A/N: Hi all! I just made my update schedule whew. Its been a really hectic month for me so do pardon if its contains some logical flaws or it is not up to standard ._. anyways, I'd really appreciate feedback! I'll try to edit this within a week so do check back! Do help me if you do have any ideas on the story. Hope to see you soon! BTW I think I need a BETA! Does anyone wanna help? :D

Seated at the head of the table, she looked around and smiled as she saw other members hard at work. Secretary Nakajou Azusa, Aa-chan as she affectionately called her kouhai, sat at a terminal scrolling and typing rapidly as she sorted through the data of the next new batch of students. Vice President Hattori was to her left, aiding the poor second year with manual paper work. It was rare for Hattori to be in the room as he spent most of his time in the Club Management Group room with the usually taciturn Juumonji. To her right Ichihara Suzune, or Rin-chan sat quietly, sorting out the budget and finances for the year. Mayumi looked down at her own half done paperwork and decided it was time to finish it off.

"Eh? Such high scores! Why would someone with such impressive scores be streamed as a course 2 student?" Aa-chan exclaimed.

Aa-chan's exclamation drew the attention of Rin-chan. Rin approached the easily excitable Kouhai with a curious expression. Although she was excitable, one with such impressive technical of practical scores would unlikely be surprised at anything. Rin's eyes narrowed as and she let out her breath.

"It's because of his dismal practical scores... It's quite a waste to be honest." Rin looked disappointed.

The normally expressionless Rin was usually alive with emotion, arousing Mayumi's attention.

"Hmm? What's the matter?" Mayumi scooted over.

Looking over her friends' shoulders, she squinted at the scores. Saying she was amazed was a major understatement. Even for one of the members of the 10 Master Clans, it was unseen of for someone to be able to achieve a perfect score for a theory examination. What further stumped her was the vast contrast of the candidate's technical scores. It was a difference between black and white, night and day. Placing the scores on a bell curve, his theory scores were at the top but his practical scores were nearly rock bottom even within the course 2 students.

"Hmm what is his name?" Mayumi asked, keen on getting to know such an incredible theorist.

"Shiba Tatsuya." Honoka clicked on the candidate profile.

A sinking sense of dread overcame and overwhelmed Mayumi. Speechless, she inadvertently cycled through the events a few years back, the pain and the heartache. The endless sleepless nights, the endless abyss of regret and the feelings of coldness, they all came rushing back to her like it was just yesterday. She stood absolutely still with her feet rooted to the spot, her beautiful face paler than it normally is, showing an eerie pale glow compared to the normal healthy pink.

Aa-chan and Rin-chan stopped and looked at their friend and president while Hattori continued, completely oblivious to the ongoings. It wasn't unusual for Mayumi to be stunned, but this time her facial expression, or lack thereof said worlds more than it normally would. Her carefully calculated smiles and grins were now replaced by a universally known look of blank shock. The silence baffled, then suffocated them as the time wore on. Below that expression was much internal turmoil. Aa-chan looked at Rin-chan who nodded. Both worried about Mayumi, they decided to stir Mayumi from her thoughts.

"President?" Rin-chan gently placed her hand on Mayumi's shoulder, sufficiently grabbing her attention.

"Ah nothing! It's nothing, I was just reminded of something at home." The calculated expressions returned as Mayumi reverted back to her usual self.

Smiling, Aa-chan nodded cheerily as Rin-chin snorted, both not wanting to call her out on her bluff.

Mayumi walked home alone, lost in a sea of thoughts. After declaring she needed to leave, Aa-chan and Rin-chan shot her sympathetic looks and quietly ushered her out of the student council room. It definitely was great to have understanding classmates and friends.

'Why, after spending such a long time getting over him does he suddenly reappear?' Mayumi was fighting an internal battle. Part of her longed to see Tatsuya again, but the logical side told her to distance herself. 'Life is cruel' she thought as she smiled bitterly at the sky.

Flipping over in her large king-sized bed for the umpteenth time, Mayumi sat up.

'I guess I won't be sleeping tonight.' Thoughts of Tatsuya kept flitting in and out of her mind. His smile, his emotionless face, his endearing interactions with his sister and his beautiful personality. The times in middle school kept resurfacing, from their first meeting to her near confession. Her heart fluttered as she remembered the moment on the ferris wheel. Thoughts of 'what if' he hadn't stopped her passed through her mind, would she have been rejected?

After a few more hours of agony, Mayumi finally fell asleep, utterly exhausted and tired.

A loud beep pierced the silence of the room. Groaning, she buried her head under her pillow in an attempt to block out the sounds. After a few seconds, beeped again. Hair covered her face in an unruly mess. Mayumi reached out from under the pillow and attempted to grab her mobile terminal. Groping around her side table, she caught hold of the offending device. Tapping the button to silence it, she flopped back onto the pillow. After a few minutes she sat up. Pushing the offending hair obscuring her vision to the side, she yawned. Why oh why did she have to have such an annoying notification. Logically speaking, it was to ensure she acknowledged a mail but today it served as an alarm clock. Dark eye bags encircled her eyes, she looked tired and dishevelled, a far cry from the ojou-sama appearance everyone knew. Mayumi needed her beauty sleep.

As she yawned again, she rubbed her eyes wearily and opened her mail. As her eyes followed the lines of text, her eyes widened in shock. Her hands flopped onto the bed and her mouth remained agape as she stared forward, eyes boring holes into the wall. Shaking her head, she jerked herself upright.

'What did I just see?' Mayumi quickly re-read her mail to reconfirm that her eyes did not deceive her.

Miyuki was the freshman representative. Processing the new information, Mayumi proceeded to get about her morning routine in a mechanical manner. Mayumi had suspected their background was of a magical one, but she never expected both of them to be magical prodigies. Miyuki had set a record high for the school's entrance examination, even topping her own even though she was from the 2nd most powerful of the 10 Master Clans. Tatsuya on the other hand had fulfilled the impossible by scoring a perfect 100% in the theory section. Thinking of the Shiba siblings hurt, she dearly missed her first 2 friends, Miyuki's pleasant polite presence and Tatsuya's signature stoic face. Her heart ached as she thought back to the night after their last meeting, the realisation that her line had been blocked. Feelings of hurt and betrayal rushed back to her, did she really not mean anything to them? Was she just some tool to pass the time with? Deep in thought, Mayumi walked straight into a bannister.

"Ow!" Mayumi fell on her rear, getting up, she rubbed her sore bottom.

Making up her mind, she reinforced her vow 2 years ago, to not fall in love again. Not after Tatsuya, not after what had happened. Whipping out her mobile terminal, she sent Aa-chan a thanks before announcing that she would be dropping by later to help with the paperwork as well as to help sort students into classes. Wolfing down her 'breakfast' at 11.30 am, Mayumi proceeded to change into her school uniform before heading out to school.

"Onii-sama! Why are you in course 2? Why why why? It doesn't make sense! Why do they test such useless abilities? I don't understand this!" Miyuki gently pounded on Tatsuya's chest as he held her crying upset form.

Miyuki still couldn't get over the shock of hearing that her brother was considered a 2nd class student. With grades and intelligence as high as his, he would have been the valedictorian of any high school even at this age. Magic high schools of course, focused on different aspects such as practical abilities, in which Tatsuya did not perform well in the conventional abilities.

Sighing, Tatsuya gently rubbed her back and hugged her, comforting her. He smiled, happy to know that she cared so much about him. No matter how mature Miyuki may seem, she was naive and did not know how the cruel, real world worked and functioned. As Honami approached him with a sad smile, he smiled wryly as he thought of his first true experience of the real world. His aunt Yotsuba Maya had cut him off from his first friend, Mayumi. Although seemingly unaffected, Miyuki and Honami knew, and supported each other in whatever way they could. Honami put her hand on Miyuki's back as she looked up, tears in her eyes. As Honami embraced both of them, Miyuki sobbed into Honami.

"Miyuki, maybe instead of feeling sad for Tatsuya, you should put effort into showing that your Onii-sama is at least as capable, or more capable than course 1 students. Sometimes, efforts can be made to fix the situation my dear. Besides, the dear Freshman representative must look stunning and feel like someone worth respecting right?" Honami said gently as she plopped her hand onto Miyuki's head and began to gently caress her.

Looking up into Honami's eyes, a fire shone through the tear stained eyes. With a determined look, Miyuki sniffed and nodded. Tatsuya began to laugh softly at the sight.

"Thank you so much Miyuki. I really don't mind being a course 2 student really, but thank you for your confidence in me." Tatsuya spoke with an air of maturity not many high school students would have.

Standing upright like a lady, Miyuki bowed gracefully. She seemed nearly twice her age of herself 5 minutes ago.

"Yes Onii-sama! I will do my best!" Miyuki beamed as Tatsuya smiled back proudly.

Shaking her head, Honami plopped her hand on their heads.

"Don't forget about me huh?" The trio laughed heartily as one, as a family.

It felt strange that they were walking to another school. Walking the foreign roads, it felt like the first day of middle school all over again. The only difference, perhaps was that Miyuki entrusted Tatsuya the job of leading them to school while she enjoyed the scenery.

Skipping lightly, Miyuki bounded a few steps ahead of Tatsuya as he chuckled lightly at his sister's immature side that few would be privileged to see. Looking around, he could see the path up to First High just up ahead.

"First high is just up ahead. Let's go." Tatsuya walked up and gently grasped her hand.

Looking up at him with flushed cheeks, Tatsuya simply smiled warmly. Walking together hand in hand in a comfortable silence, they ignored the stares of other news schoolmates.

"A weed and a bloom? What's going on nowadays."

"Such a plain looking guy with such a beauty, what a mismatch."

Miyuki lightly clenched her teeth as the word weed was thrown around within her earshot. As Tatsuya smiled and squeezed her hand, she relaxed and smiled back. Anyone around would have thought them to be star crossed lovers.

The path along first high was beautiful, as expected of the most respected magical high school in Japan. Small shrubs lined the wide pathway, with statues lining the edge of the compound. The soft chatter of students catching up with one another filled the air with a friendly feel. Even though it was an hour before the opening ceremony started, many students were already on the way to school, presumably to help in last minute setting up.

The gates of their new school loomed up ahead. Standing tall and majestic, students passed through the gates into the large compound. Walking into the school, cherry blossom trees lined the walkway. As pink flowers drifted and fluttered gently in the wind, Tatsuya and Miyuki gazed at the buildings they would call home for the next three years. The buildings were pure white with cream highlights. Stretching over the length of the campus, Tatsuya estimated a the buildings to be about 200 metres long. A field as well as a 2 other buildings could be seen as well, highlighting the school's expansiveness.

Walking to the auditorium, Tatsuya stopped as Miyuki turned to face him. Looking at his shoulder where a flower stood on hers, Miyuki cringed and her face saddened.

"Don't be sad Miyuki. It would simply affect your own performance later. Just do your best, I'll be watching you." Tatsuya smiled and put his hand on her shoulder before pulling her into an embrace.

Significantly happier, Miyuki smiled back and replied with a "Hai!" before proceeding to the rehearsal. Sighing, he smiled, proceeding to wander the school campus for a discrete spot for him to re-read some research on flying-type magic. Looking around, Tatsuya spotted a nearby bench in front of a tree. Not wanting others to be able to accidentally view his research, he decided that the spot was sufficiently covered so that he would not require the use of magic to survey passersby.

"A rare species, an enthusiastic weed."

"Yeah, unusual and silly since they don't really have a future."

Tatsuya sat down, unfazed by such comments. It was true that he did not score well for the practical assessment so being called a weed was more or less appropriate. Blocking out all distractions, he began to read earnestly. He was determined that Taurus Silver be the one to make flying type magic reality.

Normally the student council president would be involved in the rehearsals, but knowing herself, Mayumi wouldn't be able to keep her energy in check and destroy the mood of everyone present. Thus she decided to patrol the grounds to direct freshmen to the auditorium instead. As she breathed the natural morning air, she began to survey the area. Spotting a student bent over his screen type terminal, she decided to approach him. The boy looked eerily familiar, the way his hair fell, his body build reminded her of someone whom she couldn't pinpoint. Her gut began to twist, she felt as if something unusual was about to happen. Swallowing, she bounded up to him.

Tatsuya felt a presence approach him. Changing the display on his terminal, he waited, still bent over it. Slender white legs appeared in his vision, as well as a bracelet CAD on her small white hands clasped together in front of her. It seems as if a executive member of a board was before him.

"Good morning! Might you be here for the opening ceremony?" A voice unheard since middle school rang out.

Blanking its screen, Tatsuya stood up to his full height. As his face began to be visible, Mayumi's face changed from one of a charming smile to that of surprise and dread. Her mouth agape, nothing seemed to be able to come out from her voice box.

"Good morning Mayumi, long time no see. Cat got your tongue?" Tatsuya addressed her as if nothing had ever changed.

Mayumi had changed. In her moment of vulnerability, the years of hurt shone in her eyes, the anger and pain. She was no longer the person she was. Appearances meant everything, where one trusted few. She had learnt the ways of the world. Physically, she had not grown taller although her features had matured. She looked like a beautiful woman, one that many would yearn to hold but none would dare to approach.

A well practiced genial smile took over her face, covering her true emotions like a well placed seamless mask. Underneath, she missed his smile, his voice, his soft teasing. Caught off guard by his sudden appearance, she simply threw up a facade meant for political connections.

"Tatsuya-kun! Nice to meet you again! By the way, great work on the theory examination! You even beat my score." Mayumi started pointless small talk to ease the tension.

"It's nothing really. Do excuse me, Honoka and Shizuku are approaching us." Tatsuya waved to the inseparable duo.

"Seems like the couple is back together huh" Shizuku smirked.

Mayumi couldn't suppress the red hue that rose to her cheeks.

"Anyway, president, its time for me to take my leave. Miyuki wouldn't have me miss her speech." Tatsuya waved before walking toward the auditorium.

"Alright then, enjoy yourselves I guess." Mayumi waved to the trio.

Watching their retreating figures, Mayumi slumped onto the bench that Tatsuya previously sat. Her emotions uncontrolled, she sat there fighting to get ahold of herself. She felt certain happiness to seeing him, them again while another part of her was angry that Tatsuya treated her as they had never been separated. Torn between berating herself for being so open and friendly to Tatsuya and feeling comfort that they could possibly return to where they were 2 years back, she completely missed the bell that signaled the start of the ceremony.

"President! President!" Aa-chan shook Mayumi gently as she called Mayumi in a panicked manner.

"Huh? Oh Aa-chan. What is it?" Mayumi stood up and looked around.

"Not Aa-chan! Your speech is next! Do hurry!" Aa-chan frantically pulled Mayumi.

"Oh! Let's hurry then!" Mayumi upped her pace, walking alongside Aa-chan in a hurried manner.

As Tatsuya looked around, it seemed as though the course 1 and course 2 students segregated themselves, seeming resign to their fate as supposedly 2nd class citizens. The look on Shizuku and Honoka's faces told him that they were also stunned and somewhat scandalized, especially Shizuku who personally advocated fairness in societal standing.

"Shizuku, Honoka, why don't we take a seat at the back?" Tatsuya raised his eyebrow to indicate it was deliberate.

"Hai Tatsuya! Let's take a seat." Honoka grabbed Shizuku who willingly budged. Tatsuya sat on the inside of an empty rows while other course 2 students gaped in awe as 2 beautiful course 1 students sat beside a freshman. This was to say that it was obviously unprecedented.

Ignoring stares and whispers, Honoka and Shizuku chatted deliberately loudly about the unfair school system, rousing attention and garnering approval from several seniors.

"Are these seats taken?" A soft, shy sounding voice came from Tatsuya's left hand side.

Looking to his left, he saw a girl with short cropped hair and eye glasses looking nervously at him. Smiling at her, she eased the tension in her body.

"Sure go ahead." Bowing, she sat down with her friend.

"Umm, I'm Shibata Mizuki, nice to meet you." She said softly, as though forcing herself to speak.

She looked down blushing, unwilling to meet Tatsuya's gaze. A redheaded face popped up behind the girl. The redhead grinned cheekily and offered her hand, before gasping.

"Hey it's you from the amusement park 2 years back! Tatsuya was it?" She exclaimed excitedly, moving animatedly much to her friend's horror.

"Yes, you are Chiba Erika am I right? These two over here may remember you too." He waved over to Shizuku and Honoka who stopped talking and waved.

"Hmm yes! It was my very first amusement park experience after all!" She nodded her head vigorously.

"The ceremony is about to begin, let us catch up later hmm?" Tatsuya Proposed, which Erika agreed to. In the middle of it all, Mizuki seemed absolutely mystified at how things had turned out that way.

Reaching the backstage of the auditorium, she spotted Miyuki looking around as a curious freshman would. Catching Mayumi at the corner of her eye, she scampered toward Mayumi with a smile on her face. Mayumi smiled widely before embracing her younger friend. Only when they were in close proximity did Mayumi realised she had grown. Miyuki stood slightly higher than her and she could feel her assets press against her own.

"Now is not the time, let's catch up in a while hmm?" Mayumi smiled as she looked at Miyuki as if looking at a younger sister.

"Yes president! Do your best!" Miyuki winked at Mayumi and stuck out her tongue.

Waving, she proceeded on stage to give her speech. Stepping out, she saw the usual faces of the 2nd and 3rd years. Looking around, she spotted new faces all around, all looking bright and cheerful. Spotting Tatsuya in the crowd, she suddenly felt the jitters.

'What's wrong with me? This is just a routine speech, come on!' Mayumi mentally berated herself. Standing on the podium, she took a deep breath to calm her breathing.

"Good morning..."

"... and now may I invite this year's freshman representative, Shiba Miyuki on stage!" Mayumi stood back and bowed.

A thunderous round of applause erupted from the floor. As Mayumi walked toward Miyuki, she winked at Miyuki who nodded politely.

As Miyuki walked, her previous uncertainty and nervousness left her like an exorcised spirit. All the training given to the unknown next head of the Yotsuba automatically took over. Nodding at the winking Saegusa with a true stunning smile, she continued walking to the podium at a steady even pace exuding absolute confidence. Smiling at the gathered schoolmates, she sweeped from one side to another. As she stood on the podium that only a privileged few were ever allowed to stand on, she scanned the back of the Audi and spotted her targets. Tatsuya smiled and waved while nudging Honoka who did likewise to Shizuku. Shizuku smiled while Honoka gave her a thumbs up. Miyuki smiled. It was time to begin...

Miyuki bowed amidst the applause. Taking her leave, she proceeded backstage. Upon reaching her destination, Mayumi began to bombard her with questions.

"Miyuki! Why didn't you ever tell me you two were magicians? How are you? How's Shizuku and Honoka?" Mayumi grabbed her Kouhai's arm.

"Yes senpai! I'm fine so are Shizuku and Honoka, we haven't really changed much." Miyuki paused.

'At least not as much as Onii-sama...' She thought cryptically.

"We never told you because we never really saw the need to I guess." Miyuki shrugged at Mayumi.

Internally she contemplated the Yotsuba policy of secrecy and its necessity. Was it really that important that they remain low profile? Shoving that thought to discuss with Tatsuya, she proceeded to grab Mayumi's wrist causing an "Eh!" To escape from her throat.

"We're going to meet Onii-sama Honoka and Shizuku!" Miyuki grinned.

"Ok then at least allow me to behave like the Student Council president!" Mayumi was released from Miyuki's grip.

Walking up to Mayumi's side, a tall slightly good looking guy was about to open his mouth when she raised her hands to indicate his presence was unnecessary.

"But president!"

"No buts, Hattori! Its alright, Miyuki's a close friend, I'll talk to her at my own time. Is that right Miyuki?" Mayumi shook her head in a cutesy way and looked at Miyuki expectantly.

Nodding, the guy attempted to walk away in a dignified manner after being turned away.

"He's the Vice President Hattori fufufu. A capable person albeit a bit stubborn about some things." Mayumi explained offhandedly as she followed Miyuki's lead.

Rounding a corner, Miyuki sped up, walking toward a tall figure which Mayumi assumed was Tatsuya. Nodding to Tatsuya with a wide smile plastered on her face who was currently talking to his sister, she walked toward Shizuku and Honoka who were talking to a red haired student.

"Here comes the president. Erika, this is Saegusa Mayumi, president of the student council, Mayumi, I hope you remember Erika." Shizuku introduced the two, or rather reintroduced the two.

"Good morning! It's been too long. How are all of you?" Mayumi inquired with a sparkle in her eyes.

"I've been good I guess. Nice to see you again Mayumi." She smiled warmly.

"Shizuku and I have been the same I guess, although now she's slightly taller than me..." Honoka pouted while Shizuku crossed her arms smugly.

Mayumi laughed loudly and smiled brilliantly. It was good to see her friends after so long. So much, yet so little changed. Maybe it was because they showed their child like side that they hid behind their usual mature face and selves. Crossing her arms, she watched as they exchanged banter. It really was lucky of her to have made such wonderful friends. Erika joined the fray soon and the sibling walked toward the small gathering. She suddenly remembered they had to proceed to their respective classrooms for a briefing.

"Sorry to interrupt, but all of you have to make your way to the class shown on your identity card. Hurry hurry!" Mayumi quickly walked ahead and pointed in the direction of the classrooms.

"I'll meet you in the canteen later during break or after school!" Mayumi waved as she set off for the council room, there was work to do as usual...

Separating, Tatsuya and Erika walked in the same direction. Erika looked at Tatsuya curiously. Turning his head, he raised his right eyebrow at her.

"What class are you in?" She attempted to make conversation.

"1E what's your class?" Tatsuya redirected.

"I'm in 1E too. Didn't expect you to be in course 2 since Miyuki was the representative." She smiled wryly, waiting for a response.

"Ah that, it's just that Miyuki always was special." He looked up and smiled.

"Anyway here we are. Ladies First." Tatsuya moved aside from Erika.

"Thank you." She smiled and walked in.

Walking in, Tatsuya heard the loud scraping of a chair against the floor. Massaging his still functional ear, he saw Leo of all people standing up with a finger pointed at Erika. Erika herself was walking indifferently to her seat.

"Y-you, the amusement park girl! What are doing here?!" Leo looked accusingly at her.

"Tch. I have a name you know. Its Chiba Erika, call me Erika." She flicked her hair nonchalantly,

"Why are you here Erika?" He stared at her.

"In case you can't see, I'm a student as well, of course I don't expect you to. And do avoid staring at girls like that, it's creepy and unflattering coming from you." Erika put her bag on the table indifferently and sat down.

"At least I didn't cry because I didn't have friends." Leo folded his arms and looked away in indifference.

"You take that back!" Erika stalked toward him angrily like a tiger stalking prey.

Tatsuya sat down on his seat behind Leo as he watched a live comedy unfold right before his eyes. After awhile, the bell rang signalling the start of class. Of course by now both parties were hot and bothered, Leo was red in the face while Erika was growling menacingly at him.

"Maybe it's advisable to take a seat. You two look like you've just run a marathon." Tatsuya stood up and separated both of them.

"Tatsuya? Wait what? How did I miss you?" Leo stared incredulously at him as if he was some sort of alien.

"Baka! So ignorant." Erika huffed and turned away.

"Don't look at me as if I'm strange. I guess it was because you were too engrossed in your couple fight." Tatsuya smiled slyly, it was payback time.

Both Erika and Leo turned as red as tomatoes, with an eerie amount of synchronization they faced him and shouted "We're not a couple!"

"Who would want to date him!"

"Who would wanna date her!"

Both pointing at one another saying similar things creeped both them out. Blinking, they both huffed and sat in their seats. Sighing, Tatsuya sat down. School life around his friends was never dull.

Mayumi sat at the table in the student council room, staring holes into her mobile terminal which currently displayed an article which was part of their reading assignments. Her mind was wondering yet again. Contemplating fate and its purpose of bringing their clique together yet again, she didn't detect a certain presence creeping up behind her.

"Boo!" Hands tapped her shoulder before pulling back quickly, with a loud "Aah! That reverberated around the 4 walls of the council room, Mayumi fell off her seat and lay sprawled on the floor. All eyes lay on the President as Rin-chan and Aa-chan looked at Mayumi. Then loud laughter burst out from the culprit. With short cropped black hair, she beheld a model like figure with a slim figure, standing at about average height for a girl. Her normally stern looking eyes were smiling as she laughed. At the friend's current predicament.

"Mou, Mari what was that for?" Mayumi scratched the back of her head and rubbed her sore bum.

Offering her hand, Mayumi accepted it and jumped to her feet and began to dust off her skirt.

"You were so deep in thought, for a second I thought it was a guy." Mari blinked and pretended to look innocent.

"W-what! No such thing!" Mayumi began to deny with all her might.

"Eh? Why is your face red?" Mari looked slyly at Mayumi.

"What?" Mayumi fumbled as Mari laughed at her.

Catching on, Mayumi plopped her head back onto the desk and began pouting.

Such was Wanatabe Mari, a member of the Hundred Families, one of the 'Big Three' in First high along with Mayumi and Juumonji Katsuto. Holding the position of Public Morals Committee Chairperson, she was known for being strict and unforgiving. This side was reserved for precious few of her friends, to say she trusted Mayumi was an understatement.

Tatsuya never imagined that dining with his sister would ever have given him a headache, but the current situation proved otherwise. The narrow minded classmates of Shizuku Honoka and Miyuki would not allow the 'Holy 3' dine with course 2 students even after Miyuki explained the situation. Going even further still, they insisted that course 2 students (Namely Tatsuya Leo and Erika) give up their seats for the superior course 1 students.

Tatsuya internally rolled his eyes as this utterly ridiculous request was verbalised to them by a stuck-up course 1 student by the name of Morisaki Shun. Currently, Miyuki stood in between the two groups as Shizuku and Honoka walked over, Shizuku was nonchalant as usual while Honoka wore a worried expression on her face.

"Kitayama-san, Mitsui-san, you do not have to tolerate these students, let us request them to allow us the seats as the superior magicians." Tatsuya raised his eyebrow while quietly consuming his bowl of ramen.

"Who we associate with is none of your business so we would appreciate if you did not poke your nose into our business, lest it be cut off." Shizuku replied with a wave of a hand, as if talking to a servant.

"Shiba-san, could you stop them?" Tatsuya lifted his head from his food with an annoyed expression on his face.

Miyuki, upon seeing her brother's face change, proceeded to defuse the situation as any development would likely result in a polite yet brutal tirade that would reduce Morisaki to tears.

"I'm sorry Morisaki, but blood is thicker than water. I believe you would not forsake your siblings just because they were course 2 students would you?" Miyuki eyed Morisaki as if looking at a pitiful creature causing him to stutter incessantly.

Pulling a table over, they proceeded to sit down while the so called superior blooms were left utterly speechless and fuming as they stalked off in an attempt to save what was left of their worthless humility.

"Representative Shiba, I applaud you for your witty response." Leo addressed Miyuki in a mock formal way.

"Is he always this lame?" Erika asked Miyuki while smirking.

"Oi! Who are you calling lame!" Leo stood up, his chair clattering to the floor.

"A certain bone headed person who happens to be my classmate." Erika replied in a sing song manner.

Tatsuya sighed and laughed while Miyuki and Mizuki giggled. Seems like this was going to be a common occurrence from now…

"I hope that stuck up prick doesn't appear again. His logic is really flawed." Erika muttered as they waited for the other 3 to arrive.

"Isn't it actually just common sense?" Leo commented.

"Well common sense is anything but common" Tatsuya snorted.

"Ahaha maybe that's just how he is?" Mizuki added quietly.

Banter was exchanged like this between the four. Even on the first day, the number of times Erika and Leo clashed was innumerable. Tatsuya by default became the mediator while Mizuki stood beside him panicking.

"Oh look its the married couple number 2." Shizuku intoned in her trademark emotionless voice.

Looking up from their fight, Leo and Erika saw the same gang earlier today, even Morisaki. As they crossed over to where Tatsuya Erika Leo and Mizuki were, Leo and Erika stood straight and took a step forward in a pseudo offensive pose. They stood in anticipation as Morisaki began to grind his teeth.

"Shiba-san, why don't you join us instead? We blooms should stick together away from these weeds." Morisaki proclaimed proudly.

"Morisaki, allow a lowly weed such as myself prove that we are not as inferior as you may think." Tatsuya could not stand his self righteous behaviour and proclamations any longer.

"Onii-sama! How was school?" Miyuki decided to distract Tatsuya.

"Huh? You lowly weeds think you can compare with us blooms? Let's see how you take this!" Morisaki whipped out his CAD at a pace unimaginable by other magicians, as expected of the famed Morisaki Quick Draw.

Before he could even pull the trigger, Erika hit the CAD out of his hand with what looked like a baton. It could have fooled others, but Tatsuya could clearly tell it was a specialized CAD designed for her use. Leo stood just inches away from Morisaki, his speed being demonstrated at its finest. Shocked, Morisaki and the blooms stood rooted to the spot.

"Let's see how you take this!" Another student activated his CAD.

"No! Stop!" Honoka similarly activated her CAD, seeing as there was no choice, Tatsuya was about to utilize gram demolition when both activation sequences were disrupted by accurate bolts of psion.

"Public Morals Committee! Students are not allowed to use CADs in campus unless authorized to do so!"

"Tatsuya, Miyuki, what is going on?" Mayumi and another girl came running over.

"Watanabe Mari! Head of Public Morals Committee! Explain yourselves!" Mari flashed her ID as Honok and the blooms stuttered.

"These students here apparently wanted to prove how blooms were superior to weeds, thus took it upon themselves to show us after Morisaki here was humiliated in 2 seconds. Honoka here, took it upon herself to cast a light spell that would disorientate any in its radius, thus did not have any malicious intent." Tatsuya stood forth to explain, deciding that it was time Morisaki was shown up.

"How would you be able to tell what spells were going to be cast?" Mari asked suspiciously.

"I'm able to analyse and read the information being processed thus I am able to determine the nature of spells even before they are cast." He shrugged it off as if it was a normal ability as the rest gaped.

"Why should I believe you?" Mari retorted.

"You could test me if you really wanted." Tatsuya shrugged and smiled.

Mayumi who was quiet up till this point decided that she wanted to know what Tatsuya was capable of. Not once had she heard of anyone being able to read the eidos of any spell or anything for that matter.

"Alright Tatsuya-kun, let's try. Mari, disable my spell for me!" Mayumi then cast a spell and it was quickly disrupted by a precise bolt of psions.

"The spell was the precursor to your signature Dry Meteor." Tatsuya proclaimed as he smiled.

"Wow. Mari, he wasn't lying. In that case, we will be taking you with us." Mayumi pointed to the bloom who activated his CAD.

Snickering, Erika led the way as the group stalked past the angry blooms that had just been shown up.

"Erika, that was a specialized CAD wasn't it?" Tatsuya inquired.

"Huh the baton? How could it be?" Leo looked disbelievingly at Tatsuya and back at Erika.

"Yes it is. Of course a baka like you wouldn't ever notice it." Erika snorted.

Smiling at Tatsuya who was shaking his head, Mizuki gave a look that said 'It can't be helped'.

Mayumi looked up at the sky as she traversed the distance to the station. A beautiful egg-yolk like sun hung in the horizon, bathing all in its glorious beautiful orange light. It was the point where the sun was at its most beautiful.

'Just like relationships I guess, the best is just before it all goes dark...' Mayumi thought cryptically as she thought about Tatsuya.

Shaking herself out of this negative train of thoughts, Mayumi decided to focus on the positives. It felt really good to be once again reunited with her kouhais and friends, her first few true friends. Smiling as she recapped the bright brilliant smile that each one of them, even Shizuku sent her brought her back to her middle school days where she was the happiest she ever was.

'I will treasure this time and never let it go again!' A wide smile grew on her face as she started skipping down the road like an elementary schooler with fervour.