In a certain shop in Yokohama's Chinatown, members of the No-Head Dragon's East Japan branch were in a frenzy. Despite their relentless sabotage efforts, a report confirmed that First High's championship was all but certain.
"If this keeps up, every one of us here will face the boss's purge."
"Tomorrow's Mirage Bat—we'll make sure First High's players are forced to disqualify."
"Right. I'll contact our collaborator."
"If the favorite wins, we're the ones who'll lose out."
Unbeknownst to the No-Head Dragon members, someone was investigating their schemes from the shadows, their presence completely undetected.
Having quietly healed his eardrum with self-restoration, Tatsuya was making final adjustments for Mirage Bat.
His seniors, unaware his ear was already fixed, fretted over him. Tatsuya felt a pang of guilt for keeping his circumstances under wraps, given the things he couldn't reveal.
"Onii-sama, I'll make absolutely sure to win tomorrow."
"It's rare to see you this fired up, Miyuki. Is it because the championship's on the line?"
"That's part of it, but you inspired me, Onii-sama. Despite your restricted powers, you overcame everything and won. That drives me to aim for victory with all I've got."
"You already won Pillars Break, didn't you?"
"Even so!"
Her enthusiasm was admirable, but Tatsuya worried she might overdo it. Of course, he knew such fears were likely unfounded, but there was always a chance something could go wrong.
"By the way, Onii-sama, I heard Ms. Yasutake was in the infirmary."
"Yeah, she was. Why do you ask?"
"No… it's nothing."
Miyuki's concern was that Remi, with her medical expertise, might have noticed Tatsuya's true magic. Even though he'd covered it with a plausible lie, to a keen observer, that attack had unmistakably hit him directly.
"No need to worry. She didn't catch on. Probably not even Elder Kudou noticed."
"I see… If Aunt found out about your circumstances…"
"It'll be fine. She's basically promised me my freedom."
It might not be the most appropriate conversation for the day before a match, or right after one, but neither was overly focused on the competition itself. Their sole concern was whether anyone had detected Tatsuya's true magic.
The next day, the Nine Schools Competition resumed with the qualifiers for Mirage Bat, the event's star attraction. Miyuki's match was the second, but since third-year Kobayakawa was in the first, Tatsuya had been dragged along to watch.
"Kobayakawa-senpai seems really pumped."
"She said she'd win in Watanabe's place."
"I see… I just hope nothing happens."
"Still think something's going to happen, Shiba?"
"It's not 'still'—nothing's been resolved yet. I'm on guard, but without knowing their methods, there's not much I can do…"
Miyuki overheard Tatsuya talking with Koharu Hirakawa, Kobayakawa's engineer, and interpreted his vigilance as being for her sake, blushing at the thought. But she noticed Mayumi's puzzled expression and quickly composed herself.
As the match began, Kobayakawa steadily racked up points, though Third High tenaciously kept pace. By the end of the first period, the score gap between her and Third High's player was minimal.
"They're tough, aren't they?"
"But Kobayakawa-senpai's holding her own. If this continues, she'll definitely make it through the qualifiers."
First High's leaders nodded at Tatsuya's assessment. Though she was struggling slightly, they believed Kobayakawa would advance if nothing went wrong.
But that belief crumbled in an instant. The moment something seemed to spark from Kobayakawa's CAD, she plummeted toward the water. Tatsuya, having moved to a blind spot of the leaders, decomposed her gravitational pull. Combined with the committee's deceleration magic, she avoided crashing into the water—but the time that passed was enough to instill terror in her.
(Kobayakawa-senpai might be done for…)
Watching her carried off on a stretcher, Tatsuya thought grimly. He felt some responsibility, as his move to the blind spot had cost precious seconds, but another girl felt even greater guilt.
"It's my fault… I didn't check the CAD properly…"
"Hirakawa-senpai, please calm down."
"But!"
"It's likely someone tampered with the CAD—after you'd already adjusted it."
"Onii-sama, does that mean—"
Miyuki started to speak, but Tatsuya stopped her as his communication device buzzed.
"Tatsuya, you free right now?"
"Yeah. Did you find something?"
"Sorry… nothing on my end."
"That's fine. I haven't figured it out either."
"Oh, but! Mizuki says she's got something to tell you."
"Mizuki? Was she not wearing her glasses?"
Mikihiko handed the call to Mizuki, who was so excited her words were nearly incomprehensible.
"Mizuki, calm down. Take a deep breath."
Following Tatsuya's advice, Mizuki regained her composure and relayed what she'd seen.
"Will it help…?"
"More than enough. This gives us a lead on the culprit. Thanks."
"Y-Yes!"
Mizuki, thrilled by Tatsuya's gratitude, was audibly over the moon even through the call.
"Hirakawa-senpai."
"What…"
"Where was the CAD stored after the device check?"
Unsure of Tatsuya's intent, Koharu took a moment but answered clearly.
"I kept it locked in the safe until the match, untouched by anyone…"
"I see… Just as I thought."
"Shiba?"
Seeing Tatsuya's demeanor, as if he'd pinpointed the culprit, Koharu fought back tears to ask.
"Kobayakawa-senpai will likely recover and live normally, so there's no need for you to feel responsible."
"But what if I've robbed her of her magic?"
"You didn't take anything from her. Everyone here will back that up."
Tatsuya glanced at the First High leaders. Mayumi and Mari nodded first, followed by Katsuto.
"I'm heading to the device check for the next match. We might catch the culprit there."
"Tatsuya-kun, just don't do anything dangerous."
"Got it."
With a light nod to Mayumi's warning, Tatsuya grabbed the CAD he'd prepared and headed to the device check.
I really want to give Koharu some relief…
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