It's been a long while yet again. I've been busy, I am still busy. But I managed to get enough time to show that I'm not dead. Well, I don't feel like talking about it so let's get to the chapter.
Good news is, I will try to update a few more chapters in the following days too while I still have some life in me.
"Mahouka" - speech
Mahouka - time, place
[Mahouka] - talk over the phone/screen
I don't own anything.
Yotsuba villa, Izu
"What's wrong, Miyuki?" Tatsuya asked in curiosity.
"Nothing wrong, Tatsuya-sama. Quite on the contrary."
Miyuki was unable to contain her smile, it wouldn't be strange if she started humming all of sudden. Today was the day classes resumed at First High and, leaving aside all the worries and problems that were likely to arise, Miyuki should be happy to see her friends again. But Tatsuya correctly guessed that that was not the reason for Miyuki's current good mood, hence the question.
"I believe it has to do with Tatsuya-san's uniform. It has been a while since we last saw it." Shizuku guessed.
"It hasn't been that long though."
"Maybe but it really suits Tatsuya-san."
"I agree!" Honoka exclaimed.
"Come on, Tatsuya-kun. A few months can be quite a lot of time." Erika said.
"Ahaha…" Minami laughed in exasperation.
The group consisting of Tatsuya, Miyuki, Honoka, Shizuku, Erika and Minami were departing from the villa. While the ones currently inhabiting the place were Tatsuya, Miyuki, Minami and Pixie, they decided to leave for school together with the others on the first day. Tatsuya's current marital state brought quite a few questions and issues to mind and having his soon-to-be wives live with him would only bring more issues. They excused Miyuki but any more could be risky.
Aside from Miyuki and Lina, who was staying with the Ayako and the Kuroba branch, everyone else was still living with their families. As planned, Honoka and Shizuku's houses were now under the protection of the TMCs involved in the engagement and since Gu Jie was apprehended, they all felt they could take a breather for now.
On the way to First High
"Still, I guess at times like these, Mayumi-senpai sure wished she was still in highschool." Erika said with a laugh.
"True, she never walked to school with Tatsuya-san." Honoka agreed.
"But she seemed to enjoy the privilege of being the 'onee-san' of the group." Shizuku commented.
"That spot was taken over by Kyouko-san though." Miyuki said.
"Mayumi-senpai's attempts at acting like a dependable upperclassman often made her look less mature. Oh, I'm not trying to say she was immature, just that she tried a little too hard sometimes." Tatsuya said.
"Really? I never really noticed." Erika said.
"Mayumi-senpai acted like that mostly towards Tatsuya-sama after all." Miyuki explained.
"As expected, even before, Mayumi-san had feelings for Tatsuya-san." Honoka guessed.
"But because Tatsuya-san acts like someone older than he looks, Mayumi-san felt like she was the younger one." Shizuku also guessed.
"Hm. There were also times when Mayumi-san made her feelings more explicit, even if the person herself failed to see it, but she was the one who got flustered." Miyuki recalled.
"I can see that!" Honoka exclaimed
"It is Tatsuya-san after all." Shizuku agreed.
"Tatsuya-kun is such a player sometimes." Erika said with a laugh.
"...Do I really act like that?" Tatsuya wondered.
Part of him did recognize that sometimes he could talk like a gigolo but he never thought it would be bad to the point where his (girl)friends would say it's natural for him. But then again, Minami had it worse than him now. Even before, Minami was often appalled by Miyuki's brocon antics but now that Tatsuya's harem was also in the play, it felt like the antics got worse and now there are more girls with their own peculiarities to boot. Minami almost hoped for a mysterious attacker to show up just so she could remind herself that she was there to protect Miyuki and not to have her mental health deteriorate from this ridiculous situation.
"But… Is this really okay, Tatsuya-san?" Honoka hesitantly asked.
"What is?" Tatsuya asked, though he already had an idea as to what it was.
"We mean, arriving all together." Shizuku answered.
"The news has already spread everywhere. Hiding it won't make it better." Tatsuya said.
"We know but…"
"Are you having second thoughts, Honoka?" Miyuki asked, though one could tell she was not serious.
"O-Of course not! I would never regret choosing to stay with Tatsuya-san!" Honoka got more flustered than she thought.
"Then it's simple. None of us care what the others will say as we choose this relationship of our own free will. Even if given the chance we would still make the same choice, isn't that right?" Miyuki asked with a smile.
Honoka knew that others were going to mock or even criticize their situation and she was prepared for it but she couldn't help but worry about how Tatsuya felt being ostracized. But listening to Miyuki's words she realized that it was in vain. No matter what anyone did or said, neither Honoka or any of the other girls, would ever leave Tatsuya alone.
"...Yes, that's right. I was worried for nothing." Honoka smiled with a small tear forming in the corner of her eye.
"Honoka, it's too soon to cry." Shizuku joked while patting Honoka on the back.
"Haha. Sorry."
"I know we are having a touching moment and all but… When you think about it, Tatsuya did have a bit of a reputation even before, didn't he? Not that much, but I do recall hearing some guys jealous over how our little band was composed of cute girls." Erika had her hands behind her head in a relaxed manner.
"E-Erika! Saying it like that is…!" Honoka protested.
They were often overshadowed by Miyuki's excessive adoration for Tatsuya but there were still comments about the other girls in Tatsuya and Miyuki's groups. Nobody argued with the "cute girls" part since they knew that it was a fact, not flattery or pride.
"My bad, my bad. It's true though." Erika apologized without sincerity.
"Geez!"
"Everyone, I'm deeply sorry to interrupt but we should get going. At this rate we will be late." Minami interrupted.
Just as Minami said, at some point they all halted their steps. They accidentally got a little too caught in their talk.
"You are right. Sorry. We got distracted, Minami." Tatsuya apologized
"Oh, I'm sorry, Minami-chan. We got a little distracted talking." Miyuki also apologized.
"And you can drop the formalities, Minami. We are all friends here." Erika said.
"I'm afraid I can not do that, Erika-sama. As you are all Tatsuya-sama's fiancees, you are also my future masters." Minami lightly bowed.
"M-Minami, you don't need to do that!" Honoka wasn't sure what to say.
"I get that you have your own thing in the Yotsuba but surely you can talk informally with us? You know, as friends." Erika proposed.
"As friends…" Minami whispered.
Tatsuya and Miyuki talked to her many times about this topic. From what Minami heard, they were close to her deceased aunt Honami. Minami didn't particularly feel that they were projecting Honami on her, she felt they really were trying to approach her as friends. As a guardian, she was supposed to give her life and death to her master and while Miyuki's treatment wasn't unpleasant, it was certainly different from what she was taught. Aside from the moments they were flirting around, Minami felt happy being with them but she also felt guilty wondering if she was allowed to feel that way.
The only other person who could invoke "strange" feelings in her was Minoru. Just thinking about him made her heart race and she couldn't control herself. As a servant of the Yotsuba, Minami felt it was disgraceful, that she was failing her duties and the reason for her existence. Not to mention, she felt Minoru was so perfect that it was almost sinful for her to seek him out. Of course, Minoru would like to disagree but he was unaware of how much Minami felt for him. Swallowing her doubts and fears, Minami walked beside her masters to school, hoping to forget her insecurities, at least for now.
First High, entrance gate
"You are finally here! I almost thought you were ambushed!" Lina exclaimed, looking impatient.
"Sorry for the wait, Lina." Tatsuya greeted.
"We are sorry, Lina. We got a little sidetracked on our way here." Miyuki explained.
"Hmpf! So long as you are fine." Lina said, turning her face.
"Lina sure looks like she got a load off her shoulders." Honoka whispered to Shizuku.
"She wanted to come with everyone to school but couldn't so her anxiety piled up." Shizuku whispered back.
"Hey, I can hear you!"
"No, no. Girls, Lina was actually frustrated because she couldn't come to school with Tatsuya-kun specifically." Erika said.
"Erika! I'm not going along with your teasing this time!" Lina shouted.
Truth to be told, Lina wanted to walk with them since she was admitted to First High again but she had to go with Ayako to the Yotsuba manor and review the information that Benjamin gave them. While that could be done from afar, they preferred to do it in person in case Edward tried to eavesdrop on them. They knew that Edward was the creator of Hliðskjálf and that he was someone who fought with information rather than magic. As far as they knew, Edward was unaware of Benjamin's "betrayal" so they had to be as careful as they could when handling that information. Hence, Lina spent the night at Ayako's place and arranged to meet up with Tatsuya's group at the gate, though she clearly didn't like it
"Still, it's looking better than I thought." Tatsuya said.
"I think this is not very good, but I guess it's true that it's not as bad as we thought?" Erika wondered.
"R-Really? I can't tell." Honoka looked around.
"Honoka, looking around like that won't help." Shizuku pointed out.
They were talking about the atmosphere in the hallways they passed. They were the talk of the school, obviously. But it was at the level of gossiping rather than bad mouthing, that's why Tatsuya said it wasn't that bad. While there were many jealous gazes from the boys, many were more shocked at how such a situation came to be. In this day and age, to brazenly announce one's engagement to multiple ladies to the world. Among the girls, some were saying Tatsuya was like a womanizer but some were also excited at the unbelievable "love story" unfolding. Tatsuya could hear around them…
"So they were part of THE Yotsuba, that explains a lot…"
"Doesn't that mean they are dangerous…?"
"Looking like that, they don't seem that bad."
"Shiba-san never did anything to anyone."
"They look surprisingly normal, I thought Shiba-san would glue herself to him like usual."
"They aren't even holding hands, are they holding back?"
"Speaking of which, that guy already had Shiba-san and now he…!"
"I know they were always lovey-dovey but to just date the girl who was his sister…"
"He's got Mitsui-san and Kitayama-san, not to mention the transfer student! And even the former president Saegusa-san! So jealous!"
"What kind of guts must one have to not even flinch in this kind of mood?!"
"D-Don't look! You may be ensnared by him if you look him in the eye!"
"Is Shiba-san okay? Her engagement was announced before everybody else, is she that open-minded to welcome all the others?"
"Kyah! They all came together to school! So bold!"
"They really look like an idol group all lined up like that…"
Surprisingly, the negative opinions about the Yotsuba were few. Most were too busy looking at the engagement situation. Tatsuya realized he was changing from a dangerous member of the Yotsuba clan to a dangerous polygamist. Not exactly ideal but it could be worse, or so he tried to console himself.
"Man, I thought they were going to look at us like we were criminals but it's more like we are animals in a zoo." Erika commented.
"That's… pretty accurate actually." Honoka reluctantly agreed.
"Our classroom is this way." Shizuku said, pointing to the side.
"So it's time for us to split. We will see you at lunchtime." Lina said to Tatsuya, Erika and Minami.
"See ya!" Erika exclaimed.
"See you later." Tatsuya said.
"Please excuse me." Minami bowed.
"Tatsuya-sama, I will bring you your lunchbox later." Miyuki said.
Right after splitting, Miyuki side
"Wait, you made Tatsuya-san a lunchbox?" Honoka asked.
"Indeed I have." Miyuki smiled.
"That's sly." Shizuku spoke curtly.
"Yeah, you didn't even tell us." Lina complained.
"It's not like I kept it a secret, Minami-chan knew about it, right?" Miyuki mischievously said.
"M-Miyuki!" Honoka also complained.
"I also have not received instructions to keep it a secret." (translation: I didn't say because you didn't ask)
"Minami, you too!"
"Now, now. I understand how you feel but if we all made lunchboxes, Tatsuya-sama wouldn't be able to eat all of them." Miyuki reasoned.
"B-But still…" Lina wanted to insist.
"We demand our turn." Shizuku protested.
"T-That's right! Miyuki made it this time but we will make it next time!" Honoka declared.
Before long, Miyuki and the others reached their classroom but kept talking about their turn to make Tatsuya's lunch. In their heated talk, they forgot to pay attention to their classmates. And, at least among the first-course second year students, any possible rumor that the engagement was merely political involving zero feelings was erased before it even spread.
Tatsuya side
"Hee~. I didn't know Miyuki made you lunch today. That only happens when you eat at the student council room."
"I also didn't know about this."
"I bet the others are making a commotion about who's going to make you lunch next." Erika teased.
"Surely not…" Tatsuya started but failed to finish.
"Hahaha! You must understand by now, Tatsuya-kun. You can't underestimate the fighting spirit of a girl in love."
"I don't really mean anything but I don't get that feeling from you, Erika."
"Hm? Nah, it's just that I avoid fights that are hopeless. I'm not exactly a bad cook but there's no way I can compare to Miyuki."
"It's not always about the taste."
"I get that you would eat, even if only to appreciate my efforts but instead of focusing on something that clearly leaves me at a disadvantage I rather put my efforts on my strengths."
"Meaning?"
"Since I can't exactly cook for you and my CAD doesn't need as much maintenance either, how about I train with you? Body training I mean, no magic involved. Oh, we also need to work on that magic counter you suggested before."
"Sounds good to me."
"It's decided then! I'm saying this just in case but it will be just the two of us, got it?"
As they chatted, they eventually arrived at the classroom and all the eyes darted towards them. Same as before, a mix of curiosity, awe and a little fear as well. All within expectations except for four individuals.
"Yo, Tatsuya. You sure turned into a celebrity in the time we didn't see each other." Leo greeted him, raising his hand.
"Good morning, Tatsuya-san!" Mizuki exclaimed, strangely spirited.
"Hey, Tatsuya. It's been a while." Mikihiko let out a small smile.
"It's been a while, you three." Tatsuya greeted them back.
"No hello for me? Man, you guys are cold." Erika joked.
"Good morning to you as well, Erika-chan." Mizuki said.
The three of them seemed normal, which was weird in itself. While Erika had already explained that she gave the three an earful, Tatsuya still expected them to behave a little stiff, mainly Mikihiko and Mizuki. But to think they have already adjusted, Erika must have been quite through with her nagging. But what perhaps surprised Tatsuya the most was the fourth person, Hirakawa Chiaki. Tatsuya never really cared about her animosity towards him, but he was aware of it, if only for the small possibility that she might try something. Yet, now it seemed to have subsided, rather, she seemed to have stopped making it so explicit. Tatsuya recalled that Erika briefly mentioned meeting her by accident one day but never got into details as to what happened. He could only begin to guess what Erika had said or done.
"That little girl actually learned, huh?" Erika eyed Chiaki, who turned away with a 'hmpf'.
"Did you give her a sermon or something?" Tatsuya questioned.
"Haha, rather than a sermon it was more like a reality-check. Justice was served." Erika said smugly.
"Calling yourself 'justice' is…" Tatsuya remarked.
"I know, I know. I was just joking. But I did give her a few warnings."
"I imagine."
"What are you guys talking about? Did that violent woman (Erika) do something again?" Leo asked.
"Already assuming I did something? You picking a fight first thing in the school term?" Erika responded.
"Y-You two!" Mizuki tried to pacify them.
"I guess even with all that happened, Erika is still the same." Mikihiko sighed.
"What's that supposed to mean, Miki?!"
"Don't call me that! My name is Mikihiko!"
Seeing that Tatsuya felt a little relieved. In his heart, all he needed was Miyuki but seeing that his relationships remained the same was reassuring for him. He was not the only one who thought so. Even his classmates were relieved to see that even as he was revealed to be part of the Yotsuba clan, his behavior with his little group of friends remained the same. Those small things, along with all Tatsuya and Miyuki accomplished over their years in First High, were slowly changing the perception the other students had on the Yotsuba.
First High, in another halfway
"Let go, Kasumi-chan! I have to go to Miyuki-oneesama! It's the first time we see each other since last year! I have to give her my greetings!" Izumi struggled.
"Chill down, Izumi! It's the first day of the school term! You can give your greetings tomorrow or even later!" Kasumi tried her best to hold Izumi.
"No! The later the worse! As Miyuki-oneesama's little sister, I have to go!"
"No, you don't! And you are her sister-in-law! Not her little sister! Rather, you will be but you are not yet so stand down!"
"Miyuki-oneesamaaa!"
"Aargh! Why did it come to this?!"
The Saegusa twins were making a commotion in the hallway, all eyes were on them. Kasumi wanted to drag Izumi somewhere else so they wouldn't attract attention but she was already giving it her all just to stop Izumi from running off. As to why such a predicament came to be, it started with a certain call from a few hours ago…
[Kasumi-chan, I have a favor to ask of you.] Mayumi started.
"A favor? Of me?" Kasumi was puzzled.
The call was sudden and it happened when only Kasumi was available.
[It's something only you can do, Kasumi-chan.]
"O-Only I can do?"
Kasumi was delighted but also suspicious. The fact that Mayumi was depending on her was good but it was also something that pretty much never happened. And given the timing, it likely had to do with…
"Is it about Izumi?" Kasumi guessed.
[Yes. I want you to keep Izumi-chan under control for today.]
"W-Wait, what do you mean 'under control'?"
[I want you to keep Izumi-chan from interfering with Tatsuya-kun and Miyuki-san.]
"Why?! And isn't that impossible?! There's no way Izumi will stay quiet!" Kasumi exploded.
[Ca-Calm down, Kasumi-chan. I know it's hard but it's not like I want you to keep them from meeting for the entire day. It's just until lunchtime.]
"Eh? Why? What's special about it?"
[It's not really special but I want the students to take a look at Tatsuya-kun with the girls when they get to school and at our current engagement. I want them all to see that we all choose this path and we feel no shame in it.]
"So you are saying that if we gather around, others will just think we are covering for the girls as if they were ashamed of the engagement?"
[I wouldn't go that far but I know most people won't see us in a good light, even so I still wish to convey it to them.]
"... I don't really like this but I will do it for you, Onee-chan."
[Thank you, Kasumi-chan.]
"But can't you just explain this to Izumi?"
[I plan to, but… I'm not sure she will be able to hold back when gets to school.]
"Ah. I guess she won't."
[With that said, I'm counting on you, Kasumi-chan!]
"But if anyone criticizes the engagement and you as collateral, I will teach them a lesson!"
[Don't!]
And that was about it. Though Izumi tried to hold back, she still wished to go to Miyuki. She couldn't meet Miyuki ever since Mayumi joined Tatsuya's little group of fiancees, against all her hopes so she was a little desperate. At the same time, another first-year was also struggling…
"Sakurai-san, if you are Shiba-san's cousin, then are you also part of the Yotsuba clan?" a student asked.
"No, I was only playing the part as cover for Miyuki-sama and Tatsuya-sama."
Hinami was younger and wasn't as intimidating, or rather, hard to approach as Tatsuya and Miyuki, so her classmates chose to try their luck and talk to her. Once confirmed she was indeed not part of the Yotsuba, everybody's restraints loosened considerably.
"I guess you did look kinda different from them."
"Is it possible that Shiba-senpai is already living together with his fiancees?" a student asked.
"They did come together to school." another student added.
"Kyah! I heard about it but they are so bold!"
"Maybe even at home they've already…"
"Tatsuya-sama hasn't done anything yet. He wishes to respect their boundaries until they are officially married." Minami cut them off.
"Is that so…?" one seemed a little disappointed.
"But weren't they really intimate even before?"
"Maybe they actually do some stuff away from other people's eyes."
"Oh, I can see that!"
"N-No! As I said, they have not engaged in such behavior…!" Minami persisted.
Tatsuya thought that maybe Minami would have a hard time dealing with her classmates, only it wasn't about what he expected. He thought that maybe Minami would get interrogated for her status as a possible Yotsuba but in truth they, the girls for the most part, were more interested in the "intimate" part. Minami always felt like vomiting sugar when she was forced to watch Tatsuya flirting with his fiancees and now she had to recall such moments even when away from the ones involved. Unfortunately, even all of her training in magic and household chores were not enough to deal with this dilemma.
A few minutes later, principal's office
"Excuse our intrusion." Tatsuya said as he and Miyuki entered.
"Oh, you are here. Come in, you two. I'm sorry to call you just as classes were about to start."
"It's quite fine."
As per the principal instructions, Tatsuya and Miyuki took a seat. They were now facing the principal Momoyama Azuma and the vice-principal Yaosaka. They were suddenly called but it was not a surprise. As a matter of fact, Tatsuya already had an answer prepared to the questions he was likely going to be asked.
"I do not mean to accuse or condemn you but I still feel I have to ask. Were the school records purposely altered?" Azuma asked, a little wary.
As Azuma said, the information contained in the school system had already been altered. Tatsuya and Miyuki were registered as cousins rather than siblings. Azuma understood that deep down Tatsuya and Miyuki were not to blame but he felt frustrated having the system infiltrated so nonchalantly.
"I'm sorry I can't give you a proper answer, principal Momoyama. But you will receive a letter from my family concerning this topic." Tatsuya replied.
"I understand that the Yotsuba must have their own circumstances but I also have my duties as the principal of this school and-"
"Now, now. Let's calm down, principal Momoyama." Yaosaka cut in.
This surprised everybody a little since vice-principal Yaosaka wasn't exactly strong-willed. They had half-expected him to just sit through the entire talk.
"As a vice-principal, I also understand your dissatisfaction, principal. But I believe Shiba-kun and Shiba-san are not to blame and interrogating them won't resolve any of your misgivings."
"Hm…" Azuma took a moment to calm down.
"Not to mention, this kind of situation shouldn't be particularly uncommon among important families. Faking family registers to avoid an enemy's attention is not rare." Yaoska continued.
"I suppose so… My apologies, Shiba Tatsuya-kun and Shiba Miyuki-san. I have shown you something improper." Azuma bowed his head a little.
"No, we are sorry as well, for involving you in our family circumstances." Miyuki bowed back.
"It's understandable. Well then, you are excused. You may return to your classrooms."
""Yes, excuse us.""
"Oh, and I understand that you are now engaged but I ask that you refrain from any acts of excessive affection inside the school. Please inform your other fiancees as well."
"Please rest assured, principal Momoyama."
Tatsuya and Miyuki left, hoping that no more events would happen, at least for today.