A/N: OMG SO SORRY GUYS I'VE REALLY HAD NO TIME THIS PAST MONTH!
Anyway, I'm just gonna say that this is kinda a filler to move ths story along I guess…? Hope its fine! I'll be updating stuff soon! I hope!
Opening the door, orange light coloured their vision. Miyuki placed her shoes neatly in the cupboard while Tatsuya held the door. Exchanging positions, they entered.
"We're home! Good evening Honami!" Tatsuya called from the front.
"Good Evening Mr Lady Killer and Ms Perfect! How was the speech dear?" Honami hollered from the kitchen over the sound of sizzling food.
Opening the door, Tatsuya saw Honami gripping a spatula as she stood at the electric stove. Although the Home Automated Robot was available for use in preparation of dishes and such, Honami almost never allowed the HAR to take over cooking of dishes and meals, well except for rice and such. Honami was in this sense, traditional although her loose restrictions on Tatsuya and Miyuki showed her liberal thinking as opposed to many current Japanese. Though it was more progressive, it wasn't anywhere near the stage of America.
"What's that about lady killer hmm?" Tatsuya tapped his foot, slightly amused.
"Oh nothing, just the truth." Honami chuckled as she inadvertently thought of Mayumi.
"You're not looking too bad either Honami." Tatsuya lifted his eyebrows and waited for a reaction.
"Onii-sama! What was that about!" Tatsuya mentally berated himself for forgetting the presence of his sister.
"So how's school, Ms Representative?" Honami asked while the food sizzled.
"Oh we say our friends again! Even Mayumi was there! She's the president of the student council! Impressive right?" Miyuki exclaimed .
Honami's eyes widened, partly because she rarely got excited and secondly, because Maya's plot to separate the two failed. A smile crept onto her face.
"So Tatsuya, how is Mayumi?" She turned back go attend to the food lest they would have charcoal for dinner.
"Physically she is fine, she did seem shocked and shell shocked at seeing me." Tatsuya shrugged as if he did not care.
Honami turned back to survey Tatsuya. Miyuki and Honami looked at one another. Honami's eyebrows lifted as a quirky smile crossed her lips.
"Jealous, Miyuki?" Honami put her finger on her lips as she teased Miyuki.
Miyuki huffed then turned back to Honami with a smirk on her face. Tatsuya looked on amused at the situation, anticipating Honami's reaction to the coming retort.
"The food is burning." Miyuki said iin a sing-song voice.
"Huh? Ah!" Honami turned back and desperately tried to salvage the situation by adding copious amounts of water.
As Miyuki chortled while Honami panicked, Tatsuya shook his head and smiled, exiting the kitchen. Climbing the stairs, he reviewed the day. Mayumi had changed, the once innocent girl who wore her heart on her sleeve was now replaced by a typical Ojou-sama, her true feelings and thoughts hidden behind an iron curtain designed to be pulled up whenever she pleased.
'This, all because she is a Saegusa, for the supposed Yotsuba pride.' Hurting someone for such a reason definitely irked Tatsuya, but as of now there wasn't any real reason for him to do anything, though the thought did ever cross his mind.
Transforming someone completely, it must have been a huge impact on her. His heart fell and a sad smile overtook his face as he stopped to gaze out of a window outside his room. The sun had almost set, the last glorious moments of sunshine passed before his eyes before a slowly setting blanket of darkness began to overtake the land. Just like sunset, people can change dramatically overnight. Tatsuya stood there just looking out, watching without purpose, thinking. He himself had undoubtedly also changed, same but different the two of them, one of the most apt oxymorons ever thought of. As he stood staring, he did not realise the presence of Honami until a hand landed on his shoulders.
"Thinking again?" Honami stood beside him as he made space for her.
"Yes, sadly seeing Mayumi sparked those depressing thoughts again. It pains me to see her so, so fake." Tatsuya finished with a sigh as he looked at his feet.
"Well, maybe its time to focus on something more real now, such as filling your stomach." Honami diverted the conversation.
"Yeah maybe you're right."
"Onii-sama! Let's eat!" Miyuki rushed both of them from behind and engulfed them in a hug.
"Oof! Yes my kawaii imouto. Let's eat!" Tatsuya smiled as Miyuki blushed.
Following the two siblings down the stairs, Honami watched as they walked silently in understanding. Soon, the smell of food wafted from the dining room as Tatsuya's bag lay forgotten outside his room.
"It's not burnt! Wow!" Tatsuya exclaimed sarcastically.
"Of course not! What kind of amatuer do you take me for!" Honami playfully smacked Tatsuya and they all laughed.
Dinner proceeded as usual, with much banter being passed across the table with special care being taken not to even remotely mention Mayumi.
"Honami, let Miyuki and I settle the washing, just go and take a break first." Miyuki nodded as she and Tatsuya carried the last of the utensils and cutlery into the kitchen.
"Thank you dears." She smiled widely and patted both their heads like a mother would.
As Honami walked out of the kitchen, she could only see the two siblings working in perfect synchronization, something that scared her. Shaking off the thought, she headed for one of the common bathrooms.
That night, Tatsuya sat in the workshop in the basement, rapidly typing and scrolling through virtual mountains of research. He was close to figuring out flying type magic. Just then, the door creaked and opened. Tatsuya turned and looked up from the screen to see Miyuki and Honami entering. Turning his swivel chair, he smiled at the two.
"What may I do for you ladies?" Tatsuya stood up and bowed.
"Oh stop that Tatsuya. Nothing much, just here to spend some time I guess. Also it's late so Miyuki brought some refreshments." Honami walked to one of the other chairs in the rooms and sat down.
Miyuki deposited the tray she was holding onto a small coffee table recently introduced by Honami. Picking up a cup, she handed it to Tatsuya with a small plate of cookies.
"Thank you Miyuki." She beamed at the simple compliment.
Miyuki carried a cup over to Honami next who smiled and thanked her.
"No cookies for Honami?" Tatsuya asked casually.
"It's not that I didn't offer her, Honami didn't want any!" Miyuki defended herself with a flustered look on her face.
"I see. Then there's no need to get so worked up right?" Tatsuya flashed her a crooked smile.
Honami laughed and patted Miyuki's head. She was touched that Tatsuya noticed such a minor detail. The constant reminder of the love she was given touched her every single time regardless of how many times this was shown.
They sat there in silence, looking at one another, enjoying each other's presence.
"Tatsuya, are you far from your end point?" Honami asked as she got up and walked to the terminal.
"Yes, very close, in just a few more nights I should be able to finish refining the activating sequence for it. Flying will be possible before long." Tatsuya smiled triumphantly to himself as Honami leaned over his shoulder to read.
"Honami, Onii-sama, I was wondering today, why did Oba-ue cut off our contact with Mayumi those years ago?" Miyuki asked with a troubled expression.
Honami looked back immediately and Tatsuya swivelled his chair and smiled wryly.
"I know we are supposed to be secretive, but I can't imagine that being the only reason right?" Miyuki pondered.
Honami and Tatsuya sighed and looked at one another. Miyuki was definitely more naive than she looked. Looks were definitely deceiving, both of them knew that. Shrugging, Tatsuya gestured to Honami to indicate it was her call on whether Miyuki should know. Bestowing upon her the honor, she decided that Miyuki deserved to know, since she asked.
"Sometimes Miyuki, power is another reason." Honami led Miyuki.
"So, its because Oba-ue wanted to flaunt the power she had that she did such a thing?" Miyuki looked bewildered for a moment.
"More like, she wanted to show you that you were not really in control and that she knew, could control what was happening." Honami carefully watched Miyuki as her expression darkened.
Miyuki's face contorted into one of anger, fury. As the room's temperature began to plummet, Tatsuya hugged the angered girl he called sister.
"Why! Why! Why! For such a stupid reason! Why!" Miyuki vented her anger like a spoiled child.
As she raged, hot angry tears flowed out of her eyes as she began to sob into Tatsuya's shoulders.
"She hurt Onii-sama and Mayumi! For such a stupid reason!" Miyuki wrapped her arms around her brother as she cried louder.
Patting her head, Tatsuya looked at Honami who smiled sadly. The fragmentation of the Yotsuba was happening right before their eyes. Tatsuya rubbed her back as she sobbed, comforting the best he could while his heart hurt from the involuntary recollection of Mayumi's expression, the hurt in her eyes. While many would yearn to be part of the 10 Master Clans, life 'up there' was never as nice as it may have seen, after all sour grapes do apply. The politics negated or even made life worse for them than normal citizens despite the various perks such as a higher standing in society. This applied even more to the Yotsuba, who kept such a strict control of information that most of the perks that came with such a reputation were not even present.
That night, as Tatsuya carried Miyuki to bed, her eyes still stained from tears, he looked at her face. She had fallen asleep crying earlier, her face looked a mixture of sadness while it seemed oddly at peace. Life still went on, no matter how horrible things may be. Tatsuya fervently hoped that one day, things in his life would be alright, just one day…
The siblings walked side by side from the station, not a word being uttered. The conversation from the day before was still weighing on their minds.
Breakfast that day had been a dull affair despite Honami's efforts to lighten the atmosphere. After 5 minutes of cracking jokes, she gave up and decided to simply eat her breakfast with them in silence, one which she was used to. After all it was simply a throwback to the weeks after Miya's death.
The gloomy aura was broken by a loud cheerful shout of "Tatsuya-kun! Miyuki-chan!"
They barely had time to see a rocket of long streaming black hair and bright sparkling crimson eyes before it slammed into them, one hand on each siblings' shoulder.
"Oof. Morning Mayumi. What's got you up today?" Tatsuya replied
"Hmm," she put her finger on her lip in her trademark cutesy manner, which Tatsuya avoided, not wanting to be reminded.
"I wanted to invite both of you to the student council room for lunch. Would that be fine?" Mayumi glanced at both siblings.
"Yes Mayumi senpai!" Miyuki smiled gratefully.
"Alright then! I'll see you two later. Need to get things done soon! Bye!" Mayumi ran off before stopping and turning.
"Miyuki, just call me Mayumi next time!" She turned and ran off again toward school.
"That girl." Tatsuya smiled and shook his head.
Looking at Miyuki, they both laughed together. Maybe today wasn't so bad after all.
Tatsuya separated from Miyuki to proceed to their respective classes. Entering the class, the sound of bickering reached his ears. As expected, the class were standing or sitting where they were gaping at the 2 people arguing. Erika stood calmly and threw blithe remarks without much care, while Leo stood there angrily, getting extremely worked up. Mizuki stood between the two sweating nervously as she looked from one party to another, bewildered and unsure of what to do.
'Again? I gotta get used to this I guess.'Tatsuya walked over and tapped his desk.
"Time out people, class is about to start." They looked at him blankly before nodding.
Seeing Mizuki heave a sigh of relief, he flashed her a smile and a thumbs up, to which she smiled back gratefully.
Theory classes took their time to pass, much like a snail crossing a road. Tatsuya was finished the assignment meant to be completed in an hour in 10 minutes and began to look around. He grew more agitated as time passed, fidgeting more often.
At the end of the test, he nonchalantly stood up and left the class. Standing outside waiting for his friends, he stretched his back.
"Tatsuya! You finished so quickly!" Erika exclaimed.
"Well it's my passion after all." He shrugged a he twisted his back.
"Lemme help you stretch. Anyway what do you wanna be in the future?" Leo stood forward and grabbed Tatsuya's arms.
"Ah thanks that feels great. A magic engineer." Tatsuya nodded in relief after Leo released his arms.
"Oh, you do seem like it though, your theory is definitely up to it." Erika nodded.
"Anyway, let's proceed to the practical area." Tatsuya walked and pointed toward the block.
"Coming", both echoed together.
The exercise was simple, to utilise a simple magic activating sequence to move a car from one end to another and back. It took into account the time for this in order to pass.
Easier said than done. Course 2 students had lower or rather inferior practical skills generally, thus many had to take this simple assignment more than once to pass. One student in particular had a persistent problem.
While waiting, Tatsuya steeled himself and waited for his turn. Watching Erika clear it, his jaws clenched.
"Tatsuya-san, are you ok?" Mizuki enquired with concern.
Tatsuya narrowed his eyes and nodded before smiling, remembering Mizuki's psion sensitivity.
"Yes, I guess I'm just nervous. I'm not too good at this." Tatsuya shrugged
"Eh? Really? But you look capable!" Mizuki looked at him questioningly.
Avoiding her gaze, he replied
"Don't judge a book by its cover. Well its my turn." Walking up to the terminal. Tatsuya held his breath.
After 5 tries, he finally managed to hit the passing requirements. He heaved a sigh of relief.
After a while, the period ended and lunch period had begun. Miyuki met Tatsuya outside his class venue and they proceeded to the Student Council room together to have their scheduled lunch with Mayumi.
Standing in front of the door, Both of them sighed, it was gonna be awkward after their conversation last night. Putting on a smile, Miyuki nudged her brother who nodded and knocked gently.
"Come in!" The familiar cheery voice of Mayumi sounded.
Swallowing, Tatsuya pushed the door open and bowed as he entered. Miyuki doing likewise.
"Shiba Tatsuya and Shiba Miyuki, do pardon our intrusion." Tatsuya politely greeted the occupants in the room as he scanned the room with a cursory smile.
Seated were 4 young ladies including Mayumi herself. The one closest to them was a short nervous looking girl who sported short cropped curly hair that made her look somewhat like a child. She tapped her fingers together nervously and smiled shyly. The next girl had long jet black hair and sharp red eyes, she seemed like a typical cool beauty. Then there was Mayumi who sat at the head of the table smiling while Public Committee chairman Watanabe Mari sat beside her with a cautious smile.
Tatsuya couldn't help but notice the lack of males.
"Welcome Tatsuya-kun, Miyuki! Do take a seat! Mayumi gestured to the seats on her right of the large intimidating regal looking table that reeked of class.
Nodding, Tatsuya smiled while Miyuki waved with a wide smile.
Sitting down, the atmosphere began to tense. Amidst Miyuki's perfect posture that exuded class and Tatsuya's technically perfect posture that somehow showed his nonchalance, Mayumi decided to break the ice by simply doing self introductions.
"Alright Tatsuya, Miyuki, I think there isn't a need to introduce myself so lets start with Aa-chan!" Mayumi stood up and smiled.
The siblings both internally felt slightly sad as Mayumi was obviously faking her happy exterior. What resided inside would probably not be all that different from their own feelings.
"Mou Senpai! Why did you introduce me as Aa-chan! I have an image to keep too you know!" Aa-chan protested and pouted in her seat.
"Aa-chan is our Secretary. She's also very reliable." Mayumi winked at the still pouting Azusa who brightened slightly.
"Next is Rin-chan. She's our Treasurer, and she's quite the enthusiast about magic theory." Mayumi smiled at Suzune who simply brushed her hair to the side.
"It's only you who calls me Rin-chan Kaichou." Rin-chan reminded Mayumi who laughed apologetically.
"Lastly, this is Watanabe Mari, Chairman for the Public Morals Committee. You've met before." Mayumi smiled at them who nodded.
"Ok now for lunch! What would our honoured guests like to eat?" Mayumi turned around to operate a dinner server.
"Hmm a dinner server, wouldn't that be too excessive?" Tatsuya commented with his eyebrows raised and an amused look on his face as sweat dropped from Mayumi's forehead.
"Eeh, we do stay late sometimes so that's why we were allowed to have one!" Mayumi tried her best to avoid the question as she quickly operated the device.
The Subtext was that her influence managed to gain them the permission to use a dinner server. This would definitely not be allowed at any other school, maybe not even if it was someone else in First High. Deciding to drop the subject, Tatsuya nudged Miyuki to ask her to order their food. Tatsuya was fine with just about anything.
"Oh Mari senpai made her own lunch!" Azusa observed
"Mari senpai, you don't make lunch often do you?" Miyuki asked politely.
"Not often. How could you tell?" Mari was honestly stumped.
"Your hands are filled with small scrapes and cuts showing your relative lack of experience in the kitchen." Miyuki happily pointed out as Mari began to withdraw shyly.
Lunch was a simple, solemn affair. It was like a funeral. The mood was somewhat gloomy without Mayumi's chattering. Tatsuya looked up and observed everyone.
Mari was slowly picking at her bento box while Mayumi's food remained half eaten. She shifted her food around slowly as she looked glumly at it.
Tatsuya sighed inwardly as he pushed his empty bento box to the side. When Miyuki did so as well, he decided that it was time to break this awkward silence.
"Mayumi, I do believe there was something you called us for?" Tatsuya inquired, as Mayumi perked up from her stupor.
"Mmm yes. We would like to invite Miyuki to join the student council. It is tradition for the freshman representative to do so." Mayumi nodded at Miyuki.
Miyuki looked at Tatsuya who smiled back. Standing up, all eyes were on her.
"Mayumi senpai, I would like to recommend Onii-sama to join the student council in my place." Miyuki stated confidently as Tatsuya looked somewhat surprised at his sister's bold request.
"Onii-sama is more capable than me in terms of pure intellect, not even I would try to deny that fact. His ability in analysis and administration work is unparallelled so is his efficiency, I would kindly request you consider this." Miyuki bowed.
"It is out of the question totally, to begin with, no course 2 student is allowed to enter the student council anyway." RIn-chan remarked coolly at the side.
"It is not in my belief that this is correct, but rules are rules." Rin-chan added.
"Mou, Rin-chan, rules are made to be broken right? Well I personally do not advocate this as well, but since there has not been any course 2 student able to aid us in removing this rule as their capabilities may be too limited in any particular area, it could not be done. But I too would want to abolish this rule." Mayumi nodded from her seat.
"That would mean you would require a vote for this to happen, you are aware right, Mayumi?" Mari asked her friend
"Yes, I do believe its still feasible." Mayumi smiled at Mari.
"Miyuki, would you still join us in the student council?" Mayumi asked.
"I would be honoured, although I would still have preferred Onii-sama to take my place." She smiled sadly.
"Actually, there is a way." Mari frowned thoughtfully.
All eyes were on her at this point.
"I do have 1 last slot to fill the Public Morals Committee…" Mari looked at Mayumi.
"Nice one Mari! The student council officially recommends Shiba Tatsuya to the Public Morals Committee!" Mayumi stood up and pointed triumphantly at Tatsuya, winking to Miyuki who smiled jubilantly.
"Wait, no I would prefer to reject this opportunity." Tatsuya started but Miyuki stopped him
*Sigh* "The things I do for you Miyuki. Ok I'll consider, but I must take a look at the job scope first at the very least." Tatsuya gave up.
"Alright then! Aa-chan will be passing the role of the secretary to Miyuki. Aa-chan, do show her the ropes!" Mayumi smiled as she said so.
"Alright, Tatsuya right? Follow me. We'll be going to the Public Morals Committee headquarters." Mari informed him.
At this point the bell rung.
"Eh? That's quick, alright then, let's meet after school to continue this discussion shall we?" Mayumi looked around the room.
"Alright then, see you after class Mayumi." Tatsuya bowed and exited the room with Miyuki.
"Alright then, see you after school, Miyuki?"
"Alright!" Miyuki turned and ran off to class, not before sneaking a sweet smile at him.
Shaking his head, he headed back to class where there was probably a verbal war ongoing...
