In the library's private reading room, a space meant for solitary study, Tatsuya found himself alone with Rin Ichihara. This wasn't for anything improper—the room was under camera surveillance, and Tatsuya had told Mayumi during the thesis competition proxy selection that he had no such inclinations.
So why was he in this confined space with a girl? After finishing his research and preparing to leave, Rin had passed by, deemed it convenient, and ushered him back into the reading room.
"…"
Rin, the one who'd dragged him here, seemed oddly nervous and said nothing. With time slipping away pointlessly, Tatsuya reluctantly broke the silence.
"You needed something, right? What's it about?"
"It's not… exactly a big deal…"
"Then I'll excuse myself. I do have a schedule."
"…Shiba-kun, could we meet later? I have something I want to ask."
"Something to ask? Fine, if it's later."
With no Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion training or Third Division research demands for now, Tatsuya's schedule was relatively open. He agreed to Rin's proposal without much thought.
"Then this weekend—let's meet at the station."
"Sure… I'll take my leave."
Eager to escape the awkward atmosphere, Tatsuya accepted without dwelling on why Rin made such a request.
On the promised weekend, both Tatsuya and Rin, true to their diligent natures, arrived fifteen minutes early.
"You're early, Ichihara-senpai."
"You too, Shiba-kun. It's still fifteen minutes out."
Five minutes ahead of their ten-minute-early habit—a natural move for these two. They weren't particularly excited, but to onlookers, it might seem like nervous anticipation.
"So, what did you want to ask?"
"Not here… Let's move somewhere else."
Tatsuya followed Rin's lead. He'd kept the day clear, so he could humor her to an extent. Of course, he'd already promised a future outing with Miyuki, but that was no burden for him.
"This place is pretty deserted… What's this about?"
Tatsuya had no clue what Rin wanted to discuss. A typical high school boy might let his imagination run wild, dragged to a secluded spot by a beautiful senior, but Tatsuya lacked such sensibilities or the hobby of indulging in fantasies.
"I thought you'd prefer not to be overheard. First, I'm sorry for bringing you to a place like this."
"It's fine… So, what's this sensitive topic?"
Brushing off her apology, Tatsuya lowered his tone unconsciously, not deliberately.
"You saw my magic during the guerrilla fight, didn't you?"
"Directly affecting the mind, manipulating the target's actions. A technique once studied at the First Lab, favored by the Ichika family."
"You knew."
Tatsuya had deduced Rin's "Numberless" status from her magic. He had no intention of spreading it, nor answering if asked.
"Saegusa-senpai and the others probably don't know."
"Mayumi-san's from the Ten Master Clans, but she's not an heir."
They exchanged knowing smirks, their sly camaraderie almost too fitting.
"That's not all, is it?"
"No. Your magic, Shiba-kun… what was it? I don't know any spell that erases a target without a trace. They were constructs, but to wipe them out so perfectly…"
"That's my innate magic. I don't use it at school—it'd cause a huge issue."
Just as Rin hid her Ichika ties, Tatsuya had secrets to guard. But knowing she wouldn't be satisfied with silence, he opted to share only what was covered by national secrecy laws.
"The spell's called Disintegration. It's considered the highest difficulty in modern magic."
"It acts directly on the information body, breaking down its structure, right?"
"As expected of you, Ichihara-senpai."
"But that magic supposedly has no users… or at least, none with that kind of power."
"That's why it's a secret. I was born with it dominating my calculation area, so I can't freely use other magic."
"So that's why you struggle with high-speed spell activation."
Rin's self-conclusion satisfied her, assuming other spells were hindered by such a dominant magic. Tatsuya had shared only half the truth, with no intention of saying more.
"You understand, but keep this quiet. Like my status as a special officer, this isn't something I should share."
"Understood. I won't tell."
"We're both carrying some heavy secrets, aren't we?"
Being Numberless wasn't a huge issue, but its cause was. Tatsuya's magic, if exposed, would spark major trouble too.
"Sharing secrets… It feels like I'm ahead of the others."
"Ahead?"
"You really didn't notice?"
Rin's reaction made Tatsuya realize what she meant.
"I noticed the others' obvious interest, but I missed yours, Ichihara-senpai."
"Then my poker face is pretty good, isn't it?"
"I'm not so sure. Looking at your face now, I'd say it's not."
Tatsuya produced a mirror from somewhere, reflecting Rin's face.
"Wha—!"
"You can make that expression too, huh, Rin-san? Let's both keep these secrets."
Deliberately using her name, Tatsuya hinted at a special bond. Teasing the usually mature senior brought him an unexpected thrill.
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