Volume 17 - CH 1(2/3)
Kouichi told her so with respect to his plan,
“I disagree!”
Kasumi raised her objection.
“Kasumi, restrain yourself.”
Not only did she disturb him in an untimely manner, it was also a behavior unsuitable for a high school student. This time, Kouichi reprimanded her instantly.
“..I’m terribly sorry.”
Kasumi was also aware that her attitude was inappropriate. Although she was unhappy, she did not rebel against her father.
“Otou-sama, if Onee-sama has such feelings for Shiba-senpai, I would suggest for her to have a proper relationship with him, but I’m also against this.”
“Izumi. Do you have any reason?”
Kouichi, though serious in dealing with Kasumi, did not intend on immediately reprimanding Izumi but instead wanted her to continue. Although Izumi's polite manner of speaking was part of the reason, the main reason was Kouichi doted on Izumi more.
"For a female to actively approach a male who has already formally announced his engagement to the public, if news got out of this, it would be absolutely unacceptable. The Ichijou Family can only do what they're doing because Ichijou-san is a male. Shiba-senpai is a male so he can just laugh it off if his love gets snatched away, but for Miyuki-senpai, it would very likely hurt her."
"..Is that so?"
When it came to such unique female sensibilities, even Kouichi could not refute them. In fact, just asking such a thing already pushed him to his limit.
"Yes!"
The one who exclaimed thus was Mayumi.
"To ask a guy who has just announced his engagement, if word got out it, that would be unacceptable. Not to mention I'm older than him. I don't want to spread rumors that I'm a senpai who tempts her kouhai or that I'm lacking in morals."
"Is that so."
Kouichi could only leave things in such a disadvantaged position. Henceforth, Kouichi never again brought up the issue of the Yotsuba Family announcement of the engagement. From this point out, he had to fully focus on matters concerning Miyuki and Tatsuya since they were now known to be from the Yotsuba Family. Kouichi dismissed his daughters after that.
? ? ?
After 8 P.M. in the evening, visitors to the Saegusa household had all but left. There were no more prior engagements to any dinner banquets before tomorrow. Kouichi and his daughters, changed out of their kimonos into normal clothes, and he finished dinner before settling himself in his study.
This did not differ much from his normal routine. Although having dinner with his daughters was a rare sight, retiring back to his study after dinner was a perfectly normal occurrence. After completing the work required of him as a Head of the Ten Master Clans and that of a businessman, as well as reading the reports of clandestine operations, the call that Kouichi had been waiting for finally arrived.
"New Year's greetings, Saegusa-dono."
"Happy New Year, Ichijou-dono. Apologies for having you specially make this call."
Ichijou Gouki was precisely the person Kouichi was waiting for. "No, I'm the one who made you wait, sorry."
"I didn't have to wait long at all.”
It was two hours ago when Kouichi sent his request for Gouki to give him a call when Gouki was free. Hence, to say that he didn't have too long to wait really was too subtle.
"Then, what you wanted to discuss, is it about the Yotsuba Family?"
Although, in terms of age, Kouichi was older than Gouki by seven years, the one speaking to the other in familiar terms was Gouki. However, there was an unwritten rule when it came to the Heads of the Ten Master
Clans owing to their equal standings and it was Kouichi's attention to formal speech that was inappropriate.
Kouichi was probably the only one from the Ten Master Clans who was such a stickler for those kinds of details.
"Yes, but to be accurate it's about the request Ichijou-dono made of the Yotsuba Family, specifically about your son."
While Kouichi said so with a smile, Gouki started frowning. "Please, don't pretend as if you know everything, will you?"
As Gouki's response was within his calculations, Kouichi replied unhurriedly.
"I am considering supporting your son's pursuit of love."
Perhaps complaints about Gouki's highly unreasonable act had already started to show. To move the conversation forward, Kouichi clearly stated his intentions before Gouki got annoyed.
"Is that so. Thanks."
Gouki thanked Kouichi while trying to guess at his true intentions, causing Gouki to reveal a weird expression.
"I, too, am saddened by the engagement announced by Yotsuba-dono."
Gouki's expression changed from one of surprise to agreement. Compared to feeling sorry for his own son, objecting to the next Head of Yotsuba Family's engagement was a more palatable excuse.
"Then, I'll assume Saegusa-dono feels that the marriage between two close relatives that the Yotsuba Family is proposing is too dangerous?"
"Yes, exactly. I also frequently hear of the next Head of the Yotsuba Family, Shiba Miyuki-jou's outstanding qualities from my daughters."
This was a lie. Kouichi and his daughters didn't even hold conversations 'frequently'. Intel on Miyuki and Tatsuya had been entirely obtained through private investigations.
If he was honest about it, however, the question of how Kouichi knew about Miyuki and Tatsuya despite the Yotsuba Family covering up the two's relationship would arise. Whether or not Kouichi had been secretly conducting investigations would also rise into suspicion, so it was more convenient to simply say he had heard it from his daughters.
"It's impossible to overlook the possibility of her talents not being passed on after all."
Kouichi's words were meant to echo Gouki's intentions. Unexpectedly however, Gouki bit his lips unhappily, which was outside of Kouichi's calculations.
"——Not only Miyuki-jou, Shiba Tatsuya-kun, too, is a Magician who has achieved victory over my son. Although I might sound like an idiot for saying so, but I think those that win over Masaki are pretty valuable."
"Yes. It is as you say."
Kouichi immediately corrected his stance. Though Gouki might think himself stupid just now, winning over Masaki was definitely a huge accomplishment. In actuality, when the Third High team led by Masaki lost to the First High team led by Tatsuya in the 2095 Nine Schools Competition, the shock was so great that the Magic Association almost convened an online meeting via its direct line to discuss their response.
"Shiba Tatsuya-kun's abilities must be treasured as well."
Kouichi's was not merely paying lip service with his immediate agreement with Gouki's words.
"Then, Saegusa-dono, what do you want to do? Is it to plead with Yotsuba-dono to dissolve their plans for marriage, or to support my son?"
Although Kouichi appeared to support him on the surface, Gouki revealed an unhappy face, obviously suspecting that Kouichi was trying to make use of his son.
That was beyond Kouichi's calculations, or rather perhaps, it was even within his calculations.
"In truth, I am considering having Shiba Tatsuya-kun become my son- in-law."
Here, Kouichi had revealed that he was acting humble while bowing down his head.
Gouki couldn't help but waver for having arrived at the same conclusion as Kouichi.
"..Isn't your Mayumi-jou currently dating the young son of the Itsuwa Family?"
Gouki probed Kouichi with expression and tone speaking of his inability to hide his surprise.
"Yes, putting aside the lack of progress between Mayumi and Hirofumi, the two do not seem to intend on continuing the relationship, to the extent that they might be going back to square one."
"If it's Shiba Tatsuya-kun, are you saying that Mayumi-jou thinks that way too?"
"For Mayumi, Shiba Tatsuya-kun is also a Kouhai, but for her to feel that way should not be a surprise. Mayumi is already twenty now, and as a father, she is approaching the age when I wish she would start making plans for marriage."
Gouki's intuition was telling him that Kouichi wanted to make use of the Ichijou Family, but his level of understanding failed to allow himself to understand this. Kouichi's words contained absolutely nothing to arouse anything suspicious, and it helped that he was approaching Gouki at this point in time.
“I'm embarrassed to say this but I'm still at the stage where I'm negotiating with my daughter, and still not at the stage when I can propose a marriage. Hence, in place of a proposal I'm hoping I could add my name to your voice of dissent.”
Gouki felt that he was slowly slipping into an ingenious trap. "Then as the Family Head, it's something I should feel grateful for."
However, he was now only considering whether to accept Kouichi's proposal.
"If you could give me a reply as soon as possible, I would be very grateful. As a Family Head, I plan to contact others who also consider Yotsuba-dono's plan dangerous, what do you think?"
"If such people really exist, please do introduce them to me."
It wasn't really a request made of Kouichi, but rather Gouki trying his best to maintain his position as the main party involved. However, in the current state of affairs it was all Gouki could do.
"Oh, of course."
Kouichi while smiling, nodded. Gouki understood from the start that to see through Kouichi's real thoughts on the phone was impossible, so he gave up.
"Then, I'll send you the original document sent to the Magic Association later."
"In case of any errors I'll send the co-signed document back to you first, so please do a thorough check."
"Understood."
"That's concluded, then. Ichijou-dono, thank you very much."
"No, I should be the one feeling thankful. I'll take my leave now."
The conversation with Gouki over the phone ended satisfactorily for Kouichi.
? ? ?
As Tatsuya and Miyuki brought Minami home, it was already Friday, January 4th.
Those who knew of Tatsuya and company’s relationship with the Yotsuba Family were only limited to those at the top of the magical community. However, it would not take more than a few days for this intelligence to proliferate through the people connected to magic. The existence of the location of their house, too, was only a matter of time. Hayama had mentioned of preparations being made in Tokyo for a second Yotsuba Family Residence; Tatsuya mused that considerations will have to be made about a possible move to there.
Even if such a move was made, however, Tatsuya anticipated that it would only happen in one to two months' time. He had to take care of some errands first before that.
If it was the end of the last century, that would mean cleaning up the house, clearing out everything together with everyone. For homes in the modern age where domestic chores have become highly automated, however, it was no problem leaving the cleaning up to automatons. After finishing lunch at home, Tatsuya and Miyuki left for Yakumo's Temple- Kyuuchouji Temple, leaving Minami behind.
Tatsuya changed into a suit while Miyuki changed into a kimono. Riding Tatsuya's motorcycle was out of the question; the skates didn't even need to be mentioned. Fortunately, both Tatsuya's house as well as Kyuuchouji Temple were within the public transportation grid where driver assistance AI could take them there automatically. Hence they used their private car instead of a public one.
The trip to Kyuuchouji Temple only took around ten minutes. A call made before leaving ensured they didn't show up with no one not being home.
Nonetheless, Tatsuya who had arrived punctually was instead asked to wait. Yakumo was definitely in the temple. However, an earlier visitor was in fact present. Arriving just before Tatsuya, the individual had suddenly appeared without having made any arrangements beforehand.
Looking like he was a visitor, who Yakumo simply could not turn away. One of Yakumo's most talented disciples who was close to Tatsuya apologized to him profusely.
Tatsuya was deciding if he should pay a visit on another day though ultimately was stopped by that disciple, and so the decision was made to wait longer. Tatsuya didn't have anything important on his schedule today and he was in no mood to work anyway, so with the thought that it was fine, Tatsuya continued waiting.
When Tatsuya was finally summoned, it was already 30 minutes since he arrived.
Leaving the lecture hall for the main hall, Tatsuya passed the courtyard when he saw the back of the previous visitor at the main gate.
It was a bald old man. Perhaps he was from the same Buddhist sect, Tatsuya thought, but he immediately dismissed it. Although the bald head suggested the visitor was a monk, what he was wearing however was a high-end suit and coat. Although monks who wore suits probably still exist, the old man was definitely not one, Tatsuya's intuition told him such. At the very least he wasn't a monk, and he gave off the impression of being one in a position of authority.
Probably feeling Tatsuya's stare, the old man turned his head around from the left.
The old man’s left eye, it was cloudy white.
The old man's movement caused Tatsuya great unease. If the sight of one's left eye were impaired, one would usually turn his head from the right.
In that eye, contained an extraordinary sight..
The old man immediately returned to his previous position, then he left walking away through the temple gate.
"Onii-sama?"
Hearing Miyuki's call, Tatsuya instantaneously regained himself. His attention was drawn to that old man by such a degree.
Being unsure of what he was afraid of, Tatsuya shifted his focus.
Kneeling in front of Yakumo, Tatsuya did not inquire as to the old man's identity.
"Sensei, we’ve visited at such a late hour. Happy New Year."
Tatsuya was at the moment considering if he should investigate his other visitor. Though he had no reason to think so, asking would probably yield no answers.
Miyuki formally bowed, in harmony with Tatsuya.
"Congratulations. I already understand the situation so let's not care too much about that."
Receiving Yakumo's answer, the pair of siblings raised their heads together.
"To already know, as expected of you."
To Miyuki's admiring look filled with respect, Yakumo smiled while shaking his head.
"No, no. This is nothing worthy of admiration. Because news of Miyuki- kun being made the next Head and the marriage between you two is spreading fairly quickly."
"..Do so many people already know?"
To the vexed Tatsuya who asked so, Yakumo melodramatically widened his eyes in surprise in an act.
"Of course. For people related to magic, this is big news. Plus, it’s intelligence related to the Yotsuba Family that's surrounded by mystery and doubts, receiving attention is expected. In addition to that, it's almost time for the Ten Master Clans Conference. Especially since this year's the quadrennial Ten Master Clans Selection Conference? Events that happen just before it would be impossible to keep a lid on."
Tatsuya furrowed his brows while Miyuki appeared distressed. Although the notice was limited to the 28 Houses and the Hundred Families, news would rapidly spread once the Magic Association made the announcement. This news was originally meant to let third parties know of Tatsuya and Miyuki's existence. To let the majority of those related to magic remember this was another intention of the Yotsuba Family.
That was at most only Maya's plan, though. Tatsuya did not wish for things to be done this way. Putting aside the rumors on the street, how First High’s students would react during the new semester, was more than enough to depress the two.
"Speaking of which.. to think that you two were not siblings but cousins, and engaged to each other."
Yakumo laughed nastily.
"Even I was completely cheated. Congratulations."
Hearing Yakumo's congratulations, Miyuki blushed while shifting her line of sight.
However, Miyuki's expression froze at Yakumo's next sentence. "Well, where does the truth end?"
"We heard that it is all true."
As Yakumo revealed a smile filled with interest on one side, Tatsuya, immediately turning expressionless, replied without confidence.
"Hmm, so you heard, huh."
"Since I have no memories on this matter, I can only learn from others."
"Is that so, is that so. Even if it's Tatsuya-kun, you wouldn't remember what happened immediately after you were born. Not to mention things that happened before that, you will only be able to know of them by hearing from others. You have a point."
Yakumo smiled while glaring coldly at Tatsuya.
Tatsuya, as if saying "It's just as you've said", lowered his head silently.
After this, only small talk took place and after about 20 minutes had passed Tatsuya and Miyuki stood up.
Yakumo as if naturally, stood up as well, following behind the siblings. Under such circumstances, regardless of any misgivings they might have had, Tatsuya and Miyuki understood that it was meaningless to Yakumo. The two, thus sandwiched between the disciple tasked with leading the way and Yakumo, proceeded towards the gate heading to the parking lot.
At the gate, Miyuki and Tatsuya stood properly once more, preparing to say their greetings once more.
However, the one faster to speak was Yakumo.
"Tatsuya-kun. Tomorrow, I will give you a more rigorous training, you would better prepare yourself mentally."
Tatsuya, unprepared, widened his eyes. Yakumo's words just now implied that Tatsuya need not mind this matter and should come here to train as before. Yakumo meant this, despite Tatsuya's identity as being someone from the Yotsuba Family going public, getting along like how they used to, is just fine.
"Please take care of me this year as well, Sensei."
Although Tatsuya did not reveal any indication that he was moved, "Sensei, thank you."
Though in Miyuki's eyes, tears welled up.
? ? ?
On the day after Tatsuya paid his visit to Kyuuchouji Temple, he left Miyuki at home to head to the JSDF 101 Brigade Base situated in Tsuchiura, Ibaraki to pay a visit.
The destination was the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion Headquarters. It was not for training but rather to greet Kazama.
Although Tatsuya was in a normal suit, the ID card he held was no less different than that held by a regular soldier. He only needed to pass through a card scanner and a bio-scanner before Tatsuya easily passed through the gate, after which he walked towards the building that the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion was in. Tatsuya initially planned to go straight to where Kazama was, but in the sturdy plaza spanning three floors both above and below ground, he saw a familiar figure, so he walked towards it.
"Happy New Year, Special Lieutenant Ooguro."
"Happy New Year and congratulations, First Lieutenant Fujibayashi."
As they saluted one another, Tatsuya and Fujibayashi exchanged New Year's greetings. Tatsuya, though, appended his congratulations not only for the New Year's well wishes.
"Thank you, Special Lieutenant. The increase in salary at this point really sincerely makes me happy."
Fujibayashi replied in a joking manner. Tatsuya felt that her words contained some complex undercurrents, but did not point them out right then.
"I also wish to give my New Year’s greetings to the Lieutenant Colonel."
"Of course, the Commander is waiting for us as well. Let's go." Fujibayashi gave a bright smile before turning around. Tatsuya followed behind her.
"It’s Fujibayashi."
"Come in."
Kazama gave his permission to enter the room, in response to Fujibayashi's knock on his door. There was only one person in the Commander's Office.
"Excuse me. I brought Special Lieutenant Ooguro along."
"The two of you, stand there and wait a moment."
As he was speaking, Kazama operated the end of the desk. At the wall near the entrance, a part came down to the height of his hand, and stopped as it became parallel to the ground to form the seat of a chair.
Tatsuya and Fujibayashi sat down on the chairs that were prepared. There were cushions placed on the seats, so it didn't feel uncomfortable sitting on them.
Kazama continued repeating movements using his stylus on the monitor reclined at a 15-degree angle, as if signing documents, before raising his head.
Fujibayashi and Tatsuya stood up together in front of the table where the monitor was stowed away. Tatsuya moved forward half a step before saluting Kazama.
"Commander, New Year's greetings to you. Also, congratulations on your promotion this time."
"Well. Special Lieutenant, I'm looking forward to your being active this year as well."
"Yes. Thank you very much."
Kazama loosened his expression, then stood up.
Behind Tatsuya and Fujibayashi's backs, appeared a sofa that came up from underneath the floor.
"Well, sit down."
While saying this, Kazama sat down on a simple inflatable sofa. Tatsuya then sat down on the sofa by the door as well.
The ceiling descended between the two, forming a suspended coffee table. A teapot, teacups and saucers had already been prepared on the table.
Fujibayashi, still standing, picked up a kettle, filled the teapot up with hot water, then poured the tea into the teacups after a while. She then placed the two teacups, on saucers, and teapot in front of Kazama and Tatsuya. Smiling in response to Tatsuya who thanked her, Fujibayashi started moving to the left of Kazama.
"Although I don't think you have any matters which you specifically need help with, you didn't come here today just for New Year’s greetings did you?"
Kazama asked Tatsuya as he picked up the teacup. Although the cup was not filled with boiling hot water, the teacup made of thin celadon should still have been pretty hot, Kazama however did not reveal any reaction to it.
"I heard the Commander received a promotion, so of course I can't pretend I didn't know about it."
In response to Kazama's direct question, Tatsuya answered while smiling. Although it was just to be civil, the smile was not accompanied by any emotions. Instead of a sincere expression, a smile was chosen instead.
"Although it's called a promotion."
Kazama responded to Tatsuya's faked smile with a smile of his own. However, Kazama's was a forced smile.
"My salary hardly increased and compared to my contemporaries, I'm already one of the last. Well, even though I feel better that I was promoted, it's a good thing that situations where my subordinates will be put under pressure will disappear."
Just as Kazama had said, in the official routine orders sent out on January 1st, the promotion list wasn’t limited to just Kazama. As Tatsuya pointed out, Fujibayashi was promoted from a Second Lieutenant to a First Lieutenant, Sanada and Yanagi were both promoted from Captains to Majors, their military ranks increased.
When Kazama was younger, in carrying out some of his missions, he once displeased the Central higher-ups, causing his records and deeds, strength, reputation and position to be suppressed, inconsistent with his accolades. After becoming the Commanding Officer of the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion, it was thanks to the efforts of the Brigade Commander-Major General Saeki that he finally became a Field Officer, but the Bureaucrats in charge of Military Affairs and Politics did not plan on allowing Kazama to get promoted again.
However, the results achieved in the Yokohama Incident was not something that the Ministry of Defense could overlook. Instead, reasoning that the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion was a secret unit, the excuse that immediate promotions would expose them as the operatives of the Battalion was given. Thus the promotion that should have been decided in January and July of the previous year was delayed, but they could not keep ignoring the protests of those who had achieved victory and had not been given what they deserved. Hence, they could only send out the routine orders that Kazama was among the ones being promoted.
He was accompanied by Sanada, Yanagi and Fujibayashi, the three of whom received similarly delayed promotions by one rank.
"A raise in rank shouldn't be a bad thing. Even if it's just a little, if there's an increase in income, nothing beats it."
"You have a point. Speaking of the matter on the Special Lieutenant's income, my feelings are a little complex."
"The difference in my income isn't that great. Since CADs are a product of the budding Magic Engineering sector, its market remains very small."
Tatsuya and Kazama both smiled at the same time. After which they simultaneously tightened their expressions.
"Lieutenant Colonel, how are the anti-spy measures?"
"They are complete."
In response to Tatsuya's question, Kazama nodded while answering. Tatsuya took in a small breath of air.
"Lieutenant Colonel, has the structure of the Independent Magic- Equipped Battalion changed?"
"There are no changes this time. Because our Independent Magic- Equipped Battalion is positioned as a secret unit, the Major General feels that it's not a problem even if the ranks and the job scopes don't match up."
"Understood."
Tatsuya was deployed with the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion as a Special Forces Soldier and his identity was closely related, in a personal way, with Kazama or Sanada. If the head changed, then considerations had to be made if he would be affected as well.
Those words just now were not just polite remarks, rather they were instead sincere in respect to the interests of the Yotsuba Family. If he must be placed under the command of someone who couldn't be trusted, he would have to re-examine if he should cut ties with the military. This time however, it looked like this worry was unwarranted.
"Tatsuya, we can be just like how we were before, so do you think we can receive your support?"
This time, Kazama questioned Tatsuya with a nervous expression. "Yes."
Tatsuya lightly nodded his head, indicating assent.
"Weren't you entrusted with a new identity by the Yotsuba Family?"
"That does not conflict with the interests of the Independent Magic- Equipped Battalion."
Tatsuya replied not with 'the JSDF' but with 'the Independent Magic- Equipped Battalion' in response to Kazama’s question, after he consciously thought about it.
"At least, for now."
The meaning of then adding 'for now', Kazama clearly understood. "Is that so."
In this way, Kazama quickly accepted it.
"We predict that in the coming months, the international situation will start to escalate rapidly, including within Japan. Even if it doesn't reach the scale of another World War, the possibility of mid-level military conflicts happening in the near future, specifically within a year, in the East Asia region is significant."
"Are we referring to the Army Staff's views? Or the General Staff's views?"
Leading up to World War III which lasted for 20 years, the JSDF as an organization changed on a massive scale. The Ministry of Defense was shuffled into the consolidated Joint Staff, which now included the General Headquarters of the Defense Army, Defense Navy and Defense Air Force. The Joint Staff became affiliated with the Joint Staff Office and reports directly to the Chairman of the Joint Staff, that now, at the same time, assumed the position of Director of the Joint Staff Office. The function of the Joint Staff Office was to convene during emergencies to act as the JSDF's highest decision-making body.
For example, during last year's Yokohama Incident, within two hours of the start of the invasion, the Joint Staff Office convened and subsequently decided for the authorization and use of ‘Material Burst’.
Within the current system, under the Army, Navy and Air Force, each had set up their own respective General Headquarters responsible for managing intelligence, combat and deployment. Their difference from the consolidated Staff Office was that they were only responsible for analyzing military intelligence as well as providing suggestions. Tatsuya's question was asking about which level of analysis Kazama’s earlier statements had passed.
"No, it's Excellency Saeki's analysis."
Kazama's answer was not one Tatsuya expected. Looks like it was, at most, the 101st Battalion's informal internal analysis. However, Tatsuya's trust in the prediction of military conflicts instead soared.
It came from an excellent and experienced expert without considerations of politicians' judgment, without considerations for popular opinion or political bias. It could be said that it was the-->>