The sedan carrying Lina came to a stop on a riverbank somewhere.
"Somewhere" was the only description Lina could give due to her lack of familiarity with the local geography, but judging by the travel time, it was likely within the metropolis or one of the adjacent prefectures.
When the sedan killed its headlights and the trailing motorbike did the same, a stage of near-total darkness emerged. Although her CAD hadn't been confiscated, her transmitter and communication terminal were no longer in her possession. Even though she hadn't been body-searched, Tatsuya had correctly guessed every device she carried, leaving her no choice but to hand them over quietly.
She had been told they would be returned later, but for the moment, she had no way to signal her location to friendly forces. Surveillance satellites should have been tracking her, but the team that brought her here was led by a "User of Ninjutsu" renowned for illusion magic. It was entirely possible they could deceive even the high-resolution cameras of military satellites.
(Maybe I'm going to be confined in some unknown location just like this... Or in the worst case, assassinated.)
Lina gripped the CAD hidden in her clothes tightly over the fabric.
(If push comes to shove, even if I have to use my trump card...)
"I have a rough idea of what you're thinking, but rest assured, I will keep my promise."
Not screaming was the best Lina could manage. Being spoken to so suddenly, she couldn't stop her body from twitching in surprise. When she turned around, Tatsuya had approached to a distance where his expression was just barely visible in the starlight, smiling without having made a sound. To Lina, it was a thoroughly irritating smile.
"I just want to hear the circumstances. Once I've asked what I want to ask, I'll drop you off at a station."
"I'll only talk if you can beat me."
"Of course. Including that, I will keep my promise."
Lina's voice naturally sharpened, but there was no change in Tatsuya's expression. His unshakeable poker face only fueled her irritation, but Lina knew that losing her temper here would only worsen her position. Gritting her back teeth, she directed a sharp glare past Tatsuya—at Miyuki. Eyes brimming with fighting spirit stared back at her. Miyuki was already fully motivated.
"Now then... Lina, you might not like this, but I'm going to ask Master to serve as the referee. Though I say referee, he's only here to judge the winner and loser; he won't manage the match or interfere midway."
"I knew from the start that everyone here is an enemy, so I have no complaints."
"I appreciate your decisiveness."
Tatsuya let her hateful remark slide effortlessly.
"Well then, unworthy as I am, I, Kokonoe Yakumo, shall serve as referee. The conditions for victory are either the opponent surrendering or becoming unable to fight. Killing is prohibited. It leaves a grudge, after all."
"Understood. That is sufficient."
"I'll end it before it comes to that."
Miyuki nodded quietly, while Lina voiced her agreement with vigor. Their attitudes were contrasting, but they shared a common lack of doubt regarding their own victory. The situation was truly explosive.
"Lastly, only if we judge the situation to be dangerous, Tatsuya-kun will forcibly stop the match. In that case, we will consider about half of each side's conditions valid, and we won't step further than that."
"Tatsuya will?"
Even Lina, who had seen Tatsuya's magic up close, couldn't grasp the intention behind Tatsuya's intervention. But Miyuki understood his intent perfectly, and resolved to fight in a way that wouldn't expose Tatsuya to danger.
"Then, shall we begin?"
"Master, please wait a moment."
In this highly charged atmosphere, there was one man incapable of reading the room who dared to throw cold water on the tension. Completely ignoring the exasperated looks directed at him by Yakumo and Lina, Tatsuya walked over to his sister. He reached a position two steps in front of Miyuki and still didn't stop.
"Um, Brother?"
Without answering the bewildered Miyuki, who couldn't read his intentions, he took another step forward, still not stopping. Then, Tatsuya stopped at point-blank range—where he could embrace her just by reaching out—and pulled Miyuki into his arms.
"Ah-uh-um-ah..."
With his hands wrapped deeply around her waist, Miyuki went past blushing and straight into panic. A third party might remark, 'But you were hugging him yourself just a while ago,' but for Miyuki, initiating a hug and being suddenly embraced were two completely different things.
Tatsuya's other hand moved to the back of Miyuki's head. Miyuki could no longer even voice a sound. Threading his fingers through his sister's hair, he drew her unresisting face toward his own and kissed Miyuki on the forehead.
When he released the embrace, Miyuki's wide-eyed face was revealed. There was no shyness there, only shock.
"This is... why...?"
"I saw it recently and learned the method, though imperfectly. It only has a temporary effect, but I'm returning your control power. Go all out."
"...Yes!"
At Tatsuya's words, Miyuki nodded with a powerful smile, devoid of any flustered giddiness.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Master."
"I understand the circumstances, but I doubt she understands what that action meant, no?"
Beside Yakumo, who spoke up, Lina was pointing at Miyuki's forehead, her mouth opening and closing like a fish while her eyes darted around in confusion.
"Tatsuya... You, what did you just do? Why did you kiss Miyuki on the forehead..."
"There's no need to think too deeply about it. Let's see... just think of it as a good luck charm."
Since he obviously couldn't explain their relationship—or their connection to the Yotsuba family—to Lina, Tatsuya fabricated a vague reason.
"A charm..."
It was subtle whether she believed it or not, but Lina groaned as if pondering something deeply.
"Even so, Tatsuya-kun, when did you learn to do that?"
"It is strictly temporary. I cannot do it properly."
While Lina was lost in her own world, Yakumo asked Tatsuya with amusement. Tatsuya gave a reply that lacked any particular interest.
"...Tatsuya!"
"What?"
Having reached a conclusion, Lina suddenly shouted Tatsuya's name. Tatsuya showed no surprise and answered quite naturally.
"Giving that charm only to Miyuki isn't fair. Do it to me too!"
"...Huh?"
"I said! Hug me, pull me close, and kiss me on the forehead too!"
Tatsuya looked at Miyuki, confirmed that her eyes were saying "It can't be helped," and then, just as he had done with Miyuki, pulled Lina close and kissed her on the forehead.
Naturally, being kissed by Tatsuya wouldn't increase her magical power like it did for Miyuki. However, Lina's expression was even more focused and determined than before.
(Author's Note)
Lina doesn't know the circumstances, so will she just accept that explanation...?
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