As one visit ended, another began—a pattern not unfamiliar in stories. This time, it was Harumi Naruse from Fourth High, Shizuku's cousin, coming to greet them. Both Honoka and Yugen knew her, and Harumi's eyes widened upon seeing Yugen.
"Long time, Harumi-san," Yugen said.
"Yeah. I was shocked you were from the Ten Master Clans, but... my junior's interested in Tatsuya-kun and you," Harumi replied.
This was about meeting the Kuroba siblings. Normally, Miyuki would mediate, but Shizuku, knowing Yugen's acquaintance with Harumi, thought he'd handle it smoothly. As Harumi's adoptive cousin, Yugen couldn't ignore her. Shizuku asked Miyuki to pass a message to Tatsuya, so Yugen met the Kurobas first. Given rumors since spring that the Kurobas were tied to the Yotsuba, a former Ten Master Clans member like Yugen responding wouldn't raise issues.
No need to feign unfamiliarity, Yugen spoke up. "Been a while, Ayako, Fumiya. Enrolling at Fourth High and becoming representatives? Impressive."
"Y-Yes! Long time, Yugen-san!" Fumiya replied.
"Sorry, Fumiya's excited... and for imposing like this," Ayako said.
"It's a mixer, no need to apologize. Oh, Tatsuya's here," Yugen said.
Through Yugen, Tatsuya, Miyuki, Ayako, and Fumiya met. Onlookers might suspect the Yotsuba rumors were true. Mitsugu, their father, preferred discretion, but boldness could hide truths better. It's all in the delivery.
"I'm just a First High student, not your direct senior," Tatsuya said.
"But you're a senior magician. We're impressed by your engineering skills," Ayako replied.
Last year, Tatsuya led, with Yugen assisting. Yugen competed in Ice Pillars Break and Monolith Code, handling less than Tatsuya. Their CADs, designed at Tatsuya's request, were high-spec and tuned to their magic traits, earning high praise. Yugen took Ayako's words as gratitude, exchanging pleasantries.
"During the competition's tough, but after, we can talk. Right, Yugen?" Tatsuya said.
"Obviously. Good luck, both of you," Yugen added.
"Thank you!" they replied, rejoining Fourth High's group.
Seria, who'd been engrossed in food, approached. She was polite with First and Third High students but relaxed around Yugen, who found it questionable.
"Those were Ayako and Fumiya Kuroba, right? Her figure at that age is unfair," Seria said.
"What're you on about?" Yugen retorted.
Seria knew Ayako admired Tatsuya, responding, "Yeah, I figured." Her feelings likely went beyond respect. Yugen chided Seria's near-harassment remark.
"Next is the guest speech, but your acquaintances won't show, Seria," Yugen said.
"Good, that'd be a disaster," she replied.
Indeed. Seria's contacts included the USNA ambassador, Colonel Virginia Balance, or even the USNA president—major figures. Given this year's chaos, a guest appearance seemed likely. When Ernst Rosen, a guest, spoke and glanced at Erika and Leo, Yugen noticed. Leo tilted his head, confused; Erika's face darkened. This deviation from the original story made Yugen feel slightly guilty. As expected, Retsu Kudou skipped the guest speech.
After the mixer, Yugen changed into training gear with his CAD and told Miyuki, his unexpected roommate, he'd exchange info with Masaki before leaving. They met near the hotel's front entrance, Masaki still in Third High's uniform.
"Godsaka, going for a run?" Masaki asked.
"Something like that. Change spots?" Yugen suggested.
"Yeah."
To avoid attention, they moved to a secluded bench for the investigation results.
"So, Masaki, what'd George find?" Yugen asked.
"Didn't expect it to be this shady. The Great Asian Union's hardliners are behind the competition changes," Masaki said.
Optimism was understandable, but the military-heavy event screamed hardliner involvement. As the Ichijou heir but not yet head, Masaki was out of the loop on such matters.
"Great Asian Union hardliners... Colonel Sakai, right?" Yugen said.
"Apparently, Sakai wants magic high schoolers to skip university and join the military directly," Masaki said.
"That's absurd," Yugen replied.
Japan's education system offered no formal magic training outside private middle schools or magic academies, except for clans like the Master Clans or Hundred Families. Magic high schoolers were at an elementary level, so pulling them into the military overestimated their skills, risking burnout. Even as a long-term strategy, it ignored the Nine Schools Competition's purpose.
Retsu Kudou opposed magicians as mere weapons but not as soldiers. His clash with Sakai, who craved instant forces, was avoided. Approving a militaristic event likely aimed to instill combat instincts in students.
"Good digging. Your dad's connections?" Yugen asked.
"Yeah... Sakai's an old acquaintance of Dad's," Masaki said.
While the Okinawa Defense report was public, the Sado invasion report—except for the Ichijou-led repel—was classified. Toya's secrecy relied on this.
"B-But the Ichijous aren't involved!" Masaki stammered.
"Relax, when did I suspect that? I asked because I heard from military magicians that Sakai led the Sado operation, so I figured there was a chance," Yugen said.
"Sorry," Masaki apologized.
Sakai and Gouki Ichijou clashed over the Sado counter-invasion, parting bitterly, per the report. Unless the Ichijous flipped, aiding hardliners was unlikely. The rift stemmed from two strategic-class spells in Okinawa—Tatsuya's Material Burst and Yugen's Mirror Dispersion.
"Before leaving, Dad said, 'I doubt they're planning a rebellion,' but it's just a possibility. That's all we found," Masaki said.
"More than enough. Still, this is separate from our Pillars Break solo duel," Yugen said.
"Obviously. This time, I'll beat you and win Shiba-san over," Masaki declared, leaving.
His words sounded like a hero rescuing a princess from a villain. If Tatsuya was the demon king (from last year's RPG-themed thesis prep), Yugen was... the mastermind empowering him? Shaking off the thought, Yugen muttered, "Hero, demon king, mastermind, or god—none suit me. Best I'm the protagonist's cheeky friend."
Donning his jacket, Yugen vanished into the dark.
The Steeplechase Cross-Country forest course had tight security—sensors and CAD-equipped magician guards scanning for intruders. Last year's No-Head Dragon chaos influenced this, though unlike the original, no Generator rampaged, and Electronic Silkworm damage was nullified. The main issue was two Castle Hammer shots fired by officials during the rookie Monolith Code.
Sensors and guards couldn't detect Yugen, even with his Water Escape Cycle spell, leaving him dumbfounded at their failure.
The course has traps, but no Parasite Dolls yet. No reason to deploy them now, Yugen thought.
As a trump card, Parasite Dolls would likely be placed the day before Steeplechase for minimal detection. Chikahime requested sealing over destruction to avoid disqualification. Sensing a faint ripple, Yugen approached and saw Yakumo emerge from a tree's shadow, speaking softly to avoid notice.
"Well done, Yugen-kun. My skills rusting?" Yakumo teased.
"You did that on purpose. No Parasite Doll traces, right?" Yugen said.
"With this terrain, placement doesn't matter much. Three figures are outside the sensors," Yakumo replied.
Using Osiris Sight, Yugen confirmed three familiar figures outside the sensor range.
"They're scouting too?" Yugen asked.
"Likely," Yakumo said.
Agreeing, Yugen slipped past the sensors, approaching from behind—Yakumo's playful choice, as he stayed hidden. Resigned, Yugen called out, "Tatsuya, Fumiya, Ayako-chan. I wouldn't go further."
"Yugen-san!?" Ayako gasped.
"Yugen, you too? Don't pull a Master entrance," Tatsuya said.
Even Tatsuya was startled. Yugen brushed it off. "Sorry. But I scouted the course for you."
"Find anything?" Tatsuya asked.
"Just standard obstacles and no significant difference in Parasite Doll placement spots," Yugen said.
Fumiya was intrigued by Yugen's stealth, while Ayako, outdone in her specialty by a former Ten Master Clans member, stayed silent. Noticing, Yugen patted her head lightly.
"Don't sulk, Ayako-chan. I managed it with Uesugi secret arts," he said.
"Ugh, I can't win. No wonder Miyuki-neesama 'fell' for you," Ayako said.
"Fell, huh? Anyway, nothing happens until Steeplechase. It's not our responsibility," Yugen said.
Even if they acted, the aftermath would fall to the adults' schemes. With Retsu Kudou involved, stopping the Parasite Doll tests early was unlikely. Yugen was barred from preemptive action due to the competition, limited to handling it during the event to catch them in the act.
"Right. Miyuki'll worry if we're late," Tatsuya said.
"Exactly. Push too far, and she'll freeze us to stop us," Yugen joked.
"Not funny—that's no joke," Tatsuya said.
Miyuki's spell power had shaken Tatsuya, Ayako, and Fumiya, who shivered slightly. With the competition looming, Yugen led them back to the hotel, dodging questions about Yakumo.
Words can set flags, but reality isn't so simple.
Back in the room, Yugen saw Miyuki asleep and, relieved, took a shower to think. In the original, Tatsuya deduced 16 Parasite Dolls were used only in the women's Steeplechase. With me here, they might split them. Given past 'Plus One' patterns, more Dolls or even ones with unknown psychic powers could appear. Worst case, 32 total—16 per event.
He'd warned Tatsuya, Fumiya, and Ayako to hold off until Steeplechase. Tatsuya, juggling athlete, strategy, and technical roles, faced immense strain, more than Yugen last year managing rookie team morale. Tatsuya shouldn't have bandwidth for Kudou or Defense Force issues, yet some schemed to involve him, which Yugen couldn't forgive.
I don't want magicians reduced to weapons... I respect that resolve, but... Yugen paused, sensing a presence outside the bathroom. Only he, Miyuki, or Azusa with the master key could enter. Azusa had no reason to visit, so...
Before Yugen could probe, the door opened. Miyuki, hair tied, wrapped in a towel, entered shyly. Yugen reflexively covered himself with a towel.
"What're you doing, Miyuki-san?" he asked.
"Um... want to join me?" she said.
The hotel had proper bathtubs, not business hotel combos. Miyuki, excited and sweaty after dozing off, wanted to freshen up and found Yugen. They settled on back-to-back bathing.
"Fine, but with the competition, no risky contact," Yugen said.
"You won't touch me?" Miyuki asked.
"Have some restraint," he replied.
They agreed cuddling while sleeping was fine. Unlike the original sibling dynamic, Yugen as her partner unleashed her restraint. The next morning, waking with his face pressed against Miyuki's chest... wasn't his fault. Probably.
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