The Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion's training wasn't something an ordinary high schooler could endure. To be precise, even if they could join, they wouldn't have the stamina to last.
"Hey, Tatsuya-kun, are you really a high schooler?" Kyoko asked, her tone half-teasing, half-incredulous.
"What's that out of nowhere?" Tatsuya replied, raising an eyebrow.
Having finished training, Tatsuya was calmly changing while even seasoned soldiers were exhausted. Kyoko couldn't help but question him.
"I mean, even the top officers are fine, but the warrant officers are wiped out. And here you are, a high schooler, looking completely unfazed. It makes me wonder about your age," she said.
"As you know, I'm a high school student. Otherwise, I couldn't have competed in the Nine Schools Competition," Tatsuya pointed out.
His exploits were the talk of the battalion, though only a select few knew that Special Lieutenant Ooguro Ryuuya was Shiba Tatsuya. His full-face mask during training helped, as did his habit of slipping away while others recovered.
"I hear the higher-ups in the military are pushing to officially recruit you," Kyoko said.
"Where'd you hear that? Elder Kudou?" Tatsuya asked.
"Nope, my own information network," she replied with a sly grin.
Back at their hotel, the two settled into the café for a break.
"Not exactly a lover-like conversation, huh?" Tatsuya remarked.
"Can't help it. We can't exactly flirt until we're back here," Kyoko said.
Both Kyoko and Tatsuya held relatively high ranks in the battalion, which afforded them the freedom to choose their accommodations.
"Plus, everyone knows you in the battalion," Tatsuya said.
"And you got yourself noticed at the Nine Schools Competition," Kyoko added.
Tatsuya had intended to stay in the background as an engineer, but somehow ended up in the spotlight during Monolith Code—an unfortunate twist for him.
"And then you took out No Head Dragon afterward," Kyoko said.
"Only the Major and Captain Sanada should know about that," Tatsuya said, narrowing his eyes.
"They know you did it. But the whole military knows Special Lieutenant Ooguro wiped them out," she clarified.
Kyoko's revelation made Tatsuya grimace, as if he'd bitten something sour. The more his actions were noticed, the greater the risk of his identity being exposed. The battalion tried to keep his existence under wraps, but erasing No Head Dragon's leadership was too big to conceal completely. Major Kazama was reportedly swamped dealing with the fallout.
"As long as it doesn't cause trouble, I don't care," Tatsuya said.
"Well, I do," Kyoko said firmly. "I don't like them treating you like a tool."
"I've always been a tool for the Yotsuba. Switching to the military's tool isn't a big deal," he replied.
"No way!" Kyoko snapped, her voice rising. "My boyfriend—"
Tatsuya quickly covered her mouth. Even in a military-provided hotel, there were civilian guests around.
"Let's continue this in the room," he said.
"Right, sorry," Kyoko said, sheepish.
Tatsuya paid for their coffee, and they headed to their room. While Kazama and others stayed on the top floor, Tatsuya and Kyoko were one floor below.
"Even with the Major's approval, why are we sharing a room?" Tatsuya wondered aloud.
"Who knows? Maybe the Major's juggling budgets or something," Kyoko said.
"Is that how it works?" Tatsuya asked, a wry smile forming.
Her unexpectedly pragmatic comment amused him. The battalion's budget was tight, and this hotel, a military facility, was only affordable because of that. Normally, they wouldn't have access to upper floors.
"I get why we're sharing, but why are Captain Sanada and Lieutenant Yanagi in the same room? Their relationship's… complicated," Tatsuya said.
"Oh, those two get along great. They were in perfect sync catching that Generator," Kyoko said.
Her response drew another wry smile from Tatsuya. He hadn't meant it that way, but her interpretation was fair enough, so he let it drop.
"I already showered after training," Tatsuya said.
"Since we're here, why not take a bath?" Kyoko suggested.
"Good idea. I'll get it ready," she added.
The upper floors of this hotel had rooms with large bathtubs. Fine for one person, but perfect for two—especially a couple like them. They decided to share it.
"Finally, something lover-like," Kyoko said, smiling.
"Yeah. You're pretty popular in the battalion, after all," Tatsuya said.
"Really? No one's ever asked me out, though," she said, feigning innocence.
"That's because the Major's keeping everyone in line," Tatsuya replied.
He knew Kazama, aware of their relationship, used his authority to ensure no one bothered Kyoko, who served as his quasi-secretary.
"Plus, you're the daughter of the prestigious Fujibayashi family and Elder Kudou's granddaughter. Not exactly approachable," he added.
"Which is why I was a virgin until this age," Kyoko said, her tone light but pointed.
"You look young, so it's fine. It was practically a status symbol," Tatsuya teased.
"Well, that status is gone now," she said with a playful smirk.
On their first night at the hotel during training, Kyoko had given herself to Tatsuya. It was fully consensual, nothing forced.
"What should I say to the Yotsuba?" Kyoko wondered.
"To my aunt? Just tell her normally. 'I'm his girlfriend,'" Tatsuya said.
"What'll my surname be? 'Shiba'? Or maybe 'Yotsuba'? Or, wild card, I stay 'Fujibayashi'?" she mused.
"'Shiba,' probably. I'm not qualified to use 'Yotsuba,'" he said.
"But if Miyuki becomes head, couldn't you take the Yotsuba name?" she asked.
"Only the head uses 'Yotsuba,'" he clarified.
"Then how about you marry into the Fujibayashi family and become head of the Kudou clan?" she suggested, half-serious.
"That's a bad joke," Tatsuya said, shaking his head.
He took it as a jest, but Kyoko was earnest. To her, who recognized Tatsuya's true ability, the magical world's standards seemed designed to discard him.
"Let's change the world's standards, you and me!" she declared.
"How?" Tatsuya asked, skeptical.
"If you become head of a Ten Master Clan, that alone would shake things up!" she said.
Tatsuya fell silent, processing her bold vision.
"For now, it starts with marriage," Kyoko continued. "My dad's strict, but if we had a kid, he'd come around easier, don't you think?"
"I'm still a high schooler," Tatsuya pointed out.
"Marriage can wait, but let's make a kid. I don't want to hit thirty without one," she urged.
"There's no issue with that. Plenty of magicians stay single at thirty," he countered.
Kyoko was on the verge of spiraling, and Tatsuya was still figuring out how to rein her in. But her momentum outpaced his thoughts.
"I want as many kids with you as possible!" she exclaimed.
Tatsuya stayed silent, overwhelmed by her fervor.
"We're finally alone! It's our chance!" she added.
Deciding it was easier to go along than to stop her, Tatsuya gave in, and they tumbled into bed together. Sure enough, Kyoko conceived, sparking a uproar in the Fujibayashi and Kudou families. But the two of them weren't particularly concerned…
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