Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei - Volume 8 - Reminiscence - Chapter 2

Chapter 2

August 4th, AD 2092 / Okinawa - Naha Airport ~ Onna Serika Vacation home

—Beginning from around Common Era 2030, the earth underwent a radical drop in temperature; the world’s overall food supply deteriorated on a massive scale. Since around 2020, advanced agriculture production came to be a solar-powered industry and this limited the influence it had on advanced industrial nations. However, the impact of the damage on the emerging industrial nations that had experienced an accelerated population explosion brought on by radical economic growth was a profound one.

With the drop in temperature and desertification proceeding simultaneously in the North China region, it was confronted with an extremely serious situation.

The residents of North China, in accordance with the traditions of their people, weathered such dire straits. Colonization by Border Transgression — in short, by using illegal immigration.

However, Russia did not assent to the influx of illegal immigrants. This resulted in illegal aliens being thoroughly expunged, even from unpopulated wildernesses and rented out nooks of houses.

Those who possess true power, cannot grow weary of bloodshed.

China admonished Russia in the name of humanitarianism; Russia admonished China in the name of international law.

The antagonism of both nations was not confined between them.

Crossing national borders in the name of humanitarianism is banned by international law.

Throughout the world, kindling was laid just waiting for a match.

In this environment, there was a food shortage caused by temperature dropping.

There was a struggle over energy resources to be used to alleviate the problem.

For the kindling to become an inferno, even a slight impetus would have been enough.

In Common Era 2045, World War Three — an outbreak of 20 years of wars clustered across the world started.

From 2045 to 2064, wide scale border disputes throughout the world made this an era of continuous war.

Not a single nation was able to remain a bystander; this was truly a world war.

When the conflicts finally ceased, the world’s population was a third of the size it had been in 2045; it had been decreased to 3 billion people.

Russia reabsorbed Ukraine and Belarus into the New Soviet Union (ShinSoRen); China governed over the northern parts of Burma, Vietnam, and Laos as well as the Korean peninsula through the Great Asia Alliance (Asian Alliance); India and Iran devoured various countries in central Asia to construct the Indo-Persia Union; the USA absorbed Canada and Mexico to fuse all of North America into one nation (USNA); the EU split into eastern and western parts; half of the various countries of Africa dissolved; in South America, aside from Brazil, the region was divided into small countries where governments did not have much reach beyond their own location.

The world had been transformed this way by 20 years of warfare, even though it never resorted to nuclear warfare, and magicians were one part of this world and its transformation.

In 2046, "The International Magic Federation" was established.

Their purpose was to prevent the pollution of the earth beyond what it could recover from through the use of radioactive materials in weapons of mass destruction.

Within the bounds of their stated purpose to halt the use of nuclear weapons, magicians freed themselves from the yokes of the countries they belonged to and were permitted to intervene with their skills in border disputes. Even magicians on the front lines taking part by killing each other would cease their skirmish when they observed signs of the use of nuclear weapons; whether it was their own country or their enemy’s country, they would cooperate to stop the deployment of nuclear weapons.

The banning of nuclear weapons has been established as the paramount duty of magicians around the world.

This pact, "The International Magic Federation’s Charter", targets radioactive materials that can be used for weapons that contaminate the environment. Strictly speaking, that does not include clean nuclear bombs. However, since in order to detonate a state of the art nuclear bomb made to be use for great battles, a small nuclear bomb was indispensable, this resulted in a complete ban on nuclear weapons.

Thus, in the period of war that lasted twenty years, there was not a single usage of nuclear weapons.

The International Magic Federation was honored for this achievement. Internationally recognized as an agency of peace even after the world war ended, it occupies a position of prestige—

I heard the announcement that it was time to put on my seat belt and closed the file of teaching material in "Contemporary History - A Guide" that related to magicians. The contents were a little difficult for someone like me who had just become a middle school student, but it was sufficient to keep me from being bored.

I had heard that modern airplanes were not subject to failure caused by electromagnetic interference generated by information terminals. However, turning information terminals off during takeoffs and landings was a traditional courtesy. Not only me, the other passengers also turned their terminals off. I did not intend to be the only one disobeying the rules of common sense like a spoiled child.

The seat was covered by an egg shaped safety shield, a real-time image of a southern island was projected on the interior.

Looking at that vivid greenery and sparkling ocean, makes the world’s temperature drop seem like an event in a fictional story.

Nevertheless, that event is an unequivocal fact.

Before we were born, the world’s climate began getting warmer but, we can look at the traces of the temperature dropping all around us.

For example, the dress code.

Not exposing bare skin, this manner in which we dress is nothing but a trace of the deep impression the era of the temperature dropping left on the world.

Well, I have no interest in dressing to expose my shoulders or breast area — and in the first place, it would not be a flattering style on me, yet—, it’s not compulsory to have a skirt so long the hem drags, and I like clothes. However in private places, there are no rules over the manner of dressing so it’s not like it really hinders us.

While I am thinking of these trivial things, the airplane touched down at Naha airport.

I could hardly feel any tremors from the landing.

The seat belt that was only a meaningless formality unlocked and I opened the shield of the capsule seat.

Underneath was a regular seat, the seat was so narrow my elbow collided with it, it seemed like we were crammed in here without a trace of civility but, if I had to put up with who knows how many people I don't know and had never seen before at point blank range for an hour, I wouldn’t be able to endure it.

I waited for Okaa-sama to leave her seat. Together we turned to the passenger exit.

We were using the summer break for a private family vacation trip.

A family trip was originally a private matter, I think, but in the case of our family trips, they were almost never private. Even so I was regrettably cheerful.

The only cloud on the horizon was that it was not just Okaa-sama and I, Ani [2] would also be with us.

When we left the VIP lounge in the arrival lobby, Ani had already gone and picked up our checked in luggage and was waiting for us.

Having Ani travel all by himself and get the luggage wasn’t some form of petty meanness.

Executive Class passengers had precedence when it came to disembarking from the plane. Their luggage also had precedence in being returned, nay, as expected he did have to wait a little. Considering the time it took to get the luggage ready for pick up, having Ani, who was a commercial class passenger, go and pick up the luggage for us is not pointless.

Naturally, there is a proper reason for Ani to be seated in commercial class alone.

In Executive Class, in addition to the normal cabin attendant, special crew members who specialize in handling violence act as guards and keep a watchful eye. If a criminal incident like a hijacking, suicide bomber or such were to occur, it would be in the loosely guarded commercial class. Ani is assigned a commercial class seat, for the sake of handling such an unlikely occurrence. That being said — even I acknowledge that the way my family handles such matters is not normal.

While I walk with Okaa-sama, I happen to glance over my shoulder. Ani is pushing the cart carrying our luggage all alone as if it were perfectly normal without a trace of dissatisfaction on his face, silently trailing us.

Like he always does.

I do not particularly hate this Ani.

I merely have trouble interacting with him.

I have no idea what he could possibly be thinking.

Why, is he commonly treated like a servant when he is family? If he were a servant, it would probably be normal to be calm at receiving this treatment.

I know I have been told that this is the duty he has been assigned to do.

I also acknowledge our family’s uniqueness.

Nevertheless, Ani is only a first year middle school student like me.

Ani was born in April and I was born in March.

We were born within a year of each other, so we are in the same school year. This is only a coincidence brought about by our birth months. However, all the same, this does not change the fact that until March of this year he was an elementary school student like me.

Considering that fact, how can he take to being ordered about by me, his younger sister so calmly—

The eyes of Ani and I met.

My several glances over my shoulder are probably bothering him.

"...What is it?"

I recognize that the reason Ani also directed his eyes towards me is because I have been looking at him intermittently.

However, from my mouth only a repulsive voice came out.

"It is nothing."

Ani responded in a polite tone like one a butler might use to address the mistress of the house he was serving.

Like or dislike, the love of a brother for his sister or the hatred of close kin; all those emotions a brother might direct to a younger sister or a close relative were not there.

"If that is so, please do not stare at me. It is uncomfortable!"

I acknowledge that I am being unreasonable.

We are the ones who are treating Ani as a servant, there is no reason for Ani to wish such a thing.

Despite that, I selfishly strike at Ani with my irritation.

"Pardon me."

Ani halted and bowed his head towards me.

And put a little more distance between us than there had been until then as he followed behind us.

Why, I thought.

Just now I was merely being self-centered. I am such a disagreeable child.

—Just like I thought, I have trouble interacting with this Ani.

The place we are staying in this time is a recently purchased vacation home in Onna Serika. I would have been fine with a hotel, but since Okaa-sama does not handle places with numerous people well, Chichi [3] hurriedly prepared this for us.

As usual that man appears to think that he can use money to buy affection. ...Even though that money is what he married Okaa-sama to obtain.

Although Chichi was extraordinary when he was young — since even for a magician, he posses an above normal quantity of psions, his potential power made him highly prized as a magician. It seems however, according to the current magic technical system the quantity of psions possessed does not influence the superiority or inferiority of magic ability. In the end, that man could not make his potential power into actual power; he renounced trying to make his life a success as a magician. Currently he is installed as an executive in a company created by Okaa-sama’s family.

Because of those particulars, I can understand why he is deferential to Okaa-sama. Yet, as his daughter, I wish he would display a more father-like uprightness.

...I lightly shook my head to chase away these pointless reflections from inside my mind. After all I am on vacation, I am aware that being trapped in unpleasant thoughts is foolish.

"Welcome, Oku-sama. It is good that you have come, also Miyuki-san, Tatsuya-kun."

The one who came out to greet us at the vacation house was Sakurai Honami, who had been sent slightly ahead of us in order to take care of the cleaning, shopping, and other such things for us.

She is Okaa-sama’s Guardian.

Until five years ago, Sakurai-san was a SP of the Metropolitan Police Department. I believe that they quite strongly attempted to impede her departure when she resigned. However, it had been decided that she would be Okaa-sama’s Guardian before she sought employment with the Metropolitan Police Department. Joining the Metropolitan Police Department was for the purpose of learning the ins and outs of guard operations.

She is a modified magician whose genetic structure has been altered to strengthen her disposition for magic, a member of the first generation of the ‘Sakura’ Series. During the waning days of the 20 years of continuous border conflicts, she was constructed at a research institute, a magician bought by the Yotsuba Family before she was born.

Nonetheless, she is a cheerful, lively woman who does not seem to feel the weight of her personal history. Aside from her main duty of protection operations, she takes care of Okaa-sama’s everyday necessities with great attention to detail for us. According to her, she finds the role of housekeeper the more congenial role.

It ran counter to the image of a Guardian to abandon her protection operations, but she came ahead of us to the vacation house in order to gather knowledge about the current status of this area, since Ani would be close to Okaa-sama and me. That being said, I wished Sakurai-san and Ani had switched duties. —But, since taking care of the details of providing a comfortable household would be impossible for Ani, that would be pointless.

"Now, please come in. There is chilled barley tea ready. Or else, I can also make some green tea if you would like me to?"

"Thank you. Since it has already been made, I’ll have the barley tea."

"Yes, ma’am. Miyuki-san, Tatsuya-kun, is barley tea alright for you as well?"

"Yes, thank you very much."

"Since you have troubled yourself to make it."

There is only one thing about Sakurai-san that might be called unsatisfactory, it is that she treats Ani as Okaa-sama’s son — and as my brother.

It goes without saying that this is a natural thing to do.

However, I am...unable to do that natural thing.

At times like this, I am irrationally vexed with myself for that reason.

"Okaa-sama, I would like to take a short walk."

I am aware that since we have just arrived, things are too unsettled for me to go for a swim. But on the other hand, being shut up in the vacation house would be wasteful, so I would like to take a walk. Walking to Manzamou would be impossible because it is a little too far, but just walking leisurely along the path alongside the beach would undoubtedly feel pleasant.

"Miyuki-san, have Tatsuya accompany you on your walk."

Unfortunately, when I heard Okaa-sama’s reply, I felt that my long awaited walk was spoiled from the start.

I really wished to proclaim that I would be alright alone, however I did not want to worry her too much.

"—I understand."

It took all my strength to keep my voice from being petulant.

I pulled my wide brimmed straw hat low, did not look behind, and walked out beneath the waning rays of the sun.

The ocean breeze fluttering the hem of my summer dress is as relaxing as I thought it would be.

I received help from Sakurai-san in order to apply sun block from head to toe without missing a spot, so I could feel the wind on my arms and legs without concern for the sun’s rays.

With my skin covered in brown cream, I think that I don’t look much different when compared to a local child.

Probably, thanks to that I am not stared at when I pass by someone, this is a comfortable feeling.

My skin has never known the feeling of tanning in the sun, it is not conceited to say that I am regrettably conspicuous in places like a beach.

—Nay, I am really not conceited about it.

I have a memory of going to a pool with my elementary school friends and being deeply horrified by being told that I looked like a "Yuki-Onna [4] ", even now, I cannot blot it out. The remark was excessively horrifying because it was a thoughtless remark, not by any means an attempt to bully me or to maliciously talk behind my back or anything like that.

There is no way I am lacking in my pigmentation. It’s just that my hair is a shade of black too deep.

Could it be hereditary? But, my family line is not supposed to be intermingled with Europeans for the past five generations...well, since I do not know any farther than that; the possibility that this comes from some long ago genetic ancestor is not nonexistent. However, even Okaa-sama becomes a little darker in the summer and Ani’s complexion could be called tanned, since it so splendidly soaks up the sun so much that I can no longer tell what his original color is, so I do not believe it could be called a hereditary thing.

"——"

I have been remembering and contemplating things that I do not wish to, I consciously focused ahead in order to not look back, too consciously. ...What should I do with my mind, I am so perplexed.

Although my ears are unobstructed, I can not hear the sound of footsteps. There is no sign of someone being there. —Naturally, I have no skill at detecting someone’s presence to begin with, but still.

If I turned around, however, undeniably at a little distance away, Ani is accompanying me.

Because Ani is my Guardian.

Why do I not use "bodyguard" but a grandiose term like "Guardian", I do not understand. Not even a single reason why, even now. However, a "Guardian" of Yotsuba is somehow different from a simple "bodyguard", that is something I think I am able to understand.

A bodyguard does a "job", a guardian performs a "duty".

Bodyguards risk their lives to protect the ones they are guarding in exchange for earning a monetary reward. There are cases like an SP of the police who conduct protection operations as part of their professional duties, but since those people also receive a salary for their professional duties, I think that they unmistakably meet the broad definition of occupations that receive monetary compensation.

In contrast to that, Guardians receive no monetary rewards. All the necessities of living are provided by Yotsuba. Whenever cash is needed, Yotsuba supplies it. To be correct that is not a reward, it is the cost of maintaining the power of protection.

I conclude that it is thus, a bodyguard protects in order to eat; a Guardian eats in order to protect.

Guardians have no private life of their own. All of them, the male Guardians and the female Guardians, are devoted to serve and protect the person they call Master or Mistress.

We are a clan that thinks that this is perfectly normal and I too, find it so. If you cannot think that this is normal, the only thing you can do is withdraw. However, we are ‘Yotsuba’. —Even if I am somewhat embarrassed to be called Mistress, I feel that that is preferable to being expelled, but still. I am happy when we are away from the clan; "Guardians" do not normally use the designations of "Master" or "Mistress" when we are not inside the clan.

Ani became my Guardian when I was six years old. My first Guardian is Ani, this is probably something that will not be changed for a long time.

That person is not the son of the elder sister of the head of the Yotsuba Clan, he is the Guardian of a candidate to be the next head. If I become the head, he will be my shadow. Until my life ends, it will be that way.

As long as I do not relieve him of his duty as a Guardian.

Yes, that is the single way a Guardian can escape his duty and be allowed to live the life of a normal person - for a Guardian to be dismissed by the one he guards.

He accompanies me.

He follows behind me.

I cannot be separated from him.

He cannot escape from me.

The one who will not escape is me.

The one who is unable to escape is him.

Despite the fact that I am the only person that can let him return to the life of an ordinary middle school student.

The one who keeps Ani from being able to be an ordinary middle school student is me. Because I will not release Ani.

—I do not know how to interact with Ani.

—I do not hate Ani.

Then why am I confining him to this cruel condition?

The answer does not come.

Whenever I think about this matter, for some reason my mind goes blank.

With my gaze fixated on the ground beneath my feet, I quickened my pace.

I had my eyes cast downward and my feet going at a fast walk. Suddenly, my arm was grabbed and it seemed like I was going to fall backward.

Immediately, before I impacted with what would be a thud, I deplorably fell into Ani’s arms.

I made no complaint to Ani.

What happened just now is my fault, who was not looking ahead. —The fact that I reflexively raised my voice is a secret; I have no intention of telling anyone.

The problem is that after my body was restrained by Ani, I received an impact from the front. I was not the one who bumped into someone, clearly I had been the one bumped.

Even though I am angry, this is obviously a set up.

I focus my anger filled gaze upward. However, all I could see is a bulky wall of muscles.

I set my gaze even higher.

Finally, I knew the identity of the one who bumped into me.

A big black male teenager [5] , who wore a disheveled worn out army uniform — a ‘Left Blood’.

Due to the intensification of the twenty years of continuous border conflicts, the American (at the time it was still the USA) forces garrisoned in Okinawa eventually withdrew to Hawaii and left behind their children. The majority of them were not abandoned by their parents, but rather because their fathers had died in the war. However, many of them were taken in and raised by the National Defense force who had inherited the base, afterwards they became part of the military.

They are valiant soldiers who superbly fulfill the duty of defending the border, and many of their children also become soldiers. However, a private Okinawa Tourist Guide website contained an article warning that many of those children, in short the second generation, were known for behaving badly so one should be wary of them.

Behind the large youth, there were two teenagers also wearing old tattered army uniforms in a sloppy manner with similar builds, releasing sneering laughter in a nauseating fashion.

My reflexive anger was naturally changed into fear.

My mind was so crammed with fear that the natural thought that if the worst happens, I can use magic, could not be formed.

—Until my field of vision was blocked by Ani’s back.

It was the lean back of a young boy.

Nevertheless, it was a broader back than mine.

I did not notice when it started, but I was being sheltered by Ani’s back.

"Hey, I got no business with a brat like you?"

Disdaining us with scorn, the big youth peered at Ani’s face.

Ani made no response.

"You're too scared to speak?"

"Ha ha, a chicken boy. Only trying to show off!"

The two youths behind him deride and threaten Ani.

The anger in my heart is rejuvenated.

Compared to before, their plan is more obvious.

‘Should have taken my CAD with me’, I lamented. I can’t control the effects of my power very well when I lack an assisting tool. Causing serious injuries even to someone like this would be awkward in various ways.

If I had access to a CAD, these jerks would not be saying whatever they like!

Not even I myself understood why on earth I was burning with such rage. I glared at the big teenager barring the path in front of Ani.

The big teen’s eyes looked at me and narrowed.

His lips moved.

It could have been to laugh, it could have been to speak. There is no way to tell.

"Since we have no intention of begging you to mercifully forgive us for bumping into you, turn away from this course of action. For both of our sakes."

The calm tone was not that of someone who could be called a boy, the big teen’s face stiffened due to the completely unchild-like statement.

"—What did you say?"

It was a low faint whisper-like query.

"You should have been able to hear?"

The retort completely lacked emotion as if it was a mere comment made to oneself.

In both of the teen’s eyes, an evil glint nested.

"Even if you press your head to the ground, I won’t forgive you. For now, I’ll let you off with bruises."

"If you are talking about Dogeza [6] , you shouldn’t say head, you have to say forehead."

Immediately, afterwards.

With no sign or previous indication, the teen struck out at Ani.

Even though Ani was a teenager as well, Ani still had the body of a first year middle school student. The difference between him and the big youth before my eyes was that of an adult and a child.

I reflexively closed my eyes.

There was a thud like sound.

I just realized that if Ani was struck, then I, who was behind him, would become involved as well. I thought it was strange that that had not occurred.

Timidly, I open my eyes.

The first sight that entered my vision was the face of the big teen frozen in disbelief.

There was no need to worry about what could cause him to make such a look.

The teen’s right arm was extended in an incomplete punch.

Ani was stopping the fist with two hands.

Although it was two arms versus one arm, the difference between the weight of their two bodies was such that it should not have made any difference.

The mass of the big teen’s body was probably over two times that of Ani.

Despite that fact, Ani was not warding off the blow. Without taking even one step back to brace himself, Ani was taking the full weight the big teen was putting into that punch head on and stopping it.

Did he use magic? —No, there was no indication of that.

In things like academics, physical strength, and agility, Ani was more capable. But in magic, I am supposed to be more capable than Ani. If Ani used magic then there is no way I would be unaware of it.

"Interesting...I only intended to play around with you but...."

Grinning broadly, the big teen pulled back his arm and assumed a posture with his left fist in front of his chest.

Boxing?

Karate?

I, a complete novice in combat and martial arts was unable to recognize which it is. However, somehow even I could discern that the foe who had been half playing before had become serious.

I forgot about fleeing, from the shadow behind that boy’s back I peeped at the big teenager.

That boy’s lackadaisical comment plunged into my ears, who said nothing and stilled my breath.

"Are you sure? It’s going to be no laughing matter if we go beyond this point."

Why are you speaking in such a provocative manner?!

Typically if someone like you took him on, you would not be able to match him.

Typically, people of our age should flee in this situation.

No, Ani’s intentions do not matter.

I should flee even if I have to do it alone.

—Despite what I was thinking in my head, my body did not leave its place behind Ani’s back.

"You’re spouting a lot of trash talk for a brat!"

What happened next could not be caught with my eyes.

I could only understand the results, everything else is mere conjecture about what occurred.

The teen’s left leg advanced forward.

The teen’s left leg and right leg were placed in what looked like a fighting stance, Ani placed his left leg forward.

The teen’s left hand was aiming for Ani’s collar, just as the lunging fist seemed about to connect.

Ani’s left fist was propping him up from its position on the middle of his chest.

In that short blur of time, more than this seemed to have occurred but some time was unmistakably used by the big teen to spring back using the recoil.

Do-on, a sound like that of a Taiko [7] being struck, surely that was the sound of Ani’s fist.

Ani withdrew the leg he had placed forward, and as if it were a prearranged signal, the big teen’s body sank; cries of pain arose from where he was down on both knees on the surface of the road.

Ani looked past the big teenager who was crouching down and coughing painfully, and quietly directed his eyes to the people behind him.

Like they were petrified, the two male teens did not move.

Ani turned his back on them.

"Let’s go."

Ani took my arm in his hand.

At last, I became aware that those softly murmured words were directed towards me.

"Miyuki-san, did something happen?"

When I returned from my aborted walk, Sakurai-san paled and rushed over to me in a small sprint.

I did not think my face looked that terrible, but even I myself realized that I had turned a little pale. So, from the outset, I made no attempt to deceive her.

"It was a minor....unfortunate encounter with a young man."

"Well....!"

With only that Sakurai-san seemed to have discerned the gist of the situation.

Nonchalantly, she made a survey of my person, probably checking to see if my clothes were in disarray.

"I am fine."

It was a bit of a strain but, I think my smile was natural.

When I directed my smile to her, Sakurai-san also returned a relieved smile to me.

However, I could not continue smiling for long.

Because Ani saved me — that phrase did not depart from my mouth.

I shifted my focus from the words I thought to say, Ani was feigning ignorance; his face was, as always, expressionless. He bowed lightly to Sakurai-san. Despite that, his eyes never turned toward me and withdrew to an inner room.

Regrettably, the painfully constructed smile I had made seems to be about to crumble.

"—Taking a shower will rinse off the sweat."

There was no sweat on me, but I used that as a pretext to take refuge in the shower room.

The hot water of the shower bounced off my skin.

I forgot to remove the water repellent cream, so I merely felt the heat. This allowed my body that seemed about to shake to warm.

"Why..."

I took my head out from under the spray of the shower. Hot drops outline my face, by the corner of my eyes and above my cheekbones, different kinds of drops intermingle.

"Why am I crying...?"

A bemused voice reached my own ears. It was not a tearful voice, it was as if it was somebody else’s voice.

"Why do I have to cry?"

Panicking, I even try shouting. There is no answer. I am the only one here.

"why...Why..."

The only sound that I can hear is the sound of the shower. No one will give me an answer to my question.