Intersecting Thoughts
Magic High School does not offer dormitories. However, in this modern era, daily necessities can be purchased online, and home automation robots handle all domestic chores, so living alone poses no particular difficulty.
Consequently, Lina had rented an apartment near the school. However, rather than a single-room unit typical for students living alone, she had leased a family-sized unit intended for a small household. The reason was simple: she wasn't living alone.
"Welcome back, Lina."
"Sylvie? You're back already?"
"It is already night, you know."
Warrant Officer Sylvia, who served as her aide, came to the entryway as if she had been lying in wait. She delivered her retort with a hint of exasperation, causing Lina to smile wryly as she entered the room.
"Mia, you're here too?"
"Yes. Pardon the intrusion, Major."
"Please, sit down, Mia. Sylvie, tea, if you would."
Normally, Sylvia would have disregarded the difference in rank and snapped back with, "You're a girl, make your own tea," but she was a woman who knew how to read the room.
"Milk tea is fine, yes? Mia, would you like a refill?"
"Ah, yes, please. Thank you."
The girl who shrank back apologetically at Sylvia's offer was Michaela Hongou. "Mia" was her nickname, and like Lina, she was a Japanese-American. She had been infiltrating the Magic University since the beginning of last month as a support staff member—specifically, a sales engineer for the Japan Branch of Maximilian Devices named "Hongou Mia."
"Did you find anything?"
Lina asked the question only after Sylvia had finished setting the teacups on the table and taken her seat.
"I am scrubbing through the public databases again, but so far, I haven't found any new information."
"Is that so? Well, I suppose it's not the kind of thing that yields immediate results. How about you, Mia?"
"Nothing of note on my end either... I'm sorry."
"And what about you, Lina? Have you gotten any closer to the target?"
At Sylvia's counter-question, Lina's expression clouded.
"I think I've gotten a little closer, but... the competition looks pretty fierce."
"Lina, what are you talking about?"
Lina cleared her throat to gloss over Sylvia's confusion and continued.
"Nothing on the core mission yet. If anything, it feels like my identity is going to be exposed before I learn anything."
"...Did something happen?"
"Tatsuya asked me, 'Isn't the nickname for Angelina usually Angie?' My heart nearly stopped."
"Could it have been a coincidence?"
"I don't know. I have no idea. It felt like those eyes of his could see right through everything... but in the end, he's just a high school student. He can't seriously think I'm Sirius. And even if he does suspect me, I won't let him catch me by the tail."
"I won't let him catch me" was a rather passive stance to take. Strictly speaking, Lina was the one who needed to be catching his tail; the moment she fell under Tatsuya's suspicion, she was already on the back foot.
Having finished Miyuki's measurements in the basement, Tatsuya handed a gown to his sister, who was clad only in her underwear.
"...Was there something lacking in my performance? Brother, please do not hesitate to tell me. If it is what you say, Miyuki will do anything to correct it."
"No, if anyone was lacking, it was me this time. The upper limit of your magic sequence construction scale has leveled up beyond my predictions. Because of that, the CAD's processing power couldn't keep up with your magic power. I intended to set it with a margin for error, but... my reading was too naive."
"I am sorry..."
"What are you apologizing for? On the contrary, this is something you should be proud of."
Tatsuya reached out and roughly ruffled his dejected sister's hair. When she looked up, he offered her a gentle smile.
"It seems Lina transferring into your class has been a good stimulant for you."
"I suppose so... It may sound presumptuous, but I have never had an opponent as challenging as her before. By the way, Brother, regarding your question at lunch... was it as I thought?"
"Did you see right through me?"
After saying this with a light chuckle, Tatsuya wiped the smile from his face, his expression turning sharp and decisive.
"It's true. I am working under the assumption that Lina is 'Sirius.' I really can't keep any secrets from you, can I, Miyuki?"
Tatsuya raised both hands in mock surrender, a smile returning to his lips. Seeing this, Miyuki broke into a mischievous grin and pointed a finger at him.
"But of course. Because I watch you more closely than anyone else, Brother."
"We'll discuss the rest upstairs. Miyuki, go get changed."
Treating her words as a jest, Tatsuya ordered Miyuki to dress. No matter how effective the air conditioning was, he couldn't exactly relax while she remained in nothing but underwear and a gown.
After changing clothes and preparing drinks for herself and her brother, Miyuki sat on the sofa opposite Tatsuya, rather than next to him.
"Regarding what we discussed earlier... there is a high probability that Lina is 'Angie Sirius.'"
Unfazed by Miyuki's alluring attire, Tatsuya resumed their previous conversation. Though she looked slightly dissatisfied, Miyuki obediently followed his lead.
"What I don't understand is that she doesn't seem to have that 'hide the identity at all costs' attitude one would expect. In fact, it almost looks like she's trying to make us notice."
It was natural for him to be confused. The reason was simply that Lina's personal—or perhaps mental—guard was far looser than the USNA military had anticipated. But a reason like that was outside the realm of deduction, even for Tatsuya.
"And there is another issue..."
"Why the USNA military would deploy Sirius, their trump card, for this," Miyuki finished.
"Exactly. Based on my observations over the past week, Lina's abilities are not suited for intelligence work. The main operative is likely someone else moving separately, but to use her as a smokescreen..."
"Sirius is too big a target..."
"Assuming Lina is Sirius... the spy mission is secondary. Her true mission lies elsewhere."
"A mission that requires the USNA to deploy Sirius onto foreign soil... I wonder what it could be?"
"I don't know... but I don't think we need to worry about it at this stage. America has gone to the trouble of providing you with a rival, after all. Miyuki."
"Yes, Brother."
"Compete with Lina with everything you have. I said what I did at lunch, but honestly, obsessing over winning and losing is just about right for now. That friction will push you to heights even greater than where you stand today."
"Yes."
"I imagine Lina feels the same way—that this competition is fuel for her growth. But you have no need to worry. A chance like this is rare."
Hearing Tatsuya's forceful, reassuring words, Miyuki smiled quietly, without a shadow of anxiety.
"Yes. Besides, I have you, Brother. As long as you are with me, I will not fear anyone—even if my opponent is Sirius."
Tatsuya was speaking in the context of a competitor, not a combatant. Seeing his sister's response, which was slightly out of focus with his intent, Tatsuya felt a twinge of unease. However, faced with the flawless, uncracked trust she placed in him, he nodded without hesitation.
Now, where to insert the 'dere' moment...
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