As September drew to a close, the air began to carry the crisp promise of autumn. Azusa, immersed in preparations for the upcoming student council president election, pored over her speech draft for the umpteenth time. With the election poised to be a mere formality—a vote of confidence—she felt the weight of responsibility, no doubt spurred by the advance reward she'd received. Just as Tatsuya had calculated, Azusa would likely maintain this tension until election day.
"Still, it's a problem if things don't liven up a bit, don't you think?" Azusa mused, her tone tinged with concern.
"With only Nakajo running, it's no surprise there's no buzz," Tatsuya replied dryly.
"Isn't the real interest in Mayumi's speech about abolishing the First Course restriction for the presidency?" Miyuki interjected.
Tatsuya nodded. "Yeah. There are folks in the school trying to sabotage Mayumi's proposal, but from what I hear, none of their efforts are gaining traction."
Mori, clearly intrigued by Mayumi's upcoming speech, didn't bother hiding her amusement as she glanced at her friend. Her expression was unguarded, almost playful.
"Juumonji's on board, and you're with me too, right, Mori?" Mayumi said with a confident smile. "No matter how hard they try, they won't derail my plan. I won't let them."
"The easiest way would be to attack you and keep you out of the debate," Mori teased, her tone light but pointed. "But I doubt there's anyone in this school dumb enough to try that."
"That's harsh!" Mayumi pouted, feigning offense. "Calling a cute girl like me 'that woman'? Don't you think that's a bit much, Tatsuya?"
Tatsuya paused, then replied with rare straightforwardness. "Well… the president is undeniably a beautiful girl. Just to be safe, maybe you shouldn't be alone too often."
"R-really?" Mayumi stammered, caught off guard by the direct compliment. She'd intended to brush it off with her usual poise, but her flushed cheeks betrayed her youth.
Miyuki, meanwhile, felt a flicker of irritation at Tatsuya's praise for Mayumi. But trusting that her brother had his reasons, she tamped down her displeasure, maintaining her composure.
"Got something on your mind?" Mori asked Tatsuya, sensing his calculated tone.
"If I had solid evidence, I wouldn't be speaking in hypotheticals," Tatsuya replied coolly. "I'm saying this precisely because I don't know anything concrete."
"But Tatsuya," Mori pressed, "is there anyone in this school who could match Mayumi in magic? She's a direct descendant of the Ten Master Clans."
"If magic won't work, some might resort to other means," Tatsuya countered. "Like I said, the president's a beautiful girl. Someone could bring in outside help to… force things, perhaps."
A chill ran through the student council room at Tatsuya's words. The possibility he raised was unsettling, and the group couldn't help but feel a twinge of fear at his foresight—and what it might mean if they were in Mayumi's position.
"But it could just be you overthinking things, right, Siba?" Rin suggested, her voice tentative.
"Of course," Tatsuya replied smoothly. "It'd be best if it's just my imagination."
Rin met Tatsuya's gaze briefly but quickly looked away, unnerved by the sharp intensity in his eyes—a look even she couldn't withstand.
"I should head back to class," Tatsuya announced, glancing at the clock. He left the student council room, Miyuki following close behind.
"Tatsuya, hold up a sec," Mori called out as they stepped into the hallway. Though she addressed only Tatsuya, Miyuki turned back as well.
"What's up, Committee Chair?" Tatsuya asked.
"I need to discuss something," Mori said, her tone serious. "Can you both come to the disciplinary committee office? Now, if possible."
Tatsuya and Miyuki exchanged a glance. It was rare for Mori to involve Miyuki in a request—usually, she sought Tatsuya alone.
"The office?" Tatsuya confirmed.
"Yeah. I know it's sudden, but can you make time?" Mori asked.
"I'm fine," Miyuki replied. Her afternoon classes were lectures, and with Tatsuya as her personal tutor, she wasn't worried about falling behind.
Tatsuya hesitated. His afternoon was practical training, and he preferred not to waste time. But Mori's earnest expression made it clear refusal wasn't an option. "Alright," he said, resolving to wrap things up quickly.
"Great. Follow me, then," Mori said, leading the way to the disciplinary committee office. As they entered, the first thing that caught Tatsuya's eye was a chaotic pile of papers strewn across the desk.
"Didn't we just organize this the other day?" Tatsuya remarked, his tone carrying a hint of reproach.
"Y-yeah, well, let's set that aside for now…" Mori muttered, averting her gaze awkwardly.
With a sigh, Tatsuya began tidying the papers, sorting them methodically. Mori, undeterred, launched into her concern. "As I mentioned earlier, there are people trying to sabotage Mayumi's proposal. They're not making headway, so I'm worried they might resort to something drastic. I've been warning her, but she's stubborn—won't let anyone near her after school. I can watch her here, along with Ichihara, but once she leaves campus…" Mori trailed off, her worry evident. "So, I'm asking you two—could you escort her home?"
"Do you mean to the station, or all the way to her house?" Tatsuya asked for clarification.
"Ideally, her house," Mori replied. "But like I said, she insists on going home alone."
"Because she's a direct descendant of the Ten Master Clans?" Tatsuya offered casually.
Mori's eyes widened, as if the thought hadn't occurred to her. "Is that why?"
"Who knows? I'm not part of the Ten Master Clans," Tatsuya said with a shrug. "You'd have to ask the president herself."
Mori nodded, mulling it over as if Tatsuya's guess had hit the mark. Miyuki, however, wore a complicated expression. Though Tatsuya wasn't recognized as part of the Ten Master Clans, neither she nor their aunt, Maya, took kindly to that fact.
"Why not escort her yourself, Committee Chair?" Tatsuya asked pointedly.
"Well, you know how Mayumi's got that weirdly sharp intuition," Mori said, flustered. "I just feel like she'd brush me off! And no, it's not because I'm afraid of rejection or anything!"
"Got it," Tatsuya replied, his tone neutral, though Miyuki struggled to suppress a laugh. Mori's flustered outburst was almost too much, her shoulders trembling with the effort to stay composed. Mori, too caught up in her own embarrassment, didn't notice.
"Well, if that's all, I'll head out," Tatsuya said, finishing the paperwork organization. "I've sorted these by category. There are a few due today, so review them later."
"What?!" Mori exclaimed, relief washing over her. "Saved me from another lecture from Ichihara…"
Mori, who'd once been scolded by Rin for missing deadlines, breathed a sigh of relief as she began reviewing the urgent documents. Miyuki wondered if Mori was okay skipping class, but since Tatsuya said nothing, she held her tongue.
If she's so worried, why doesn't she just walk Mayumi home herself? Miyuki thought, exasperated.
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