of falling. Shiina was also studying aikido, and she must understand."
"Even if you say I was still in elementary school..."
She studied aikido until she was ten years old, while she was still able to withstand sound without closing her ears. But with headphones on her head she could not engage in martial arts.
"Besides, Saburou-kun, was this really ukemi?"
[The technique of safe falling in martial arts, called ukemi, is used to get minimal damage from falling and grouped for further action.]
Although she had no experience at all, she often saw the training of her brothers and Saburou, so she knew such things. Saburou did not deny the remark of Shiina.
"It is not always possible to reduce the situation to ukemi. Using mats to avoid worrying about injuries, I'm studying how to reduce the damage from falling."
"Why did you suddenly start doing something like that?"
To Shiina's astonished question, Saburou suddenly twisted the face in anger.
"Today I was trained by the president of the club kenjutsu, Aizu..."
Shiina thought that looking irritated, Saburou was really pleased.
"I was attacked, dropping to the floor, I did not have the opportunity even to think about a counterattack. The instructor also often said that in the open air the damage from shots is more than from punches and kicks, and today I realized it."
"Kenjutsu, then ..?" Sinyin muttered in a thoughtful voice. She was interested in the question "Does the kenjutsu club practice throws?".
Saburou knew that it was normal to think so, so there was no hesitation in his reply.
"Among the combat skills that use the sword, Iaijutsu * seems to contain a relatively large number of skills taken from advanced jujutsu techniques *. They say that the style of "Sekiguchi Shinsin-ryu" of the Tokugawa clan from the Principality of Kisyu is a school that unites jujutsu, kenjutsu and Iaijutsu. Given this, the use of throw techniques by members of the kenjutsu club does not look strange. In particular, President Aizu seems to be familiar with Iaijutsu."
Iaijutsu is the technique of attack, starting from the position with the sword sheathed. Jujutsu is the original Japanese name for what came to us through America under the name Jiu-Jitsu.]
Saburou enthusiastically explained this to Shiina. But, unfortunately, Shiina was not very interested. For her, it would be sufficient only to deduce "shots for kenjutsu - it's not strange". Listening to Saburou's story, Shiina reflected on something else.
"Saburou-kun."
As soon as Saburou had finished, Shiina called his name, as if she wanted to ask something.
"Shiina, what is it?" However, this important question was difficult to ask. Naturally, Saburou looked at the nervous Shiina for some reason.
"Is it something that's hard to say? Do not worry about restraint for me."
"Is it true that you were sticking to Chiba-senpai and you had a date during club activities?"
"...Ha?"
For Saburou, perhaps it was luck that he was sitting right on the floor. If he was sitting on a chair he probably would have fallen off.
"No, no, wait, wait! From whom did you hear this error? Did Shiina not spend all her time today after school in the school boardroom?"
"Yes..." She nodded. "Kasumi-san and Izumi-san told me."
She easily betrayed the perpetrators.
"...These harmful little devil."
Saburou was also familiar with the twins of the Saegusa family across the Shiina. Presenting these two with a surreptitious grin, Saburou seized his head.
"Saburou-kun, do not talk about Izumi-san and Kasumi-san. They, if anything, are your seniors."
Saburou, in truth, wanted to say "Shiina, these two have deceived you!".
But it was impossible to say such things. He knew well that Shiina, distant in age from her real sisters and brothers, was very attached to Kasumi and Izumi as to two other sisters.
"...In any case, this story is nonsense."
Instead, Saburou calmed down and decided to say only what was to correct the situation. However, unfortunately, this answer was unconvincing for Shiina.
"But you trained in the small gym ?2?"
"...It was not a "training", but a duel. And President Aizu-senpai coached me, as I said earlier."
Explaining Saburou looked away from Shiina. This behavior only fueled her doubts. In this case, no matter how truthfully he spoke, it would be impossible to convince her.
"But is it true that you were there with Chiba-sempai?"
"...True."
"And I heard that you came to the gym together."
"...That is true."But it definitely was not a date!"
As if noticing his stupidity in looking away, Saburou looked at Shiina, loudly denying this second-class hearing. A smile sprang up on Shiina's face, filled with the feeling that she had overdone a little.
"Well, do not get me wrong. I'm not against Saburou-kun's association with Chiba-sempai. I think it was too sudden, but, in my opinion, with proper rules, two years of difference will not be a big problem."
"I'm saying, you understood wrong..."
Saburou wanted to fall exhausted on mats. But if you surrender at this place, then it will be impossible to recover. He did not realize that it would be "impossible to recover," but this feeling in him somehow persisted. Gathering his willpower, Saburou looked Shiina straight in the eye. And now it's Shiina's turn to look away.
"...Then, why did it happen that you came to the gym with Chiba-sempai? Saburou-kun, you should not have any connection with Chiba-sempai?"
However, after this question Saburou again balanced on the verge of error.
"It's... we met by chance, on the roof..."
"You were invited to a training session, just by accident?"
"No, this is ..."
A picture with a guy justified for treason before his beloved. The fact that it looked like that, did not notice not only Saburou, but also Shiina.
"It's not like the character of Chiba-sempai, who is being talked about in rumors."
Erika herself does not know... or does not care, but after the Yokohama incident, the name "Chiba Erika" also spread far beyond the Chiba family.
Erika's martial skill, which literally crushed the mechanized troops with a huge sword, backed by the reputation of the "daughter of the Chiba family", was highly appreciated by high-ranking military and security personnel who had access to the details of the incident.
On the other hand, Chiba's family, including the head Jouichirou, passively refer to Erika's fame, or even vice versa, make attempts to hide it. Therefore, among the people there were many half-joking rumors about Erika as the "secret weapon of the Chiba family", "Princess of the illusive sword of Chiba", etc.
The Ten Master Clans were also among "those who have access to the details of the Yokohama incident." Very fond of his youngest daughter (this can be said about any father) Mitsuya Gen shared some knowledge about Erika with his daughter entering First High . Saburou also listened to this story along with her, because he was expected to follow Shiina. In fact, it's Shiina who went there with him.
After all, Shiina's source of information was not only her father. She had the opportunity to listen to stories not only by Kasumi and Izumi, but also by Mayumi. Mayumi took care of Shiina as a friend of her sisters.
She also had interlocutors for close communication not only among the Ten Master Clans, but also among the Stam Semey. Although it looked like a departure from the formalities of high society, but in the conversational network of girls from the "Numbers", Shiina learned much more information than she heard from her father.
From the fact that Shiina heard about Erika, her temperament did not belong to the type, which itself will help junior high school students.
This is the type that, pretending to be indifferent, finally agrees, if you rely on it.
"...This I asked of her."
Said Saburou, after which Shiina looked at him with a cold look, saying
"I knew...".
"But I did not stick to it! Knowing her skill, I asked her to train me!"
"But after all, Chiba-sempai is quite beautiful."
Well, maybe she is! But now we are talking about something else
"Hmm..."
Saburou continued to despair, but Shiina's eyes remained cold.
Even after entering the third year, Tatsuya continued to visit the Yakumo temple almost every morning. In fights in which he always lost during admission to high school, at the moment the number of victories has reached 50%.
However, Tatsuya did not think that his skills were equal to Yakumo.
Initially, the strengths of Tatsuya and Yakumo were different, and Tatsuya knew that in useful areas, such as gathering information, reconnaissance and fighting, his ability was much inferior to Yakumo.
Even if we limit the comparison by one-on-one combat, Tatsuya can compete on a par with Yakumo only in cases when the battle started from a position where they see each other, and the team is "prepared, started." If the battle was to the death, Tatsuya would have won, but with many great losses. But in victory, just killing an opponent does not make sense.
Nevertheless, Tatsuya did not go to the disciples of Yakumo in the hope of mastering any technique that would deprive the battle of this meaning.
Tatsuya is not a student of Yakumo, but a partner in training. While Tatsuya was weaker, he only trained with Yakumo, but now that the sparring skills are balanced, we can say that their exercises have become mutually beneficial.
After completing the last fight of this morning defeat, Tatsuya said goodbye and was about to leave.
"Ah, Tatsuya-kun. Wait a minute." Yakumo stopped him.
"What is it?"
Tatsuya felt that immediately after his answer, the surrounding atmosphere had changed.
Not in a figurative sense. Tatsuya and Yakumo wrapped a wall of air, interfering with the passage of sound.
"Soundproof barrier... It differs from the technique I know."
Involuntarily wanting to learn the sequence of magic, Tatsuya took himself in hand and switched attention to the words of Yakumo.
"Have you already received an invitation from the Juumonji family?
Who will attend?"
"Do you already know this...?"
Tatsuya received the invitation last night. Not even half a day has passed. Nevertheless, he was not surprised by this, knowing the incredible ability of Yakumo to gather information. He was just impressed.
"Because I'm a shinobi."
Yakumo's favorite phrase as usual did not explain anything, but Tatsuya did not begin to ask further, knowing that he would only waste time.
"Until it's determined, because I have not yet received permission from the head of the family, but in general, I'm going to go alone."
"Perfect. It will be better so."
Hearing Tatsuya's answer, Yakumo somehow agreed contentedly.
"Are there any signs of a threat?"
"At the moment, it seems, there is no planned activity of this kind, when direct damage can be caused."
Apparently, Yakumo already had some clues.
"Does this mean that someone started an indirect attack?"
Knowing that he would not get the right answer, Tatsuya tried to get information anyway.
"I'm not saying that attacks are not planned."
"Really?"
Feeling that he somehow understands what Yakumo wants to say, Tatsuya stopped building unreasonable and vague guesses. He feared the risk of erroneous bias.
"If there is any danger, it will be only after the end of the meeting."
"I understand you. I'll be on my guard."
If the attack is against Tatsuya himself, he will not need to be afraid to attack the attacker. Tatsuya thought that for this time, it might be necessary to ask for help from the main house to strengthen Miyuki's protection.
"Tatsuya-kun, you should not be so light-minded about this. A monster, called a society, does not have fangs or claws, but it will easily devour one single person." Yakumo suddenly warned him.
Tatsuya suddenly felt as if he had been poured with icy water.
"...I will remember it." He answered in a half-reflex, not fully understanding the meaning of Yakumo's words.
Yotsuba Maya's morning began not so early. Thanks to the spread of free working hours and working at home, even office workers were not so stupid as to rise early, but even compared to office plankton, she had a carefree morning.
Today she got up quite late, at 8:30, and after an hour she finished breakfast. Picking up the right time behind Mei Khayyam spoke to her in a polite tone.
"Mistress, a video message from Tatsuya-sama came."
"From Tatsuya-san? So early in the morning?" Her eyes narrowed slightly, Maya asked Hayama. Of course, Hayama did not allow himself such rudeness as to clarify that "it's not so early."
"It came last night, after the lady went to bed."
"I hope this is not an urgent matter?"
"Yes. Tatsuya-sama said: 'I do not mind if they look at them the next morning.'"
Hearing this answer, Maya, on the contrary, became interested.
"I got it. I'll take a look here."
"As you wish."
Hayama signaled to the maid waiting in the corner of the room. Experienced maids engaged in cleaning dishes, and prepared the screen in front of Maya.
Having finished all the affairs, the maids were lined up in front of Maya and bowed. Seeing the nod of Maya, Hayama instructed everyone to leave.
Hayama, closing all the doors, pressed the switch, lowering the soundproof partitions. Then he inserted the memory card with the decrypted message into the standalone player.
The video message was short, less than three minutes. After inspecting to the end, Maya gave a slight laugh: "Hu-huh-hu."
"Tatsuya-san can also do such nice things, like asking my permission for such trifles."
Maya looked at Hayama with a look that required agreement.
"I know that it is preferable for the lady that it is so."
"That is true." But Maya easily agreed with Hayama's words, which could be called a warning. "But, after introducing Tatsuya-san as my son, I wanted to give him more freedom. Did it not reach him?" Maya said with an innocent face, bowing her head in an inquiring manner.
"My opinion is that Tatsuya-sama adheres to the natural order established for the people of the Yotsuba family."
"It is possible and so to say." Murmured Maya in a lively tone. It seems that today Hayama was not in the mood, and his usual jokes were not there.
"By the way, lady. What do you say to Tatsuya-sama on his request?"
"Of course, I will. I give Tatsuya-san the permission to act freely as my son."
With this justification, Maya gave Tatsuya permission to attend the meeting organized by Katsuto.
"In that case, I'll tell him that."
"Yes, and more, please add that in the future there is no need to ask my permission in such cases."
"Yes, I shall." Having bowed in deference, Hayama showed his agreement with Maya's words about Tatsuya's permission for freedom of action.
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