Volume 14 - CH 1(3/3)
"Small wonder at that."
"True, true."
The pair laughed deceptively but then,
"Which reminds me, Tatsuya‐kun, why aren't you joining the Thesis competition?"
Seeing the situation turn sour, Erika tried to divert into the pressing subject.
Tatsuya was not the one who couldn't read that girl's motives, but facts about Minami were never a subject worth nagging about. Tatsuya “willingly” acquiesced to Erika's request.
"Very simple, it's merely because I have no time for it."
"Eh, what do you mean by that?"
Mikihiko was likely the one who had shown the most interest on this subject. Even now he was especially straining to listen in, indicating that the biggest issue was Tatsuya's answer.
"No matter what and how you put it, it is as what I said."
Tatsuya tried to answer as such to end the discussion, but he quickly changed his mind on seeing the other five overpowering gazes on him that demanded his explanation.
"After the stellar furnace experiments, I went into an independent study, but it still hasn't reached the stage where I can announce it."
"Oh... so you're engaged in an extremely advanced study, eh?"
Leo let out a sigh as he nodded deeply. Into it a [tell me what subject is it!] nuance was included but,
"You could say that. But its contents are a secret."
He could not straight out say that he was into development of a combat magic that uses the FAE theory.
"Err‐‐‐"
And as expected, a displeased voice came out from Erika. However,
"Erika‐chan, you shouldn't be saying such nonsense!"
"Erika, I'm sure Tatsuya has some reason for keeping it a secret. First off, even revealing the magic theories the level of the stellar furnace would not even satisfy our curiosity."
Mizuki's words were to rebuke Erika, while Mikihiko's words were aimed at both Erika and Leo.
In short, Mikihiko was saying that [they would not understand at all even with the detailed explanation], but intelligence‐wise the pair were never dull. However, it was for that all those reasons that both Erika and Leo did not object at what Mikihiko had pointed out. Both were not stupid enough to know that to be strangely obstinate would only bring trouble upon themselves.
"Speaking of which, Tatsuya‐kun, did they request your assistance?"
"They haven't for now."
"This year's front man is Kei‐senpai, right? You and Kei‐senpai are on good terms."
"Of course I would cooperate if they would tell me so, but it is not my time this year."
Towards Erika's surprise‐filled question, Tatsuya answered not with [smiling and dodging], but with a honest manner.
"Eh, why is that?"
This time it was Mizuki, tilting her head to her side and looking doubtful.
"This year's venue will be in Kyoto."
"The thesis competition alternates between Yokohama and Kyoto, but the bias of the evaluation is different by location. They say that when it's held at Yokohama the practical subjects are valued highly, whereas it's the purely theoretical subjects that are preferred in Kyoto."
Tatsuya nodded at Mikihiko's additional explanation.
"In the Kyoto‐held competition, presentations related to the theories of magic like the cardinal code hypothesis are easily ranked higher than subjects on activation sequence improvements, power systems that use magic, and magic sequence development for the aforementioned purpose."
Leo finally shook his head many times with a crestfallen expression.
"So they cannot use Tatsuya's expertise if he were to join."
"I thought Tatsuya was far ahead of the high school students even for pure theoretical fields..."
However, Mizuki meekly raised her protest, unable to accept it.
"Yeah, and it isn't that difficult to do."
Erika answered Mizuki's question. Or rather, she directly voiced out what was her own idea.
"?"
"Kei‐senpai may not lose his nerve or grow jealous, but when the methodologies are different they would have a hard time even just to mutually reconcile of methods."
"Are they really that different?"
"Now look, I had my CAD carved by Kei‐senpai, right? And from time to time, I had Tatsuya run maintenance on it so he knows about it somehow. What do you mean the approach are different when they support on the same spell."
"I see... carved seal support is closer to our Ancient Magic talismans."
As the friends sidelined the main person and went on their own topic, the afternoon class bell rang.
? ? ?
7:30pm. Normally it would be still a time for get‐together after dinner. But for today, when the needles point at 7:25pm ‐‐ though it's not a classic wall clock but a modern one with a virtual two‐needle clock face
‐‐Tatsuya went into his own room. There, using his own room's security‐enhanced voice‐only telephone, he called a certain lady's private number.
["Hello, this is Fujibayashi."]
The telephone, with its normal vision‐phone image processing resources all diverted to encryption, was handling high‐grade encryption at a speed that did not interfere with the call.
"This is Shiba. My apologies for calling you this late at night."
He hurriedly ended his time with his precious younger sister to make this call at this time, something he had arranged for in an advance e‐mail.
["It's rare for you Tatsuya‐kun to contact me. What's the matter, you have urgent business?"]
"It is urgent business. Far more important than time."
An uneasy pause came about from the suggestive expression.
["... somehow I don't want to hear it."]
"And I don't want to say it if I could."
["........."]
Fujibayashi's silence urged Tatsuya on.
But although as far as tonight goes, Tatsuya's speaking must be unaffected by any reaction from Fujibayashi.
"I ask for Elder Kudou's cooperation."
And Tatsuya's request smoothly went out, even though he had spoken of the [unspeakable words].
["With Grandfather?"]
"Yes. A request not to Lieutenant Fujibayashi of the 101st Independent Magic Battalion, but as to a daughter of the Fujibayashi and Elder Kudou's granddaughter. And I want you to set a time and place where I can discuss privately with him."
["When you say privately, you mean it's linked to Yotsuba ‘business’?"]
This time Tatsuya was silent.
["Considering the event last month, I can't say I refuse, can I?"]
"That's right."
Fujibayashi was startled into almost voicing that out. And despite of what he had said himself, Tatsuya's call for cooperation now has that [returning the favor from that time] nuance; she didn't expect him to freely admit it.
It would take her several seconds to spin out her next words.
And so Tatsuya resumed the conversation.
"However I have no intention of speaking out unreasonable demands. I would rather consider for the Elder to kindly oblige a voluntary assistance."
["Can I hear out the ‘business’ at hand?"]
"The location and capture of a certain magician who had escaped from Yokohama Chinatown."
["... I see. Now I know that's the Yotsuba wanting to hire the services of Grandfather."]
A sign that showed that Fujibayashi was letting her nervousness up was sent from the other side of the phone.
"It seems you're aware that the Yotsuba ran into trouble."
It wasn't the Yotsuba that wanted to hire the services of Kudou Retsu but Tatsuya, but he didn't bother to clear Fujibayashi's misunderstanding.
["Truth is the JSDF are having a hard time, too! As Lieutenant Fujibayashi you're more than welcome to set out and deal with this guy."]
She deliberately calling herself [Lieutenant Fujibayashi] was a petty response to Tatsuya's words a while back. Although as far as Tatsuya is concerned this level of wordplay was inadequate for sarcasm.
Even Fujibayashi might have read the mood with the silent response. With uneasy coughing, she attempted to clear it away. What's more, she used her deliberate business‐like tone to answer Tatsuya's request.
["Very well, I will ask when it is convenient for Grandfather. Is replying by mail all right with you?"]
"No problem. Just use the Independent Magic Battalion's for the encryption."
With these words, Tatsuya was only saying to keep the security up. However for Fujibayashi this was distrust aimed at her [sender blank mail] the month before last.
["... All right then!"]
Tatsuya was racking his brains just what nerves did he touch at Fujibayashi, who had brusquely cut off the conversation.
With the call over, he felt his throat was dry, so Tatsuya went for the dining room.
There, Miyuki was by herself drinking tea.
"Onii‐sama, you want something to drink?"
Miyuki, seated in front of the dining table, immediately stood up and asked Tatsuya.
"Sure, I'm a bit thirsty."
Though he answered directly, Tatsuya did not ask for Minami's whereabouts. Studying, cleaning, bathing, whatever, Tatsuya knew from sight that Minami was out from this place, and he too has no tasks for her.
"I will prepare one immediately."
Water was enough for Tatsuya, but he's not raising protests at Miyuki's notice. He knew his younger sister's eagerness to support him, and as far as he knew, her helping him too much is at least not displeasing. Rather it's the reverse and so he saw no reason to refuse her.
"Please wait in the living room."
As Miyuki requested him, Tatsuya transferred to the living room.
After an under‐5‐minute wait at the sofa, Miyuki showed up from the dining room, carrying a tray with two glasses of milk ice tea on it. She ought to be drinking hot tea a while back, so her share was probably a remix.
Miyuki soundlessly set coasters and glasses on top of the glass‐hard and shiny sofa table. One in front of Tatsuya and the other beside it. Then Miyuki, as if she has the expected privilege ‐‐ he was sure she herself made that clear ‐‐ sat down beside Tatsuya.
Tatsuya was sitting on a one‐seater sofa, so snuggling close to him is impossible. Even so, Miyuki did not show signs of feeling discomfort. Softly smiling, she, together with her brother, brought into her lips the straws of ice‐chilled milk tea.
Miyuki let her straw go first. She silently returned her glass onto the table, sat back on the sofa, and looked hard at her brother's profile.
Tatsuya immediately recognized that gaze. He let go of his straw, returned the glass with a soft clink, and met her sister's gaze head on.
"The call just then, it's related to yesterday's talk, isn't it?"
When Tatsuya went into his own room, he notified that he was going [to make a call], but he didn't clarify where to and what business for. And it looked like Miyuki managed to get them right. It's probably not that hard to deduce given that it was just today's yesterday. Even so, Tatsuya felt admiration for her.
"That's right."
"Is it all right to hear out who you talked to on the phone?"
He was a bit stumped over this question. Nevertheless, Tatsuya went to answering her truthfully.
"Lieutenant Fujibayashi."
"...Onii‐sama, are you requesting for the assistance of the Independent Magic Batallion?"
With Miyuki's question, a low‐key dissenting view was expressed. Even Tatsuya has shared a common misgiving whether it's all right to allow military intervention in a Yotsuba business. And for that very reason he didn't call Kazama but to Fujibayashi.
"No, I requested to Fujibayashi for an intermediary with Elder Kudou."
"Isn't that dangerous? Communications with the Independent Magic‐equipped Battalion are subject to bugging."
Nowadays, freedom of private communication is guaranteed even for military personnel. Although high‐ compression ultrasonic data communications were installed in voice telephones since over fifty years ago, anti‐information leak bugging systems were installed in telephony equipment of vital installations to handle this. It was not conversation tapping via automatically filtering out sound waves apart from those in the audible range, but as there were certain that some hardware was tapped between sender and receiver to listen to sound waves in transit, they can't shake off the possibility that some other equipment was also attached. Even Tatsuya had taken this into account and was on the lookout for it.
"It should be safe. The number I called was Lieutenant's private number. I don't think even the likes of Echelon III can be used to intercept the lines the [Electron Sorceress] privately uses."
Don't worry, Tatsuya was explaining this to Miyuki. However, these were careless words not learned in the past.
"... I see. Fujibayashi‐san's private telephone number."
It was already too late to think, "Oh sh*t". Tatsuya thought just now that it would be a pain to pacify an already enraged younger sister just like April last year.
"By the way, Onii‐sama. Where did you get Fujibayashi‐san's personal number?"
Even Miyuki's tone and expression were totally the same like in the [broadcast booth barricade case] that preceded the Blanche raids. At that time, the chaos was approaching right before him so it was somehow left in the dark, but this time...
(Now, how do I talk my way out of this?)
Frankly speaking, Tatsuya is totally not in guilty territory. Not only did he know Fujibayashi‐san's personal telephone number, but also those of Kazama, Sanada, and Yamanaka. But he didn't imagine that even revealing these would make Miyuki wholeheartedly agree. She may agree on the surface, but deep down she would be hell bent on dragging it out.
Looks like it'll be tough to persuade her this time, Tatsuya thought.
? ? ?
And as Tatsuya foresaw, Miyuki's temper was not that easy to pacify. Nevertheless, she would never do something like explode in anger at or ignore Tatsuya, and so in the public eye they never went on a sibling fight. Objectively Miyuki was only lightly peeved, but even so it took Tatsuya some serious [relationship mending] for two days until Wednesday for him to completely bring back the original intimate sibling relationship.
Then it's September 28, Friday. The night before the long‐awaited student council president elections, Tatsuya's home got a phone call from Fujibayashi.
"Fujibayashi‐san, is it all right to use this number?"
Tatsuya did not call her [Lieutenant Fujibayashi] but [Fujibayashi‐san] because of her civilian getup of frill blouse on country‐style long skirt. And he asked [is it all right] because she didn't connect to his room's security‐hardened phone but to the number connected to the normal video phone.
["We're not being bugged now. They try that and we have them by the tail."]
Somehow, it seemed this was deliberately done.
["Well, we'll be safe even if they did bug us. Our line's covered with a triple layer of dummy signals."]
She may have spoken it like it's nothing, but Tatsuya was more amazed than admired as he was well‐ informed on even the not‐yet‐completed machine technology.
"...Something was done to make what is normal in a military‐only line possible in an average line."
However, he was mistaken.
["It's something you can't realize with current physical technology."]
I see, he thought. It's probably one of the [Electron Sorceress] secret techniques being used liberally. Were Tatsuya to spend time using his [eyesight] he might understand what was being done. However, he has little interest in techniques he's unable to replicate.
["Moreover it's difficult to maintain this condition for prolonged periods so I'll make this brief. Grandfather is receptive with the one‐on‐one."]
The answer Fujibayashi delivered was, for Tatsuya, an immediate good news.
["Date and time is October 6, Saturday, 18:00. The place is at the Kudou primary residence at Ikoma. You're fine with the schedule?"]
Tatsuya mentally checked his schedule, and confirmed that the day was vacant.
"The schedule's fine with me. And I know the place."
["I see."]
And then, Fujibayashi showed an evil expression.
["Grandfather was overjoyed when he heard that Tatsuya‐kun wishes for a one‐on‐one with him."]
"I should be saying, I'm honored, then."
Her expression disappearing on seeing Tatsuya grumble, Fujibayashi giggled.
["You're making a face that says it's a mixed blessing. Just accept it, that's how it is when you rely on that person."]
"Be thankful that you're not even turned away at the gates, is what you're saying."
["Well, you could say that. Prepare yourself in advance, Tatsuya‐kun, you're diving right into the multitude of fetters that are rampant in Japan's magic world."]
Tatsuya coolly took Fujibayashi's words, which were spoken with a smile and a menacing eye.
"I was more than prepared a long time ago for that level."
["Very well. I too will be present on that day."]
"I see. Well I look forward to meeting you."
At the same time Tatsuya lightly bowed, the display showing Fujibayashi's smile blacked out.
The call just now was taken at the living room. They didn't join with the conversation, but Miyuki and Minami were listening at Tatsuya and Fujibayashi's conversation, and Fujibayashi didn't see any problems with that.
"Onii‐sama... is it really all right?"
Miyuki worriedly called out to Tatsuya, who had just finished the call. Someone looking at Minami can tell that she, too, was directing a sympathetic look at Tatsuya. ...Sympathy, not worry, probably because Minami correctly understood the significance of having a bond with a [teacher].
"Getting in touch with Kudou Retsu? It's inevitable that you're worried about it."
Tatsuya smiled as he picked up the glass of iced tea. But since the conversation went longer than expected it had ended up lukewarm, so he returned it to the table without sipping it.
A light mist swirled inside of that glass. To lower only the temperature of the contents without freezing the glass, the air in contact with the iced tea was subject to mid‐air condensation.
Needless to say, it was Miyuki's magic. It was turning back tea at almost room temperature into iced tea, without the expected chilling and freezing. When Tatsuya indicated wordlessly his thanks with a smile, Miyuki silently looked down, bashful.
Tatsuya moistened his throat with the well‐chilled straight tea, then resumed with his answer to the question.
"Kudou Retsu took an interest in me, so this is not related to the task at hand. And what's more it's not on the meaning of some quite interesting greenhorn. Perhaps Kudou Retsu knew about my origins and my magic."
Miyuki was wide‐opened at that. She was probably duly surprised at the last half of her brother's words. Here an overly and specially regarded adverse effect on the Yotsuba had appeared, but Tatsuya felt no special need to reprove it. At present, it's enough for Miyuki to be on the lookout only at the Yotsuba. Tatsuya will handle vigilance at the Ten Master Clans and other magician organizations.
"I heard Kudou Retsu was close with the previous head of the Yotsuba, and with that link he was the private teacher of Yotsuba Miya and Yotsuba Maya."
"The previous head... that was our grandfather, wasn't it?"
"Yes. The leader of that incident when the Yotsuba's infamy was broadcast to the world."
For some reason Miyuki smiled a little. When Tatsuya made an [Eh?] expression, she amusingly giggled more and more.
"... Pardon me. Onii‐sama has been speaking as if it was other people's problem."
Tatsuya furrowed his brows in doubt.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Come on, Onii‐sama. If the world knew of the truth behind [Scorched Halloween], they would be too busy to even think what Grandfather had done, right?"
Tatsuya, at that instant, as if he gulped down aojiru instead of cold tea ‐‐ though in fact Tatsuya wouldn't make that mistake ‐‐ his expression changed into a light pale expression somewhat different from being expressionless.
"... At any rate there are those details, so it's no mystery even though Kudou Retsu knew much of me."
"... And that's all right with you?"
Miyuki timidly asked with an inarticulate tone.
While it's true that [it's okay not to be silent] when there are no one else listening, it's not something to be asked even for a girl who's still sixteen.
"I'm not keeping silent."
But for Tatsuya, he has no hesitation in saying that out.
"The opponent was once the [world's wiliest]. Try as I might to silence myself, actually doing it might be difficult. I don't think that would be necessary. What is said for myself is personal data of a strategic‐level magician. It's very unlikely that Kudou Retsu doesn't understand the importance of keeping secrets."
Tatsuya just now was addressing him as [Kudou Retsu], not [teacher] and not [Elder]. Perhaps he's aware that he said that out often. Perhaps he limited it to places where there is no one else listening, but he was declaring that he has no intention of paying respect to Kudou Retsu. Because of the parasite doll experiments, Tatsuya perhaps recognized that Kudou Retsu is never a nice person.
Even so Tatsuya highly valued Kudou Retsu's intelligence and abilities. He decided that there's no use keeping silent since he judged that the old man understood the merits of keeping a joker like Shiba Tatsuya covered up.
"Besides there's no state like we remain as antagonists against Kudou Retsu. From here on, we should consider this as squaring the books on lendings and borrowings."
"We can depend on them, right?"
"It isn't required for allies to be ever dependable partners. In short, it's in times of need that it's best to move according to our requests. And for that there's no problem in paying out an equivalent compensation."
Minami did not totally get what the siblings were talking about. However, she did not bother to ask her mistress or her mistress' brother. She was taught that unnecessary curiosity is forbidden for a maid working at her masters' house, and so right now she was observing them.