"It's more crowded than usual today," Tatsuya remarked, a hint of surprise in his voice.
"Did you forget, Onii-sama? Club recruitment week begins today," Miyuki explained softly.
"Ah, that's right. I forgot."
Miyuki gave him a sweet smile, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Are you planning on joining any particular club, Onii-sama?"
"If I did, what would you do?" Tatsuya asked with a teasing smile.
"Hehehe, then I would join that same club right alongside you." Miyuki gave him a spoiled smile as she leaned her head against Tatsuya's chest.
"Ahem! Miyuki, I don't mind you doing this, but please check our surroundings first."
"...?" Miyuki tilted her head with a look of pure innocence. A second later, reality dawned on her. She froze, her face flushing a deep crimson as she looked down in embarrassment. "Ah, how could I behave so immodestly in front of others? Onii-sama, please forgive me."
"Ehem, it's enough. I'm not upset by it."
Miyuki smiled in relief, though she still stayed quite close to him.
"Miyuki, a little distance, please."
"Ah." Startled, she took a step back, her face now as red as a tomato.
Tatsuya gave a thin smile and reached out to pat her head. Miyuki looked absolutely radiant with happiness—a sight that made the hearts of everyone watching melt like ice thrown into glowing embers.
"Miyuki, let's get out of here."
"Yes, Onii-sama!"
They left the courtyard and happened to wander toward the gymnasium. There, they crossed paths with Erika and Mizuki.
"Eh? Tatsuya-kun? Miyuki? Are you guys interested in the kendo club too?" Erika asked with a cheerful grin.
"Slightly. We just happened to stop by," Tatsuya answered casually.
"Tatsuya-kun, you're a martial arts expert, aren't you?" Erika asked, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she studied him.
"I figured I couldn't hide that from you." Tatsuya shrugged with a relaxed smile.
"Hehehe, I'm pretty good at reading people. Your physique is too perfect—honestly, it's better than most martial arts masters out there."
Tatsuya simply smiled, offering no denial.
"Enough about that. What about you? Do you want to join the kendo club?"
"I don't know. To be honest, I'm not that interested in the kendo club at this school."
"Just as I thought. Your swordsmanship is far beyond the level of a high school student; it's only natural you'd find it uninteresting."
Staaaaare...
Tatsuya felt a sharp gaze piercing through him. Miyuki was smiling sweetly, but her voice carried a chilling undertone. "Isn't Onii-sama getting a bit too close to Erika? And you, Erika... please don't get so close to my Onii-sama."
Miyuki's eyes turned dark and hollow.
"Ehem! Calm down, Miyuki! I have no intention of stealing Tatsuya from you," Erika explained hastily.
Mizuki took several steps back, hiding fearfully behind Erika.
"Miyuki, control yourself."
Tatsuya's gentle command was enough to instantly tame her.
"Onii-sama? I... I'm sorry." Miyuki lowered her head in shame.
Erika exhaled a long breath and muttered under her breath, "Miyuki's anger is terrifying."
Tatsuya let out a small smile. "Don't worry, she was just joking."
Erika rolled her eyes in annoyance. Just joking? I was nearly frozen solid by Cocytus, and he still dares to call it a joke?! Erika wanted to snap back at him, but the words caught in her throat.
"Erika-chan, look over there." Mizuki pulled on Erika's sleeve.
Erika turned and fell silent. The kendo club was being cornered by Kirihara from the kenjutsu club. The real issue wasn't just Kirihara, but the Public Morals Committee member who was clearly biased, taking the side of the kenjutsu club.
"Tch! How did someone like him get elected to the Public Morals Committee? Is the chairwoman blind for recruiting a guy like that?!" Erika spat out, not bothering to hide her disgust. Mizuki nodded in silent agreement.
"Onii-sama, should I stop them?"
"No. In your current mental state, you might accidentally kill them."
Miyuki fell silent, unable to argue with Tatsuya's assessment.
"Then, are we just going to watch?"
"For now, yes. I'll step in if it becomes necessary."
"I understand."
Erika gritted her teeth, her anger boiling over as she watched Morisaki's provocations. Just as Erika was about to lose control of her emotions and charge in, Tatsuya grabbed her, holding her back.
"Let me go, Tatsuya! I have to teach that guy a lesson!"
"Erika, you'll just repeat what happened yesterday if you go in without a plan."
"I was caught off guard and underestimated him then! This time, I can hit him before he even finishes activating his magic!"
Tatsuya believed in Erika's skill, but he refused to let go. Because she was struggling so hard, Tatsuya was forced to pull her into a tight embrace to restrain her. Consumed by rage, Erika didn't even realize how suggestive their posture looked.
At the same time, Miyuki was still smiling sweetly, but the magical pressure radiating from her body was anything but friendly. Mizuki, terrified, scrambled to keep her distance from Miyuki.
Clink!
Kirihara suddenly coated his wooden sword with magic, intending to strike Sayaka. Morisaki smirked, having no intention of intervening, willfully allowing the duel to escalate.
Erika's heart hammered against her ribs. She closed her eyes, unable to watch the impending disaster.
In that critical split second, Tatsuya moved like a flash of lightning, appearing exactly between Kirihara and Sayaka.
Bang!
Tatsuya released a Psion wave, instantly shattering the magic coating Kirihara's wooden sword.
"!" Startled, Kirihara leapt back, glaring at Tatsuya with narrowed, wary eyes.
"Who are you?" Kirihara's tone was cold and sharp.
Tatsuya stood there calmly, lightly brushing the dust off his shoulder.
"First Year, Class 1A. Tatsuya Yotsuba."
"Yot... suba?"
To be continued...