My first meeting with Yugen was three years ago.
It was late August, a rare occasion when my parents dragged me and my younger brother, Wataru, along. Our destination was the Kamizumi estate in Gunma—a renowned martial arts lineage every aspiring mage would hear of at least once. Beyond martial arts, the Kamizumi family was a household name among magic clans. I'd heard they were close with my mother's family, the Naruse, but neither I nor my parents had ever met the current head.
When a letter arrived from that head, requesting to meet not just me but our entire family, my father canceled all his plans in a frenzy. It was understandable—Gozo Kamizumi, the current head, was a "hero" who survived the Third World War. Even my mother could only muster a wry smile.
The Kamizumi estate, the heart of Shin'nyo-ryu martial arts, was vast, even excluding the adjacent dojo grounds. It differed in style from our Kitayama estate but overwhelmed me with its grandeur, like stepping into an ancient samurai residence. A young woman greeted us—later I learned she was Yugen's older sister, Shizuru Mitsuya. She led us to the innermost hall, where my mother suddenly directed killing intent toward a figure seated at the far end. Perhaps it was a mage's instinct, but the figure sensed it, reflexively hurling a wooden sword.
I thought it was unavoidable, but a boy standing between us and the figure caught the sword mid-air.
"Gramps, are you insane throwing a sword at guests!?" the boy snapped.
"Your mom sent killing intent my way. It was reflex," the man replied.
"I know I'm one to talk, but show some restraint!"
The boy, addressing the man in his forties as "Gramps," scolded him for his actions. The woman who'd guided us approached, took the sword from the boy, and swung it mercilessly at the man.
"Time to reflect!" she declared.
"Guh!?" the man yelped, blasted into the garden pond to our left, as if struck by a golf driver.
We stood dumbfounded, questioning the household's sense of normalcy. The woman apologized, saying, "Sorry, please take a seat while we prepare," and instructed the boy to set up a table and cushions. He nodded and left.
In the ensuing meeting, we learned the man blasted into the pond was none other than Gozo Kamizumi, the current head and grandmaster of Shin'nyo-ryu. He looked barely forty, making me wonder if he was a double, but he confirmed his identity. Did mastering magic preserve youth? I wondered.
I know it sounds absurd, and I barely understood it myself. But that was my first encounter with the boy—Yugen. The moment was so striking, I'll never forget it.
Back then, he went by "Yuto Nagano," but his magical prowess transcended ordinary talent. I'd seen some of his spells, and my mother noted they were A-rank license level. Until then, only Honoka and I had peers of comparable skill, so Yugen's appearance was a revelation. When I told Honoka, she was skeptical, but I felt more excitement than frustration.
After that unconventional meeting, Yugen visited our Kitayama estate for a party as an apology. My mother remained wary, but my father and Wataru hit it off with him. Honoka and I talked with him about more than just magic or family matters. Looking back, he was the first boy, besides Wataru, I spoke to so freely.
I didn't see Yugen at the magic high school entrance exams (he took them elsewhere), as Honoka and I were too stunned by Miyuki's presence to think of him.
On the magic high school entrance ceremony day, I was curious about the valedictorian from the Mitsuya family. Miyuki's overwhelming talent during the exams left me wondering who could surpass her. Since she gave the response speech, I didn't see the valedictorian. I found myself looking for Yugen (still thinking of him as Yuto), having heard he was in my grade. With his skill, I expected him to be there, but he wasn't. I felt a pang of disappointment.
Honoka sympathized, though she was preoccupied with Miyuki and Tatsuya's reactions. Tatsuya's Course 2 status had her nearly hysterical, a sensitivity tied to her affinity for "light." Her efforts helped us befriend Miyuki, which was a silver lining.
The next day's orientation saw Honoka's bold move land us with Miyuki. But Morisaki, a classmate, kept targeting Miyuki, ignoring Honoka and me, flanked by his entourage. I knew he was from a Hundred Families branch, but his Course 1 elitism was insufferable. Honoka and I were stronger, after all. They say three's a clique, but we didn't approach Miyuki with factional motives—though as a daughter of a major conglomerate, my words might lack weight.
Morisaki also picked fights with Course 2 students—Tatsuya, Leo, Erika, and Mizuki—calling them "reserves" who should stay in line. No such hierarchy existed in school rules. To avoid trouble, Tatsuya's group left quietly during lunch.
After school, Morisaki's group harassed Miyuki again as she walked home with Tatsuya, her brother, as I'd learned. Annoyed by their closeness, Morisaki provoked them, escalating to a near-brawl with CADs drawn and activation sequences deployed. As Honoka prepared a flash spell, every activation sequence vanished, and Honoka, knocked back by the disruption, was caught by someone.
That someone—a Course 1 student—confiscated Erika and Morisaki's CADs. It was Yugen.
Morisaki lashed out, arguing that "Yuto Nagano" lacked the Kamizumi name and that he, from a Hundred Families branch, held more sway. Yugen's retort—"Half right, half wrong"—rattled him. His self-introduction stunned everyone.
He was from the Ten Master Clans' Mitsuya family, the year's valedictorian. I'd thought his skills matched a clan direct heir, but to learn he was one was shocking.
When President Saegusa and Committee Head Watanabe arrived, Yugen mediated, defusing the situation, and Morisaki's group backed off. All seemed well until Miyuki, with a radiant, unguarded smile, hugged Yugen.
In that moment, I might have been jealous. A haze clouded my heart, knowing Miyuki had grown close to Yugen in ways I hadn't. And, well, her figure outshone mine. I muttered "idiot" under my breath, aimed at Yugen.
During April's Blanche incident, Honoka, Eimi, and I tried to help Tatsuya but were cornered by cast jamming. Yugen and Miyuki saved us, but my powerlessness stung. Miyuki was impressive, but Yugen subdued foes with physical techniques alone. His back as he fought stole my heart. I've since made approaches, but he's been oblivious, like "nailing jelly." Even mimicking Miyuki's tactics, which she's noticed and mirrored, hasn't worked.
Honestly, Miyuki harbors feelings for Yugen—I can see it. In this Nine Schools Competition, I might face her in the rookie Ice Pillars Break. She's a friend, a classmate who pushes me to grow, a rival… and a romantic rival.
Before dwelling on that, I need to win the rookie Speed Shooting. Tatsuya's set the stage, and Yugen's refined my spell. That alone thrilled me, though his involvement as my engineer was unexpected.
In First High's waiting room, Yugen tapped away at a terminal. Most adjustments and strategies were Tatsuya's, with Yugen handling hardware checks and minor tweaks for Shizuka's condition.
Tatsuya disliked the spotlight but saw tasks through responsibly. He managed the first-year women's team—minus Miyuki, Honoka, Shizuka, and Eimi—but his Course 2 status sparked some resistance. He dispelled it by refining activation sequences, crafting strategies, and tuning CADs, earning trust.
Yugen handed Shizuka a rifle-shaped CAD for Speed Shooting, asking her to test it.
"Any issues, let me know now," he said.
"It's fine," Shizuka replied. "Honestly, it's too comfortable."
Her CAD was maintained by a top-tier mage-technician, a connection tied to her father and mother's influence. The Kamizumi and Naruse families, her mother's side, were once close but drifted apart after the Yotsuba incident 33 years ago. Three years ago, the Kitayama family's visit rekindled ties with the Naruse.
Setting that aside, Shizuka glanced at her CAD, then at Yugen. His refined features made her cheeks flush, and she looked down, feeling the heat.
"Shizuka? You okay?" Yugen asked.
"You're unfair, Yugen," she murmured.
"I've been hearing that a lot lately," he said, chuckling. "If you're joking, you're probably fine."
Yugen had heard from Tatsuya, who often trained with Shizuka, that she'd asked to hire him as a Kitayama engineer over ten times. Yugen avoided similar offers, being an FLT technician under a pseudonym, thanks to Tatsuya's intervention. Tatsuya had said, "Repay me by supporting Miyuki," implying brotherly approval. Yugen shelved that thought, focusing on helping Shizuka win Speed Shooting.
"That wasn't a joke," Shizuka said. "You're such a blockhead…"
Resigned, Yugen stood and patted her head, a gesture he used to soothe his sister, Shina. Shizuka's ticklish expression belied her delight, and Yugen inwardly sighed in relief.
"I can't respond to that now," he said. "But as your engineer, I'll give my all. Good enough?"
"…Fine," Shizuka replied, her expression softening.
The conversation, odd before a match, seemed to steady Shizuka's condition. Yugen sighed inwardly, knowing he'd pay a price later.
"Shizuka, do your best," he said.
"I will," she nodded.
It wasn't unpleasant, and he accepted the responsibility. With that, Yugen watched Shizuka leave the waiting room.
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