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Chapter 146 - Chapter 145: Easier When It’s Someone Else’s Problem

January 1, 2096.

Yugen's first New Year as a Kagurazaka adoptee felt much like Joushima's—comfortingly familiar.

"Tomorrow's the celebration… hope nothing piles on," he muttered.

His keen intuition, often a curse, sensed trouble alongside luck. A single move could yield four outcomes, with a tiger thrown in. As Yugen, in casual clothes, grumbled, a voice called from beyond the sliding door.

"Yugen-sama, the head summons you."

"Got it. On my way," he replied, glancing at his bedding, sighing silently. Some things were better left unsaid.

The summons led not to the grand hall but to Chihime's private room, where she lounged in a kotatsu, eating mikan—a carefree head few would believe led Kagurazaka.

"Happy New Year, Mother," Yugen said.

"Happy New Year! Come on in," Chihime replied casually.

Her lax tone was pointless to chide. Joining her in the kotatsu, Yugen accepted a mikan, peeling it while probing the summons.

"Not just New Year's greetings, right?" he asked.

"Tomorrow's celebration includes your debut to all Kagurazaka houses, but… two more fiancées," Chihime said.

"…" Yugen froze.

He hadn't expected this, with Miyuki, Shizuku, and Himeji's engagements set just four months ago. Since summer, he'd split weekdays at Shiba's and weekends at Kagurazaka's villa, balancing dates to avoid unfairness.

"Chiba also sent a proposal," Chihime added.

"Erika's a no-go for romance. Her sister? Hard pass. I'd rather avoid future grudges," Yugen said.

"I declined them. Back to the point: the two are from Nine Dragons—Tsukuba and Shijukuin. Ring a bell?" Chihime asked.

Chiba's proposal was expected, but Yugen sighed. Erika's charm was undeniable, but their bond was a "fated nuisance," unlikely to shift—a mutual understanding.

He knew both houses. Tsukuba's daughter, his sister's friend, sent Valentine's chocolate, reciprocated politely. Shijukuin's was a girl he met years ago with Gousan.

"I know them, but Tsukuba's a Yotsuba branch. Is that okay?" Yugen asked.

"I asked them to stay neutral on Tatsuya. The engagement's the trade-off," Chihime said.

It was a done deal, Yugen realized, resignedly eating his mikan. No veto power. Chihime smirked.

"Also, meeting Saigusa's head to share Parasite binding spells?" she asked.

"Whips breed rebellion. Was that wrong?" Yugen replied.

"It's within modern magic's scope, so it's fine. But unrequited love's tough… I pity Saigusa's wife," Chihime said.

Spring's blunder made further mistakes toxic. Chihime worried for Saigusa's wife, knowing her son, Ise's head, and his friend's apology over Yugen's Valentine's incident.

"You knew?" Yugen asked.

"My son's friends with their head. He sent an apology via him," Chihime said.

Izumi's engagement stemmed from this. Its dissolution was Saigusa's loss.

"How do you feel about them?" Chihime asked.

"They're fine people. But the head or his heir might exploit our ties," Yugen said.

He didn't dislike Mayumi or Izumi, but Saigusa's ambitions using Kagurazaka were a concern. As Yotsuba's sponsor, curbing their power was non-negotiable. Kudou Retsu's complaints about Yotsuba's strength, born of his own enhancements, were irrelevant with USNA as a rival.

"Changing topics… Shuuichi, Yume, and Shizuku's exchange is just for Parasites?" Yugen asked.

"Partly. Godo Kai's mission is to forge their resolve," Chihime said.

"Harsh leader," Yugen noted.

National defense demanded no compromise. Yugen, shaped by this world, knew naive peace was dangerous. The trio's mission: eliminate anti-magic core members. Shuuichi and Yume had killed during Headless Dragon; Shizuku would bear that burden too.

"If Stars balks, we'll handle it. Ideally, we stop their unauthorized strategic magic probes permanently," Yugen said.

"If they don't?" Chihime asked.

"Economic collapse is an option, but a global depression's too much. Exposing modern magic as 'flawed' would spark chaos," Yugen said.

Thieves of magic tech without humility were worthless. Starlight Breaker's FAE theory would shock them, but as a US-Japan project, it was untouchable.

"You keep surpassing modern magic. Starlight Breaker's FAE-based, right?" Chihime asked.

"Spot on," Yugen confirmed.

FAE theory exploited post-magic physical law lapses, allowing low-interference follow-up spells. Developed post-Okinawa, it contrasted Brionac's sub-millisecond precision. Yugen's solution—extending FAE's lag via a psion membrane—birthed Airride Burst. Simpler psion control later refined Starlight Breaker.

"But I won't teach belligerent fools. What's their president doing? Civilian control's an issue here too," Yugen grumbled.

"Media and opposition loud in your past life too?" Chihime teased.

"Yeah," Yugen admitted.

Politics were a hassle, but unavoidable. Tomorrow's debut as Kagurazaka's heir was critical. Born Mitsuya, Yugen now bore Japan's defense. He wished neighboring nations showed more restraint.

Meanwhile, in Yotsuba's private room, Maya read a letter, passing it to Hayama, who burned it, gazing out the window.

"What now?" Hayama asked.

"It's fine. I can't ignore sponsors," Maya said.

"Especially with him at Kagurazaka," Hayama noted.

The letter's cost was minor compared to past and future benefits. Disrupting Yotsuba's heir disputes was a bonus, Maya concluded.

"Kagurazaka's heirship isn't secure. Tomorrow's celebration will be tough for him," Maya said.

"I doubt he'd lose to Tatsuya," Hayama replied.

Chihime, Tadatsume, and her disciples accepted Yugen, but branch heirs resisted, per Chihime's complaints. Hayama, hearing from his son, agreed.

"Same. For USNA, follow Kagurazaka's lead. Manage Parasite attack and defense intel," Maya instructed.

"Understood. Tell Tatsuya?" Hayama asked.

"No, let's test him. I'll handle Aneue's nagging later," Maya said.

Hayama, sensing Maya's plan, withdrew without probing, loyal to Yotsuba.

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