January 2, 2096
In the grand hall of the Kagurazaka main estate in Hakone, Tatsuya and his companions, dressed in traditional hakama and kimonos, gathered. They were told attire would be provided, but the meticulous preparation impressed even Tatsuya.
"You look good, Tatsuya-san," Honoka said.
"Thanks, Honoka. But this level of preparation makes me wary of a catch," Tatsuya replied.
"I get that," Erika chimed in. "I mean, to have that many kimonos? The Kagurazakas must be richer than my family."
Erika, who had seen the Kagurazaka wardrobe, was the most shocked. Given her ties to the Juumonji family, the sheer number of meticulously arranged kimonos stunned her. Mizuki could only offer a wry smile.
"Erika-chan, your family seems plenty wealthy to me," Mizuki said.
"Nah, I can't compete with Yugen or Shizuku's families… Speaking of, where are Miyuki, Shizuku, and Hime-ri?" Erika asked.
"They're busy with preparations," Tatsuya said. "Honestly, it's complicated."
"Complicated? Why's that?" Leo asked, reacting to Shusuke's comment.
Shusuke explained, "You know Yugen's set to be the next Kagurazaka head and involved with the 'Divine Assembly,' right? Some family members aren't thrilled—my two brothers, and the heirs of the Ise and Takatsuki families."
"Why's that? Yugen proved himself at the Nine Schools Competition. It's only logical," Mikihiko said, reasonably.
Tatsuya nodded, understanding. Even before his name change, Yugen had defeated the "Crimson Prince" of the Ichijo family in an official match, proving his prowess beyond doubt.
Yume, appearing in a kimono from behind Shusuke, answered, "It's simple—jealousy from those lacking real skill."
"Jealousy?" Mizuki echoed.
"There was friction when we became the current head's favored disciples," Yume said. "But the real issue is they're furious the next head wasn't chosen from the main or branch families' direct line, but from Ane-ue's grandson."
Their grievance: ignoring the claim that the current head, Chihime, should choose from her direct line. Yugen's former status as a Ten Master Clans member wounded their pride as traditional magic practitioners.
"Are you and Shusuke okay with it?" Tatsuya asked.
"No choice but to accept," Shusuke said. "Yugen's strength is world-class among mages. Opposing him would be our ruin."
"Agreed," Yume added. "I'm just glad he's on our side."
Yugen had mastered the ultimate Tenjin magics, Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi, and elevated the "Queen of Night" magic to strategic level. His psion control was arguably unmatched. Though unspoken, both Shusuke and Yume felt they owed their survival to his leniency, earning wry smiles from those around.
"So, Tatsuya, keep Miyuki in check," Shusuke said.
"I'm not her keeper," Tatsuya sighed. "If only Mother were here…"
The celebration included not just main and branch family representatives but also dignitaries like the prime minister. Tatsuya's wish for his mother's presence was futile, drawing more wry smiles.
A Kagurazaka servant appeared. "Pardon, Siba-sama, Yoshida-sama, someone wishes to meet you."
"Fine by me," Mikihiko said. "Tatsuya?"
"No reason to refuse," Tatsuya replied.
Tatsuya didn't want trouble, but with Miyuki potentially marrying into the Kagurazaka family, he couldn't ignore it. Assuming she was representing the Yotsuba, he agreed. They excused themselves and were led to a guest room where a imposing man sat, eyeing them without rising.
Tatsuya, startled but wary of being outmaneuvered, took a lower seat and bowed, followed by Mikihiko. Mikihiko spoke first.
"It's been a while, Lord Aoba Seihanyudo. This is my friend, Siba Tatsuya."
"Impressive… I permit direct address," the man said.
"I'm Siba Tatsuya. Honored to meet you," Tatsuya said.
"I'm Aoba Todou. I've heard of you, Yotsuba Tatsuya, from my father-in-law," Aoba replied.
Mikihiko was stunned—Aoba's words implied Tatsuya and Miyuki were Yotsuba. Aoba, sensing Mikihiko's shock, turned to Tatsuya, who was on guard.
"No need to worry," Aoba said. "As a man of position, I won't spread your secret. Like the Kagurazakas, I'm tied to the Yotsuba."
"…I'll trust you for now," Tatsuya said. "Mikihiko, you good?"
"Y-yeah… So, why were we called?" Mikihiko asked, planning to question Tatsuya later.
Aoba exhaled, his expression serious. "Yoshida Mikihiko, I've heard of your resolve. Once the unstable situation settles, we'll move forward. For now, my daughter will attend First High starting this year. Be kind to her."
"…What does that mean?" Mikihiko asked.
"She's taken a liking to you. She resembles her mother, so no issues there…" Aoba said.
The conversation barely registered with Mikihiko. Returning to the hall, Tatsuya asked, "You okay?"
"Too much to process… but it makes sense now," Mikihiko said.
"What does?" Tatsuya asked.
"How Yugen treats you as a 'friend.'"
"I'm not that exceptional," Tatsuya said.
Mikihiko, who knew Yugen before his Mitsuya ties, found Tatsuya's Yotsuba connection fitting, given his equal standing with Yugen's extraordinariness.
"You're plenty impressive," Mikihiko said.
Tatsuya and Miyuki's prowess rivaled the Ten Master Clans, and their bond with Yugen, a former clan member, made sense to Mikihiko.
"Learning you're Yotsuba was shocking," Mikihiko admitted. "But knowing I'll have to give you orders someday? My stomach's already churning."
"That makes me sound like a troublemaker," Tatsuya said.
"I owe you too much," Mikihiko replied.
"If we're talking debts, I owe Yugen plenty," Tatsuya said. "I just hope Miyuki doesn't go overboard."
"No ice hotel this New Year, right?" Mikihiko asked.
"…"
On New Year's Eve, Erika's teasing had triggered Miyuki's magic, turning a guest room into an ice hotel. Yugen calmed her, but she clung to him afterward.
The celebration was more a feast than a formal greeting. As Yugen, in haori-hakama, headed to the hall, several men blocked his path, their faces radiating hostility.
"Who are you?" Yugen asked.
"How dare you speak to my brother, the next Miyamoto head!" one shouted.
"Calm down, Kazumune," another said. "I'm Miyamoto Shuuichirou, next Miyamoto head, 'Mitsuya' Yugen."
Recognizing Shusuke's resemblance, Yugen guessed they were branch family. But their use of "Mitsuya" showed their refusal to acknowledge him.
"One request," Shuuichirou said. "Step down as Kagurazaka heir. A fake mage like you isn't worthy."
The argument lacked weight. Yugen understood their pride in traditional magic but noted Shusuke, the current head's disciple, would've been a more logical choice. The current head chose Yugen, tied to both Juumonji and Kagurazaka. Their objections were baseless.
"The current head decided," Yugen said. "Take it up with her."
"But you accepted!" Shuuichirou snapped. "Planning to steal our magic too?"
Done with the nonsense, Yugen cloaked his presence, slipped behind them, and headed to the hall. Intentionally revealing himself, he provoked Shuuichirou, who drew a concealed short sword and swung. Yugen caught the blade with his pinky.
"What!?" Shuuichirou gasped.
"Words fail, so force? Pathetic," Yugen said coldly.
Seizing the sword, Yugen swung, stripping the men bare instantly. Uninterested, he opened a door with movement magic and blasted them into the garden with Air Ride Burst. The scene was pitiful; Yugen tossed the sword out, closed the door, and left.
"Sorry for the delay, Mother," Yugen said.
"You're on time," Chihime replied. "Everything okay?"
"No worries. I expected this."
Chihime had explained to the branch families, and their current heads respected Yugen's strength. But the heirs' pride led to ruin, Yugen thought bitterly.
Tatsuya and others, including Miyuki, Shizuku, and Hime-ri, appeared. Miyuki's concerned look suggested she'd heard.
"You okay, Yugen-san?" she asked.
"Fine, Miyuki. Didn't expect it to be that blatant," Yugen said.
If it had turned deadly, disinheritance would've been the least of their worries. Noticing the group's grim expressions, Yugen asked, "Something happen on your end?"
"Yeah, my issue," Tatsuya said.
"Aoba Seihanyudo, huh?" Yugen guessed.
Yugen should've used honorifics given Aoba's age, but as Kagurazaka heir, per Chihime's advice, he matched his status. From Mikihiko's face, Yugen deduced Tatsuya and Miyuki's Yotsuba ties were exposed.
"You've met him?" Tatsuya asked.
"Once," Yugen said. "Don't spread it, or I'll have to act."
"Who'd blab to family?" Erika said.
Erika may have teased Mikihiko, but learning Tatsuya and Miyuki were Yotsuba was a shock. Leo smirked at her reaction. Tatsuya's admission stunned her further.
"You okay with that, Tatsuya?" Erika asked.
"I trust Mikihiko," Tatsuya said. "Erika's too sharp to dodge. Denying it was pointless. I learned that from Yugen."
"I don't live that wisely," Yugen said.
Yugen hadn't anticipated influencing Tatsuya's pragmatism. His new Kagurazaka role prompted sharing secrets with trusted allies. Since summer, he'd spent more time with Miyuki, Shizuku, and Hime-ri, choosing openness with reliable friends post-Yokohama Incident, per the Yotsuba head's directive.
"It was shocking," Shizuku said. "But I won't give up."
"Shizuku, was Honoka always this bold?" Tatsuya asked.
"Probably Yugen's fault," Shizuku said.
"As expected of our lord," Hime-ri added.
Miyuki noted, "Onii-sama consulted me, and Mother approved." They'd continue hiding their Yotsuba ties but avoid unnecessary walls to prevent conflict.
Incidentally, the blown-away heirs included Ise and Takatsuki's. Chihime ordered them disciplined by Souji, plus waterfall training. Traditional magic factions were trouble enough without extra sparks.
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