After parting with Fujibayashi, Tatsuya waited at the main gate for someone.
"Sensei Ono, good work," he said.
"'Good work' to a superior?" Haruka sighed, spotting his sly grin. "You're doing that on purpose."
She handed him a package from Yakumo.
"I'm not a delivery service," she grumbled.
"Take it up with Master," Tatsuya replied, eyeing the package. "I didn't pick you."
His tone was hardly respectful for someone older, but Haruka didn't mind.
"What's it for?" she asked.
"Monolith Code finals," Tatsuya said.
"You're competing?" Haruka asked, smirking. "Yakumo told you, didn't he?"
"Your face is giving it away," Tatsuya teased.
"Let me have a jab!" Haruka huffed. "I'm not your or Yakumo's errand girl!"
"Then how about some work in your real job?" Tatsuya asked after a pause.
Haruka hesitated, but her professional switch flipped. "Fine. Can't let a troubled student compete. Spill it."
"Not counseling. Intelligence," Tatsuya clarified.
"What do you want to know?" Haruka asked, her disappointment at it not being counseling fleeting.
"Headless Dragon's hideout and member data," Tatsuya said.
"What!?" Haruka gasped. "How do you know about them?"
"Is it strange to know about people messing with us? Or to investigate them?" Tatsuya countered.
"Public Security's on it," Haruka said. "Stay out."
"By the way, Sensei, don't you think this stance could be misunderstood?" Tatsuya noted.
Haruka froze, realizing she'd leaned in close enough to seem like she was clinging to him. She jumped back at lightning speed.
"I don't know what you're planning," she said, "but give me a day, and I'll dig up something."
"A day? Impressive," Tatsuya said. "Payment depends on the info, but I'll make it worth your while."
"Are you really a high schooler?" Haruka asked, incredulous.
"I'm a high schooler," Tatsuya said. "Can't fake my age."
"You're too mature… or jaded," she said. "It's not age—it's experience."
"Exactly," Tatsuya replied. "I've just seen a lot."
Haruka tilted her head but sensed he'd say no more. She left without entering the venue, and Tatsuya headed to the tent with the package.
Inside, Mayumi peered curiously at the items he unpacked.
"A coat?" she asked.
"A cloak," Tatsuya corrected.
"And this?"
"A robe."
His eyes stayed fixed on the items Yakumo sent, even as he answered Mayumi.
"What's it for?" she asked.
"The match, obviously," Tatsuya said. "I'll submit them for device checks. If they're rejected, I'll manage."
Finished inspecting, he met Mayumi's gaze. His stare, sharper and fiercer than usual from his focus, would've startled most high school girls. Mayumi, though, only blushed faintly, unfazed.
"Tatsuya-kun," she said, "reaching the finals secures the rookie championship. You don't have to obsess over winning."
"It's not a guaranteed win," Tatsuya said, "but it helps prevent injuries. I know the odds are low. Still, Ichijou's fixated on me for some reason—provoking me outright. Backing down easily doesn't sit right."
"Do you have a plan?" Hattori asked, surprising Tatsuya with his rare interjection.
"Ichijou's so focused on me he's deviating from his usual style," Tatsuya said. "That's an opening. Not that I'm overly confident, though."
Hattori nodded, satisfied, and stepped back, arms crossed. Mayumi continued her questions.
"Like Mari said, the championship's locked in," she said. "Just don't overdo it. After Morisaki and the others got hurt in that accident, we can't afford you getting injured too. Plus, you've still got the main Mirage Bat event."
"I know," Tatsuya said. "Ichijou's the Crimson Prince. A mere high schooler like me can't match him. If it's hopeless, I'll take the loss quietly."
"Right…" Mayumi said softly.
"I'm off to check these," Tatsuya said, grabbing the cloak and robe and leaving the tent.
Miyuki hurried after him. "Brother!"
"What?"
"The opponent's formidable, and you can't use your true magic," Miyuki said. "I know I'm part of the reason you can't, but I believe you're unbeatable. You don't need to settle for being a loser."
Having said her piece, Miyuki rushed back to the tent.
"Yare yare," Tatsuya muttered, a wry smile forming. "In another era, plenty would've died for Miyuki."
He knew he was the prime example. With a chuckle, he headed for the device check, unaware of his surroundings. Had he been on guard, he might've noticed someone nearby, but assuming they were alone, he and Miyuki spoke freely.
"True magic… What does that mean?" Shizuku, who happened to be there, overheard.
Pondering Miyuki's words, she couldn't find an answer. Asking Tatsuya or Miyuki directly was an option, but her instincts screamed this was a Pandora's box. She decided to keep it to herself.
(I can't tell Honoka… She might answer if I asked, but it feels wrong. Why did I have to hear this?)
It was pure chance, but Shizuku cursed it. She worried about facing Tatsuya naturally next time, yet resolved to confide in no one.
Planting that seed for Shizuku to tie her closer to Tatsuya—clever! Want to explore the Tatsuya-Fujibayashi dynamic more, dive into Shizuku's inner conflict, or brainstorm that IF scenario? Excited for the finals!
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