result of pure analysis. Although Tatsuya did not at all want the prediction to be realized, he didn't have the confidence to optimistically pronounce it as baseless.

"Although the Ten Master Clans is an organization for the protection of Magician's rights, they will not shy away from the duty of National Defense. Based on this, the Yotsuba Family and the JSDF share the same interests."

“I won't involve you with matters unrelated to National Defense, meaning I won’t impose upon you any obligations. Tatsuya, I'm looking forward to working with you this year.”

With the same phrase that started it, Kazama ended the conversation with Tatsuya.

After greeting Kazama, Tatsuya had originally planned to greet Sanada, Yanagi and Yamanaka. However Yamanaka was not in the base at the moment, while Sanada and Yanagi were currently occupied. In a dilemma as to whether he should wait somewhere or go straight home, Tatsuya was invited to the officer café by Fujibayashi, who helped ascertain the three's status, instead.

The time now was 10:50 A.M. Although it was still too early to be having lunch, it was just right to have a cup of coffee. Especially since it was still the New Year period, the Brigade as a whole had not started training in earnest, causing the use of the café by officers making it crowded and rather lively.

Although it was the New Year period, the personnel were still on duty, and the officers were all in uniforms. Fujibayashi, too, was wearing the female logistics personnel uniform. Conversely, Tatsuya was wearing a three-piece suit. If he had been holding his coat in one hand he might not have been feeling so indisposed, but in the present situation, he was subtly conspicuous in the café.

Fujibayashi looked on in interest at Tatsuya who was taking his discomfort calmly.

"..So Tatsuya-kun you can be shy like this too."

Since Tatsuya was trying to preserve his dignity, he didn't say it aloud but looked at Fujibayashi helplessly.

"I don't really like attracting people's attention."

Hearing Tatsuya's reply, Fujibayashi almost burst into laughter. "Then, this time could be said to be a catastrophe for you."

"There is nothing to be done about it. Especially since the choice to refuse doesn’t exist."

Fujibayashi, as if attempting to probe Tatsuya's innermost feelings, gazed at Tatsuya.

"Is this about the marriage?"

"Of course."

"Do you hate it?"

"It's only that there is no other way. Being ordered to get engaged to someone who has always been your sister, my brain can't switch tracks so quickly. Especially understanding that Miyuki must have a fiancé, makes it harder to resist.."

Tatsuya's reply was merely a polite remark. It wasn't because he was required to be the fiancé but probably rather because he absolutely could not let go of Miyuki.

If anybody who knew the sibling's feelings for each other could think of it, it wasn't difficult for Fujibayashi to see through Tatsuya. However, out of Fujibayashi's mouth didn't come words of teasing Tatsuya.

"A fiancé is necessary, huh..”

Tatsuya looked at Fujibayashi, surprised.

However, he didn't ask about it. Because considering Fujibayashi's age, it was easy to infer that her relatives must have demanded she get married.

"..Recently, it's been irritating. Speaking of which, I’ve been told I should be getting married too."

Although Tatsuya wanted to avoid the topic at hand, it was instead brought up by Fujibayashi.

"Even though I also know that I'm already at this age.."

Considering the modern trend of Magicians being required to marry early, it wasn't difficult to imagine that Fujibayashi was under enormous pressure from her family. It was because of this that Tatsuya didn't say anything to Fujibayashi.

Precisely because of knowing Fujibayashi's reasons for not wanting to marry, it was even harder to say heartless things.

"I know. It's about time to properly straighten out my state of mind. If I keep being stuck on that person, he probably won't be happy either."

Today, unexpectedly, Fujibayashi stepped on a landmine even Tatsuya wanted to avoid. Compared to the other Officers' curious eyes, listening to Fujibayashi's words now, instead, made Tatsuya even more uncomfortable.

In the Defense Battle in Okinawa in the year 2092, Fujibayashi lost her soon-to-be-married fiancé. Even though it was one arranged by their parents, she was still never able to forget him.

Her fiancé was new. He was Killed-in-Action in his first deployment.

Fujibayashi, who was previously a researcher, also became a uniformed military personnel because of the death of her fiancé. She didn't hate the military for losing him, but perhaps because in his place, she wanted to fulfil his dreams. Tatsuya had not heard the details to this degree.

What Tatsuya understood was that Fujibayashi was unable to forget her fiancé who was Killed-in-Action, and the people surrounding her could not forgive that.

"Ah, sorry! I really.. to make you listen to my complaining, it would only annoy you Tatsuya-kun."

Sensing Tatsuya's difficult position, Fujibayashi was embarrassed and hurriedly apologized.

"No.. I think your family is only worried about you."

To the Fujibayashi of now, Tatsuya could only say something to this degree.

? ? ?

Just as Yakumo had said, rumors of Tatsuya and company had speedily spread among the Magicians.

"Shizuku, that, is it true!?"

"..There's no mistake."

Moving her line of sight away from the Honoka who was standing on the other side of the table, Shizuku replied with difficulty.

"Miyuki is the next Head of the Yotsuba Family!?"

"Yeah."

As if losing her strength, Honoka lightly sat back down. In front of the two were bite-sized cakes and red tea.

Today was Sunday, January 6th. Shizuku and Honoka were in the Kitayama Household's dining room enjoying desert time after the meal. ——Although the atmosphere was turning anything but 'enjoyable'.

With Honoka, who rarely came over to play (to be precise, it was Shizuku who invited her), talking about this topic made Shizuku herself uncomfortable, but compared to telling her suddenly after meeting her again in the future, she felt it was better to tell her right from the start.

As Shizuku had thought, Honoka did indeed suffer a serious blow, and she was now sitting in the chair, in a listless state.

"Miyuki is.. So it's like this.."

However, the listlessness persisted for a surprisingly short time. Honoka muttered, as if accepting it, then resolutely looked at Shizuku.

"Although it gave me a fright, I can accept this. If it's the Ten Master Clans and even one of the Yotsuba Family, it feels like having that kind of ability and power is understandable."

Although Honoka's expression was tinged with loneliness, she looked at Shizuku with an understanding expression.

"Well, from who did you hear that from? Auntie? Or from Uncle?”

"The Yotsuba Family contacted the Heads of the Main Members of the Hundred Families through the Magic Association. It was one of my Mom’s contacts from the old days that told her."

"Ah, if Papa were home he might have told me."

Honoka's dad was a subordinate of a strong member of the Hundred Families. Because the news was not specially designated a secret, the possibility that the source of the rumors came from the workplace wasn't low.

Initially, Shizuku was feeling slightly lucky at the fact that Honoka's dad was not home. Honoka's dad did not know about her being in love. Just bringing up anything related to Tatsuya and Miyuki to her dad might have caused him to warn her to stay away from the two.

"Honoka."

"Yeah, what is it?"

However, for Shizuku, it was not easy to properly handle this matter. Especially knowing she wasn't good with words, the trouble of exactly how she should tell her started growing heavier.

(But.. I really must tell her.)

Honoka might cry. No, she will definitely cry. At that time, the only one able to let her cry out honestly was herself, and Shizuku's sense of duty began to well up.

If she didn't do so, it would feel like running away from the topic. "Actually, there was a follow-up to what I heard from Mom."

"Follow-up? Exactly what is it?"

Shizuku took a small breath,

"It's that Miyuki and Tatsuya-san are not actually siblings but rather cousins. Also, it looks like even Miyuki and Tatsuya-san did not know this. Following that, Tatsuya-san has also been chosen to be Miyuki's fiancé."

Finished in one breath.

"It cannot be.."

Honoka's face tried to remain strong, then immediately broke into a smile.

"Rea-aaa-lly, Shizuku. Just stop with this type of cruel joke. April Fools is still three months away."

Honoka waited for Shizuku to smile as well. Waiting, for Shizuku to reply with something like 'I’ve been found out' with an expression without malice.

However, Shizuku only looked into Honoka's eyes with a calm expression.

"Hey, Shizuku. Stop joking."

Fear appeared in Honoka's eyes. Even so, maintaining a smile, she implored Shizuku with a half-joking tone to tell her that this was a joke.

"Honoka."

However, Shizuku's tone wasn't what Honoka was waiting for, but was a sincere tone.

"..It's true?"

Honoka asked, while shaking.

"..Yeah.”

Shizuku affirmed painfully.

"How could..!"

Honoka stood up, wanting to run out of the dining room. "Honoka!"

While her back, was tightly hugged by Shizuku. "Let go of me!"

Honoka struggled with slightly rough actions. She was not in fact conscious of who it was that hugged her. More importantly, even where she herself wanted to go, no, what she wanted to do, she did not know.

However, a type of survival instinct to escape from what she feared made her want to run with all her might, away from the darkness.

With the hands pushing away, their strength was totally uncontrolled.

“Kya!”

A wail. As well as the sound of a body hitting the table. The sound of the grinding of table legs. The sound of chairs flipping. The sound of forks being strewn across the floor, and of utensils breaking.

"..Uhh.”

Followed by a moan suppressing the pain, which pulled Honoka's consciousness back to the present scene.

What she saw upon turning her head in panic, was Shizuku lying beside the flipped chair. While on the floor behind her, were fragments from all the broken utensils.

"Shizuku!? S-Sorry! Are you alright!?"

Forgetting what she was crying about —— changing into a face like she was about to cry about something else, Honoka hurriedly ran to Shizuku's side.

"It's nothing."

Lightly holding onto the hand that was trying to help her, Shizuku stood up almost with her own strength.

"It was only a light bump. There's no injury."

This sentence was not said only for Honoka's benefit, but at the same time also for the maids who had rushed in upon hearing the commotion.

Shizuku stood up as if wanting to prove her point, not revealing a single sign of pain. However, upon looking down at the skirt of her dress, she frowned slightly.

"Spilt on myself as expected. Let's change in my room."

The skirt of the dress, was ruined by the milk tea that was sent flying. "That, let me help——"

The speech of one of the maids, was cut off by the expressionless Shizuku.

"No need. Compared to that, I'm sorry to bother you with this instead."

"Understood."

However the maids, knowing that this family's 'Ojou-sama' did not like people helping her enter the bath or change clothes, no longer brought up the above-mentioned request and immediately attended to Shizuku's request.

"Honoka come with me.”

“Y-Yeah.”

Shizuku got slammed onto the table and the floor —— although slightly exaggerated —— the shock that Honoka had received just now was overshadowed by the shock of pushing her to the ground, and she agreed to Shizuku's words without even thinking about it.

"That, Shizuku.. I’m sorry, I was so violent against you.."

Upon arriving in Shizuku's room, Honoka looked like she had already calmed down. In the room with only the two of them, what Honoka said, was an apology to Shizuku.

"Don't mind it. There were no injuries, and it doesn't look like it will leave any scars."

As she was replying, Shizuku who had already taken off her dress, dropped it to the ground. After which she let Honoka examine the left side of her waist, shoulder and elbow that were hit. Indeed, Shizuku's snow-white skin showed some redness, but it was apparent that it wasn’t to the degree that it would leave scars.

"Honoka, sit anywhere you like."

Having changed into a maximum-length one-piece dress made of thick cloth, Shizuku told Honoka while standing.

Honoka looked around the room, then sat down on a side of the big bed. "I've kept you waiting."

Shizuku who had finished changing sat down beside Honoka. The fact that Honoka was taller, was reflected in their height when sitting down.

Naturally, Shizuku's peeking from below, collided directly with Honoka's face.

"Honoka, are you okay?"

This sentence became the trigger, causing the sorrow in Honoka's heart to awaken.

Tears welled up in Honoka's two eyes.

Shizuku straightened her back, putting her hands around Honoka's shoulders, hugging her.

"Tatsuya-san and Miyuki are cousins, is it really true?"

"Mhm."

"Tatsuya-san and Miyuki, it’s confirmed that they’re engaged..”

While sobbing, Honoka asked.

In response to the question she had already answered once, Shizuku tightly hugged her friend as an answer.

"How could this be.. It's too cruel.."

Just like a dam breaking, Honoka started crying continuously.

"Tatsuya-san said before.. Clearly that they were siblings.. Miyuki too.. Said that we were friends.."

Shizuku, without saying anything, put one knee on the bed and hugged Honoka's head tightly against her chest.

As the sounds of Honoka's crying started to weaken —— not stopping, but rather tiring from crying —— Shizuku remained hugging Honoka tightly against her chest while moving her lips towards Honoka's ear.

"Honoka, you have three paths to choose from."

Honoka's body, revealed a reaction different from sobbing. Confirming that her words had indeed been registered, Shizuku continued speaking.

"The first path would be to give up on Tatsuya-san. I'm afraid this is the option that will hurt the least."

Honoka did not react. She was waiting for the next option.

"The second path would be to still not give up, continue to go on the offensive against Tatsuya-san. Tatsuya-san views Miyuki as a sister, I am pretty sure this point is true. For Tatsuya-san, and for Miyuki, the matter of them not being siblings should be very surprising."

"..Is that so."

Honoka's voice was mixed with crying. "Mhm."

Shizuku specifically did not use words such as 'probably' and 'I think', tersely making a stronger statement.

"Miyuki probably saw Tatsuya-san as a love interest of the opposite sex from the start but Tatsuya-san's feelings are at most love for a sister. Hence, to suddenly confirm their engagement, Tatsuya-san should be confused as well."

"But, they've already confirmed their engagement.."

"They've only yet to reject it. It doesn't mean he has accepted it, hence, the chances are not zero."

Shizuku did not say 'there was a chance' but rather 'was not zero'.

As for its meaning, to the Honoka of now was rather easy to understand.

"..The third path is?"

Shizuku briefly sucked in a breath of air, and then said so hesitantly. "..The third is, the matter of becoming Tatsuya-san's mistress."

"Mistress!?"

Perhaps it was too much of a surprise. Honoka raised her tear-stained face to look at Shizuku.

"Of course, it doesn't need to be right away. Miyuki might not immediately become the Head of the Yotsuba, either, and I think the marriage is something for the future. Becoming his mistress is a matter for after Tatsuya-san and Miyuki get married."

"Being a mistress.”

"Honoka, you can’t bear to not have Tatsuya-san all to yourself?"

"This! ..maybe a little, but, compared to not being able to be together."

Honoka, blushing and lowering her head, was hugged by Shizuku again.

"Tatsuya-san possesses a rather special magical disposition. The matter of having his hereditary genes being inherited by more people, is something the Yotsuba Family should consider as well."

Against Shizuku's chest, Honoka tightly clasped her hands.

"..The one that will hurt Honoka the least is the first path. Giving up on the second path at the time when it becomes untenable will stop you from being hurt again as well. With the third path, however, even if everything is smooth sailing, you will have to live on while bearing irreparable wounds. Not only for you Honoka but even for Miyuki as well."

"...."

"As for me, I would actually prefer you to take the first path. However, the choice is yours."

Shizuku knew that the problem was very cruel. However, if things were left as they are, Honoka would only drown in the abyss of sorrow, unable to float up. Shizuku was rather afraid that it could become like this.

If she was left to continue like this, Honoka's sorrow was far too close to extinguishing her dreams. Shizuku was even more afraid that this would happen.

Shizuku no longer said anything, awaiting Honoka's reply.

"..I can't give it up."

That was Honoka's answer.

"I, as of yet, I am still unable to give up. However, I hate that I am not the one that he loves the most. Miyuki and I have the resolve to hurt each other, but to hurt her over and over again, I definitely can't do it."

Shizuku started feeling heartache. Somewhere in her heart however, she breathed a sigh of relief.

"Then."

"I will choose the second path. Until the possibility reaches zero, no matter how many times it takes, I will approach him. ..Although, I can't do anything right now."

To the last part of what Honoka said, Shizuku did not know how to reply and furrowed her brows.

"..A bit of rest is a must."

"A rest in love?"

"The rest of a heart in love."

Honoka lightly laughed against Shizuku's chest.

Shizuku let go of Honoka then sat down properly, before revealing a shy smile.