Maidens of Cygnus - Volume 4 - Chapter 8

Chapter 8 – Closing the Curtain on the Nine Schools Competition

Alisa’s and Marika’s Nine Schools Competition came to an end.

On the next day, the ninth day of the Nine Schools Competition, the main competition resumed, and on that day men’s and women’s Solo and Pairs Ice Pillars Break finals were held.

Chika got the win in women’s Solo and Yuuto got a dominating victory in men’s Solo, showing off the true strength of the Ten Master Clans.

At this time, First High stood at the top of the overall rankings.

However, in Mirage Bat in the tenth day, and Monolith Code in the tenth and eleventh days, First High ended in second behind Third High. As a result, the tournament concluded with Third High in the first place in the overall standings, and First High in second.

First High turned over the throne it held for 5 consecutive tournaments.

◇ ◇ ◇

During the award ceremony, an assessment was being carried out in the VIP room by influential people.

“Sensei, any youngsters who have won your favor?”

A man past middle age wearing a three-piece suit and a necktie, despite being the middle of summer, asked the member of the Senate Yamato Michitomo with a tone of flattery.

“Let me see... There were youngsters from numberless, unknown families that looked promising. I could call it a big catch.”

After thinking a little, Yamato replied like that.

“Unknown families? For instance, students from which school?”

“Let’s see. I believe there were many from First High.”

“If I were to speak of unknown families from First High... There are Kagari Joui, Karatachibana Mamoru, and Tookami Marika. Though they’re all first year students.”

“Yes, those three are particularly promising.”

“Sensei. About their lineage...”

A different man cut in at that point. That man too, sure enough, had a formal appearance inappropriate for midsummer.

“Kagari Joui is someone from the ‘Elements’. His parents serve the Nagatomi Family.”

“Nagatomi Family of Touhou Tech?”

“That is indeed so.”

“I see...”

Yamato pondered for a moment.

The men around him waited in silence until he finished thinking.

“And?”

Yamato pressed for the next one. There was nobody here foolish enough to not understand that. They wouldn’t have the qualifications to sit next to Yamato — next to a member of the Senate.

“Tookami Marika is an Extra.”

“Tookami, which means... of the ‘Ten’?”

“I am in awe over your insight.”

The man bowed deeply. 

“Is that so, an Extra... She’s a woman, but maybe that will be convenient for our goals.”

“I believe you are correct.”

The man who interjected would later lose his position when it was established that Marika was handpicked by Anzai Isao of the Four Great Elders. For causing Yamato to lose face. — A tale that happens often.

“Karatachibana Mamoru is a first generation. Neither parent has any special ties either, it would be convenient for him to obey us.”

“You mustn’t force him.”

Yamato chided him, just for appearances.

“But First High does have talent in abundance, doesn’t it?”

And what he said next was presented as a trivial question.

“It must be because it’s the capital and the Magic University is nearby. Students not only from Kanto, but other regions as well come to take the exams.”

Yamato’s questions were never overlooked. He smiled at his faithful dogs’ tact, looking satisfied.

◇ ◇ ◇

After the awards ceremony, a party will be held in the evening. However, there is still some time left.

The hotel used for lodging for the Nine Schools Competition is a building used by high army officials as well. During this period, people related to magic high schools are allowed to use it as an exception, but even so there are also areas they must not trespass.

However, First High second-year student Izayoi Souma was walking on a floor outsiders shouldn’t be allowed into.

He wasn’t alone. He is with a woman of about 30 years of age, who is wearing a skirt suit. She has an intelligent and astute aura. Perhaps a female official from the Ministry of Defense?

Souma and that woman advanced through the hallway, passing by nobody, and came to a stop in front of a certain room.

The woman knocked and the door opened from the inside.

A man in a dark suit who looked to be in his early 50s opened the door.

Souma gave him a small bow and entered the room.

Inside, First High School staff member, Kitou Tomohiko, was waiting.

The man in dark suit sat across from Kitou and the woman in skirt suit sat next to that man.

Souma sat next to Kitou.

“Kumagai-san. What sort of business did you summon us for today?”

Souma asked to the dark-suited man, Kumagai. His tone was polite, but not humble. If anything, it was a tone to be used when talking to a colleague in equal position.

“That last match was enough.”

Kumagai praised Souma’s adaptiveness in the last match of Monolith Code, against Third High.

“I will inform our Lord of that.”

“I am grateful.”

In that match, Souma had a lot of trouble losing intentionally in a way that didn’t look unnatural. He was slightly disappointed that it could be summarized with a single word, ‘enough’, but he didn’t show those feelings in his expression and laudably bowed his head.

Kumagai is a servant of Anzai Isao of the Four Great Elders. He is given the role of connecting his master Anzai with combat personnel like Souma and Kitou.

For Souma, who believes they are the ones actually doing the work, he’s someone he can’t get friendly with, but he can’t show an unfriendly attitude either. — Note that despite the woman in the suit, Suzuri, having the same role, Souma doesn’t hold that much antipathy towards her.

“Kitou-san.”

Kumagai turned to Kitou without responding to Souma. He didn’t even look at Souma’s expression when he raised his face.

“There is a possibility Yamato-sensei will reach out to Tookami Marika. Get rid of them if necessary, please.”

He then promptly conveyed the message.

“Get rid, to what extent?”

There was no affability in Kitou’s response either.

“That decision is left to you.”

Kumagai maintained his businesslike behavior to the end.

“Izayoi-san, please be attentive to the movements of Yamato-sensei’s sect as well.”

Suzuri, who had been silent until then, talked to Souma. Her tone is more personal than Kumagai’s.

“Understood. Well, I don’t think Yamato-sensei would also meddle with the Juumonji Family.”

Souma replied in an informal tone and Suzuri replied “Indeed” while the corners of her mouth raised a little.

Rather than the fact Suzuri is a beautiful woman, it might be this aspect that is different between her and Kumagai, from Souma’s point of view.

◇ ◇ ◇

The party began at 7pm. No famous adults turned up at this closing party, unlike the party before it started. It was a casual thing, for students only. Completely different from the party two weeks before, competitors from each school were relaxing. Interactions across school borders were also being actively carried out.

“Ah, Ichijou-san.” “Ah, Tookami-san.”

Marika and Akane, who were restless in front of the counter where food was lined up buffet-style, recognized each other and spoke at the same time.

“Congratulations on your victory. You really are strong.”

“Thank you. But I was just lucky.”

Marika congratulated her, Akane acted modestly. In a sense, this was a stereotypical exchange, but both of them were serious.

“This will never end if we bring up luck. I lost by one point this time. That alone is the truth. Don’t you think so?”

“...You’re right.”

But it didn’t become a pointless argument. Even Akane had nothing to object with to what Marika said.

“That aside, you’ll be coming to the tournament at the end of the month, right?”

The tournament at the end of the month is the Martial Magic Arts National Tournament. It is organized by ‘Japan Martial Magic Arts Association’ and the only age restriction is that competitors must be at most 18 years old. It is not limited to magic high school students.

For the two of them, this tournament is probably more important than the Nine Schools Competition.

“Of course. Tookami-san, don’t go losing until you face me.”

“Likewise. I want to have a good bout.”

After saying that, the two firmly shook hands — that’s what everyone watching around them thought they would do, but instead of holding out their hands, they waved them and said “Well then, see you later”.

Marika left the area first. She passed by the meat zone and the fish zone and stopped in front of the pizzas and pasta.

“— I thought you were going to shake hands.”

Marika, who was holding tongs in her right hand and a plate in her left hand, was talked to with a whisper by Alisa.

She didn’t reply.

With the thought ‘Did she not hear?’, Alisa then thought ‘well, whatever’, and after that, Marika mumbled.

“...It’s embarrassing.”

“What?”

Alisa asked to repeat not because she didn’t hear it or because she pretended not to hear, but because she thought she misheard.

“It’s just... embarrassing. And I felt it would attract a lot of attention.”

Looking at her properly, Marika’s cheeks were becoming slightly red.

“It felt like if we shook hands there, there would be some kind of applause.”

“Mina, you’re cute.”

To the honest thought Alisa unintentionally added, Marika protested “S-stop that” with a low, very low, embarrassed voice.

The red tinge on her cheeks was increasing more and more.