Unaware that two senior student council members had pegged him as a dangerous figure, Tatsuya indulged Miyuki's affection. Since the Nine Schools Competition began, moments like this—where she could openly dote on him—had been scarce, so she was likely a bit pent-up.
Of course, if you asked Miyuki, she'd never admit it…
"Alright, the match is about to start."
"I know, Onii-sama. I'll make sure to win."
"Go get 'em."
In the second qualifier match of the main Mirage Bat event, Miyuki faced a player considered a top contender alongside Mari. Even Miyuki hadn't expected to clash with a favorite so early, but she quickly reframed it: if they were bound to meet, better to face them now and win decisively.
(Why face them in the finals when I can beat them in the qualifiers?)
Miyuki didn't entertain the thought of losing—not out of arrogance or overconfidence, but from absolute trust in her brother's skills and a precise understanding of her own abilities.
To her, the crowd's gazes meant nothing. The only eyes that mattered were those of her beloved brother…
"The world feels vast yet so small…"
"Onii-sama, I want to use that."
"Go ahead. Everything's as you wish."
Clutching Tatsuya's sleeve and gazing up at him pleadingly, Miyuki won his nod—no calculations, just pure affection. He loved this look in her eyes, the spark of her unyielding will to win.
As the first period ended with Miyuki trailing slightly, Erika and the others let out gasps of surprise.
"I can't believe Miyuki's behind!"
"It's not surprising. She's a first-year, and that Second High player's a third-year."
"Upperclassman pride, huh? Still, the gap's not big."
"It's just the start. No way it'd be a blowout already."
"But I don't see it ending like this."
Honoka nodded at Shizuku's murmured words.
"Exactly. No way Miyuki lets it end here, and she's not the type to give up over a small gap."
"But, Honoka, that Second High player's a Mirage Bat specialist—a magician on par with BS-level mastery for this event's magic."
"They're neck-and-neck with Watanabe-senpai as a championship favorite."
As the intermission ended and the players emerged, Erika's sharp eyes caught something.
"Huh? Miyuki's CAD changed."
"You're right… but she's still holding the old one."
Mikihiko followed Erika's observation, but no one could guess why she'd switched CADs. While the others puzzled, Honoka alone stared at Miyuki's new CAD with a mix of envy and resentment.
"So… you're using that already, Miyuki…"
"Honoka?"
"It's going to shock everyone here. The magic Tatsuya-san prepared just for Miyuki, one only she can wield…"
"You know what it is?"
Leo's question went unanswered as Honoka kept her gaze locked on Miyuki's CAD. To her, it was proof of Miyuki's special place in Tatsuya's heart—a source of pure jealousy.
As the second period began, players leaped toward the light orbs. While others descended to land, Miyuki stayed airborne, gliding toward the next orb.
Grabbing three, then four orbs in succession, she finally stirred the crowd, who began to process what they were seeing.
"Flight magic?"
"Taurus Silver only announced it last month!"
"But she's undeniably flying…"
Unfazed by the crowd's stunned reactions, Miyuki racked up points. While others had to climb ten meters, she moved horizontally, making the contest no contest at all.
"That's Tatsuya-kun's trump card…"
"Flight magic was just revealed last month, right? When did she learn it?"
"With Tatsuya, anything's possible… We've seen it up close."
As Miyuki's victory became certain, Erika and the others' attention shifted from her to Tatsuya.
"I get why Honoka's jealous. It's hard not to be."
"But Eimi, you, or I couldn't pull that off. Honoka's the same… That's why she's envious."
Shizuku, who'd known Honoka longest, sensed there was more to her feelings—and recognized similar emotions in herself.
"Miyuki-san looks like she's dancing."
"Yeah, a real fairy dance."
"Miki, your nose is practically growing."
"What!? N-No way!"
Erika's jab threw Mikihiko into a rare fluster, whether because she hit the mark or because Mizuki was nearby, no one could tell…
First High's leaders were equally floored by Miyuki's use of flight magic.
"Well, that's…"
"It's not even a contest."
"Committee Chair Watanabe, you're grinning."
"You're not exactly hiding your amusement either, Ichihara."
"You think so too, Rin-chan?"
While the three openly enjoyed the spectacle, Katsuto and Azusa had different concerns.
"So that's the magic Shiba prepared for his sister. No wonder he was so confident. But, Nakajou—"
"Y-Yes!?"
Startled by Katsuto's sudden call, Azusa broke off her thoughts to respond.
"Is that magic something you can easily master?"
"Well, the activation sequence is public, so it's possible to learn, but…"
"What?"
Katsuto pressed as Azusa trailed off.
"If you're asking whether a high schooler could perfectly replicate and wield it like that…"
"It's tough, isn't it?"
"Yes…"
Katsuto nodded once and fell silent. Azusa resumed her interrupted thoughts.
(Taurus Silver completed and released that sequence last month. With Miyuki-san's psion reserves, mastering it isn't unthinkable, but learning it during the Nine Schools Competition? No way… And during the practice period, the sequence wasn't even public yet…)
It hadn't been long since last month. Pondering this, Azusa reached the same conclusion again.
(If Taurus Silver is actually Tatsuya-kun, it all makes sense. As the creator, he could program flight magic before it was public, and it explains why Miyuki-san's so comfortable with it…)
Concluding that her idol Taurus Silver was indeed Tatsuya, Azusa was jolted by a roar of cheers from the stands. The match had ended, and it took her a moment to register it amid her shock…
A landslide victory is probably the perfect term for that match… Poor other competitors, outclassed by such a margin…
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