October 15, Monday. Amid Thesis Competition prep at First High, a visitor: last year's graduate, Nanakusa Mayumi, requesting as Seven Grass eldest daughter. Target: Tatsuya. Anxious students watch; Yūgen types silently at council table.
Celia whispers considerately.
"...Not relying on big bro surprises me."
"Yeah? Senpai knows the pact. Chose Tatsuya out of consideration."
Yūgen pre-informed Mika: pact bars accepting Mayumi's aid. Mika replied: convinced her. Planned using connections—nearly head-clutched. Izumi approaches.
"Yūgen onii-sama. What will onee-sama ask Shiba-senpai?"
"Unsure, but Seven Grass-related request to Tatsuya."
Else, using Ten Master status lacks logic.
Mayumi unaware: Tatsuya Four Leaves direct—current head's nephew. Hidden for Miyuki's safety; misstep risks Clan Conference rules.
Tatsuya/Miyuki Four Leaves link known to few (Jūkudō Retsu, Nanakusa Hirokazu). Four Leaves revenge lingers 30+ years; head was victim.
Hiding next-gen logical for magic power. Miyata use aliases for roles; business names hide wealth/power—common safety.
"Ten Master relying on non-Ten Master odd?"
"Makes sense. But senpai's reliables limited."
Hirokazu knows personality; likely monitors, not guards. Allows: "Seven Grass betrayed by Zhou, Mayumi aids Tatsuya." Nagura's death fits conveniently.
Details post-Tatsuya—returning from parlor, anxious eyes turn.
"Good work, Tatsuya. What'd Nanakusa-senpai want?"
"Ah. Comp pre-survey; wants Kyoto escort."
"Kyoto" clouds Izumi's face. Guesses Nagura link; Yūgen feigns ignorance, awaits continuation.
"Declined unknown errand; looked serious."
Obvious lie. Detected sound barrier; heard details. Can't say publicly: "Seven Grass bodyguard died Kyoto, probe cause."
Spotting Tatsuya's tact, Yūgen speaks first.
"Tatsuya. Buffer survey time; split manpower if needed. Unsure senpai's errand, but chose you over Jūmonji/Ichiara—dire. Hattori-senpai, okay with her?"
"Y-Yeah. Survey under Kamigarakawa; if he approves, no objection. Shiba?"
"Yes. Sorry trouble."
Canon: Hattori/Honoka approved. Here: Yūgen (head/security) convinces Hattori via him. Then to Izumi.
"Izumi-chan, contact Nanakusa-senpai on weekend survey?"
"M-Me? Onii-sama knows her contact."
"True, but early Kyoto entry ties hands. Please?"
"Yes, gladly!!"
Izumi beams at reliance; adds pact + beaming President Miyuki nearby. Celia hand on Yūgen shoulder.
"Bad man, onii-chan."
"Punch? Serious."
Honoka, Mizunami bitter-smile; Tatsuya rare weary.
◇ ◇ ◇
Hakone, Kamigarakawa main house office (and-style "work room"). Chihime greets ageless elder—Four Leaves head butler/Genrōin agent, Hayama Tadataka.
"Long since main house, Hayama-san."
"Yes. Son performing well?"
"Ara, to you, Tadanari forever novice."
"Arrogance troublesome. Butlers sense master's feelings unspoken."
Originally, Chihime's father sent Hayama to control Four Leaves under Kamigarakawa. Ironically fulfills with next head; Chihime smiles.
" Likely Tōdō-dono's letter?"
"Sharp. From Tōdō Excellency to Chihime-sama."
Chihime opens seal-less, scans, hands to Hayama. He bows, reads fast, returns.
"...Kashiwa Excellency involved? This?"
"Investigated... Bad timing to remove now."
Capturing/"exterminating" Zhou risks chaos if Elder out—plays into Gu Jie.
But Chihime set: purge rotten Kashiwa. Reason: Chinatown extraterritoriality tolerated via him, including Zhou.
"Tolerated vaguely for national benefit. But demonic—against it. His reluctant approval self-preservation."
"...Yūgen-dono targeted possibly."
"If harms my son, erase Kashiwa name from history. Supporters too."
Gōzō excels violent magic/might; sister Chihime top-tier. Repelled raids: sank foreign fleets overnight like magic—unknown to most. Gōzō instantly knew.
Serious Chihime; Hayama deep bow. She fans open, smiles.
"If that geezer dares Kamigarakawa fight. Anyway, Tatsuya-kun faring?"
"Yes. No Zhou lead, but Jūkudō Retsu cooperation worthy."
"...Clan Conference rigidity unnecessary now."
Spring Seven Grass media tied to Zhou hint at conference.
Retsu senses Seven Grass moves via Army; could've persuaded Hirokazu, prevented Nagura death. But intuitive: not wasted.
"Nara attack: Defense Intel intervened. Department known but..."
"Allow. Your visit—Tatsuya's 'reinforcements'?"
"Perceptive. Four Leaves mercenaries if needed."
"Decline. Instead, note to Yoshida house. Chiba too?"
Seven Grass probing Four Leaves: mercenaries irk. They broke pact—no need courtesy. Better than pointless probing.
Hayama slight surprise. Yoshida (ancient magic) fits vs 'Traditionalists.' But Chiba (modern, Hundred main) for ancient guard? Chihime preempts.
"Surprising. Resources limited. Izayoi strongest, Kashiwa-linked—unreliable. Use Yū-kun ties: Chiba gains ancient experience."
"Eyeing beyond Zhou?"
"Correct."
Modern/ancient differ fundamentally. Few versed; accumulate via Yūgen ties.
Hundred has ancient-savvy; Izayoi strongest, mentors ancients (less prominent with Uesui/Kamigarakawa). Hate gene/bio magic boosts. Defer Ten Master; scorn taboo Number-fallen Extras.
Yūgen heir reveal: Izayoi protested with Uesui. Chihime stormed: "Prove strength matching gripe. My nominee beat 'Crimson Prince' stopping Sado invasion—within rules." Silenced head.
Thus distrusts Izayoi aid.
Fortunately, Tatsuya classmate Erika Chiba—forces acceptance for safety. Harm: Chiba-ryū students "revenge" vs Traditionalists.
She dates Leo; grandfather ties amusing—Chihime smiles.
"Parasite incident: nominal cooperation with Kamigarakawa/Uesui—less strife. Defense/police ties: Seven Grass nods for daughter. Jūmonji same."
"Thanks on head's behalf."
"No issue. Mutual aid."
Tense but ends amicably.
◇ ◇ ◇
Hayama exits; son Tadanari waits. Gauges amicable end.
"Good work, Father."
"Tadanari... Expected Tatsuya-dono actions query; untouched."
"Anxious?"
Tadanari knows all Tatsuya past: Four Leaves treatment... near-kill by branch heads. Casual before kin.
"Anxiety re Tatsuya-dono negligible sans Miyuki-sama."
"Know... Pre-visit Four Leaves main—something? Not head, Kuroba?"
Rare father drop; Tadanari proud, Hayama spits.
"Correct. Kuroba doubts Tatsuya-dono Zhou capture duty. No Four Leaves loyalty."
"Failed vs target now Tatsuya's; he healed on arrival. Likely hates exposure to least-wanted."
"Exposure... maybe."
Kuroba sees loyalty test.
But Tadanari differs: risks next-head Miyuki odd. Guardian demo risks losing asset.
Sound barrier; to Hayama.
"Father, no answer fine... Four Leaves wants Tatsuya-dono next head?"
"Sharp, Tadanari. Fine Kamigarakawa head butler deduction."
Maya's intent known to few: Hayama, close servants, Chihime, Gōzō, Yūgen.
Tadanari unaware; affirmed. Continues.
"Tatsuya-dono power uncontainable outside Four Leaves. Head knows—wants 'real son' succeed."
"...Tatsuya-dono Maya's child?"
"Fact. Likely aware—his 'eyes' that potent."
Shocking; Tadanari near-speechless. Hayama smiles.
"Announce post-next Keishun-kai. Chihime knows; restate from you."
"...Understood. Escort out?"
"No geezer treatment. Excuse."
Hayama leaves lighter. Tadanari bows deep post-barrier lift.
Father serves Four Leaves, he Kamigarakawa—mind lines.
Protagonist shifts atmosphere greatly. No Hattori rant; Izumi joys brightens. He bears cost.
Latter Hayama/Tadanari original. Casual kin-only; formal felt off.
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