Miyuki Shiba's Perspective
I'm Miyuki Shiba. I have parents and an older brother, but my parents aren't close, and Mother insists I see Tatsuya as a bodyguard, not a brother. At school, we act like normal siblings to avoid suspicion.
Our family dynamic is unusual, and I know why. Though our surname differs, Mother's sister, Maya Yotsuba, leads the Yotsuba Clan a name synonymous with magic's elite. As a potential heir, Mother demands I uphold their standards.
Mother's frail health, worsened by her potent magic, makes this rare family trip precious. Yet Tatsuya's presence as a bodyguard feels intrusive. His stoic demeanor and distance, reinforced by Mother's view, confound me. It's a warped family bond I can't grasp.
While I pondered this, Mother spotted someone. "Stay here," she said, leaving. Tatsuya stood out of sight, as always. When she returned, she instructed, "Come greet some acquaintances. Both of you."
I thought only I'd go, but she included Tatsuya to practice our sibling act, ensuring no one questions our bond. I nodded silently.
The acquaintances were two young men, one around my age. Despite Mother's youthful appearance, their connection intrigued me. I introduced myself as instructed.
"Yuto Nagano. Nice to meet you, Shiba-san," the younger said, politely greeting Tatsuya too. Mother, who usually disapproves of such courtesy toward him, smiled. "So like Gozo," she remarked, puzzling me.
They were on our flight. Mother swapped seats, placing Yuto beside me. I'm used to responding politely but hesitated to probe. To distract myself, I studied history on my terminal.
…
Curiosity won. I closed my terminal, glancing at Yuto. He was about to stand, our eyes meeting.
"Need something? I'm heading to the restroom, but I can talk after. Cool?" he asked gently.
"Uh, yes," I stammered, caught off guard by his kindness. Engaging others isn't like me, yet something about him stirred an unfamiliar feeling I couldn't name.
Yuto's Perspective
Sigh. Being on the receiving end of Miyuki's charm is unreal. "Captivating the world" isn't an exaggeration experiencing it firsthand proves it. At thirteen, I thought her allure would be milder, but I was wrong.
Lingering in the restroom would seem suspicious, so I tidied up and returned. Miyuki fidgeted in her seat, radiating an almost comical cuteness. "Shiba-san, what did you want to ask?"
"Um, how do you know Mother?" she asked.
"Call me Yuto. It's my first time meeting Miya-san, but my grandfather, Gozo, knew her and her parents well. That's the connection."
The frame's photo confirmed my suspicions. Gozo's tales revealed he and thirty Yotsuba stormed Dahan, causing 5,000 deaths. Gozo alone felled 1,000 counted corpses only. Hearing it, I wanted to quip, "This isn't a one-man-army game!" He's practically a modern Lü Bu. To enemies, a nightmare. Relentless lightning and slashing storms 1,000 might be an underestimate. Even I'd think so.
His magic was crippled by aftereffects, but my [Reinforce] restored it. He got excited, only to injure his back in Shizuru's punishment. My fault, partly, but we called it even.
Gozo once muttered, "If you'd been born sooner…" The loneliness in his voice hinted at a deep bond with Genzo, likely friendship. The entrusted letters supported that.
Shizuru's scolding ruined the poetic moment.
"Sorry, Shiba-san. Your family trip, and we're intruding. We should've declined."
"No, Mother likely arranged this for me. Aren't you… scared of my brother?"
Scared? Terrified. He's Sasu-Oni. One wrong move, and [Decomposition] erases me. I've got countermeasures, but avoiding conflict is best. Hiding my fear, I said, "More like intrigued."
"Huh?"
"I don't know his deal, but guarding his sister without complaint? That takes steel resolve. I couldn't do it at my age."
I know why Tatsuya's her guardian but can't say it. For now, with our separate goals, that's my answer.
"I never thought of it that way," Miyuki said, surprised.
"It's normal. You don't pry into others' family matters unless you're close."
Her shock wasn't disgust but amazement that someone affirmed Tatsuya's role without objection. Only he could confirm her true feelings.
"By the way, why are you and your brother in Okinawa? Tourism?" she asked.
"I wish. Half is meeting a contact, half is a party hosted by Gramps' acquaintance. No beach or sports in peak season lame. I'd rather watch the Nine Schools Competition."
I wanted to cheer for my family but chose building a connection with Tatsuya for safety. Still, I meant it. Knowing what's coming likely trouble makes it worse. A tsunami wiping out the Great Asian Alliance's ports would be convenient, but no luck.
"I often watch the Nine Schools. Want to go together sometime?" she offered.
Safe enough. "I'd love to."
We chatted until landing. Wait, this isn't a flag, right? Miyuki's brother complex is in overdrive, so it shouldn't escalate. My goal was connecting with Tatsuya, befriending Miyuki as groundwork. Anything more is too dangerous, and I've no such intent.
I couldn't have predicted what followed, cheat abilities or not.
After parting at the airport, Motoharu and I took a driverless taxi to our hotel. Motoharu looked like a drained boxer, ready to crumble. Hang in there, Bro. Life's not over!
I forgot to give Miya her letter. I'll hand it over next time or send it via Dad to the Yotsuba.
"What's got you so wiped out?" I asked.
"Miya-san grilled me. I kept our Mitsuya ties hidden, barely."
"Rest at the hotel. I can handle the party alone if needed."
My condolences. He'd struggle at the evening party. He agreed to rest, avoiding slip-ups that could expose us. A wise choice.
At the hotel, after lunch, my communicator buzzed. It was Lieutenant Shigeru Sanada. "Long time, Yuto-kun."
"Hey, Sanada-san. Calling from the base?"
"Yup. Got that booster?"
"Brought it. It's for a demo too."
Half my Okinawa trip was a military base demonstration. Through Sanada, I hold three titles, including Special Technical Advisor to the Defense Forces' Weapons Development Department, as First Lieutenant Tatsumi Kamijo (a provisional rank due to age restrictions).
"What about that email? 'They' causing trouble again?" I asked.
"Yeah. Some base guys picked a fight with kids your age. The boy got thrashed."
"Report and reprimand them. That's outside my scope. But you wouldn't contact me just for that, right?"
A cryptic email from Sanada arrived post-landing. Not a base summons, but a report of personnel harassing kids our age, only to get beaten. Likely Tatsuya. As a special officer, I have no supervisory role, so I passed it off.
Sanada's tone grew serious. "You caught on. As First Lieutenant Kamijo, we need your insight. The captain suspects an invasion based on recent maritime activity. It's speculative, but he values your take."
My CAD expertise led Sanada's superior, Kazama, to enlist me as an advisor, not a combatant. I nearly declined, but Dad's strained ties with the Toyama Clan and their tolerance of our business swayed me. My identity's concealed due to my age.
Sanada and Kazama also rely on me for intel, thanks to a spot-on tip about the Great Asian Alliance. In return, I got my rank. A twelve-year-old in military work raises legal and ethical issues, but I've given up fighting it.
"Likely, yes. Submarine movements and port intel suggest an attack within days."
"Thanks, Yuto-kun. You're a lifesaver. See you at the base."
"Later."
I'd cast an info-shielding spell, minimizing leaks. Five years of absorbing global tech and preparing countermeasures paid off. One was my rifle-type booster, [Third Eye Zero], with security that shocks thieves via emission magic.
Military talk done, I swapped casual clothes for a suit. I'm used to Ten Master Clan parties, attending as "Nagano Yuto." Living at the Kamiizumi estate, Gozo's meddling dragged me to mage households nationwide and abroad, sparking incidents. Climbing Fuji with minimal gear as "training"? Insane, but I succeeded. Gozo's connections introduced me to many, but that's another story.