Chapter 2
The day after the meeting of young people from the "28 houses", the Mitsuya family met an unexpected guest.
The name of this guest was Tooyama Tsukasa. On the lists of the military she was registered as a junior officer of the army of defense, Tooyama Tsukasa. Tooyama's name was not only used as an external cover, but was actually registered in all documents, like the real one.
This was not just a violation of some unspoken rules, but a full-fledged crime, but no one blamed her for this. Because it is the policy of the army, to hide the use of the strength of the Tooyama family. The magic of the Tooyama family was hidden by the authorities because of its nature.
It seems that power-hungry people wanted to keep it a secret from the civilians and have it ready to help key government members in case of emergency.
On the other hand, the Mitsuya family, besides the management of the Third Laboratory and associated with the Ten Master Clans of Affairs, also dealt with the sale of weapons. Therefore, like arms dealers, and not like magicians, they had connections leading to the shady side of this world.
As an exception to the family that has the genealogy of powerful magicians, the Mitsuya family, with the tacit consent of the government, is negotiating with foreign forces, so family members often secretly travel to other countries. And the information obtained in this way can be useful for the army. Also, secretly supplying weapons to foreign armed groups, they are intermediaries who promote the military actions desired by the Japanese government.
Relationships between the Mitsuya family and the military are not mutually beneficial. In these relations, the army receives much more benefits. Nevertheless, even the only advantage that they are allies of the self-defense forces, gives them the right to be aware of the intentions of the army. Magicians and government are not equal in status.
Tsukasa is a magician from the same 28 houses. Since the Tooyama family cannot be selected as one of the Ten Master Clans, its rank among the 28 houses is lower than that of the Mitsuya family. However, with Tooyama Tsukasa, deeply connected with the top of the self-defense forces, the Mitsuya family could not scornfully disregard her.
On the contrary, the relationship between the Mitsuya family, the army and Tsukasa was such that they had to at least listen to it to some extent.
The acquaintance of Shiina and Tsukasa happened precisely as a result of these relations, in which the Mitsuya family was to help the Tooyama family.
The adults from the Mitsuya family, who knew the truth about these relations, naturally, were unfriendly towards Tsukasa. Tsukasa herself understood this perfectly, but she did not care at all that they did not like her.
"I'm sorry to bother you when you're so busy."
"No, do not worry. So, what business do you have for us today?"
In response to the formal greeting of Tsukasa, the head of the family, Mitsuya Gen, immediately went on to the question of the visit. In his words the thought of "quickly finish the business and go away" was clearly read. The elder son Motoharu, who was present here, looked reproachfully at his father, but Gen did not pay attention to this look. All his attention was focused on Tsukasa.
"I heard about yesterday's meeting."
However, Tsukasa did not seem to intend to end the conversation quickly.
"...That's it." Muttered Gen with a helpless voice.
"I thought that Tooyama-san would also come there."
If he had left it to his father, he could have reached a quarrel. With this feeling, Motoharu sitting next to him a polite voice intervened in the conversation.
"The younger brother is busy with family affairs."
With her usual glued on polite smile, Tsukasa answered with words, which you cannot name the answer. Since Motoharu was also familiar with the circumstances of the Tooyama family, he did not elaborate on the details of this strange answer and decided to continue the conversation:
"So, what's going on with yesterday's meeting?"
"In such a very friendly atmosphere, you all strengthened your friendship."
"Yes, it was..."
"But unfortunately, in the end some people violated this harmony."
"...Everything was not so serious."
"Really? "To Tsukasa's words Motoharu answered with an icy glance.
"It seems that the man from Yotsuba did not stay for dinner after the meeting."
"It seems that he had a previously planned arrangement."
Motoharu tried to protect Tatsuya from being drawn into a conflict between the Tooyama and Yotsuba families. If it is decided that Tatsuya violates the unity of magicians, the Mitsuya family will have to cooperate with Tsukasa to solve this problem.
But it was a futile attempt.
"We are also concerned about the attitude of Shiba Tatsuya-san, who refuses to cooperate."
The opinion of Tsukasa was determined from the very beginning.
"By we do you mean the National Defense Forces?"
"Right. This is our area of responsibility, and we consider it necessary to verify whether Shiba Tatsuya impedes public safety."
"Shiba Tatsuya-dono is not military. The army does not have such powers. Even the Ten Master Clans, even the Tooyama family, should not have the authority to check the people of the Yotsuba family."
Feeling that he can no longer remain silent, before this left the conversation with his son, Gen, inserted his words.
However, these arguments did not confuse Tsukasa.
"There is no authority, but you can check it out, right?"
Tsukasa smiled broadly at Gen. In this smile there was not a single drop of friendliness.
"...And what does Tooyama-san want from us?"
He decided that Tsukasa wants them to help her with some of her next tricky plan. To the question of Gen, in which the consent was already read, Tsukasa responded with a polite smile.
"I would like to take Shiina-chan for a short time to participate in our exercises."
Without giving anything to say who began to change in the face of Gen, Tsukasa immediately continued.
"Even though I said "teachings," nothing dangerous will be there. In addition, I already received the consent of Shiina-chan."
"When did you..." muttered the shocked Motoharu, and Gen irritatedly clucked his tongue. He did not care that it was impolite.
"In any case, I do not have the right to forbid it."
"This is not true. I would like Mitsuya-san to collaborate on his own."
Seeing Tsukasa's face, in which the provocation was clearly being read, Gen again clucked his tongue. It was nothing more than a manifestation of submission.
In First High, after graduation.
Entering the school boardroom, Tatsuya, with the permission of Miyuki, went to the repair room of the Robotics Club.
Not on patrol. Sometimes he also occupied the Robotics Club room for Pixie's service, but today he did not go there for that.
"Senpai, I'm sorry for disturbing you for something like this."
Here he came to call on Shippou Takuma.
"Nothing. Is this a secret conversation?"
"Secret, you say...? I just did not want the president to hear about it..."
"Tell me." Tatsuya called on to continue to hesitate to tell Takuma.
"This is about what happened after yesterday sempai went home."
"Are you talking about lunch after the meeting? I believe my evil words caused a resurgence of indignation?"
"No, there was no indignation..."
In other words, it means that all the same it was said about Tatsuya's antagonizing.
"Sempai knew that his words would cause dissatisfaction to the other people present, and still decided to confront the current atmosphere of the meeting? Why did you drive yourself into a disadvantageous position by your behavior? "
Tatsuya was not obliged to answer Takuma's question. There was no sense of duty either.
"Even if the strong begin to respect the weak, the fear of the weak will not disappear until we abandon the very power threatening the weak."
However, at his whim, Tatsuya decided not to deny him boldly came with the question.
"...Do you mean that ordinary people will be afraid and envious because we are magicians?"
"People who are not magicians do not necessarily envy magicians. But fear is usually inevitable. Because for unarmed people, we are the ones who always carry weapons."
"...And so you objected to the appeal to society? Because the effect will not be good?"
"The reason for my refusal was that it was quite obvious that they wanted to force the next head of the Yotsuba family to take the burden."
"If there were intentions, like to force her to bear the main burden...
Indeed, I think the way to bring the discussion to this was rather straightforward."
First, Takuma turned to his feelings, and spoke in defense of people unknown to him. But now, he expressed criticism of the methods of Tomokazu and the Saegusa family, apparently recalling some previous events relating to them.
"Shippou. I think you also understand that even if we have good intentions, we cannot always wait for the same from opponents."
"It seems... it is. I think I understand."
"Even if magicians conscientiously serve non-magicians, not everyone will appreciate it. I think that the probability that accumulated envy will grow into a flared hostility is not just a pessimist's nightmare."
"Is this pessimistic belief too much? But this..."
Takuma wanted to say that this is an exaggeration. But he could not utter these words. Because at that moment he noticed that this is a self-deception when he denies it as impossible.
"Of course, if my bride becomes an advertising idol, then you can expect some success. Still, she is beautiful, no matter what she says. In advertising, you do not need to use the "law of three B", because beauty alone is enough as an influence force."
Law 3B is an experimentally derived rule that shows that the use of Beauty, Children and Beast for advertising is very attractive to the public and easily gives a positive impression. And the use of beauty is not limited to advertising. Men tend to weaken before beautiful women, and women - in front of beautiful men. But in the case of Miyuki, this is a beauty that surpasses personal preferences, and can have an impact not only on the opposite sex, but also on women.
"However, the higher the effectiveness of advertising activities, the more stubborn people who do not like it. It can even reach fanaticism. If everything goes, as the Saegusa family expects, then Miyuki becomes the target of fanatics. I cannot allow such an obviously dastardly plan. Even to argue about this is outrageous."
"...I understand, to some extent, what the sempai thinks. But was it normal to talk about it in that situation? I think it was a bad decision, enter into a dispute, and finish it without explaining anything."
"In your opinion, Shippou, there's truth."
He was right. But Tatsuya carefully thought everything through before going to such actions.
"However, if I started arguing with the Saegusa family at that moment, it would bring even more hostility to me. Thus, the Saegusa family would still retain face, making me a bad guy."
Takuma listened in silence, slapping his eyes. He did not even think about this point of view.
"I do not mind helping magicians with society. I just think that we must take into account the risks associated with this. Extremists can take dangerous actions if they decide that society does not support them. For the sake of trying to "destroy the evil," they can go to suicide bomber attacks."
"Evil...?"
"Imagine that there were some strong outsiders. Since they are strangers, no one will consider them their defenders. People will not know if they will harm them. But they will understand that they will not be able to defend themselves. And it does not matter whether these opponents really think to harm them. But only for the reason that they can be in danger, unless people will not want the existence of these opponents to stop? And if you think about how to call this existence, then, I think, it will just be 'evil.'"
"For supporters of the anti-magic movement, magicians are... 'evil'?"
"It seems so to me. I do not mean that magicians are absolutely strong in everything, but in terms of harm, they are certainly one of the strongest.
And the weak do not trust the strong. And in this they are right. After all, a strong one can trample a weak one at any moment."
"So the weak call the strong as evil...? To escape from fear of ignorance when they are trampled?"
That is, Tatsuya wanted to avoid Miyuki becoming a symbol of this
"evil". After all these explanations, Takuma finally began to understand what Tatsuya was worried about.
"The situation cannot be solved by the oppression of the weak. As long as there are strong people, like us. We cannot stop being strong to solve this conflict. Magic is the natural power of a magician. The magician cannot get rid of the power of magic."
"Sempai... do you think that the coexistence of magicians and non-magicians is impossible?"
"Coexistence with a partner who does not want coexistence is an extremely difficult task."
After answering the tautology*, Tatsuya left. But Takuma did not feel cheated by Tatsuya.
[*]a phrase or expression in which the same thing is said twice in different words
The sun was already deep in the west, and the time was coming to go home from school. Leo, who ended up clubbing, went to a cafe to quench his hunger.
By exchanging greetings along the way (sociable Leo knew more than two-thirds of the total number of pupils of the 2nd and 3rd years of schooling), he went to an automated counter and exchanged a food voucher with a built-in chip for a sandwich. As he took a drink of plain water. He looked around the cafe for a free table and found a first-grader he had recently dealt with.
"Saburou, can I sit with you?"
"Sai-si-senpai! Please."
Immersed in his thoughts and staring at an empty cup of coffee, Saburou, when he heard the voice, finally noticed Leo. To Saburou's troubled tone, Leo said "I apologize for the disturbance" and sat opposite him.
"Are you waiting for someone?"
"Yes, Shiina."
Hearing Saburou's answer, Leo thought: "Was it worth asking?".
Becoming his opponent in training, he learned about Saburou's situation.
Even about the fact that before entering First High he was dismissed from the position of bodyguard.
Leo did not feel uncomfortable about this, but decided to change the subject.
"Did you train with Erika today?"
"Yes..."
He did not have any bruises, but on closer examination, it was noticeable that Saburou was severely drained. It's clear that he worries if he will be able to protect his childhood friend on his way home in such a state, but Leo decided that this does not concern him. When Saburou was removed from the post of guard, of course, she should have been appointed a substitute. And the responsibility should be borne by those people, not Saburou. Until Saburou returns to the defense of Shiina.
"I am very grateful to her. For the fact that she trains an inexperienced person like me..."
"I think, you cannot worry about this. Because she likes it."
"It is, but when you say it, it sounds somehow disgusting."
"Ova-ah!?" Suddenly he heard the voice of the one under discussion, Leo jumped upright in the chair. Erika was standing right behind Leo. From his place Saburou could see her appearance. But despite this, Saburou was surprised no less than Leo. "Wiped the presence and crept up! Are you a ninja or what?"
"The technique of erasing ones presence is not only used by ninjas. This is an indispensable skill for attacking melee fighters."
"It's an absolute lie, is not it...?" Leo groaned and fell on a chair, as if he had lost all his strength. On this comical scene with Leo falling apart in the chair, a chuckle sounded from behind Erika's back.
"Oh, is Mizuki here too?"
"I just arrived."
Seated opposite Leo, Saburou fussed. From the appearance of an unfamiliar girl from the third year he felt uneasy.
"Saburou."
Erika having managed to make the first movement, Saburou stopped, who with his whole appearance showed that he wants to escape.
"This is Shibata Mizuki. Unlike us, she is an ordinary peaceful pupil First High, so you cannot involve her in all sorts of dangerous things."
"I would not do anything like that..."
Saburou involuntarily stood up and began to protest. But then he remembered that he had to do something.
"Uh, nice to meet you. My name is Yaguruma Saburou."
Saburou made a bow with the entire upper body, bent at the waist.
Realizing what his behavior was with excitement, Mizuki did not say too much and laughed.
"My name is Shibata Mizuki. Glad to meet you."
From her emanated a warm, kind atmosphere, which somehow reminded him of Shiina.
"...Yaguruma, why are you blushing?"
"I'm not red!"
"Do not even think about it. Because Mizuki is the girl of Miki."
"E-Erika-chan!?"
"My name is Mikihiko."
The agitated Mizuki, who tried to protest, was interrupted by Mikihiko's standard phrase who entered the cafe a second ago.
"... And? What about me?"
It seems that in the noise of the chatter of many visitors to the cafe he caught only the "Miki" he knew, and did not understand what the conversation was about.
This proves that, despite the protest, in the depths of consciousness he takes the nickname "Miki".
Smiling Erika did not have time to answer Mikihiko.
"Nothing!"
Because it was ahead of Mizuki's cry.
"Sh-Shibata-san?"
"And..."
Mikihiko was dumbfounded, Mizuki blushed. Erika shrugged, looking at the two who had fallen into this ridiculous situation.
"Miki. Is it normal that the head of the disciplinary committee skips school in such a place?"
Erika thought that continuing to joke about Mizuki is bad form, and she decided to change the subject.
It seems, understanding the purpose of Erika, Mikihiko scowled his face. "It's almost time to go home. It's okay if you leave a little early."
His tone of voice this time was not tense, but he felt lightheaded.
"Aha, extra time... During the spring battle of the disciplinary committee, the newcomers clubs recruitment week."
"This year, because there are much less problems than in the past.
Things are now much easier."
"Is this true?"
There was an unexpected question from Mizuki, who had almost lost her face. She herself did not participate in the recruitment of newcomers, this was done by other members of her club, so she was not aware of what kind of struggle was going on this year.
"Miyuki's influence, after all? Even if you do not take into account the name of Yotsuba, at the induction ceremony, newcomers also realized that Miyuki is not an ordinary person."
A bitter smile came up on Mikihiko's face in response to the words that said this with Erika's sly grin.
"And of course, the fact that Tatsuya is looking after everything helps too. Regardless of which incident occurred, Tatsuya's appearance on the spot makes any of the 2nd and 3rd year students stop and look at him."
"Tatsuya-san, in my opinion, is not at all a terrible person..."
Mikihiko nodded, saying "true" in response to Mizuki's opinion.
"Tatsuya in particular does not try to intimidate anyone at all. But they cannot ignore him. His presence, so to speak... In any case, this is how people feel at first sight."
"What kind of person is Shiba-sempai?" Saburou suddenly asked who had sat silently after trying to escape. After experiencing a painful encounter with Tatsuya on the day of his arrival, Saburou did not blame him for it. In fact, he was not interested in details about Tatsuya.
Saburou just wanted to learn something about the guy who is next to Shiina in the school board.
This question was addressed not to Mikihiko, but to everyone present.
The four third-graders looked at each other and chose who would answer by their eyes.
"He's an outstanding man. I think his knowledge of magic has long exceeded the level of the university. "The first to say Mikihiko.
"He is strong. In school, strength and scale do not really play a role, but in a real battle he is very strong. In addition, I feel that there is still more unknown force hidden in it." followed by Erika.
"Tatsuya's power is not only in magic. I have confidence in my physical strength, but with Tatsuya I do not compete. I do not think that I will stand up against him." After them added Leo.
"Yes, but he's not a terrible person after all." He behaves like a gentleman, and not as a tyrant."
Deciding that the other three exaggerate, saying this, Mizuki wanted to protect the missing Tatsuya. "But what Yaguruma-kun wants to know is a little different, is not it? What exactly did you want to know?" She asked Saburou.
Not expecting a counter question, Saburou could not answer her. Or, perhaps, he himself did not understand what he wanted to know.
"If you wanted to know about the character and temperament..." Erika threw him a life line. "He is a person who does not hesitate when it is necessary to prioritize. When his priorities are set, then at least threaten, even persuade, even cry, though tempted, he will be unshakable. He will not worry. In a sense, one can rely on him more than anyone else, but in another sense, he is a man more heartless than anyone."
Leo and Mikihiko looked discouraged. Mizuki could only squeeze out
"Erika-chan...", but Erika continued, as if it did not concern her.
"Miyuki is the main priority of Tatsuya-kun. This is the truth about his steadfastness. If he has to choose whose life to save, one Miyuki or all of us with you, Tatsuya-kun will not hesitate to choose Miyuki."
"Hey..."
"Erika, that's a bit..."
Trying to object to Erika, Leo and Mikihiko could not find the words.
Because whatever the words, they both understood that Erika was right.
According to this silence, Saburou, who heard about what happened at yesterday's meeting of young people from the Ten Master Clans, understood: That's why Shiba-sempai went to such recklessness.
On his way home in a separate cab of an electric train, Saburou told Shiina about what he heard in the cafe from Erika and the others.
"Ha-ha, so yesterday's behavior of the sempai was for such a reason?"
About the young people's meeting, Shiina knew exactly the same as Saburou. It would be more accurate to say: "Saburou knew as much as Shiina." When the eldest son of the Mitsuya family told his younger brothers and sisters about what was said at the meeting, Saburou was there as the guest to listen to Shiina.
"Well, there's nothing to be done." Such were the impressions of Shiina from the story of Saburou.
"Cannot be helped?"
Saburou could not understand how she came to this conclusion.
"He did not want to flaunt his bride, in love with him. I think this is quite obvious."
"But about the necessary contribution of the Ten Master Clans for the sake of the magical world... did he not even think about it?"
Seeing in the middle of his sentence that Shiina's mood was spoiled, Saburou wanted to interrupt, but eventually decided to finish the sentence. Because he noticed that before he had finished, there was no point in stopping.
"What did you say? It's disgusting."
Annoyed at Saburou's words, Shiina's voice exploded in the enclosed space of the booth.
"Wh-what's disgusting...?"
"Saburou-kun, do you think that since this is the Ten Master Clanss, then they should be patient enough to make a show of themselves? And did you know that behind these idols the reporters are running around, and they can simply forget about privacy?"
"No, such reporters disappeared several decades ago. Now you can be called to account, even if you talk about such matters. Besides, aren't most of the current idols a 3D avatar?"
In addition to idol-avatars, there are people. In addition, reporters are not the only problem, which also must always be remembered.
She looked at Saburou with an offended face.
"...You can just stay away from the reporters. Now they do not have anything to do with this."
(For some reason Saburou-kun was obsessed with reporters.) Although Shiina first mentioned them as an example, but Saburou continued to uselessly cling to them as an argument.
"At yesterday's meeting, no one said that President Shiba's personal life would be sacrificed? That Shiba-senpai reaction was too radical?"
"This is true. But, if I were a guy, I would not want my beloved to become a *kyangyaru."
[*] The Japanese term "Kyangyaru" (abbreviated from the English campaign girl) - means girls who act as advertisers of various events or goods. They are shot in advertising and conduct a variety of public activities.
"Kyangyaru... She will not be asked to wear a swimsuit or a short skirt..."
"At first perhaps, it will. But later, I think such requests will start coming. After all, President Shiba is so beautiful."
Shiina inclined her head and looked from below into Saburou's eyes.
"Saburou-kun, would you not want to look at the president in a suit
"tight mini"? With legs open or in thin stockings."
Saburou did not answer Shiina's question, he could not say a word at all.
"...The vulgar."
?
?
Did not Shiina talk about this?"
Under a look of unfounded contempt, Saburou could not protest much.
"In the idea of using the president in advertising, after all, there is an expectation of using not only magical power, but also using female charm?Then, if the media will ask for a "costume that the audience wants," then I think it will not be possible to refuse. From such a beauty as the president, they will want only sexuality. And media employees who do not do this can be called incompetent."
"...Not all men are so disorganized."
"But you still want to see it, yes?"
Saburou felt very awkward. On such a question it was difficult to answer the interlocutor of the opposite sex. In addition, it was difficult to answer
"yes" or "no" when the interlocutor herself is "beautiful", and yes even "a childhood friend who knows a lot about him."
Answering "yes" was too embarrassing, and the answer "no" would be immediately exposed as a lie. In other words, Shiina came straight to the top ten with her question.
"I think, for such things, candidates should be selected. Because this is the Ten Master Clans, there should be no compulsion on the part of others. In addition, when a person does not call himself, but the assembled crowd tries to force him - is this not a villainy? Am I not right?"
"...No, I think you're right."
Shiina did not blame Saburou. However, he more and more wanted to escape every second.
"I do not want to speak ill of my older brother, but... I do not think Shiba-sempai is wrong."
Before Saburou had time to say anything else, he was interrupted by this unexpected conclusion of Shiina. But now he felt that his childhood friend really was right.
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