Nobody wants bad things to happen. I sure don't. But bad premonitions have a way of coming true, and all you can do is curse the timing. Trouble's the last thing I need, but it doesn't wait.
August 11, 2092
Motoharu and I were at Onna Air Base for CAD discussions, but bonding with Sanada turned it into an overnight stay. Motoharu chided my habit of getting sidetracked, but there was more.
"Captain Kazama, I recommend raising the alert level and prioritizing civilian evacuation immediately," I said as Lieutenant Tatsumi Kamijo.
"Based on evidence?" Kazama asked.
"Yes."
Recalling the cruiser's foam torpedo attack, I showed Kazama clear aerial footage of military ships prepping at Xiamen Port. "Great Asian Alliance, likely. No strategic mage confirmed, but this isn't a New Soviet feint. The sub's goal was infiltration or hostage-taking. Attack expected tonight or tomorrow morning."
Kazama, unnerved by my intel without satellites, exhaled. "You'd strip us bare as an enemy. Understood. To avoid chaos, we'll issue an evacuation request tonight. Can I share your footage with Army HQ?"
"Absolutely. Thank you for heeding my advice."
"Don't mention it. Sanada, Yanagi, and I value you. I'd like a long friendship."
"Same here."
If nothing happens, great. If it does, we'll handle it. I told Motoharu we'd stay due to the evacuation. In a base room, with civilians gone, we'd head to the shelter if fighting broke out.
"No declaration of war… the Alliance?" Motoharu asked.
"Most likely. New Soviets would hit Tsushima first."
The sub's origin is unclear, but the Alliance is the prime suspect. No strategic mage movement confirmed a small mercy. If their "Thirteen Apostles" or equivalent moved, Okinawa could fall. The Alliance might be overconfident.
The door opened. "Nagano-kun?" Miya said.
"Yuto-san! Motoharu-san?!" Miyuki exclaimed.
Tatsuya, Miyuki, Miya, and Honami stood there, as shocked as us. Tatsuya's face stayed blank. I elbowed Motoharu, who was eyeing Honami, and explained, "We're here for a friend's errand but got stuck due to the attack."
"I see," Miyuki said.
Motoharu's Honami fixation could cause trouble. Tatsuya and Miyuki seemed closer than before. "You two look more like siblings now," I noted.
"Strange guy," Tatsuya said, surprising Miya, Honami, and Miyuki. Who is this Yuto Nagano?
Gunshots full-auto assault rifles echoed outside. My hearing and Mitsuya intel work pinned the model. "Tatsuya, I'll handle here. Check outside? No pressure."
"Tatsuya, please," Miya added.
"Understood, ma'am," Tatsuya said, leaving.
Miyuki glared. "What's that about, Yuto-san?!"
"Calm down. Guns are manageable with magic, but what if magic's sealed?"
"That's…" Miyuki faltered.
"Exactly," Motoharu agreed. "With military mages here, invaders might have countermeasures."
Magic suppression endangers Miya, Honami, and Miyuki. Tatsuya's combat training and abilities ensure his survival. So far, this tracks the original plot.
Four soldiers likely "Left Blood" second-generation entered. The world's corrective force seemed at play. "Private First Class Kinjo, Paratrooper Second Company. Follow us to the shelter," one said.
Ignoring him, I checked their gear, recognizing the rifle from the gunshots. Stalling, I said, "Our friend's outside. Can we wait?"
"You're the only civilians. We'll ensure he rejoins."
As expected. Miya likely suspected them too. I pressed, "We heard gunshots nearby. No encounters?"
"We eliminated them quickly," Kinjo replied, rushing us.
Suspicious. As Miyuki glanced at Miya and Honami, another figure entered. "Dick!" Kinjo shouted, firing at Private Higa (Joe). Another soldier brandished a stone Antinite, I realized.
Motoharu reacted. "Not on my watch!" Using [Speed Loader], our clan's magic allowing nine simultaneous spells, he knocked out the stone-wielder. Kinjo, enraged, sprayed bullets.
"Damn it!" Kinjo yelled.
"Reckless!" I deflected bullets aimed at Miya and Honami. Honami shielded Miya, but Miyuki stepped out to support, exposing herself to gunfire aimed at her and Motoharu.
No time for magic. I sprinted forward.
Miyuki's Perspective
I couldn't react. Motoharu's magic stopped the soldier with the stone, and Yuto blocked bullets for Mother and Honami. Trying to help, I stepped out of Honami's barrier, a mistake.
Bullets flew. Untrained in defense, I crouched, eyes shut, bracing for impact. Nothing came. Opening my eyes, I saw Yuto standing before me, arms spread.
"Couldn't let Tatsuya down…" he muttered, collapsing into my arms. My hand felt wet his blood, not mine. He'd taken the bullets for me.
"No!" I screamed. My rashness cost him. I had no true friends, molded to be the Yotsuba heir. Yuto was different, treating me as an equal, pushing me toward Tatsuya. He gave me hope for dreams I thought impossible.
Before leaving, Tatsuya said, "You're a strange guy." Yuto moved him, a Guardian who rarely spoke freely. We both felt the same: I can't lose him.
I shouted, forbidden magic in mind, defying nature to save him. "Onii-sama, help!"
A wall burst open. Tatsuya, my Guardian my brother rushed in. "You protected Miyuki well, Yuto. I won't forget this."
His expression seemed sad as he aimed his specialized CAD. Silver psions erupted from Yuto, a fantastical sight.
Yuto's Perspective
Forgot about that. My auto-repair spell failed in a crisis. A flaw to fix. Tatsuya's [Regrowth] triggered, likely noticing my spell. The bullets stopped short of fatal, but I need retraining.
I'd pinned Miyuki. Pulling back, I saw her tears. Before I could speak, she hugged me. Tatsuya, explain! His look said, "Deal with it." Damn! He'd also revived Motoharu with [Regrowth].
"You okay, Yuto?" Motoharu asked.
"Yeah. Nice reflexes, Bro."
"Learned at the dojo. That stone was Antinite."
Motoharu regretted using [Speed Loader], but secrecy was pointless now. The enemies were gone Tatsuya's [Mist Dispersion], or rather [Decomposition]. I was grateful.
I patted Miyuki's head. "Calm down. The situation's still volatile."
"Y-Yes…" She blushed, suddenly shy.
Miya and Honami smiled. "Miyuki's spring has come," Miya teased.
"Red rice tonight," Honami added.
"Why's this a celebration?" I muttered. "The issue is calming this mess."
Miyuki settled. I grabbed my undamaged case. Kazama and Sanada appeared, their grim faces confirming the soldiers (except Joe) were traitors.
"Sanada, rebels in the base?" I asked.
"Confirmed Alliance-backed. Your intel was spot-on," Sanada said.
Eyes turned to me. Miya was stunned a boy my age rivaling her family's intel network. "Not thrilled about it. This exposed my naivety," I said.
"Our failure for allowing rebels," Kazama replied. "Name your terms, Lieutenant Kamijo."
Motoharu, aware of my role, was still shocked hearing it formally. "Update me on the situation," I said.
Kazama confirmed the Alliance's attack: submarines landed at Nago's northwest coast, the Alliance controlled Kerama Islands' seas, and guerrilla insiders disrupted troop transport from Naha to Nago, though 80% were neutralized. Rebels would be dealt with soon.
The sub was likely a scout. Losing it may have spurred the attack. A mastermind from the original story might be involved, but stirring them risks too much. For now, I focused on the crisis.
"Understood. Captain, Lieutenant, am I to join the battlefield as an officer to break this stalemate?"
"I lack authority, but as temporary commander, I entrust this to you, kin of the peerless warrior. You're our strongest asset here," Kazama said.
He disliked deploying a minor, but my overwhelming strength proven against his mages left no choice. "By Joint Chiefs' order, Lieutenant Tatsumi Kamijo, you're requested as 'Independent Guerrilla Commander' to defend against and annihilate the Alliance. Will you accept?"
A one-man army under my own command, backed by the Joint Chiefs. I saluted. "I accept. First, escort these people to the command room it's sturdier than the shelter."
Kazama nodded, grim. Tatsuya interjected, "I need an armor suit and infantry gear. I won't return consumables."
"Why?" Kazama asked.
"They targeted Miyuki. They must pay," Tatsuya said.
I exhaled. "Captain, place him under my temporary command as a local volunteer. I'll lend spare gear."
"Agreed. Tatsuya, is that fine?" Kazama asked.
"Yes," Tatsuya replied.
"Sanada, prep 'that' and this," I said, handing him the unlocked case.
"You're demanding," Sanada laughed, referring to my high-spec, custom CAD, the reason for our extended stay.
I'd anticipated this, but couldn't say so. Reducing civilian presence was a win. Facing Tatsuya, I said, "You refused military command in the original story. Why join now?"
"I won't deny I'd go alone. But you risked your life for Miyuki. I owe you."
"That's enough. One order: survive. If you can't, I'll knock you out and drag you back."
A harsh promise, but Tatsuya could keep it. To be his friend, he must live. He nodded.
"One decision: no mercy, no survivors. They need to know who they crossed. Can you do it?"
"Of course. I thought you'd spare surrenderers," Tatsuya said.
"Mercy's a waste," I replied.
Yuto Nagano, aka Yuya Mitsuya, and Tatsuya Shiba grandsons of Gozo Kamiizumi and Genzo Yotsuba united by fate. None foresaw them becoming strategic mages who'd shake the world.
Miyuki's Perspective
I watched them head to battle, unable to process it. Tatsuya said, "Sorry, Miyuki. I'm following my emotions and repaying him. Stay with Mother and Honami."
His debt to Yuto, who sparked his interest beyond magic or me. Yuto, who I also cared for. Shielding me, I felt loss I couldn't bear, screaming for Tatsuya. His touch warmed my heart, a feeling I couldn't grasp but didn't dislike.
Yuto, Onii-sama, come back safe.
All I could do was pray and question Mother. I ran after them.