SECOND CHANCES
Chapter 10: Family and Compromise Part 3
Disclaimer I don't own Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei
If Tatsuya was being honest, he does not know how to act as a person of interest within the Yotsuba.
He was used to being just a servant, a Guardian for Miyuki.
Provided, a servant with more leeway than a common guardian or servant, but still, he was used to acting within the parameters of a servant.
Still, he was capable of adjusting quickly if needed be, and it was needed considering Miyuki's safety. He was well aware that he alone was standing between Miyuki's safety or exploitation.
That is why, as he sat across the woman that reminded him of his Obaa-sama, he carried himself in a way that would make his mother, begrudgingly, proud of him.
He was presenting himself as if he was a prince of the family.
And this amused one Yotsuba Ayame.
Currently, Tatsuya and Ayame sat across each other, table filled with a complement of tea and coffee between them.
As much as Genzou wanted to deny Ayame access to his grandson, his soon to be son, he cannot deny his mother an interaction with the boy in fear of her doing something drastic.
Ayame and drastic actions is a terrifying idea.
And right now, Genzou could not afford his mother doing something drastic considering the current situation within the family.
"Since I learned that you have access to the Information Dimension, I have wanted to see you face-to-face." Ayame began as she took a cup of tea from the table and drank it demurely. "It feels me with joy to know that my eyes were inherited by family."
"I'm happy to know of your approval." Tatsuya was genuine with his answer. Although he was not considered a Yotsuba by his own clan, he still grew up hearing stories about the legends of the family. Yotsuba Ayame might have been an obscured entity within the clan, but her name was still spoken with reverie among those who remembered her. "I question why [Elemental Sight] skipped a generation though."
"It skipped two generation, which is disappointing, but as long as the gift did not leave our family, that is all that matters." Ayame stated with relief. Her eyes were too potent to fall to anyone's hands but the Yotsuba's. "And my child, I compliment you for using our eyes well."
"It is not worth praise. I merely maximized what I have." Tatsuya stated simply.
"And that is worth praise." Ayame insisted. "You are a Born-Specialized Magicians. By your very nature, you are very limited in what you could do, and yet, you have made yourself a flexible magician and combatant with mere creativity and ingenuity. I am impress and most of our family could learn something from you." Ayame took another sip of his tea. "To be honest, I prefer Born-Specialized Magicians."
"Less options, but more potency." Tatsuya guessed as he himself took a cup of coffee that Ayame poured for him earlier.
Ayame smiled and nodded. "Exactly."
The two momentarily indulge in their drinks before broaching a topic that they both want to discuss.
"Genzou-sama does not want to wage war against Dahan." Tatsuya stated as he gently placed his cup on the table.
"You sound almost disappointed." Ayame observed as she poured a cup of tea for herself and a cup of coffee for Tatsuya.
"I might not have any strong emotions, but my generation were taught to hate and despised the Dahan. My opinions of them may not be as strong as the Yotsuba of my time, but I do desire for their annihilation nonetheless." Tatsuya admitted without hesitation.
Ayame's smile brighten at that. "We have an agreement in that regard." Ayame exclaimed gleefully. "You will follow and obey my son over me, correct?"
"Yes." Tatsuya answered swiftly.
"Good." Ayame was happy with that answer. As much as she wanted to use Tatsuya, it was better for him to follow the current command structure of the Yotsuba. "So even if my son does not wage war against Dahan, you will obey."
"Yes." Tatsuya answered again. "Although, I know you would force his hand."
Ayame giggled at that accusation. "You sound expectant."
"You remind me of Obaa-eu, my Maya." Tatsuya pointed as if it explained everything.
It did.
"Please, I am more refined than her." Ayame stated with a faux indignant tone, her voice laced with amusement. "But you are correct in that regard. I will force my son's hand with regards to Dahan. When that time comes, I expect you to go through with your promise."
"I will turn Dahan into a crater under the sun." Tatsuya said the promised that he gave her before. "Gladly."
"Good to hear." Ayame said with a smile. "In exchange, your sister would be protected and care for, and she will not be force to do something that she does not like." It was tempting to arrange an engagement for Miyuki to further the clan's influence, but Ayame knows that said arrangement would receive a negative reception from the girl.
Shiba Miyuki is entirely in love with her own brother and she would not accept another pair outside of him, and though Ayame considered said affection juvenile, she would let it be.
Ayame has suspicion regarding the girl, and with some confirmation, it could be used to tighten the family's grip over the God that is Shiba Tatsuya.
After all, love and happiness are the strongest chain to bind such a majestic weapon, and Miyuki would be the collar attach to said chain.
Ayame assumed that was the true purpose of the girl.
"That is much appreciated." Tatsuya stated with a nod.
(Scene Change)
While Tatsuya having a conversation with Yotsuba Ayame, his sister was also having a thorough conversation with one Yotsuba Yasuyo.
Their setting was a bit different though.
Currently, Miyuki sat on a throne chair wearing a dress that would not be out of place in medieval times while Yasuyo was indulging in her favorite hobby.
Yasuyo was drawing a portrait of Miyuki.
"Thank you for indulging me, Miyuki-chan." Yasuyo thanked the young girl as she began a sketch of her granddaughter, soon to be adopted daughter.
"No need to thank me, Yasuyo-sama." Miyuki replied as she sat still as Yasuyo used her as a model.
Letting out a hummed, Yasuyo gave Miyuki a kind look. "I know that it would take some time, and I would give you said time, but I suggest you start calling me Okaa-san. Soon, I will be your mother." Yasuyo advised before returning her gazed at the canvass and began adding and deducting some features in the sketch on her canvass.
"I would endeavor to call you such." Miyuki was confident that she could call Yasuyo mother in public, she was trained to be a lady after all, but in a private setting, it would be difficult. For Miyuki, her one and only mother is one Shiba Miya, and the woman was dead. The current version of said woman was also not her mother. It was a version of her that was unburdened, and Miyuki did not know how to interact with her at the moment.
Yasuyo let out another hummed before broaching with Miyuki again. "What do you want to do with yourself, Miyuki-san?"
"Pardoned?" Miyuki inquired as she gave her grandmother a confused look.
"As I said before, you would not be considered a candidate for the headship of the Yotsuba. I know that the Miya of your time was grooming you to succeed your Maya, but that will not be the case here. I want to know what you plan to do with regards to your career." Yasuyo elaborated.
Miyuki resisted the urged to bite her lip. She wanted to say that she desired to be her brother's wife. She actually had hopes to be his wife in this time period. No one knows that they were siblings, and being husband and wife would have given them a better cover in this time period than being siblings.
Approaching the Yotsuba clan of this time had killed that fantasy.
Miyuki decided to be honest with Yasuyo's inquiry.
"I don't know." Miyuki answered softly. "I would have to discuss with Onii-sama about my prospective career."
Yasuyo frowned after that answer. It seems that Tatsuya was not the only one who was mentally and emotionally handicapped, though in Miyuki's case, it was self-inflicted.
'I wonder if Miyuki-san knows who she is without Tatsuya-kun.' Yasuyo thought, knowing that Tatsiua was not the only one who needed some work in their psyche.
"Have you ever considered entering the entertainment business?" If so, Yasuyo could easily speak with Motosuke's wife. The woman has quite the pull in Japan's entertainment sector. It made running Pro-Magician propaganda easy for the Yotsuba.
Ayame may not have like Motosuke's choice in his wife, but Tsukuba Hikari has her uses that goes beyond magic.
"I would rather not." Miyuki rejected. She was not comfortable having so many eyes on her. She was used to it, but Miyuki knew the default gazed that she garnered from others. Also, if she became an actress, even a model, it would require her to allow other people from touching her, and that disgust her.
Her very being was for her brother alone.
Yasuyo hummed in acknowledgement. Miyuki was divinely beautiful and she understood her discomfort.
"Have you ever considered a career in the military?" Even if Miyuki answered in an affirmative, Yasuyo would dissuade her.
If Miyuki entered the military, Tatsuya would follow, and that is unacceptable. She and Genzou already agreed that Tatsuya would not enter military service.
They were not fond of how the 101st Magic Equipped Battalion treated their grandson.
"I never considered myself built for the military." Miyuki admitted sheepishly. She knows how to fight, and she could fight, both unarmed and magic, especially magic, but she was well aware of her limitations, and she acknowledges that she was not fit to be in the military.
Yasuyo nodded in approval. "What about Magic Engineering?"
"I was never as gifted in that aspect of magic as my Okaa-sama and Onii-sama." Miyuki stated, remembering the brilliance of both her brother and mother in that field.
At most, she could prove to be a tester, assisting both her Onii-sama and Okaa-sama in their magic development.
"My dear child, nobody can match those two in that field of study. Both of them are natural." Yasuyo comforted her. "Still, consider it. You might surprise yourself."
Miyuki only nodded before adding something on her part. "I considered being a magic instructor." Miyuki stated, conveying a childhood dream to the woman.
"That is a viable career option, although you might struggle on that path." Yasuyo knows for a fact that the most talented of people tends to make awful teachers. Miyuki is extremely talented in magic, and said talent might blind her in the struggles of her students. "Not everyone is as talented as you, and you expect too much of your students."
Miyuki could only nod at that, although that career path is what she would pursue if she needed one. "You are an interrogator, right?"
"Yes, I am." Yasuyo paused for a moment and contemplated teaching Miyuki her craft.
'Her looks would be quite the potent weapon in the profession.' Yasuyo mused. People tend to talk if they have something pleasant in the eyes, and Miyuki was very pleasant to look at. 'Something to consider.'
"It's a hard career, all things considered, but it pays well." Yasuyo exclaimed with a smile. "Although, dealing with people that involves said profession can be difficult, especially if your female."
"Misogyny never dies, huh?"
"It never does."
The two exchange a light hearted chuckle at that amusing exchange.
(Scene Change)
Yotsuba Yuuma was not one for long term planning. He is more of a action first, thinking later. He is impulsive, callous, and, most of the time, uncaring.
He is a man of action.
That is why when his siblings went to war to determine the second head of the family, Yuuma immediately denounced his claimed and threw his lot on his big sister Ayame.
Yuuma loved his siblings, but he was always partial towards Ayame.
She was the oldest daughter of the family. By right, the headship should have gone to the eldest son, but Yuuma and a few of their siblings back Ayame's claim, for the simple reason that Ayame was the more capable candidate.
Their eldest brother, though a capable and powerful magician, was a mediocre leader who thinks more with his heart, not to mention his dick, than his head.
His big brother took issues with his and a few of their siblings' decision, and a civil war within the family broke out.
The family of twelve siblings were reduce to four, and Yuuma himself killed five of his own brothers and sisters.
To this day, those five were the only kills that Yuuma regretted, and the list of kills in his ledger was considerable.
Considerable enough to fill graveyards.
Nonetheless, since the day he was born, Yuuma has been ride or die under the banner of his eldest sister. Even now that his nephew Genzou was head of the family and even if he would obey him unquestioningly, he was still firmly on the back pocket of Ayame.
Everyone in the family knows this fact. It was an open secret
And do to that fact, he was going to slaughter an entire family.
Getsu Tatsurou…
In the future that would never be, he would be Shiba Tatsurou, the husband of his Grandniece.
The man who would cheat on his Grandniece with a woman that is not even in his niece's level.
If the man was going to cheat, at least find somebody better and not a 100 yen whore that can be paid for in a back alley.
Yup, the boy will die for that insult.
He will also kill the boy's parents and siblings. It was their fault for raising such a stupid boy.
Also, and more importantly, the boy was unneeded. They already have Tatsuya and Miyuki with them.
From his vantage point, Yuuma watched as the family of five entered their household. Said family included one Getsu Tatsurou.
Normally, Yuuma would have done the kill with his bare hands.
He had killed children before. It never bothered him. It was the will of his sister.
And the boy offended him enough that he would enjoy watching the boy die.
But in this particular kill, Yuuma decided to stick with a classic.
As all five members of the family entered the house, the moment the main door closed…
*Boom*
…a massive explosion ripped through the house. The immediately blast demolished the entirety of the house.
It was hard, difficult, to orchestrate a natural home explosion or fire in this day and age. Liquefied petroleum and other gasses were no longer popular in most household. Most amenities in today's households are powered by solar.
Electricity generated by solar are hardly combustible.
Yuuma decided to make his own blend.
He had always been a good chemist, and the household's Home Automation Robot did possess a considerable amount of chemicals that when mix correctly, it could cause a pretty impressive explosion.
A HAR malfunction is rare, but with the right set up, it could be plausible and it could be framed to be lethal.
If worst comes to worst, the manufacturer of the Household's HAR would be sued, but that is not Yuuma's problem.
Yuuma was confident that the explosion killed everyone inside the house in its initial blast. If they survived, the collapsing household would have crushed them to death.
If they survived the initial blast..
The explosion also damaged the neighboring houses, but Yuuma did not particularly care. He already instructed his men to give the neighbors of the Getsu Family a discount for their home repairs.
As a crowd gather to the burning house of the Getsu family, Yuuma made a call to their people.
The police and fire department are currently on the way, follow by the paramedics. Good Samaritans were already doing their best to extinguished the inferno and some were even braving the flames to try to retrieve the family.
Adorable…
Still, if there were survivors, Yuuma was too much of a professional to label a kill a success without a tangible body, they would not make it to the hospital.
He has people that would respond to this, and his people would make sure that no one in the Getsu family would live to see the next sunrise.
With them off his list, his next target was one Furuha Sayuri and her immediate family.
His sister never really did take an insult lying down.
He was not one to complain.
With one last look upon the inferno that he created and having confidence with his people competence, Yuuma drove off towards his next target.
The only thing in his mind was what was going to be his dinner, and if there was ramen stall near him.
Yotsuba Yuuma was not somebody considered sane.
In fact, in a way, he was almost as mad as his eldest sister.
(Scene Change)
"What do I owe the honor, Eisaku-sama."
Eisaku did his best to hide the disgust he was feeling right now.
Currently, he was speaking to one Suguha Yamashita.
A man in his fifties that the Yotsuba put into parliament, specifically in the House of the Representatives. The man was a skilled politician, but he was immoral. The man was a pedophile, and he was also corrupt.
The Yotsuba has a list of the man's crime, with the evidence to back it up. That is one of the reason why the Yotsuba secretly funded this man's campaign.
On principal alone, Eisaku wanted to do away with the man permanently.
Unfortunately, his mother vetoed any move against the politicians in their back pockets, and Genzou agreed with great hesitation.
Magicians are still being treated as weapons, and they needed every ally that they could get.
Even if said ally was atrocious and made his CAD hand twitchy.
Fortunately for Eisaku, Mr. Suguha is bootlicker and an ass kisser, and very terrified on what the Yotsuba would do to him if he gives the clan a reason to disposed of him, and thus easy to manipulate.
Eisaku hated dealing with people like him, but it was a necessity.
"I am here for business." Eisaku said promptly before sliding a packet towards Suguha. "In the packet are legislations that are going through to the House of Representatives in a few days. My family wants them to be stricken down." Eisaku instructed curtly.
Suguha took a moment to pick up the packet, and with trembling hands, opened said packet. Going through the contents of what his sponsors wanted, he was surprised by the legislations that his benefactors wanted to be overridden.
"These legislations would strengthen our relations with our allies within the continent. Why would are the Yotsuba against them?" As far as Suguha knows, the Yotsuba were very patriotic in their own way. The clan had eliminated several internal threats in the country that pauses a danger to Japanese interest.
In addition, World War Three might be in its last leg, but it was still ongoing and Japan was still a prime target by other hostile countries. Suguha could not wrap his mind around the Yotsuba wanting to weaken Japan's position in the world, much less in its own continent.
"Among our allies, if those legislations pass, who would benefit the most?" Eisaku asked coldly.
With a nervous gulped, Suguha read the papers and immediately identified the primary benefactor.
"The Country of Dahan." Suguha answered softly.
"Precisely." Eisaku confirmed angrily. "Our family, as well as the Saegusa, are currently not fond of the country. The Yotsuba decided that said country should be cut off from receiving any support from our motherland."
"But Eisaku-sama, considering the terroristic attack that befell Dahan, the support for the country among our populace is an all-time high. By striking these legislations down, it would threaten my position in the next election." Suguha informed him nervously.
Eisaku merely rolled his eyes before tossing a mobile terminal at the man.
Catching said termina, Suguha gazed at the screen and his eyes bugged out.
"That is a down payment." Eisaku scornfully informed the politician. "You pull this off, you will get triple that." Eisaku added and by the look of greed in the man's eyes, the middle brother of the Yotsuba brother knew that he had him.
Better to sweeten the pot. "And if you are successful in this task, the Yotsuba would back and fund you for your candidacy as Japan's Prime Minister." Eisaku stated apathetically.
Suguha Yamashita was not Eisaku's preferred Prime Minister candidate. Among the politicians that the Yotsuba have in their pocket, Eisaku could name three politicians that is better than Suguha Yamashita as a possible Prime Minister.
Distastefully, for the current needs of the Yotsuba, Suguha Yamashita was essential, and they are willing to bankroll the man's political career if he is successfully with the given task.
"Well, the legislations are two one-sided on Dahan's behalf. We might offend the rest of our allies if we show favor on one particular ally, whose only use is a buffer between us and China." Suguha muttered as he thoroughly gone through the legislations in the packet. "Most of them needs to go through major revisions…"
"Could you do it?" Eisaku asked, interrupting Suguha's musing.
"I'll do my best." Suguha swore.
'Not good enough.' Eisaku thought with a frown.
"There are some rumors about your frivolities going through the House…" Eisaku began, and the color in Suguha's face drained at that information. He only has one frivolity that would endanger his career and life. "We could snuff it out for you before it could gain traction, before it could reach the ears of the media, before your colleagues could weaponize said rumor against you, before your Constituents could even form the idea, but…"
"Give me two weeks!" Suguha promised swiftly and panicky.
Eisaku smiled in satisfaction.
"Good to hear."
(Scene Change)
The current generation of the Yotsuba considers Yotsuba Motosuke as Genzou's version of Yotsuba Yuuma.
Both excellent fighters, both incredible assassins, both willing to do the clan's dirty work if needed.
The only difference between Motosuke and Yuuma is that the former was more human.
Yuuma is an an uncaring monster during missions and he is remorseless.
Fortunately, Motosuke is more conscionable compare to his uncle.
Unfortunately, said conscious is currently suspended due to current events.
"Motosuke-sama, we have gathered everyone." A subordinate informed the youngest of the Yotsuba Brothers.
"Thank you for informing me, Souma-kun." Motosuke replied as he grabbed a large waste bin on his side. "Lead the way then." Motosuke ordered.
The operative named Souma nodded before gesturing for his superior to a warehouse that was own by one of the Yotsuba's shell company.
Entering the warehouse, Motosuke was greeted by a collection of people, some of Japanese descent, some of Chinese descent, and most of mix descent of Japanese and Chinese.
All of them were within CAD point by a dozen of Yotsuba agents.
The sight of them made Motosuke's trigger finger itch.
"Good afternoon, as you may all know, my name is Yotsuba Motosuke, son of Yotsuba Ayame and Higashiyama Motohide." Motosuke introduced himself formally. "In the military, I have the rank of Colonel. I enjoy cooking, collecting vehicles, both land and air, and I enjoy driving said vehicles. I love my family, and I would do everything for my family. I love my wife. I am head over heels in love with my wife. I love fucking my wife. Honestly, right now, I want to fuck my wife, but considering the situation at hand, fucking my wife would be for later." Motosuke said airly as he eyed every non-Yotsuba people in the warehouse.
"As you may know, it is common courtesy for countries to allow intelligence officers of foreign allies to linger within their lands. America currently has 75 spies in Japan. Australia has 29. The Great Britain has 40. Dahan has 107…Which begs to question…" Motosuke looked at Souma. "I only count 90."
"Some resisted, sir." Souma informed nonchalantly.
Motosuke nodded, satisfied at the implication. Returning his attention to the collection of Dahan spies, Motosuke restarted speaking. "Now, I know what you are thinking; why did the Yotsuba decided to apprehend every single one of you? The answer, simple, all of you are intelligence officers working under Dahan. Another question that might have blossomed in your collective heads right now is; If it is common courtesy for foreign allies to allow friendly spies within their lands, why were you all apprehended. The answer, your country kidnapped my niece and attempted something untoward to her. Suffice to say, I am not in a forgiving mood." To prove his point, Motosuke pushed over the waste bin that he was carrying.
As it stumbled over, 12 decapitated heads rolled towards the gathered Dahan spies.
Gasped and exclamation of fear echoed within the warehouse.
Nine people died after said gasped and exclamation were release.
They were instructed to keep their silence under the threat of dead, and the Yotsuba does not give threats lightly.
"The 12 people that you see upon you have prior knowledge of the kidnapping of my niece. They did not inform us of the plot, so they died, and they died screaming. As you could see, I am not in a good mood. My family is not in a good mood. My big brother is so pissed off that I am genuinely scared of him." Motosuke informed all of them. "Now, as most of you have assumed, all of you are going to die within the next 15 minutes."
As Motosuke said those words, magic was invoked and guns were fired.
27 bodies dropped to the ground, dead.
Those 27 were all native Dahans.
62 remains, all Japanese or of mix heritage.
"But, for common courtesy towards fellow Japanese, you have one chance to save your heads." A notepad and a pen were dropped on the laps of each of the 62 Dahan intelligence operatives. "List down all your contacts from Japan to Dahan, as well as every bureaucrat, civil servants, and organizations that are sympathetic towards Dahan. We want complete and total honesty. Lie to us, attempt to deceive us, we will not just kill you, but we are also going after your family, and they will share the same fate." Motosuke warned them as he eyed all of them.
"Our family is very good in making people disappear, and we are very motivated in making people disappear. Do not test us, especially not in our current temperament." Motosuke added coldly. "Start writing. You all have five minutes. Anyone who does not provide a name, dies on the spot." Motosuke exclaimed as he turned his back on the spies behind him.
The sound of scribbling notes reached Motosuke's ears, much to his satisfaction.
Motosuke turned his attention to Souma. "Once all of them gave their list…" Motosuke gave a subtle gesture.
Souma nodded. "It will be quick."
"I prefer slow, but yeah, let's be professional." Motosuke conceded.
None of those Dahan worms will be walking away with a pulse.
They will spare their family though.
That's the only compromise that the Yotsuba would consider.
(Scene Change)
Speaking with one Yotsuba Ayame was a familiar experience for Tatsuya.
It was like speaking to the Yotsuba Maya that he was intimately familiar with, minus Maya's psychotic form of affections towards him.
Speaking with Ayame was like a business transaction, and this was preferable.
His grandparents seemed to like him, Motosuke seems to favor him, he does not know what Eisaku things of him, and the relationship between him and the second and third most important women in his life is currently under scrutiny.
It was nice to have a cold and logical relationship with one person in this time period.
And speaking of relations, as he left the room where he and Ayame spoke, Yotsuba Genzou was waiting for him.
"Tatsuya-kun…" Genzou greeted his grandson, soon-to-be son with a smile.
"Genzou-sama…" Tatsuya returned the greeting cordially.
"Try greeting me as Father. You will be my son in the near future after all." Genzou advised gently.
"I will do so in public." Tatsuya assured the man.
"Try doing it in private as well." Genzou urged.
Tatsuya merely nodded.
He will try and do so accordingly.
"Would you like to speak about the discussion that Ayame-sama and I shared?" Tatsuya inquired as he stopped before the man.
Surprisingly, Genzou shook his head. "As much as I would like to discuss it, I would respect both of your privacy in this regard. I'll just figure it out myself." That was a common arrangement between Genzou and Ayame. They will not probe each other's contact, but they are free to make assumptions of what the other was scheming.
Tatsuya could only look at his biological grandfather with a questioning expression before nodding. "Your relationship with her must be complicated."
Genzou snorted. "That's putting it lightly."
Tatsuya smiled humorously before walking passed the man.
Genzou walked beside Tatsuya, and the young boy did not inquire the reason why.
He was technically standing in his property.
"You are going to Miyuki-san?" Genzou asked knowingly.
"Yes…" Tatsuya confirmed. "She is with your wife."
"She is making a portrait of our new daughter." Genzou exclaimed fondly. "She would be making one of you as well after Miyuki-san."
"That would not be needed." Tatsuya stated, continuing that small talk between them to kill time. "It would ruin the collection. I am not one for looks."
Genzou scoffed. "Tatsuya-kun, you were born from Miya, and you have Yasuyo-chan's blood in your veins, trust me, you would develop looks that girls would fawn over."
Genzou was lucky to be engage to Yasuyo in his youth. It helped dissuade the fairer sex from approaching him.
He did not want to boast, but in his youth, he was quite the heartthrob.
And Tatsuya would be a heartthrob worthy of his blood if he could express himself more thoroughly. He already has the power that most girls would salivate over.
Tatsuya hummed noncommittally.
"You are taking this quite well." Tatsuya commented, shifting the topic to a more serious note.
"I fought in World War 3, Tatsuya-kun." Strangely enough, that explains everything to Tatsuya. He has combat experience, and he knows that fighting in the biggest war in the history of the world, fighting with magic no less, would desensitize people from most surprises. "And also, I see an opportunity to give members of my family a better life."
To give Tatsuya a life outside of being a weapon and to prevent Miyuki from taking a position that would lead her to an early death, Genzou considers this entire situation as an advantage.
"Can I be honest with you, Genzou-sama?" Tatsuya asked, a side glance directed at Genzou.
"Please do…" Genzou encourage.
"I am not used to being treated kindly by a direct member of the Yotsuba." Tatsuya admitted to the man. "This is a new experience."
"And that is a tragedy in itself." Genzou made a mental note to drive family ethics to the heads of his nieces and nephews. "It doesn't matter what you are capable of, what your magic is, or how limited your abilities are, you are family and you will be treated as such."
Genzou would make it his life mission for the Yotsuba to not discriminate against the family.
His reign was cut short, and everything went to hell.
Genzou was surprised to see a grateful smile on Tatsuya's lips, though it disappeared quickly, it reminded him that by the end of the die, regardless of how emotionally crippled Tatsuya is, he was still a young boy, and even he wanted some recognition from family.
The recognition that he received from his Maya was an exception.
That was molestation, no question.
"I could see why the aunts and uncles, our own mother, deify you." Tatsuya commented, and Genzou winced.
That was another aspect of the future of his family that he did not appreciate.
He was no God.
"Tatsuya-kun…" Genzou began softly. "This is an advised that my father gave me in my youth, and I am giving it to you now. Remember it…" Genzou took a deep breath.
"The worst thing that you can do to a God is tell them that they are a God."
Genzou had reached a conclusion on what his father's words meant, and he hoped that Tatsuya would reach his own conclusion.
Unlike him, Tatsuya was capable of bringing down the wrath of God.
"That is sound advised." Tatsuya commented.
Genzou smiled. "My second favorite advice from my father."
Genzou's favorite: If you must discipline your wife, do not use your hands. Use your cock. The disciplining would be more thorough and enjoyable for both parties.
Higashiyama Motohide is a bizarre man.
Tatsuya stopped on a door and was about to knock, but Genzou stopped him.
Raising his own hand, Genzou knocked in a pattern. Two long knocks, followed by four quick ones, then concluded with seven softs ones.
That was a code developed by Genzou and Yasuyo in their youths.
It means that there is no need to hide any secrets.
And Tatsuya and Miyuki's current existence is still a secret by necessity.
With their code given, Genzou opened the door and motioned for Tatsuya to enter.
Entering the room, Tatsuya immediately moved towards Miyuki.
Miyuki greeted her most beloved with an angelic smile.
Genzou also walked towards Yasuyo.
As if working in concert, both grandson and grandfather kissed the crown of their respective ladies.
Yasuyo hummed in satisfaction from the affection that she received from her husband, while Miyuki's face turned red in both embarrassment and glee.
"Did you behave while you're with Yasuyo-sama?" Tatsuya asked gently.
Miyuki, still somewhat drunk from the sudden show of affection from, Tatsuya merely nodded.
"She was a complete sweetheart" Yasuyo assured her would be son.
Tatsuya offered a smile that held no emotion, something that Yasuyo would work on. "Good to hear."
Yasuyo smiled back before motioning for the siblings to come to her.
They did so, with Tatsuya taking Miyuki's hand and leading her towards Yasuyo's and Genzou's position.
Standing besides them, Tatsuya and Miyuki looked upon the piece that Yasuyo created.
All things considered; it was a perfect sketch of Miyuki.
Miyuki even gave a surprised gasped at how accurately her grandmother drew her.
Tatsuya, on the other hand, thought differently.
"A good attempt." Tatsuya commented.
"Onii-sama!" Miyuki shouted, somewhat appalled at such an insult towards their grandmother.
Tatsuya could only give Miyuki a wry smile. "My apologies, but I think your sheer beauty cannot be capture perfectly in any canvass, even with Yasuyo-sama's considerable skill and talent."
Again, Miyuki's face turned red as she buried her face upon her palms, though her hips swayed gleefully at the compliment.
Both Genzou and Yasuyo watched this in amusement.
"You never reacted that cute with my flirting." Genzou told his wife amusingly.
"You were never that smooth." Yasuyo teased. "And also, I was never cute. I'm always adorable."
(Scene Change)
Yotsuba Miya was conflicted.
On one hand, before the truths of Tatsuya and Miyuki's origin were revealed, she was excited to meet and speak with the siblings that saved her twin sister.
Now that she knew their origins, Miya did not know how to interact with the siblings.
After all, in a twisted universe, they were her children.
A son that she failed to love to such extent that she scorned him, and a daughter that she loves and adores yet mistreated in a way.
Miya was being trained by her father to succeed him, and by just seeing Miyuki's training in Tatsuya's point of view, she knew that her older self was doing Miyuki a disservice.
Shiba Miyuki was wholly underprepared for what she was poise to be, and it was her older version's fault.
With the knowledge of the sibling's connection towards her, Miya was conflicted on how to deal with them.
Unfortunately, interacting with the siblings is unavoidable in the future.
In a practical sense, the Yotsuba would never let go of Tatsuya. His blood relations with them aside, he is a Strategic-Type Magician with a slew of Strategic-Type Magic under his belt. That alone would motivate the Yotsuba to keep Tatsuya with them. His genius intellect and combat abilities are merely bonuses.
Miyuki is also an important commodity. Not because she is a talented magician, the most talented magician that the Yotsuba ever produced from Tatsuya's memory, but due to her importance towards Tatsuya. For better or worse, Miyuki is the only one that Tatsuya would ever naturally value.
In a literal sense, Miyuki is Tatsuya's world, and in a way, that makes Miyuki as Tatsuya's one and only weakness, the lone chain that could bind him.
Miyuki is literal the most important being in the world.
Miyuki dies, Tatsuya would have no reason to feel and live, and Miya already knows what would happen next.
It would only take a few kilograms of converted matter to decimate the world.
At all cost, Miyuki was be protected for the sake of the world's survival.
The Yotsuba would take the Shiba Siblings under their care.
Tatsuya, due to being quite an asset, and Miyuki, for being the only leash of said asset.
Those were the practical reasons.
The unpractical reasons are that they saved Maya, and considering what Miya saw, Tatsuya has all the reason to outright kill Maya, and that they are family.
Her parents are big on family.
Tatsuya and Miyuki would stay with the Yotsuba, and Miya would have no choice but to interact with them.
Miya hoped that she would have time to center herself regarding the siblings, but she should have known that her parents would not allow the heir of the family to run from problems.
(Scene Change)
"So, just to be clear, you won't kill me, right?" Maya asked awkwardly as seven people sat together in one dining table.
On the head of the table was one Yotsuba Genzou, on his right was his wife, Yasuyo, on his left was his heir, Miya.
Besides Miya was Maya, and the two people sitting besides Yasuyo was Tatsuya and Miyuki respectively.
Yotsuba Ayame was seated on the other end of the table.
The moment the seven people gathered for dinner, there was a distinguishable tension between the twins and the Shiba siblings, tension that Maya attempted to broke, though in a crude manner.
Her parents and sister gave Maya a dry look, while Ayame giggle.
Miyuki did her best to composed herself with regards to her aunt, while Tatsuya only quirked an eyebrow.
"Why would I harm you?" Tatsuya asked, genuinely confused. "You are family."
Genzou exhaled a relief breath after hearing that.
That is what he wanted to hear from Tatsuya.
Maya, though, press further with the topic. "But what my other self…"
Miyuki interrupted her before she could say something that Miyuki did not want to recall.
"You are not our Obaa-sama, so please stop considering yourself as her." Miyuki said, though there was a bit of struggle to say those words.
"Experiences is what shaped us, and considering that you did not experience the tragedy that formed our Obaa-eu, meant that you are not her." Tatsuya added as he gave Miyuki a proud smile.
"Drop the topic." Miya whispered harshly to her sister.
The looks that she received from her parents were further incentives for her to stop discussing the current topic at hand.
"Where are Eisaku-dono, Motosuke-dono, and Yume-dono?" Tatsuya inquired, not seeing Genzou's siblings in the table.
"Eisaku-san and Motosuke-san are currently cleaning house, and Yume-san has a chore that is currently occupying her time." Ayame answered bluntly.
Tatsuya turned his attention to Ayame. "They are hunting then."
Ayame grinned at him. "More or less."
Tatsuya then turned his attention to Genzou. "I could help them. I know all the names."
"Please allow the adults to handle this situation, Tatsuya-kun." Yasuyo told Tatsuya gently.
"And those names might not be entirely accurate." Genzou added as an afterthought. "From what we gathered from your memories, the Yotsuba of that time might have just compiled a list of names that have assumed relations with Dahan, and went from there."
Genzou would have considered such an approached if Maya was harmed.
He had done so in Tatsuya's timeline; he would not make such an attempt in this turn around.
Tatsuya nodded conceding. "If you need help, just give the word, I will gladly offer assistance."
"Noted and appreciated, Tatsuya-kun." Ayame said with a gleeful smile.
"…but unneeded." Genzou assured.
"The child is being proactive, Genzou. Be glad." Ayamed scold her son.
Genzou merely rolled his eyes at his mother.
All conversation paused as Hayama entered the dining room. He was pushing a trolly that contained a feast. With skill and ease born from practiced, he served all the food on the table with elegance and precision before standing behind Genzou.
The moment Hayama entered, Tatsuya and Miyuki's eyes were on him.
Hayama merely smiled at them.
"Is something the matter, Tatsuya-sama, Miyuki-sama?" Hayama asked politely.
"It is still quite the sight to see you so young, Hayama-san." Miyuki admitted carefully.
"And it is quite the foreign sight to see you stand behind someone else other than our Obaa-eu." Tatsuya added.
Again, Hayama smiles indulgently.
"I would gladly stand behind every head of the Yotsuba. Whether it be Genzou-sama, or Miya-sama…or even Maya-sama" Maya's name was added after a brief pause. "And I am happy that I have lived long enough that the youth of the family could not picture me as youthful."
Genzou scoffed good naturedly. "We did tell you that you are going to outlived us all."
"I did tell you to adopt my dietary plan." Hayama jested with equal good nature.
"I don't like eating grass." Genzou said dismissively.
Hayama chuckled before turning his gazed towards the Shiba Siblings. "Do enjoy the meal. I cooked your preferred dishes base from the information that I received from Tatsuya-kun's memories."
The siblings nodded as one by one, the people in the table took a portion of their preferred dish.
Silently, the family of seven began eating.
"Tomorrow, there would be a family gathering to celebrate the safe return of Maya to the family. Would you both like to attend?" Ayame asked politely.
"For now, we would decline." Tatsuya answered swiftly. "We would wait for Genzou-sama to decide on how to introduce us to this version of the Yotsuba clan."
Miyuki nodded, wanting to at least monopolized her brother until everything fell into place for them in this time period.
"The celebration tomorrow would be a good debut." Ayame insisted.
"Introducing a son and a daughter would need time." Genzou told his mother.
Tatsuya was correct in his assumption that he needed time to debut him and his sister.
Tatsuya was actually easy to introduced to the family. He could use his wife's miscarriage in her first pregnancy as an excused to hide Tatsuya's existence. Tatsuya's power was a convenient boon as they could spun his magic abilities as too mature and vast for a child to have, and thus him needing constant care and medical attention until his body developed into one that can contain such power.
Miyuki was the problem.
Miyuki was of the same age as his daughters, and unlike his wife's first pregnancy, there were no problems in her second pregnancy.
It was well documented that Yasuyo had twins in her second pregnancy, so they could not just explain Miyuki as a triple of Miya and Maya, regardless of how convenient it is.
Also, as much as Genzou would like to deny it, Miyuki was somewhat prettier than his twins, and that unevenness of appearance would sink that excused and reasoning down.
"I could handle their background, if you want." Ayame offered her services towards her son.
"I politely decline." Genzou said immediately, his voice far from polite.
"It would be disingenuous to celebrate without both of you." Maya complained honestly.
"But it would be convenient, and considering our situation, conveniency is a luxury." Tatsuya told Maya.
"You need to learn how to be selfish, Tatsuya-kun." Yasuyo chided him.
"She has a point, Onii-sama." Miyuki added in support of her grandmother.
Tatsuya smiled at Miyuki before turning his attention back to Genzou. "I know that I should not be speaking of this, but what do you intend to do with the Guardian system."
There was a paused after that inquiry.
Ayame broke said paused.
"The Sakura Series and Bard Series are of satisfactory quality. I've already bought the Sakura Series, and my people are currently in talks of purchasing the Bard Series." Ayame informed her family. "The rest of the Augmented series that your Yotsuba purchase for Guardian purposes are currently being evaluated. Some are acceptable and are currently being negotiated on, while others need further development before purchase can be considered."
"Mother!" Genzou growled in frustration. He should have known that his mother would at least be fond of that damnable policy.
"For protection of current and future Yotsuba, the Guardian System is an apt policy." Ayame stated, eyes fierce. "Yes, how the policy was enacted was abhorrent, even to my standards, but it is a wise system to implement, and this time around, it will be implemented properly to provide those Augmented Magicians the humanity that they deserve."
"There are other ways to secure the protection of us Yotsuba." Genzou insisted.
"Would the former training regime be reestablished then?" Ayame challenged.
"No." Genzou denied swiftly. He would not allow his children and the clan's children to be trained the way he was trained in his youth.
"Then we established a revamped Guardian System." Ayame said in finality. "And don't complain. This project in coming out of my own pocket, not out of the clan's."
"That does not inspire confidence whatsoever." Genzou grumbled in displeasure.
"It's not my fault that you decided to degrade the family's fighting abilities." Ayame fired back. The magical abilities of the Yotsuba would grow by generation. Tatsuya and Miyuki were proof of that. But magic ability and fighting ability are two completely different matters.
And speaking of fighting ability…
"Tatsuya-kun, would you spare some time to teach Miya-san and Maya-san how to fight properly?" Ayame requested the prize magician of the Yotsuba.
"Nee-chan and I know how to fight." Maya told her grandmother with a whinny tone of voice.
"You got kidnapped." Ayame answered dismissively. "And your boy toy seemed to be incapable of protecting you. Before the Guardian System is established, both you and Miya-san should increase your fighting abilities."
"Kouichi-kun was blindsided." Maya said in defense of her fiancée.
"A man should not make any excuses when he failed to secure his bride's safety." Ayame stated coolly. "When needed, my Motohide never failed to protect me. Your father never failed to protect your mother. Your would-be husband failed as a man when you were kidnapped before his eyes."
"Kouichi-kun would never fail me again!"
"Second chances are such a nice concept."
As Ayame and Maya argue, Miyuki leaned towards her brother. "Is Obaa-sama defending Saegusa Kouichi?" Miyuki asked in utter surprised.
"It appears so." Tatsuya answered with his own genuine surprised. "Hell must have frozen over."
"You think if we look outside, we will see pigs flying." Miyuki wondered with veritable curiosity.
"The relationship of your Maya and your universe's Kouichi-san fell apart that badly?" Yasuyo asked the Shiba Siblings.
The two nodded simultaneously.
"I have seen Obaa-eu pray for Saegusa Kouichi's death in multiple ways, in multiple religions." Tatsuya informed his grandmother. "Obaa-eu is a hardline atheist."
"Obaa-sama had told us that if we ever presented Saegusa Kouichi's decapitated head on a platter to her, we would be named her successor immediately." Miyuki added.
Yasuyo nodded at that before turning to her husband.
"She got that from your mother." Yasuyo stated seriously.
"I know." Genzou agreed.
Throughout dinner, conversation flowed from one topic to another, ranging from random to serious.
No one mentioned the fact that before and during the meal, Miya did not speak to the siblings and that her gazed was occasionally drifting towards the siblings.
No one mentioned that Miya did not participate in the conversation at all during dinner.
Miyuki's gaze was also constantly drifting towards Miya, although her gaze was brief.
No one also mentioned that.
Genzou and Yasuyo wanted Miya to develop some comfort around the Shiba siblings, but it seems that a conversation between them was still far off. At least their Miya was not running from them.
A/N: Shout out and thank you to Svneighter for reinspiring me out of a writer's block. You are doing good work with your stories and I am looking forward to seeing how your two Mahouka stories developed...
Read. Enjoy. Review