A/N:- All characters belong to their respectice owners/writers. I claim nothing.
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Tatsuya seldom felt annoyed because of something. And at this moment, seeing some of the First Course students nagging Miyuki about the fact with whom she should hang out, simply made him weary.
Today was their first day, so Tatsuya believed he would get to know how it feels to be a student rather than a servant or a soldier. He didn't have high hopes, but this...simply was a letdown.
First, during the lunch break, and now...
"We just want to discuss something with her!"
"That's right! All we need is a little time of hers!"
Hearing the Course One students raising their voices so they could 'get' Miyuki for themselves felt nothing short of childish, as Tatsuya sighed under his breath.
"Oni-sama..."
"Don't start apologizing now." Being familiar with his imouto's nature, Tatsuya knew she must be taking all the blame on herself. However, Tatsuya had thoughts, otherwise.
Against his expectation suddenly Mizuki took charge, "Who gave you the right to pull them apart?" The conviction in her voice made her opponents slightly startled.
"Mizuki...what are you misunderstanding here?" However, seeing his sister swaying left to right with a feverish blush on her cheeks made Tatsuya confused.
Tatsuya was about to ask what was wrong with Miyuki to make her so anxious when suddenly, the person standing at the front of his group, responded in a loud tone,
"This is the problem of 1-A! Don't meddle with us, you lowly Weeds!"
Tatsuya could feel the sense of repulsion from Morisaki's voice and his hatred toward the Course Two students.
Tatsuya wouldn't have minded being regarded as a 'Weed' but,
"Aren't we all newly enrolled? How superior do you, Blooms think you are than us?!" Mizuki was furious at this point, as she stated her opinion harshly.
Tatsuya commended her courage but again he already sensed what was to come, which surely wouldn't be good for any side. Whether involved or not.
"This looks bad..." Hearing Tatsuya's utterance, Miyuki shifted uncomfortably in her spot.
Morisaki's annoyed expression soon morphed into a smirk, much to fuel Erika and Leo with adrenaline as they also advanced a step forward.
"Do you really want to see how superior we are?" Morisaki muttered in a heavy tone, psion already gathering around his person.
"Sounds interesting." Leo flexed his fingers, eager to take Morisaki into battle.
Tatsuya's gaze lingered on Erika for a moment but he focused back on the battle once he realized what she was up to. For now, Tatsuya didn't need to interfere.
Although it was concerning how that girl on the side was also in the process of casting her spell, Tasuya refrained from stepping in. After all, that girl was not attempting any harmful spell.
All the Course One students backed off slightly to give their 'leader' the chance to show the specialty of the Morisaki family's quick draw technique.
"Then...I will show you all!" As Morisaki nearly yelled those words, his hand crept its way toward his waist where his specialized CAD rested.
Leo, with his arm stretched forward, launched into action and his feet marched toward his immediate opponent.
Tatsuya knew Leo wouldn't make it, after all, Moriaaki wasn't just all barks since the start. However, he didn't move from his stance. Not because Leo was endurance type or Erika would interfere in time. Rather...
TING*
A sound akin to a small bell resonated across the ground before both, Morisaki and Leo was thrown away from their position.
Shun's spell was broken immediately because of some counter spell and the audience gasped at the sudden shift in action.
Erika slid mid-way to stop herself from colliding with the figure that stood just in the middle of the two groups with his back facing them. His long violet hair seemed familiar but in the heat of the moment, she didn't recognize him.
Everyone was stunned, except for Tatsuya who already sensed the arrival of a familiar presence out of nowhere. Well, there was a lot to get concerned about, but for now, there was something more pressing to deal with.
"What's happening here?!" The furious voice of a short black-haired woman with brown golden eyes made many of the students flinch.
Accompanying the said woman was the Student Council President, Saegusa Mayumi. If Tatsuya's memory serves right, then the other one was the Chief of Disciplinary Committed, Watanabe Mari.
"Oni-sama..." Hearing Miyuki's voice that held concern, Tatsuya took a step forward to pacify the situation.
"I apologize for the unsightly display. Actually, it was my request to see the famous Quick Draw style of the Morisaki family that caused this ruckus."
Tatsuya didn't say anything about the boy who actually stopped the fight from escalating into something in which he might have to interfere.
"From my perspective, it didn't seem he was just trying to demonstrate his spell...well, what about that girl? Why was she casting a spell?" Pointing toward the brunette girl with short pigtails, Mari asked.
Tatsuya offered a soft smile as he responded, "I am sure a flash spell wouldn't have hurt anyone. It's just, that she walked into the scene at an uncertain moment and was as surprised as you; leading her to cast a spell."
Tatsuya was lying through his teeth and he didn't waver even for a moment when he did so. He knew, that blaming someone here would also cause problems for him and his sister, and Tatsuya wanted this day to end as soon as possible.
However, he somehow underestimated the evaluation of his words, which made Mari raise her brows,
"Hoh~So you can read the activation sequence while it's being cast? Interesting."
Tatsuya didn't respond to that, and thankfully Mari didn't say anything further on that.
Rather she turned her gaze toward the person who was standing still in his spot with his back facing them all. Tatsuya already knew who he was but what made him cautious was the technique this guy just used.
"You...turn around and introduce yourself." Mari's stern voice signified that she found the person to be guilty of breaking school rules as well.
'Now it all depends on how he handles it...' Tatsuya knew there was something special about the person he met in the morning, who introduced himself as Shin. However, whether Shin is good with his words or not would be proven right away.
Everyone looked at the back of the violet-haired individual, and a certain red-eyed female seemed rather too focused on him to look anywhere else.
"Yo." Turning to look at the Disciplinary Chief, Shin waved his hand with a soft smile, which made the said lady surprised all of sudden.
"Shin..." It wasn't Mari who voiced his name, but the student council President standing behind Mari.
Tatsuya raised his brows to see how these two already knew him...and looking closely, it wasn't just a normal introductory familiarity. Mari and Mayumi seemed to be personally acquainted, with the guy. Especially Mayumi.
However, Shin didn't say anything in those regards and just bowed his head and followed his previous instruction, "First-year student, Shin. Nice to meet you."
After leaving the school premises on a dramatic note, Tatsuya along with his classmate, Miyuki and surprisingly her two classmates also walked together to the station.
The two girls introduced themselves as Kitayama Shizuku and Mitsui Honoka. Apparently, they were friends with Miyuki and wanted to tag along, to which Tatsuya and co had no problem.
They wanted to invite Shin as well, but he shook his head and walked away in a different direction.
"Is he a loner kind of guy? That Shin?" Erika's question was justifiable given his recent response to the invitation but,
"I don't think so...in fact, he seemed really helpful in the morning." Miyuki's response received several nods from Honoka.
"He might have some work to deal with?" Mizuki tilted her head to the right and wondered aloud.
No one said anything regarding that, but there was something that seemed to be bothering Leo as he asked in general, "But...it was really surprising for him to jump in between assaults advancing from either side, yet not receiving a single damage."
There was a hum that Erika let out in assent. She also seemed doubtful at the thought of someone being faster than her perception. She really didn't see him arriving at all.
Amidst the silence when everyone was pondering for the most probable answer, Tatsuya voiced what he deemed to be the case,
"I think you all got it wrong. He didn't move fast to arrive there...rather he appeared there."
Simultaneously, everyone except the speaker came to a halt.
There was an evident shock marring everyone's face which was justifiable given Tatsuya's assessment of Shin.
"Teleportation?" It seemed as ridiculous as Honoka made it sound. Spatial control to wander through dimensional space and appear at a certain point was utterly baffling and unheard of.
Tatsuya had an explanation for that, but he kept it to himself. He knew Shin didn't particularly warp, rather swapped places, but he would save himself from explaining to others, how he obtained such information.
For now, his utmost concern was to solidify his hunch about the secret weapon of Saegusa. And based on what he has seen until now, Shin seemed to be the best contender out there.
[Shin's POV]
After leaving the school, I didn't wait for long and made my way back to the small apartment I was renting.
It was merely two kilometers away from the First High so I decided to rather walk. The breeze of spring was my favorite weather and sometimes it was better to stroll to get your thoughts straight.
'I should have held back...' Previously, I used one of my crafted spells, to replace myself with that chunk of rock lying between the two. It was nothing too flashy but yet again, I couldn't be sure what 'eyes' were watching me.
I also seemed to have aroused suspicion in the eyes of my classmate, but whatever. I was instructed to keep my identity as a part of Saegusa a secret. And to reveal my identity, I needed to use some A-rank spells, which were completely out of the question. So yeah, I am possibly still safe...right?
This world was known for my cruelty so being some flashy guy who can be a little quirky at times wouldn't give away my identity. Possibly.
Making my way inside the house after punching the security codes, I exchanged my shoes and greeted the person already awaiting me on the porch.
"Good to see you." I didn't have to turn and visibly witness the person to recognize who she was.
The first daughter of the Saegusa Family, Saegusa Mayumi.
"Why didn't you meet me?" Her tone suggested that she was hurt and I know she really was.
However, for now, I held my stance and spoke to her indifferently, "Why a freshman, with no achievement to flaunt whatsoever, would come and greet you, President?"
"You saw me with Tatsuya-kun, huh?" Mayumi crossed her arms over her belly and asked in a helpless tone.
I didn't say anything and just went to change my clothes in my bedroom.
"Shin..." Without any hesitation, Mayumi walked into my bedroom, crossed her arms around my waist, and hugged me from behind.
Naturally, my movement halted and so did my heart for a moment, but I didn't give in just yet.
"Are you upset that I didn't talk to you in school?" Her question made me stiff since it indeed was the reason.
Mayumi was instructed to not show familiarity toward me in public and even in private, we needed to be a hundred percent sure that no one was watching.
However, still, it hurts that the person I love so much has to remain away from me just because of some stupid politics. Well, I understand how nasty the relationship of the Ten Masters clan currently was...but still.
"Come now. Let Onee-san pamper you a little." I sucked on a short breath hearing that before I turned to look at her; surprising Mayumi in the process.
Holding her waist by my left and cupping her cheek with my right hand, I stood close to my so-called 'Onee-sama'.
"Can you drop the act and be yourself with me? We have long crossed the line to be considered as merely brother sister."
My words brought a healthy blush to her cheeks as Mayumi averted her gaze from me. She really was not used to talking about 'those' matters even though teasing people seemed to be her second nature.
My fingers went toward her head as I brushed the hair obscuring her face. Her red eyes were looking at me in a daze and her body was entirely in my support.
"You know...sometimes I feel like abducting you and disappearing from the face the of earth. Start a new life where only you and I exist."
It has always been my dream to start a family with Mayumi. No clan responsibility, no war situation, just a peaceful life where we could live without any kind of burden.
Mayumi's gaze wavered at that. I knew she desired the same as well. I could tell how she also felt tired from being a Saegusa sometimes. But,
"You know I cannot abandon my responsibilities..." Her weak whisper made me smile at her. She really was a diligent girl who could not look past her duties and think for herself at all.
That's why I exist.
"Well then, let's leave it at that. How about we have dinner? I will prepare the best meal for my enrollment celebration."
Mayumi smiled as I changed the topic. It was clear as day how she always gets torn between her clan and me. And I didn't want to make her choose one. Well, as of now that is.
"If only you let me prepare the dessert~"
Hearing Mayumi's response, a painful sensation was born in my stomach and my face turned grim a little as I remembered the last 'dessert' she made with lots of 'love'.
"...please go easy on me."
Around seven the dinner was finally done.
Well, it would have been prepared a lot earlier but my habit of flirting with Mayumi just stalled the cooking. But I couldn't help it. She is just that irresistible.
"You are again thinking about something mischievous." Mayumi pointed her chopsticks and complained.
My eye widened a little at how easily she read me, but not like I was going to accept every accusation without fighting back, "Rubbish. I was just thinking about school and stuff."
Mayumi giggled at that, seemingly taking my words as nothing but a false statement. Although it was a disadvantage for a soldier to allow their emotions to be exposed so clearly, Mayumi was an exception
The dinner was not so grandiose, just a simple steak and salad. I know a very little variety of food but those recipes I know, are perfectly mastered.
"Talking about the school...Mari has elected your name as the freshman recruit of the Public Moral Committee."
Well, that wasn't a surprise, considering my practical and theoretical marks. However,
"Won't it be a problem with the clan?" Each action that could put me in the spotlight was being monitored by the clan. And also, the Patriarch has strictly told me to keep my nose away from troublesome matters.
...well, today was an exception.
"I don't think it would be polite. And also, until you don't use your innate magic, there should be no problem."
I grimaced hearing that. My innate magic was the source of various conflicts and pride of Saegusa. While it's my trump card, it could bring me trouble along the way as well.
Although I know how to use CAD and was aware of a few useful spells, it felt useless to depend on a device when I could cast much faster with just my mind.
"Do you want me to join, Mayumi?" Hearing my question, Mayumi blinked in surprise before a soft smile extended her lips.
"I will feel proud to see my Shin working as a Committee member."
...now, was there any reason to reject the offer?
A/N:- I hope you guys liked the chapter. I will just skip the events that happened in the canon until it doesn't get altered because of Shin's interference. DM if you have any questions.
