To celebrate leading the competition's first three days ahead of other schools, Mayumi planned to hold a small victory party after Mari's surfing race concluded.
However...
"Yotsuba-kun, your mom is here."
"Huh?!"
This message that sounded like an insult came from Erika after the crowd dispersed.
But it wasn't an insult—Yotsuba Maya, that old woman, had actually come!
Not long ago, she'd been sitting under the blazing sun in the Nine Schools Competition spectator stands watching his match!
This was absolutely unprecedented.
From what he knew of Yotsuba Maya, she was practically a recluse who never left her house.
Though hard to believe, not only Erika but even Miyuki and Mizuki confirmed it.
Moreover.
"Your mom took Sayaka away, saying she wanted to talk with her privately. She said if you want to find Sayaka, you should go see her," Erika added.
"..."
No wonder he hadn't seen Sayaka for hours.
What scheme was that old woman plotting now?
"Auntie means she wants to meet with just the two of us," Miyuki explained.
"Us" naturally referred to just him and Miyuki—not even Tatsuya would be included.
"Fine then, let's see what tricks that old woman has up her sleeve this time."
"Wait."
Just as Mahiro was about to leave with Miyuki, a striking head of red hair blocked their path. Erika looked up at him.
"Mahiro-kun, shouldn't you explain something?"
"Explain what?"
"It's just... Yotsuba-sama seemed so gentle... And why does Miyuki call her 'auntie'..."
Mizuki spoke timidly, her voice growing progressively quieter until it faded completely.
Actually, she'd noticed something peculiar long ago.
Due to her photon emission hypersensitivity—what ancient magic practitioners called "Crystal Eyes"—she could see non-physical photon emissions invisible to normal people. Her spiritual sensitivity could even discern color spectrums undetectable by other spirit magic users.
In her vision, Tatsuya and Miyuki shared similar auras.
Being siblings, that was normal.
But the problem was, Mahiro and Miyuki's auras matched even more closely—their compatibility and similarity exceeded even that between the Shiba siblings!
Yet she'd never dared mention this before.
Hearing Mizuki's account, he couldn't help but laugh bitterly.
"You all actually think Yotsuba Maya is gentle?"
His gaze swept across them. Aside from the silent Shiba siblings, everyone nodded.
"Elegant, graceful, mysterious, and dignified," was Shizuku's assessment.
"Exactly, it's nothing like the exaggerated witch-like description you gave!" Erika planted her hands on her hips, as if ready to defend Yotsuba Maya's honor.
This made Mahiro chuckle involuntarily.
"Anyone else might not know better, but Erika, as the daughter of one of the Hundred Families, shouldn't you understand? That demeanor is just a facade for outsiders. In reality, that woman is ruthless."
The title [Untouchable] was initially earned by the former family head, Yotsuba Genzou, but it was Yotsuba Maya who truly solidified its reputation.
Her merciless methods even made the Ten Master Clans wary.
Hearing this, Erika couldn't refute him—after all, the Chiba family was no different.
"...Then what about your relationship with Miyuki?"
"That's simple too. Since Miyuki calls my mother 'aunt,' what do you think our relationship is? Just cousins, obviously."
"Wha—?!!"
"Huh... Seriously?!"
"Miyuki-san is actually Mahiro-kun's cousin?!"
Mahiro delivered this earth-shattering revelation in the most casual tone possible.
Even the usually unflappable Shizuku showed signs of her expression crumbling on her typically impassive face.
This was more shocking than anything else—like a bolt from the blue, leaving them utterly stunned.
But upon reflection, it made sense.
Tatsuya's formidable combat skills and engineering prowess, along with Miyuki's extraordinary magical abilities, clearly indicated they weren't from an ordinary family.
Erika had once speculated they might belong to a lost lineage, like Ichihara Suzune.
But never in her wildest dreams had she imagined they were cousins with Mahiro.
In other words... the Shiba family was a branch of the Yotsuba?!
...
"Nee, Mahiro-nii, is it really okay to reveal our connection to the Yotsuba family to them?" Miyuki asked worriedly.
"Don't worry, it's fine," Mahiro replied dismissively.
While everyone was still reeling from the shock, he took Miyuki's hand and quietly slipped away.
On the way, Miyuki brought up the matter again, so he took the opportunity to explain his reasoning.
"If that woman chose to greet you and Tatsuya in public, it means she doesn't care about exposing the Shiba family's ties."
"Besides, we only mentioned being cousins—we didn't reveal that you're a candidate heir to the Yotsuba family. Nothing will go wrong."
"As for whether anyone might investigate, I wouldn't be concerned."
"Erika might seem carefree and playful all the time, but she's actually very tight-lipped."
"The others, I doubt they'd gossip about it either."
"And if anyone really does dig into it, they'd have to face the Yotsuba family's overwhelming presence. Who would dare make a move? Right?"
"Mmm... Mahiro-nii makes a very good point."
Miyuki nodded, finally feeling relieved.
"However... as for the position of the Yotsuba family heir candidate, I still believe you are the most suitable, Mahiro-nii."
"Ah, come on. Leaving aside whether I want to be the head or not, that woman would never give the position to me. Even if she did, the other branch families wouldn't agree."
"That's not true!"
Miyuki suddenly retorted passionately, "I, along with Ayako, Fumiya, and Yuuka-nee, would absolutely support you, Mahiro-nii!"
Watching the girl argue fervently, Mahiro habitually reached out and gently stroked Miyuki's long hair.
"Miyuki, you know very well that the decision isn't in our hands. And I've never cared about these things."
"But..."
Miyuki lowered her head shyly, her voice tinged with dissatisfaction. "But aside from you, Mahiro-nii, who else is even qualified to take the position of family head?!"
These were Miyuki's heartfelt words.
In terms of sheer excellence, whether it was the Shiba family, the Shiiba family, or even the Shibata and other branch families, none could hold a candle to Mahiro.
Even combined, they wouldn't stand a chance against him.
But the real issue was—wouldn't the final say still rest with that woman, Yotsuba Maya?
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