That evening at the Shiba residence. Dinner was over and things had settled down when Yugen made a communication call. His caller was Minoru, who had been adopted into the Mibu family. A simple email would have sufficed for a routine check-in, but since there was important business to discuss, they were speaking via video call instead.
The matter at hand was Minoru's school transfer.
"I see. So you're transferring to First High this weekend?" "Yes. To be honest, considering how often I missed school in the past, I don't really expect someone like me to stand out." "Hardly the line for the guy who swept first place at last year's Thesis Competition, is it?"
Regarding First High, Lina's transfer had already been finalized as well; her placement would be Class 3-B alongside Celia. Considering the currently vacant seats, Minoru would end up in Class 2-B, sharing a classroom with Takuma.
During the Thesis Competition, Minoru had still gone by the surname Kudo. Even if he no longer carried that name, the prestige of being Kudo Retsu's grandson wouldn't fade so easily.
"Haha, calling me out there stings a bit... So, for you to take the trouble of contacting me directly, Yugen, does that mean you have something important to discuss?" "Yeah. Since you served as vice president at Second High, I was thinking of recruiting you for one of the three main student officer positions. Do you have any preference, by the way?" "Well... I'd like to join the Disciplinary Committee, but would that be a problem?" "I won't fault you for it, but I just wondered if you'd be fine with that."
After all, Minoru was essentially a "male version of Miyuki." While there was a risk of disasters similar to those in Kyoto or Yokohama erupting around him, his otherworldly appearance also carried the benefit of acting as a deterrent. Perhaps catching Yugen's drift, a wry smile escaped Minoru's lips as well.
"Well, I have no intention of dampening your motivation, so I'll pass word along to the committee chairman. You've already met Mikihiko once, so it should be easy enough to talk with him." "That would be a great help. My acquaintances over there are quite limited."
As for the Disciplinary Committee, looking strictly at acquaintances, it comprised the Student Council nominees (Mikihiko, Shuji), the Club Management Group nominees (Shizuku, Yumu, Jiro), and the Faculty nominees (Morisaki, Kasumi). Considering the future actions of the "Jin Kou Kai," Yumu would be asked to step down from the committee, and Minoru would fill the vacant slot. In the autumn, five current third-years would leave all at once; this move was also meant to minimize handover confusion during the staff transition.
Minoru's desire to join the Disciplinary Committee stemmed purely from the precedent set by Tatsuya. The rumor of a "Course 2 student on the Disciplinary Committee" at First High had reached other magic high schools, and Minoru had instantly realized Tatsuya was behind it.
As for the current second-year executive layout, Riri was set to become the next Student Council President, Kasumi the next Disciplinary Committee Chair, and Takuma the next Club Management Group Head—all three positions held by direct lineages of the Ten Master Clans. There was a chance Minoru might end up pushed into the spotlight instead of Kasumi, but that was a bridge to cross when they got there.
"By the way, have you heard anything from your original home?" "I get letters occasionally, but I consult with Grandfather and Sister Kyoko about them. I can't afford to cause trouble for my current parents or Sister Sayaka, after all." "Even though you've already cast aside the name of the Ten Master Clans." "Precisely. Now that I'm in this position, your daily hardships really hit home, Yugen."
Looking at the weary Minoru, Yugen shrugged as if to say, I know the feeling.
Because his biological father had given him up so easily, Minoru had completely cut ties with the Kudo family. With an intellect as sharp as Minoru's, the intent behind those letters sent from his former home was plain to see.
The sender was Minoru's older brother, and it was obvious he intended to exploit Minoru to rebuild the Kudo family after its fall from the Ten Master Clans. That was precisely why Minoru took those letters straight to his grandfather, Retsu, and to Kyoko—who was like an older sister to him—for advice.
"I heard it from Grandfather. His own anguish, and how as a result of that agony and jealousy, he drove his uncle to America. He yielded to his desperate desire to protect the Kudo family, which triggered the Yotsuba's retaliation. But I wasn't a party to those events, and I'm no longer a member of the Kudo family, so I didn't hold it against him. Still, I feel I must remain conscious of that sin as Kudo Retsu's grandson."
Minoru was, in a sense, an existence born at the end of the turmoil Kudo Retsu suffered regarding his life as a magician. Born possessing extraordinary magical power, yet lacking a vessel sturdy enough to endure it. Fully aware of this reality, Minoru voiced his intent as if declaring he would live his life on his own terms.
"I see. Well, it's your life, Minoru, so you should live it as you choose. Though... there's a high chance you'll end up like me, Tatsuya, or Toya." "Hearing you say that makes me feel like decaying away as an invalid might have been the better option." "Even if that were true, you probably would have despaired over being unable to affect the Kudo family's ultimate fate anyway." "Haah... I suppose I can't deny that."
The branding of being Kudo Retsu's grandson was never something to underestimate. Even setting that aside, with Minoru having mastered all of the Kudo family's magic, it wouldn't be the least bit surprising if he ended up in a polygamous situation. With precedents like Yugen, Tatsuya, and Toya already present, there was no guarantee Minoru wouldn't follow the same path.
While polygamy itself deviated from civil law, the government—expecting magicians to serve as military assets—might well choose to turn a blind eye to minor legal breaches by winking at the marriages of Strategic-Class magicians. They would eventually amend the law to prevent future issues anyway.
In the original timeline, Minoru had warped and turned into a Parasite while still sick; now that he was healthy as a normal human, a completely different set of worries had emerged. Hearing Yugen's dry assessment in response to his complaints, Minoru could only let out a heavy sigh.
"At any rate, do your best to get along well with Riri-chan." "Yes... Hearing that from you, Yugen, since you're like a mentor to me, makes me feel like I can give it my all."
Having finished his call with Minoru, Yugen took a bath and walked into the living room, where Tatsuya and Miyuki were sitting on the sofa. Tatsuya was holding a letter in his hand—presumably one that had arrived while Yugen was on the phone with Minoru.
At that moment, both Tatsuya and Miyuki turned their gazes toward Yugen simultaneously.
"Tatsuya, Miyuki, what's wrong? You're both staring at me." "Good timing. Have a seat."
Following Tatsuya's indication, Yugen sat down in the open spot on the sofa next to Miyuki. Tatsuya handed him the letter, which Yugen took, scanned briefly, and handed back.
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