The First High vs. Fourth High Monolith Code match, halted by a building collapse, was rescheduled for the next day after committee deliberation. Unlike the original story where Fourth High would've been disqualified, this outcome suggested the committee's desire to avoid exposing their scandal.
Yugen kept such thoughts to himself, knowing the committee's pride would dismiss a high schooler's critique. After enduring Miyuki and Shizuku's probing (mostly about siblings), Yugen was summoned to First High's tent, where Katsuto awaited. The negotiations, surprisingly swift, concluded with the committee yielding.
"Proxy players are allowed. Remaining qualifiers are postponed to tomorrow morning," Katsuto said. "Mitsuya, I want you to continue in Monolith Code. Saegusa agrees."
"No objections. I was prepared to be excluded for my flagrant violation," Yugen replied.
"With His Excellency, Ueyama-dono, and Mitsuya-dono present, the committee wouldn't dare. Your proactive defense was praised," Katsuto said.
The incident was tantamount to targeting a Ten Master Clans heir. Though unspoken, Yugen sensed a call to avenge the affront. Refusal wasn't an option, especially since he'd delegated Monolith Code decisions to Mayumi.
Katsuto saw no reason to bench Yugen, trusting his ability to coordinate with proxies.
"Toya's out. Three events would be too much," Yugen noted.
"Agreed. Rokuzuka's excluded by his own request. Leave proxy selection to me and Saegusa," Katsuto said.
"I've already told the chairman, but please handle it," Yugen replied.
Allowing Toya three events risked scrutiny, possibly pushing Shoki to compete in the main Monolith Code. Katsuto promised careful selection.
(What now? Oh, lunch…) Yugen realized, having skipped it amid the chaos—checking on his teammates, talking with Mayumi, being dragged by Miyuki and Shizuku, and rushing back for Katsuto.
With the afternoon matches canceled, Yugen headed to grab a provided bento and something from the stalls. At the tent's entrance, Miyuki and Shizuku waited.
"You didn't have to wait outside," Yugen said.
"Lunch, right?" Shizuku asked.
"Yeah. You can join," Yugen said.
The summer heat was intense, but a cool aura surrounded the girls—Miyuki's magic. Yugen glanced at her, and she smiled, pleased he noticed.
"Practice?" Yugen asked.
"You're sharp, Yugen-san," Miyuki said.
"Learned from Tatsuya," Yugen replied.
Tatsuya would join after Mirage Bat finals adjustments, with Honoka. At the stalls, a girl with wavy hair and striking features—Akane Ichijo, Shoki's younger sister and a sixth-grader—spotted Yugen and hugged him.
"Onii-sama!" Akane exclaimed.
"Again, Yugen-san?" Miyuki sighed.
"Such a playboy," Shizuku teased.
"Don't say that… Long time, Akane-chan," Yugen said, gently prying her off.
"Friend?" Miyuki asked.
"Related to Third High's 'Crimson Prince.' Akane-chan, what's up?" Yugen asked.
"She's so pretty…" Akane said, staring at Miyuki.
Miyuki's allure was undeniable, and she smiled wryly.
"Alone? That's risky," Yugen said.
"Mother's over there," Akane pointed as Midori, her mother, approached.
"Akane, really… Long time, Yugen-kun. Shinkuro says Shoki's been a handful," Midori said.
"Just teenage boys. Good to see you, Midori-san," Yugen replied.
Midori, from an Ichijo branch family, took Akane and left to avoid attention.
"You know the 'Crimson Prince'?" Miyuki asked.
"He called me a pervert at our first meeting. I paid him back. We've talked a bit since," Yugen said.
Miyuki recalled Yugen mentioning subduing Shoki with a joint lock, tied to meeting Akane. She smirked, understanding. Yugen stayed quiet, sensing a retort would backfire.
Lunch was in Yugen's room with Tatsuya, Miyuki, Shizuku, and Honoka.
"Shouldn't we watch Third High?" Honoka asked.
"They'd hide their strategies. 'Cardinal George' would be on guard," Yugen said.
Third High and others knew Yugen's prominence from Ice Pillars Break, making discreet scouting risky. Only a few first-years could match the battle-hardened "Crimson Prince."
The room's monitor showed Third High's match.
"Matches got postponed, and scouting could stir trouble," Yugen said.
"You'd manage without intel," Tatsuya teased.
"Even I can't do everything blind," Yugen retorted, recalling his failure to fully counter Battering Ram.
Mirage Bat finals were at 5 p.m. With CAD adjustments done, they planned to watch.
"You okay, Honoka?" Yugen asked.
"Yes! Your advice and practice helped so much!" Honoka beamed.
"Glad it worked," Yugen said.
Tatsuya's startup sequences, Mika's coaching, and Yugen's tips on spotting cloaked spirit magic aided Honoka. Her light sensitivity made it feasible, and Yugen avoided Tenjin magic details.
Honoka defeated Keiko Yonikuin from Third High in Battle Board finals, her feelings for Tatsuya fueling her victory—though unreciprocated.
"Keiko got mobbed by seniors, yelling for help. Their glares were intense…" Honoka said.
"Not your fault," Yugen reassured.
"But her chest… unforgivable," Shizuku muttered.
"Shizuku!?" Honoka gasped.
In Mirage Bat finals, Honoka and Subaru dominated, their refined magic outclassing others. Rival engineers looked pale or puzzled. Tatsuya's work, a hallmark of "Taurus Silver," drove their success. Yugen watched stoically, prompting Miyuki's giggle.
"Something funny?" Yugen asked.
"You know, yet you're so serious," Miyuki said.
"Knowing means I can't show it," Yugen replied.
Only Yugen and Miyuki knew he shared "Taurus Silver's" mantle. He glanced around, noting Honoka's swift leaps and Subaru's precision, both enhanced by Tatsuya's magic.
"It's like Taurus Silver!" someone jeered. Yugen stayed silent—the engineer was indeed the one.
"Tatsuya's amazing, but you're just as absurd," Shizuku said.
"That stings," Yugen replied.
Honoka won, Subaru took second, adding to Tatsuya's undefeated record. He saw it as duty fulfilled. As they returned to the hotel, Mayumi whisked Tatsuya away, leaving Honoka disappointed. Shizuku tilted her head.
"What's up?" Yugen asked.
"Odd that Saegusa-senpai didn't take you. Almost like she didn't want you there," Shizuku said.
"Maybe. No clue why," Yugen shrugged.
As rookie leader, Mayumi tasked Yugen with escorting the girls, likely as Tatsuya's stand-in. He suspected she chose Tatsuya as a Monolith Code proxy but kept him out to preserve his role as an escape route. Yugen didn't dwell on her motives.
"It's a job. I'll escort you to your rooms," Yugen said.
"So dutiful. No wonder you're a playboy," Shizuku teased.
"That shuts me down," Yugen groaned.
Miyuki giggled.
In the meeting room, Mayumi proposed Tatsuya as a proxy for Monolith Code. He tried declining, citing his Course 2 status and suggesting a first-year with one event, but Katsuto intervened.
"Don't use Course 2 as an excuse. You're a chosen representative," Katsuto said.
Duty-bound, Tatsuya accepted. "I'll fulfill my obligations."
"Who're the others?" Tatsuya asked.
"One's decided. You pick the other," Katsuto said.
"What?" Tatsuya blinked.
Katsuto and Mayumi chose one proxy, leaving the second to Tatsuya. He trusted their choice wouldn't be reckless for a championship bid.
"Need time?" Katsuto asked.
"No, but will they agree? And who's your pick?" Tatsuya replied.
"We'll handle persuasion. You've guessed our choice, haven't you?" Katsuto said.
Tatsuya nodded. Yugen's continued participation was essential—his skill and their rapport made him ideal. Katsuto's choice was strategic.
"Anyone, even non-team members?" Tatsuya asked.
"That's a bit…" Mayumi hesitated.
"No issue. Exceptions are piling up. Just not Rokuzuka—too controversial," Katsuto said.
"Then Mikihiko Yoshida from 1-E. Your pick is Yugen Mitsuya from 1-A, right?" Tatsuya said.
"Yes. Saegusa and I decided. Objections?" Katsuto asked.
"None. Perfect choice. Have you told him?" Tatsuya said.
"Preliminary offer made. He's left it to us. You inform him officially," Katsuto replied.
Some seniors worried about pairing two Course 2 students, especially such prominent ones, fearing chaos.
"Achoo! Cold coming on?" Yugen sneezed, oblivious to their concerns.
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