This chapter was a little more complicated to write than the previous one. Since Sylvie and Balance aren't recurring characters, I had some small issues with the way I was writing their personalities. I also had to re-write it since I realised it was a little too similar to Mayumi's. While their personalities are different, they are kinda similar when it comes to admitting their feelings for Tatsuya.

Another thing, I was initially planning to include only the six girls that were confirmed to like Tatsuya, but I'm going to include two more I think(maybe more). But I won't include girls that are already in relationships(Mari) and girls that are confirmed to like someone else (Mizuki). If anyone is interested, I wrote the list of wives on the end of the chapter.

"Mahouka" - speech

(Mahouka) - thoughts

Mahouka - time/place

I DON'T OWN ANYTHING.

Chapter 2

USNA, STARS base around the same time Mayumi heard the news about the deal

"Major Sirius?"

"I-I-I'm re-rea-ally s-sorry! I-I th-think I m-might have he-heard it w-wrong…!"

"...Please calm yourself down, Major Sirius. I can hardly understand what you are saying."

"I-I'm...sorry..."

"Deep breaths. I can't have you losing your cool when we barely started our talk."

"*inhale*...*exhale*"

In the room where only two individuals stood, the one panicking was the USNA strategic-class magician and Commander of the STARS, Angie Sirius, real name Angelina Kudou Shields. The one that caused her to panic, was her superior, Colonel Virginia Balance, who was also the one who called her for this private conversation.

"Have you calmed down, Major?"

"...Yes, I apologize for my unsightly behaviour."

"...Well, I will say it again just in case. Our superiors made a deal with the Yotsuba and the Saegusa behind the scenes, though the results will be made public in a few days. Besides his fiancee, Shiba Tatsuya will be engaged to more japanese magicians and to you, Major Sirius."

"...!"

"Don't start panicking again, Major."

"...Uhhhh….I'm sorry."

"Strong magicians are supposed to marry strong magicians so they can leave strong descendants, you know that very well Major. Your marriage partner being decided without your consent, not to mention while you're still so young, is pretty common. Even more considering your position as our country's best."

"...I'm aware of that. I just..."

Though Lina looked like she wanted to say something, it didn't look like a complaint. Actually, since she remained in silence, even after she started her sentence, it looked like Lina herself didn't know what she wanted to say.

"Are you bothered by the sudden change in perspective?"

"Change in perspective?"

"Was I mistaken? I imagined you were concerned about the fact that our superiors went from 'put under vigilance and kill if dangerous' to 'peaceful approaches'."

"...I guess it does bother me. Why the change all of sudden?"

"It wasn't exactly sudden, it was actually building up until it reached this point."

"What was?"

"We first sent your team to Japan to investigate Shiba Tatsuya and confirm if he was the strategic-class magician that destroyed the GAA. Then, when you came in contact with Shiba Tatsuya, you lost, even after using Brionac, meaning that his skills were not to be underestimated. And now, we learned that Shiba Tatsuya is also the son of Yotsuba Clan's head. At this point, we were left with no choice but to try to avoid a conflict at all costs. Each time he keeps surpassing our expectations, if we keep provoking him, knowing he could end the USNA anytime he wants..."

Watching Colonel Balance speak with some drops of sweat going down her face, Lina too, felt the tension in the air and inadvertently gulped down. Just as Balance said, Tatsuya was strong enough to defeat Lina, even with the latter using her trump card. Not mention, he came out of the fight unscathed, though, unknowingly to them, it was because he used his Regrowth. He, all by himself, could destroy a country with his strategic-class magic, and now they knew he was also part of the most feared clan in the world.

"...But is Tatsuya… is Shiba Tatsuya as evil as we make him to be? I mean, he could've killed me countless times during my stay on Japan. Even when I clearly attacked him to kill, he spared me every single time."

"...Major, since you will soon be his wife, you don't need to keep forcing yourself to call him like that. And while I do understand our superior's decision to eliminate him, I also understand that we were too hasty in our judgement. At that time, we were too short-sighted, we didn't stop to think that if he really was the strategic-class magician we were looking for, he could have just snapped and attacked us. No, I guess we were too confident in our own power as one of the world's most powerful countries."

"Colonel...It was my fault as well, I never lost after I became Sirius, so when I met Tatsuya and Miyuki, I lost some of my confidence as well."

"You are still young, Major. You have more time to learn than us. Though, you might not have to suffer so much, this engagement worked out well for you after all, did it not?"

"W-Wha-What are you saying Colonel?!"

"...Major Sirius, I know that you did not receive training as a spy, so I understand that you cannot hide your emotions that well, however, you should have been trained to at least not have such outbursts so often."

"...I'm really sorry, Colonel."

"*sigh* Good grief."

Balance was starting to lose her temper seeing Lina's lack of discipline. While she understood that Lina was still young and had a lot to learn, Lina's behaviour was unbefitting of the Commander of the STARS. After all, Balance never said those words to provoke Lina, much less tease her. It was Lina's own inexperience that to these emotional outbursts. Balance believed that it was this lack of experience in espionage that made Lina seemingly unable to hold her back her feelings. Her memories of the time she saw Lina watching Tatsuya and Miyuki embracing each other in jealousy and then the time that Lina prepared chocolate only for Tatsuya on Valentine Day, marked Balance. While Lina's mission was to get close to find more information on Tatsuya, neither Balance or her superiors expected that Lina would seemingly fall for her target. No matter how much Lina denied, all factors pointed towards the same direction. However, Balance was only ordered to warn Lina about her "assignment" with Tatsuya, she was not here for girl's talk.

"Well then, Major. You have your assignment, dismissed."

"I...Understood. Please excuse me."

Lina was still perplexed with her situation but managed to salute and swiftly left the room. With her mind as chaotic as it was, Lina just wanted to meet someone, a friend so she could sort her thoughts. Though, in the back of her mind, she was afraid that she would have to keep quiet about this until it was officially announced, meaning that she would struggle with this for a few days on her own. Despite that, Lina wanted to meet a friend so she could feel at ease, so she made her way towards Sylvie's room.

(What is this? Somehow, I feel like I'm being stared at.)

As Lina walked through the hallway, she could feel that everytime she passed someone, they would stare at her back and whisper among themselves, especially women. It made her feel really uncomfortable, though Lina couldn't recall doing anything wrong.

(...Was it something I did? I'm pretty sure the only ones I had contact with recently were Major Canopus and Sylvie though, there's no way I did anything to anyone else… Is there something in my face?! Or maybe my uniform?! Aahhh! Please let me get to Sylvie's room faster! I can't just run in these hallways but I can't stand these stares and whispers either!)

After a few minutes, that felt like hours, Lina finally arrived at her destination, what was left of her anyway. Just as she thought she reached a safe haven, another bombshell was dropped on her as soon she entered. She was greeted by a salute and the following sentence...

"Congratulations, Commander!"

"...Congratulations for what exactly? And since we are not working right now, you can just call me Lina."

"We all received the news just a few minutes ago, about Commander's engagement."

"Say what?!"

"Were you not told, Commander?"

"I was also briefed just a few minutes ago… But I thought it was supposed to be confidential until it was announced publicly..."

"I believe they judged the Commander unable to handle the news with a calm mind, so they called you to brief you in private while they briefed the rest of us at the same time."

"I dislike the way you said it, but it's not like I can refute...I said it already, 'Lina' is fine."

"Fine, Lina."

*sigh*

"What's wrong? I thought you would be happier than this."

"Even you, Sylvie?! First the Colonel, now you?! Why do all of you think that I would be happy with this?!"

"...Lina, everything that happened while you were on Japan suggests that you got a little too close to the target. I never saw you like that before...no, even if I wasn't acquainted with you, I would still reach the same conclusion."

"Wha-! T-There's no way I would like that siscon!"

"Then, would you rather have the engagement cancelled?"

"E-Eh?!"

Sylvie was no expert when it came to reading what another person's feelings, still, she was confident she could read Lina's reactions pretty well. She was pretty sure she saw fear mixed in that surprised 'E-Eh', like the very idea that this could become reality brought sadness to Lina. Sylvie just stood there, watching Lina with an empty gaze, like she was questioning herself, 'am I trying to teach a small child that doesn't want to learn?'.

"W-why are looking at me like that, Sylvie?"

"...There are a lot of things I want to say, but first answer the question, Commander."

"I'm pretty sure you are the one acting like the superior here and you suddenly changed back to 'Commander'!"

"...*stare*..."

"O-Ok, ok! I understand!"

"Do you really?"

"O-Of course I do! I-I...I was just thinking, since they already got the approval from the Yotsuba, then it's probably impossible to stop it, right? There's just no other way!"

"...Commander, you are actually trying to make it sound as if you are being forced...and that's not what I asked though..."

"Eh? Ah! It's not? Ahahaaa…."

"...Commander, I will speak bluntly. This is a golden chance for you."

"Wh-What do you mean?"

"Despite the fact that Commander is a strong magician and your partner is from another country, you acquired a position besides your loved one."

"Sy-Sy-Sylvie?! I-I already said that-!"

"Of course! I'm happy for you Lina, but I'm also really worried about you being engaged to someone from the Yotsuba."

"!"

"I'm aware that while Lina is still part of the USNA, given the situation, you will be probably spending way more time on Japan. I just can't help but worry that you might get involved in a fight against an enemy of the Yotsuba."

"!"

Lina's response was cut short by Sylvie's deepest thoughts. Sylvie revealed that more than happy, she was afraid for Lina's well-being. For the first time since this talk started, Lina actually calmed down.

"...Come on, you don't have to worry. I'm pretty strong, I'm not Angie Sirius for nothing, you know? Not to mention, with Tatsuya and Miyuki sticking together, I can't really imagine anything bad happening."

"...Haha, I guess. I spoiled the mood, didn't I?"

"It's okay. You were just worried about me, right?"

"But, seriously, Lina, you have to make your move. If you appear before him saying that you were just forced to marry, he might feel bad about this."

"You just went back to that talk?!"

"I'm not joking Lina. You are like a little sister to me and I wish for your happiness. So, please don't waste your chances just because you got a little embarrassed."

"Sylvie..."

Lina almost screamed again but she stopped herself. Sylvie's tone indicated that she was completely serious. Despite her worries, she still wished for Lina to try her best to be happy. Deep down, Lina knew she wasn't wrong. For a capable magician to marry the one she loved, even more considering it was someone from another country, it way too fortunate. Something she wouldn't believe if she didn't saw it herself. But like a certain senpai from First High, Lina had zero experience in falling in love.

For the moment, Lina was only sure of two things, she took a liking to Tatsuya during her stay in Japan and she was actually feeling lonely without Tatsuya and Miyuki. Even if she became friends with other people at school, Tatsuya and Miyuki were different. Both of them knew of her identity as Angie Sirius, both defeated her but they still treated her as a friend. She felt really happy when she was with them, different from Sylvie that's like a sister and Canopus that's like a father. Lina could admit she wanted to meet them again, but what about the engagement?

"...I mean, I never had a person I liked to begin with, and you know, what makes you say I like him?"

"...Everything."

"What-?!"

"Lina, he's the only one that makes you like this. Do you remember when a guy asked you out before? You just tried to reject him while sounding as polite and composed as possible, but if I just make one little comment about Shiba Tatsuya, you get all flustered."

"That's different..."

"...No, it isn't. And besides, you have been blushing since we started talking, particularly, when I mentioned your engagement."

"! Th-There's no way I…!"

Sylvie has been repeatedly making that blank stare to every single one of Lina's unconvincing remarks. Lina on the other hand, put her hands on her cheeks and felt that her face was indeed burning.

"Personally, I think you will be okay in the end. Even with your useless attitude of denying it due to embarrassment, Shiba Tatsuya will most likely see through it, he seemed pretty sharp after all. In the best case, he will just find it cute and will accept it as being part of you. I believe the japanese called it...tsundere? Or was it different?"

"Who is a tsundere?!"

"Lina, I already said you have to be more honest. I'm only trying to help you."

"This is not helping!"

"Then can you tackle this issue alone?"

"..."

"See? I would leave you alone to solve this, but you are clearly not up to task. Though I guess I was going too fast for someone with zero experience but full of denial."

"...Sylvie, later I will remember these comments of yours."

"Let's go simple then. You already said you took a liking to him, but the question is, is that love?"

"...I don't know."

"If you can maintain your cool instead of exploding with denials, then I guess we are making some progress. Next, do you miss him after spending so much time away?"

"I guess. Though I miss Miyuki as well."

"Hm...then, did you feel happy when you were with him? Or maybe when speak with him through your terminal?"

"I...Yes, I do."

Lina almost had another outburst but managed to hold it back, it was still possible to see her cheeks turning red though. And she had to cover her face with her hands, as she didn't want Sylvie to see her face right now. Sylvie could easily imagine what kind of face she was making though.

"Lastly, how do you feel when you imagine yourself married to him?"

"...Urgh!"

"Remember to stay calm. As much as you can anyway."

"...!"

Lina's mind was in chaos but she managed not to scream any of her reffutals. She also just realised that she never really gave any thought to what she said when she was flustered. She just spoke denials out of embarrassment, but now that she tried to think calmly about it, she didn't really mean anything she said.

"Let's try this again. Do you feel bad imagining it?"

"...No, not really."

"Do you like it's nothing since it's an order from your superiors?"

"...I can't really say I don't feel anything about it."

"Then, do you feel happy? Do you feel that 'if it's him ,then you accept it'?"

"! I..."

"You don't need to think too deeply about this, Lina. Just imagine it. There's only the two of us here and I won't judge you no matter what you say. You don't need to think about what our superiors would think."

"..."

Lina took Sylvie's words as seriously as she could. She knew very well that Sylvie was right her, she was not capable of handling her feelings by herself, she needed someone who understood her to help. She then decided to just imagine, not the Commander of the STARS Angie Sirius, but the teenage girl Angelina Kudou Shields, married to Shiba Tatsuya.

(If I get married to Tatsuya...will we walk holding hands? No, wait. If Miyuki is also together...there's no way she would just hold hands, she would definitely wrap herself on his arm. If I include myself in this scenario...I will also do the same?! Like 'one flower on each hand'?! Never mind doing it to Tatsuya, if Miyuki is there too, then we would be doing it to both of his arms at the same time?!)

Lina's temperature was clearly rising, despite the fact that Muspelheim was not in use. It was almost possible to hear the sound of crashing but on the last second, she got a glimpse of Sylvie's gaze. Sylvie knew Lina was doing her best, that's why she kept quiet the entire time and just waited. Seeing this, Lina managed to not freak out and continued her fantasies.

(Deep breaths...Sharing Tatsuya with Miyuki doesn't...sound too bad. I guess it doesn't feel bad, being with Tatsuya. His attitude kind of annoys me sometimes but... I also like that part of him. Even if it's sharing, I guess it wouldn't feel right without Miyuki in the picture… That time when I tried to give Tatsuya my Valentine chocolate, I just froze when I saw him embracing Miyuki. When he asked if I didn't want to leave the army and become a japanese citizen, my hand just unconsciously reached out to him…)

Sylvie just watched Lina's circle of silently panicking and calming down, in silence. Until it suddenly stopped. Lina was still blushing, but she made a face as if she resigned herself to something. She just took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

(In the end, maybe I always knew but was always running from it. I was always trying to make excuses, not because I had my obligations as Angie Sirius, but just because I was too stubborn to admit…... But, I understand now and I won't waver anymore...I…. I do love Tatsuya!)

"...Lina, are you okay?"

"...Yeah. Thanks to you, Sylvie. Somehow, I feel like I can move on with my head standing tall now."

"Then?"

"...I guess I was lucky with the way things turned out."

"...I'm glad for you then. You finally managed to keep your gaze straight, without averting it."

"Yes, no matter how much I wanted to deny it, it was still part of me."

"That's good...But maybe you should hurry to your room and take a cold shower."

"Hm?"

"Ever since you finished your 'imagination time', you looked like you were keeping your cool but...your face is really red, you know? And it doesn't like it will go away any time soon."

"Gh!"

"I know, I know. Even if you made peace with your feelings, you are still not completely ready to say it out loud."

"Uhh..."

"Don't sweat it. You still have time until you are sent to Japan, right? Just go at your own pace and if you ever feel like it, stop by my room again. I want to see you as often as possible since you will spend a lot of time far away..."

"...Thank you Sylvie. For everything."

That was the most stressful non-violent day of Lina's life...for now at least. Lina only remembered later but it was not just her and Miyuki. They were still going to share Tatsuya with Mayumi and other girls that had still not been identified yet. Lina's despairing face at that time was really amusing to watch, according to Tatsuya.

The six canon: Miyuki, Mayumi, Lina, Ayako, Honoka, Erika

The non-canon: Shizuku, Kyouko