The student council room discussion settled with Mizunami arranging Tatsuya and company's lodging. Izumi clutched her head upon hearing it—likely conflicted over Miyuki's request. That's for Izumi to resolve herself.
They stopped by the lab building to ask Shizuku again to substitute for Mikihiko, then headed home.
In the cabinet, Yūgen stared at his terminal; a Kyoto local news article reported Nagura's murder. Miyuki noticed his expression and spoke.
"Yūgen-san, something wrong? Looks like an incident article."
"Ah. A man named Saburō Nagura killed in Kyoto—if not a namesake, he's a Seven Grass Family bodyguard."
"Seven Grass... Yūgen, think it's coincidence?"
"Too contrived for coincidence, Tatsuya."
Tatsuya's group doesn't know, but Yūgen witnessed the scene. Given Tatsuya's ignorance, Fumiya and Ayako's gag order works. These facts must emerge eventually, but now he inwardly chafes at silence.
Unlike Kudō, a Seven Grass affiliate—guarding/monitoring Kanto—dying in Kyoto screams anomaly. Even as a Number-fallen Extra, his skill valued by a Ten Master Clans house limits killers to Zhou Gongjin-level, who repelled Kuroba troops—and Tatsuya reasons thus. Nagura's background was explained last fall after escorting Mayumi to the station, to cheer Miyuki.
"...Actually, Izumi-chan confided secretly. She sensed a 'death aura' from Saburō Nagura."
"Death aura?"
"More precognition than modern magic; Kasumi sensed it too via twin intuition."
In canon, Mayumi acted alone, but Kasumi and Izumi knowing Nagura makes their involvement plausible. Yet Yūgen, visiting Seven Grass this spring, sealed Zhou Gongjin pact with Hirokazu before Mayumi. She can't ignore it as eldest daughter, even acting independently.
Considering ahead, Mayumi may seek cooperation. Thinking so, Yūgen closed the article, swiftly emailed, and sent.
◇ ◇ ◇
That night, learning Nagura's death via police ID request, Mayumi grilled Hirokazu at home. He dismissed her: "None of your business."
Knowing her personality, he should've disclosed some info to satisfy. But this stemmed from Seven Grass "selfishness." It voided the pact with Kamigarakawa proxy before her eyes.
Even Hirokazu, nearly facing Izumi's "sever parent-child ties" over her broken engagement, dodged by claiming disclosure as head's sole right.
But Mayumi wouldn't accept.
Not close; Nagura was obsequious, a mere servant. Creepy to her, but he died on Father's orders. No—"murdered," she believes.
"Mayumi—... This is bad. Hot water?"
"Don't; cleanup hassle. Mayumi, snap out of it."
"Eh, ah, yes. Sorry. And why hot water, Tsugumin?"
Next day's lunch at Magic University cafeteria: Mayumi, Azami, Mari. Mayumi—Seven Grass heiress in revealing attire—looking fragile draws eyes.
"Hot water clears the mind."
"Could burn depending on temp."
Note: Mari isn't skipping Defense Academy drills; selected students from its officer-training magic dept (Special Tactics Research) audit Magic University weekly—she's one.
Jokes aside, Azami deployed sound barrier, stopped joking, asked Mayumi. Despite barrier, Mayumi spoke hand over mouth.
"...So, what's troubling you?"
"You know bodyguard Nagura-san, Tsugumin, Mari?"
"Yeah, met a few times. What about him?"
"——He was killed."
Mayumi's bluntness sparked Azami/Mari's safety concerns. Sensing it, she added:
"But not ambushed en route with me. Father's work in Kyoto..."
"Condolences."
"...Thanks."
Not intimate, but for acquaintance's death, they voiced sympathy. After silent prayer, Mari asked:
"So, what do you want, Mayumi? Not revenge, surely."
"Not vengeance. But ignoring it means paying some price—I feel."
"Price? To whom?"
"Don't know."
Previously, Seven Grass ignored Jūyama's Yūgen kidnap attempt, irking Uesui. Plus secret Miyata engagement broken. Even then, more disclosed than now.
No proof. But such secrecy risks the spring pact Yūgen/Father made before her—she implied in responses.
"But you're busy, Mari? Defense curriculum's rigid—from what I glimpsed."
"Yeah. Azami?"
"Hmm... Consult Jūmonji-kun? Or Mika-senpai, Kana-senpai."
Azami excluded First High knowing her fiancé (engagement public) guards comp presenters. Mari whispered:
(Azami, why no Tatsuya-kun or Yūgen-kun?)
(This year's comp in Kyoto; involving them in Seven Grass family matter seems off.)
Purely Mayumi's personal issue; no order as proxy to retrieve Nagura's effects. Relying on graduated First High feels wrong.
(Making them volunteer time for Mayumi's sake? Unpaid—questions Seven Grass dignity. Your house ties to Miyata via kin; be mindful.)
(Yeah...)
"Alright, as big sis checking little bro's friends—"
"What're you saying?!"
"Kyawn!?"
While they whispered, Mayumi stood decisively; Azami chopped her head to sit her. Pain-teary Mayumi hugged head; slightly panting Azami; Mari urging firm consultant choice.
Joining: rare solo Mika.
"—So, why's Mayumin overseeing non-family bro's friends? First, no engagement to Yūgen."
"Yes, exactly."
(Hey, Mari. This is...)
(Yeah. Advising her—she'd dodge.)
Mayumi thought: Comp security by Monolith Code winners—current VP Hattori. Former council colleagues; seek Yūgen (activities head) via him.
Mika knows Yūgen/Miyuki dating (engaged); sensed her feelings since Nine Schools meet. House rank aside for non-Ten Master Yūgen, Miyuki's skill qualifies engagement.
Intended or not, Ten Master Clans lack authority meddling others' marriages.
"Guessed outline—Nagura-san?"
"! ...How'd you know?"
"Come on, I know you knew him too. Saw news by chance."
Mika viewed Kyoto tourism special; checked security news—hit Nagura. Confirmed with Mayumi.
"Seeking Yūgen's help... Serious?"
"Eh? Bad?"
"...Listen."
Mika worried Yūgen's Seven Grass impression.
Last New Year's Jūyama; spring media issue. Now probing his circle. Mostly from Father, but expecting favor's impossible.
Secret Izumi engagement may have emboldened Seven Grass... Knows it; bro's tired contacts show reluctant acceptance.
"Jūyama alone heaps hate; sweet on Yūgen's leniency too much, Mayumin. Or Seven Grass overall."
"Then what? Pretend sleep?"
"...Jūmonji-kun?"
"No, that's..."
"Thought so."
Jūmonji too—bothered over Riri. Can't mishandle; one name surfaced.
"Then Tatsuya-kun might listen."
"...Your call?"
Tatsuya subbed last comp. Busy? Mika, seeing Mayumi's self-serving, let her be.
◇ ◇ ◇
October 14, Sunday. As Tatsuya visited Yokohama Magic Assoc branch, Yūgen in 'Shinkai-kai' suit hit upscale Tokyo restaurant. Secret talk or not, ex-commoner past makes it surreal.
Personal aside, arriving first; fusuma opens—burly man. Bald-shaved, suited elder aura. Youth: strapping; cloudy left eye pressures.
"Sorry sudden summon, Kamigarakawa Yūgen."
"No, weekday avoidance considerate, Tōdō-dono."
Shadow watchers/wielders ensuring "surface" order undisturbed by "underside"—yōkai, mages, aberrants: exorcise, seal, eliminate.
Organization: 'Genrōin' apex—Four Elders; Tōdō Aoba (secular-shunning monk, aka Seiba). Includes Kamigarakawa, Uesui; inheriting name inherits seat.
Hearing apology, Yūgen bids sit; Aoba nods, sits opposite, speaks.
"...Heard from daughter; Zhou Gongjin's troublesome."
"Borrowed Kuroba aid, but eliminating now unwise. Even Seven Grass retainers struggle."
Aoba had Nagura intel; unsurprised. But hindering prime Four Leaves exceeds sponsor tolerance.
"Leave decisions to you. Seven Grass—need interference?"
"Counterproductive. Current head Hirokazu won't quit Four Leaves—successor change, he'll meddle behind."
Perhaps Hirokazu eyes Genrōin. Not Four Elders, but entry tops other Ten Master—above Four Leaves.
Canon: Maya, Retsu knew somewhat. Head-level secret; Seven Grass misjudged Kamigarakawa (Genrōin) power, moved Nagura hastily.
"Penalty for slighting pact with Four Elder Kamigarakawa—they pay fully. Tell other Elder—Kashiwa-dono—'no meddling.'"
"Understood... One question: why such enmity?"
"Enmity... understated."
Current Elders: Kamigarakawa Chihime, Uesui Gōzō, Tōdō Aoba, Kashiwa Kazutaka. Yūgen holds no grudge against Kashiwa—or "held" none.
Yūgen probed non-canon Jūyama raid details. Canon: indirect Miyuki/Mizunami attack = Ten Master rebellion; done casually. National defense backside or not, pitting clans weakens state—unpraiseworthy.
Seven Grass should've rebuked Jūyama (Assistant Eighteen); Jūmonji (same Tenth Inst) didn't—odd. Probed via Army intel merits.
Result: Jūyama/Nat'l Defense Intel directed by mastermind—Kashiwa Kazutaka. Then ignorant of Genrōin, spared Gōzō trouble, halted. Past-life experience drew retreat line.
"Simply: high chance ordered last New Year's Army raid. Unlikely stupid assassins, but untrustworthy."
"...Keep secret."
Yūgen avoids murder's burden. But life-threatening—can't ignore. Kashiwa links include rumored strongest Izayoi; Yūgen wishes no issues. Aoba, knowing power's woes, vows silence.
Added Azami/Mika to canon duo. Original: protagonist/Aoba scene. Nat'l Defense Intel (Jūyama): needs strong backing for extralegal; used canon sequel setup as hate sink.
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