Upon returning home from school, Yugen was slightly surprised by the sender of the email he received. It was from his sister, Kana. The fact that she had gone out of her way to use an encrypted email made him brace himself for a serious matter as he read through it.
When he saw the contents, it was immediately clear why encryption was necessary.
(So, this is about the Mitsuya family taking custody of Saegusa-senpai for a while...)
Judging by the content of Kana's email, there was no doubt she had already spoken to their former home, the Mitsuya family, and Mayumi's family, the Saegusa. However, the fact that the names of Mototsugu and Yugen were also included raised questions.
Since something like this had never happened before, the most likely immediate cause was the inquiry letter the Saegusa family had sent to the Kagurazaka family. On top of that, Kana had requested to meet tomorrow night to talk.
Normally, there would be no need to be so guarded with family, but given the circumstances, he had to treat this as a matter for the Head of the Kagurazaka family. With that thought in mind, he didn't reply immediately but instead knocked on the door of the adjoining room.
"Kana-senpai sent this? Even though it concerns the Saegusa family, why involve us?"
Miyuki tilted her head, looking puzzled after hearing the explanation from Yugen. It was true that the Mitsuya and Saegusa families shared a history of various grievances centered around Yugen. Therefore, it seemed strange that Kana would be the one to reach out to Mayumi and let her cool off at the Mitsuya household.
"From Kana-neesan's perspective, Saegusa-senpai is indeed a direct descendant of the Ten Master Clans, but she is also a fellow former Student Council President, and Neesan has always been fond of her. I think this is her way of admonishing Senpai—a final act of kindness she can offer as a member of the Mitsuya family."
"Ah, I see..."
Kana was currently engaged to the future head of the Yotsuba family, but recently, the Itsuwa family had proposed an engagement with their eldest son, Hirofumi. Faced with such a one-sided situation, Mototsugu had been so troubled that he had vented his complaints to Yugen (Yugen, mindful of past debts of gratitude and the trouble he had caused, had listened quietly).
In any case, once Kana became a member of another family, she would increasingly be unable to involve herself with Mayumi. Especially as Tatsuya's sister-in-law (via the Yotsuba connection), she would belong to the Yotsuba family, which was in opposition to the Saegusa. While she could interact with Mayumi as an individual, there was always the possibility that they would have to oppose each other in their capacities as members of their respective families.
"Senpai is probably confused by everything people around her are saying."
"Confused, you say?"
"Just like with the incident involving Nakura-san last autumn, Senpai is wavering in her stance as a member of the Saegusa family. Izumi-chan resolved herself to discard the Saegusa name long ago, but Senpai likely can't bring herself to throw away her achievements and pride as the eldest daughter of the Saegusa family."
She didn't want to be at her father's beck and call. Yet, Mayumi was afraid to discard everything she had built up as the eldest daughter. Kana's email mentioned that Mari and Tsugumi were also present, so they had likely pressed Mayumi to decide how she wanted to live.
"However, Kana-neesan affirmed that her affection for me is undeniably genuine... It's truly a troublesome situation."
"...I will follow your decision, Yugen-san. Even so, I have no intention of ceding the number one spot."
"Miyuki... as I said before, I have no intention of changing the hierarchy so easily. The position of legal wife belongs to you."
"In that case, please call for me after you have replied to the email."
It was already decided that they would sleep together tonight. Just as Yugen finished sending his reply, a knock sounded. Miyuki entered, wearing nightwear but clearly no underwear beneath, and they went to sleep together just like that.
The next morning, when they woke up as usual and were about to head out for morning training, they ran into Tatsuya, who offered words of appreciation: "You always go through so much trouble."
The place Kana designated was Eine Brise. It was actually one of Kana's favorite shops; stopping by for a leisurely coffee on her way back from the Magic High School was her way of relieving stress.
It was unprecedented for a university student to hold a teaching position at a Magic High School. Some adults, concerned that Kana's abilities as a researcher were being wasted, had made moves to recommend her to government magic research institutions. However, Kana herself had firmly declined that path. She had silenced them by saying, "I decide my own path. I have no reason to take orders from you... If you say anything unnecessary, I'll tell Grandfather," effectively shutting them down.
"Sorry, Yugen. Sending you an email out of the blue like that."
"It's fine. You must be busy with your work as an instructor, Neesan."
"That's something I do because I enjoy it. Though I'm no match for you, Yugen."
"...No, writing that thesis all by yourself is amazing enough. So, about yesterday's email?"
The fact that she had independently discovered one of the Cardinal Codes and improved the Activation Sequence for gravity control magic to be compatible with thermonuclear fusion reactors was an achievement that belonged solely to Kana, without a doubt. Putting aside talk of magic technology, Yugen erected a soundproofing field and broached the subject.
"Yeah. I only heard the story partway through, but I thought if things continued as they were, Mayumi would just end up drifting through life. There's no doubt she likes you, Yugen, but if we brought you together like this, it would just become a relationship where Mayumi is dependent on you."
"...I see. So, you're taking custody of Senpai at the Mitsuya house to force her to think calmly."
"Exactly. My wish—along with Mari and Tsugumi's—is for Mayumi to show us how she wants to live by her own will. In my case, family matters are involved, but it's a fact that I'm interested in Tatsuya-kun. If push comes to shove, I'll use all my wisdom and connections to silence any opposition."
Staying with an acquaintance—and a family of the Ten Master Clans at that—to let the heat die down would likely be a source of relief for the Saegusa family as well. Furthermore, the Yaguruma family would take over Mayumi's guard duties for the time being, with the Kamiizumi family also involved just in case.
"So, are you okay with this, Yugen? You don't have a problem with the Mitsuya family taking custody of Mayumi for a while?"
Kana had called Yugen because, while she could guess his feelings toward Mayumi, she was concerned about the various grudges Yugen held against the Saegusa family. Mari and Tsugumi had been anxious that, in the worst-case scenario, he might show resistance toward the Mitsuya family's actions.
"...Neesan. I consider the issue with Senpai and the issue with the Saegusa family to be separate matters. It's true I feel resentment toward the current head, but I don't dislike Senpai, Kasumi-chan, or Izumi-chan. If I did, I wouldn't have suggested reviving the engagement with Izumi-chan."
"...I see. Then, do you like Mayumi?"
"I think she's attractive as a woman. But because of the trouble that comes with her family background, I can't say I have total affection for her."
"Hearing that is enough. Thanks, Yugen."
Hearing Yugen's words, Kana felt both relieved and convinced. It wouldn't be strange for him to harbor "hostility" toward someone who had once caused him to fear for his life. Yet, Yugen had consistently strived to avoid the worst possible outcome.
The one who had rendered his efforts meaningless was none other than the head of the Saegusa family, Koichi Saegusa. That was why Kana didn't like him much either, and although they were sometimes invited to the same social parties, she kept her distance from Saegusa family affiliates as much as possible.
"By the way, you received an engagement proposal from Hirofumi-san, the eldest son of the Itsuwa family. What are you going to do?"
"I intend to decline politely. Even if he's interested, I'm not. However, if he insists on talking, I'll ask Father to at least set up a meeting. That's the one thing I can't ask you to do, Yugen."
Before anyone realized it, all the Mitsuya siblings, including Yugen, had their futures decided. This was extremely fortunate, even among the Ten Master Clans. Therefore, they could afford to take Mayumi into the Mitsuya home temporarily to let her sort out her feelings.
"Come to think of it, Arisa-chan, was it? Her aptitude is similar to the Jumonji family's. Do you know anything about that?"
"...Arisa is the illegitimate child of the current head of the Jumonji family."
"Ah... Mika has it rough, too. In the worst case, Lord Jumonji might fall victim to Mika's submission holds."
While the conversation had clearly taken a wild turn, Mika had already integrated into the Jumonji family. It was easy to imagine that if this fact came to light, she would undoubtedly side with Kazuki's children from his second wife.
Considering Mika's personality—sparing no one regardless of who they were—Kana found herself thinking it wouldn't be strange at all if Kazuki ended up with dislocated limbs in the worst-case scenario. The sin of having an affair, fathering a child, and keeping it secret from the family for fourteen years was heavy indeed.
Although a soundproofing field was up, the master of Eine Brise, sensing the gravity of their conversation from their demeanor, offered them dessert on the house, reading the room perfectly.
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