While Miyuki and the others reveled at the victory celebration, Tatsuya wasn't asleep in his room. Instead, he was in the underground parking lot.
"The case is already wrapped up. As expected of Miss Phantom."
"You knew… Well, it's not surprising for you, Shiba-kun."
"Actually, I pieced it together from info my master let slip."
"I see."
Their conversation, held inside Haruka's car, might look like a teacher-student rendezvous to someone half-informed or a well-matched couple to an outsider. But it was far from romantic.
"I investigated as requested, but this info might be a bit much for a high schooler like you…"
"Not enough?"
The reward amount Tatsuya displayed on Haruka's screen was exorbitant for an ordinary high schooler.
"It's plenty, but are you sure? This much could affect your lifestyle…"
"No need to worry. If it's not enough, I can add more."
"I said it's plenty. But how does a mere high schooler get this kind of money…?"
"Let's keep it non-interference. I'd rather not have to eliminate you, Sensei."
"…That's a joke, right?"
"Of course."
For Tatsuya's honor, let it be clear: this wasn't dirty money. It was merely a fraction of the legitimate earnings he'd amassed as "Silver."
"Insurance, right?"
"You can think of it that way. So, not just the members but their hideout too… Should I pay extra?"
"You've already paid a fortune. I didn't expect this much to begin with."
"Alright then."
"Just don't do anything reckless."
Exiting Haruka's car and confirming her departure, Tatsuya slipped into another vehicle. He removed the gauze he'd worn as camouflage from his ear, erasing it without a trace.
"Who was that?"
"A Public Safety operator. She insists her main job's counseling, though."
"A part-time operator, huh?"
"As long as the job gets done, amateur or semi-pro doesn't matter. Hiring a full pro costs more, and they stick to confidentiality manuals like glue. Taking side gigs already breaks professional ethics, but, well, money talks even in hell."
"Your thinking's still beyond a high schooler's. Are you sure we're not closer in age?"
"It's not age—experience. I've had more than my share of unusual ones."
Kyoko averted her gaze at Tatsuya's words.
"No shade at you or the Major, so don't worry."
"How much did you pay?"
"Why do you care?"
"It's for expenses, right?"
"I doubt our unit has that kind of budget… Besides, I bought this intel personally, not through the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion."
"Then I'll pay as Fujibayashi Kyoko, not Lieutenant Fujibayashi."
"Don't worry about it."
Tatsuya plugged a cable into the car's navigation system, uploading map data.
"Maybe I should extort some extra income too."
"Wouldn't you just claim overtime?"
"Our unit's outside labor laws."
"There's no labor law in the military… Fine, I'll treat you to something next time as thanks."
"Really!? Oh, but Miyuki-san's coming too, right…?"
"No way I'd drag her into work. Just me."
"Then I'll go all out!"
Tatsuya's offer sparked Kyoko's enthusiasm, though her role was essentially just the driver…
At nearly the same time, Major Kazama Harunobu of the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion received a visitor.
"It's been a while, Elder Kudou. Fujibayashi's out on an errand."
"No need to go through you to see my granddaughter."
"Then what brings you here?"
"Your dislike for the Ten Master Clans hasn't changed, I see."
"I've told you countless times, that's a misunderstanding…"
The visitor was Kudou Retsu, head of the Magic Association.
"So, what brings you to someone like me?"
"A little matter about him."
"Him…?"
"The son of Miya you took from the Yotsuba. Shiba Tatsuya, was it?"
"…"
"No surprise I know. Miya and Maya were my students, albeit briefly."
"Then you're aware the Yotsuba haven't relinquished their claim on him."
Kudou smiled at Kazama's response.
"Don't you think it's a waste?"
"A waste?"
"He's not just some bodyguard. Shiba Tatsuya could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ichijou Masaki, guarding this nation's future."
"Are you trying to weaken the Yotsuba, Elder?"
"Not exactly. But with the Yotsuba already a cut above, having a force like him—and with Maya still alive—if 'Shiba Miyuki' becomes 'Yotsuba Miyuki,' their dominance could become absolute."
"I don't believe Lady Yotsuba is that kind of person."
"People harbor hidden ambitions."
Kazama closed his eyes briefly, then spoke as he opened them.
"I understand your view. With that in mind, I have one suggestion and one correction."
"Go ahead."
"First, Tatsuya dislikes being pitied. He doesn't share the sentiments you're assuming."
"Noted. And the correction?"
"It's not about the future. Tatsuya is already our unit's greatest asset. This may sound biased, but if Ichijou Masaki matches an armored regiment in base defense, Tatsuya rivals a strategic guided missile. His magic is a strategic weapon, rightly bound by multiple safety locks. Forcing him to bear that responsibility alone would be far crueler."
Kudou listened with interest, but his expression faded when Kazama finished.
"I see. I don't know the nature of his true magic, but if the Yotsuba haven't fully relinquished him, that's troublesome."
"Yet Lady Maya seems quite fond of him."
"Maya, huh? He's shaping up to be quite the figure. By the way, this 'errand' you sent Kyoko on—can I know about it?"
"It's fine. I tasked Fujibayashi with driving a magician targeting a Hong Kong syndicate for annihilation."
"An 'errand,' indeed… Hardly a job."
"She volunteered, so we couldn't exactly…"
"Kyoko's nearing thirty, you know… I keep hoping she'd find someone, but being in the military makes it tough…"
Unable to shoo away Kudou as he grumbled about his granddaughter, Kazama resigned himself to listening…
Kyoko's 27, right? That's not too old to be single, is it…?
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