The Path to the Station
With most of the student council work wrapped up, Hattori approached Mayumi, his expression apologetic.
"President, I'm terribly sorry, but…"
"It's fine, Hanzo-kun, I understand your situation," Mayumi said with a reassuring smile. "And Rin-chan has things to take care of too, right? Miyuki and I can handle the rest."
"I'm truly sorry," Hattori said, bowing slightly.
"No worries! Just make up for it by working hard tomorrow, okay?" Mayumi teased lightly.
Hattori took her playful remark with his usual earnestness, bowing again, while Rin offered a small smile. Mayumi's tendency to tease likely stemmed from Hattori's unwavering seriousness. As for Azusa, she'd already been sent home, no doubt preoccupied with tomorrow's preparations.
"Then, President, until tomorrow," Hattori said, and he and Rin left the student council room.
As soon as they were gone, Mayumi turned to Miyuki. "You can head home too, Miyuki. I'll take care of what's left."
"No, if I leave now, Hattori-senpai might feel guilty," Miyuki replied. "I'd like to stay a bit longer, if that's okay."
"Is it because of Tatsuya?" Mayumi asked, a knowing glint in her eye.
"Yes," Miyuki admitted. "He seems to be somewhere without signal."
"Underground, maybe?" Mayumi mused.
The library's basement reading room, used to store rare materials, was a dead zone for communication devices. Data couldn't be digitized or taken out, ensuring the security of sensitive information.
"Well, if that's the case, no helping it," Mayumi said. "How about lending me a hand for a bit longer, then?"
"Of course," Miyuki replied with a nod, diving into the remaining tasks.
They worked in companionable silence until a chime signaled the entry of someone with registered ID access. Miyuki stood swiftly, anticipation in her posture, waiting for the door to open. As expected, Tatsuya stepped into the room.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," he said.
"Welcome back, Onii-sama," Miyuki greeted warmly. "Good work."
"You too, Miyuki," Tatsuya replied, then glanced around. "Just you and the president, huh?"
"Are you two really siblings?" Mayumi quipped, eyeing their interaction with amusement.
Tatsuya brushed off the comment with ease, and Mayumi, sensing he wouldn't take the bait, continued the conversation. "As you can see, it's just me. I was finishing up with Miyuki, who was waiting for you. So, what were you digging into underground?"
"Literature on the Philosopher's Stone," Tatsuya replied. "There wasn't much in the digitized records, so I had to check the physical archives."
"That's… pretty intense research," Mayumi said, catching herself before calling it niche. "Very thorough."
"I was hoping to compensate for a lack of talent with the right tools," Tatsuya said, his tone self-deprecating.
Mayumi's expression softened for a moment, almost sympathetic, before she recalled his performance at the Nine Schools Competition. Her voice rose in protest. "What are you talking about? A magician who can use Counter Magic like 'Spell Dissolution'?! You'd be in high demand with the military or police with a skill like that!"
Her outburst hung in the air, and after a brief pause, she fixed Tatsuya with a serious gaze. "Listen, Tatsuya-kun, you should stop calling yourself an 'inferior student.' You're not like other magicians, you know."
"I'm not exactly broadcasting it," Tatsuya said, meeting her half-glare with a wry smile. "But I'll be more careful."
He could sense that pressing the issue might dig him into a deeper hole, so he deftly changed the subject. "Is there still work left? I can help if needed."
"My, how rare!" Mayumi teased, her tone playful. "Is it going to snow or something?"
"Snow's beyond my abilities," Tatsuya deadpanned, "but for my sister, it's child's play. Miyuki, the president wants snow."
"Understood," Miyuki said with mock seriousness. "How much would you like, Onii-sama?"
"Let's say… ten centimeters should do it," Tatsuya replied.
"Stop, stop!" Mayumi yelped, waving her hands. "No snow, please!"
"Just kidding," Tatsuya said, a mischievous smirk tugging at his lips.
Mayumi let out a dramatic sigh, her shoulders slumping as she realized she'd never outwit Tatsuya in this game of banter. It was a fleeting moment of defeat, but she accepted it with grace.
"Jokes aside, I'm happy to help if there's work left," Tatsuya offered.
"We're pretty much done," Mayumi said. "No need to worry."
"Got it," Tatsuya said, his tone neutral.
Mayumi puffed out her cheeks slightly, a touch disappointed by his quick retreat. Before she could say more, Miyuki spoke up. "President, would you like to walk to the station together?"
"Hm? What about everyone else?" Mayumi asked, surprised.
"I knew my research would take time, so I sent the others ahead," Tatsuya explained.
"Oh, I see," Mayumi said, pausing to consider. "Well, sure, why not?"
Her tone was reluctant, but both Tatsuya and Miyuki caught the spark of delight in her expression. She wasn't as indifferent as she let on.
Halfway to the station, Mayumi broke the comfortable silence. "Hey, Tatsuya-kun, this was Mori's idea, wasn't it? To keep an eye on me in case those opposition folks try something, like you mentioned at lunch?"
"You're sharp," Miyuki replied quickly, hoping to shield Tatsuya from any blame. Not that Mori would've scolded him, but Miyuki was protective nonetheless.
Mayumi grinned. "Don't worry, I'm fine. I've got my CAD, and I've got bodyguards waiting at the station."
"Bodyguards?" Miyuki asked, her eyes darting around instinctively.
Mayumi stifled a laugh at Miyuki's reaction. "They're at the station."
"So no need to escort you all the way home?" Tatsuya clarified.
"Exactly," Mayumi confirmed.
Tatsuya gave a wry smile, noticing the envious glances from passersby. Mayumi, misinterpreting his expression, decided to let it slide.
"Why'd you agree to Miyuki's offer, President?" Tatsuya asked, curious.
"Hmm… because it sounded fun, I guess?" Mayumi said, tilting her head.
"Fun?" Tatsuya echoed.
"Yeah. The past six months as student council president have been a blast, thanks to Rin-chan, A-chan, and Hanzo-kun. But the last half? Even more fun. And I think that's because of you two," Mayumi said, her voice warm. "So, I thought walking home together might be nice."
"I see," Tatsuya said. "Miyuki aside, I don't think I had much to do with it."
Mayumi laughed, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Tatsuya-kun, are you secretly shy? You act so mature—like you're faking your age sometimes—but in moments like this, you're just like any other teenager."
Tatsuya's wry smile took on a bitter edge, as if her teasing about his maturity hit a familiar nerve.
"Even if you deny it, I know it's true," Mayumi continued, her smile softening into something disarmingly charming. "Having you around made things so much more fun. So… thank you."
Her radiant smile could've melted any high school boy's heart, but Tatsuya merely gazed at her, his thoughts unreadable. (She's adorable when she's quiet…) he mused, a faint sense of seeing her as a younger sister flickering through his mind, despite her being older.
"Well, this is me," Mayumi said as they reached the station, where a distinguished middle-aged bodyguard waited. "See you tomorrow, Tatsuya-kun! Miyuki-san!"
With that, she handed herself off to her escort, and Tatsuya and Miyuki boarded their transport. Miyuki glanced at her brother, sensing he was deep in thought, but she held her silence, content to wait until he was ready to share.
Who exactly am I supposed to be jealous of here? Miyuki wondered, her thoughts a quiet tangle.
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