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"Not bad. It's not as much as the first time, but it's still more than what the other chat group members got yesterday."
As Tatsuya smiled to himself, he sensed a presence standing just outside his door.
"Who's there?"
"Tatsuya-sama, it is Honami."
Tatsuya opened the door, welcoming her in.
"What is it? Why aren't you with Miyuki?"
"Miyuki-sama is currently seeing a guest, and I was instructed to come and fetch you."
"A guest? Who?"
"Saegusa Mayumi-sama, from the Saegusa family."
"Mayumi?" Tatsuya muttered, taken aback.
Honami gave a soft nod.
"I see. Let's head over."
Without further ado, Tatsuya hurried toward the drawing room, followed closely by Honami.
The moment he arrived, Tatsuya was immediately struck by the stifling atmosphere in the room. It was thick with tension. Miyuki was wearing a sweet smile, yet a bone-chilling aura radiated from her delicate frame. On the other side of the room, Mayumi appeared perfectly composed, her large ruby eyes fixed steadily on Miyuki.
"Ahem! What's going on? I hope you two aren't fighting."
Miyuki turned around, her face instantly brightening into a radiant smile as she rushed to Tatsuya's side.
"Onii-sama!"
Tatsuya sighed, gently patting her head. The gesture sent Miyuki into a state of pure bliss, as if she were floating in heaven.
"Miyuki, it's not polite to leak your magic in front of a guest."
Miyuki pouted, her voice tinged with annoyance. "I know, but..."
"But what?"
"It's nothing!"
She turned her head away, looking thoroughly miffed. Tatsuya gave a wry smile; handling a jealous girl was never easy.
"Tatsuya-kun, I really think you two are a bit too close for siblings." Mayumi, unable to watch their public display of affection any longer, spoke up with a look of pointed concern.
She offered a sweet smile—one so beautiful it could make any man's heart skip a beat. Strangely, Tatsuya remained unfazed; his sharp instincts had already sounded a loud alarm, warning him not to ignore her advice.
"Ehem!" Tatsuya stopped stroking Miyuki's head. Deprived of the affection, Miyuki's aura immediately turned cold again, sharp enough to pierce through bone.
"Ara~ ara~ Miyuki-san is quite terrifying."
"Mayumi-san, please stop teasing me." Miyuki pressed her lips together, suppressing her irritation.
Mayumi took a step back and returned to her seat. "Very well."
Tatsuya exhaled and sat down across from Mayumi, with Miyuki settling in right beside him. Miyuki pointedly leaned her head against Tatsuya's shoulder, casting a triumphant look at Mayumi.
"#!"
Mayumi was clearly provoked by the blatant display. The teacup in her hand let out a faint crack as her grip tightened.
"Miyuki, behave yourself. We won't get anywhere with this conversation if you're acting spoiled."
Miyuki's cheeks puffed up like little meat buns—a sight that was undeniably adorable. Tatsuya resisted the urge to pinch them and offered Mayumi an apologetic smile.
"Mayumi-san, what brings you here today?"
"Muu... You say that as if I only visit when I have business." Mayumi pouted, looking just as cute and endearing as Miyuki.
Tatsuya felt his heart racing, but he managed to maintain a perfect poker face.
"Ahem! I actually have two reasons for coming. First, to see you, and second, to deliver this."
Mayumi pulled out an invitation and placed it on the table.
"This is..." Tatsuya narrowed his eyes, intrigued by the envelope.
"A party for the youth of the Ten Master Clans and the 18 Assistant Houses."
"Oh? This is the first I've heard of it. Is this a regular occurrence?"
"Well, it was organized rather spontaneously, so it's natural you wouldn't know yet."
"Are we the only ones from the Yotsuba family invited?"
Mayumi shook her head. "The Kuroba siblings were invited as well."
Tatsuya nodded slowly. "When is the party?"
"Two weeks before the school term begins."
"Understood. We will be there." Tatsuya gave a small, simple smile that carried an effortless charm.
Mayumi blinked, momentarily dazed by his expression.
"Ahem! Mayumi-san, if there is nothing else, please see yourself out," Miyuki interjected sharply.
"Ara~ ara~ Miyuki-san. As fellow members of the Ten Master Clans, it wouldn't do for us to start a feud." Mayumi winked her ruby eyes, seemingly unfazed by Miyuki's hostility.
Tatsuya sighed again, pinched Miyuki's cheek, and looked at Mayumi.
"Come on, you two should try to get along. Don't fight over every little thing." Tatsuya felt a headache coming on from managing the two of them.
Sensing Tatsuya's genuine discomfort, Miyuki and Mayumi locked eyes and reached a silent, temporary truce.
'Miyuki and Mayumi are both top-tier heroines... they are truly a handful when they're jealous.' Tatsuya thought with a helpless, wry smile.
In the end, Mayumi stayed for a while longer, lingering until her longing was satisfied before finally departing for the Saegusa estate. As she left, she looked reluctant, clearly wishing she didn't have to go.
To be continued...