Yaguruma Keiichiro.
Though only twenty-five—a tender age to lead the main Yaguruma house—he had already succeeded to the headship. As a key operative of the "Kuzuryu"—the Kagurazaka family's intelligence apparatus—he held the responsibility of monitoring the Hokkaido region, keeping a vigilant eye on the movements of the USNA and the New Soviet Union.
In truth, however, Keiichiro was not originally of Yaguruma blood. He was born the youngest son of Kamiizumi Yoshitsuna.
To trace the recent lineage of the Kamiizumi family: there was Gozo's father, Kamiizumi Masatsuna; Masatsuna's eldest son, Yoshitsuna; and his second son, Gozo. Because Gozo was originally slated to inherit the role of Grandmaster of the family's Shinkage-ryu Sword Arts rather than the family headship, the character "Tsuna" was omitted from his name to signify his position. Furthermore, because a daughter was born between Yoshitsuna and Gozo, the number three ("Zo") was included in his name to mark him as Masatsuna's third child.
Following them is the current head, Kamiizumi Mototsugu. Since two generations had passed without the "Tsuna" character, the plan was to reinstate it in the name of the child born to Mototsugu and Chisato.
Following the chaotic revenge drama of the Yotsuba clan, Yoshitsuna died suddenly of illness. At the time, his son Keiichiro was too young to succeed him. Thus, despite suffering from unstable magic power—a lingering aftereffect of his participation in that vengeance—Gozo, a master of martial arts, had no choice but to assume the mantle of the Kamiizumi family head. Gozo's subsequent seclusion into martial arts instruction was largely due to his lack of interest in political leadership; the practical administration of the family was entirely shouldered by his wife.
Eventually, Keiichiro became intimate with the daughter of his childhood friend, Yaguruma Sakuya. Through Gozo's mediation, Keiichiro was sent to the Yaguruma family as an adopted son-in-law.
There had been a possibility that Keiichiro, carrying the direct Kamiizumi bloodline, would be chosen as head of the Kamiizumi family after Gozo's retirement. (Keiichiro came from a female-dominated lineage where all his older siblings were sisters who had already married out, making him the obvious choice). However, Keiichiro traveled to the main Kamiizumi estate and respectfully declined the offer.
"I am now one who lists his name under the Kagurazaka banner," Keiichiro had declared. "If I were to leave so easily for the sake of blood, the world, already disordered by the fires of war, would only fall into greater chaos."
Gozo accepted his words.
Upon declining, Keiichiro recommended Mototsugu, who was beginning to distinguish himself in the Shinkage-ryu Sword Arts. When Gozo expressed a desire to resolve the complicated situation between Mototsugu and Chisato, Keiichiro suggested the "Betrothal Ritual" passed down in the Kagurazaka family. Though called a ritual, it was not overly formal; it involved building an intimate relationship using a secret incense that also served as a contraceptive.
The recommendation worked magnificently, and the two were united. The scene Yugen witnessed when he went to wake Mototsugu was the immediate aftermath of that very ritual.
"…He has grown into a fine man," Keiichiro mused. "He has inherited all of Lord Gozo's teachings and has become a powerhouse worthy of Lady Senhime's discerning eye."
Keiichiro had vaguely sensed the changes occurring within Yugen. The boy, having been "reborn," was unconsciously chasing after human connection. As a result, he ended up welcoming daughters from all manner of families as fiancées. This even included a daughter from the clan known as the Numbers-Dropout Extra.
Keiichiro felt that the backbone of Yugen's formidable mental resilience was the support of these fiancées, bound to him by those deep ties.
"If it were me, I might have fled long ago."
According to stories from Senhime, described with amusement, Yugen was "spending passionate nights with his fiancées." Yet, the fact that no quarrels arose among the women was likely a testament to his virtue.
Keiichiro could not truly understand the struggles of someone who was not an ordinary human. Ordinarily, one would expect at least one dispute in such a situation. To build harmonious relationships without a single conflict was no small feat. Though he might be labeled a "womanizer," Keiichiro concluded that this harmony was something Yugen had built, perhaps without even realizing it.
The grand bath of the Yaguruma estate was built on a massive scale to accommodate the disciples, and it even served as a place of relaxation for nearby citizens. Once business hours ended, however, it became a private bath exclusively for the Yaguruma family.
Yugen was currently soaking in the open-air bath located at the very back.
"Phew… The year is finally drawing to a close. Though, I still have two jobs left."
Aside from the matters regarding Arisa and Marika, and helping with the move, he had to return to Tokyo tomorrow and visit the Mitsuya main house in Atsugi. Arisa was positive about becoming the adopted daughter of the Mitsuya family, and Marika was simply happy she could live with Arisa.
Furthermore, starting the day after tomorrow, he would be moving on a separate assignment for a while, meaning he wouldn't be able to spend the New Year holiday sleeping in. He wanted to hold his head in his hands. It wasn't that he doubted "his" abilities, but there was no guarantee someone wouldn't interfere. No matter what was said, whether it would actually be executed was a different problem entirely.
Anyway, let's just consider one of the pending issues resolved…
Just as Yugen reached this conclusion, he sensed a presence from beyond the door of the open-air bath. There were two of them. Judging by the aura, he knew immediately they were women.
And if they knew Yugen was in here at this hour…
Yugen's premonition turned into certainty when the two figures—Arisa and Marika—appeared. Both were wrapped in towels, with Arisa's long hair tied up.
"Ah, there he is!"
"Mina, calm down."
"…Good grief."
It went without saying that this was Senhime's doing. There was no point in panicking here; it would gain him nothing. Besides, this was Hokkaido in December. The nights were bitterly cold. Though the wind was unusually calm today, letting them wander around in the freezing air with only a towel was not something Yugen felt good about.
The open-air bath was spacious enough to comfortably fit an entire class of Magic High School students. Despite this, once Arisa and Marika slipped into the hot spring, they pressed themselves right up against Yugen.
"Asha, Mina. Why are you clinging to me?"
"Because! It's been over four and a half years since we bathed together like this with Yu-nii! Plus, we're fiancées now."
"I just wanted to be with you, Big Brother… Is that no good?"
"I didn't say it was no good, but I'd appreciate a little moderation."
The gap of over four and a half years (approximately four years and nine months, to be exact) seemed to have been lonely for them. Of course, Yugen himself had not lacked for company—meeting Shizuku and Honoka at school, working on CAD development at FLT, or being dragged along on overseas trips by his grandfather.
"Honestly, Arisa was quite attached to Ryosuke-san, too. I thought she might be pining for him."
"Oh? You think so too, Yu-nii? Asha was totally head over heels, staring at the photos she took with you every single day."
"Mina! …Because, Big Brother, aside from my mother, you were the first family I ever knew. I admired Ryosuke-san, but I never forgot you."
It appeared Arisa had a slight dependency on family. Perhaps it was natural for Arisa—who never knew her father and became utterly alone after losing her mother—to become dependent on Yugen, who had acted as a brother figure. In response to Marika's teasing, Arisa gazed at Yugen, her cheeks dyed crimson.
"But, it became painful to stay just as 'brother and sister'… Reunited with you like this, I finally realized. I love you, Big Brother. As a man."
"Asha…"
"Muu. I fell in love with Yu-nii the moment we first met, but you just dodged me with vague answers."
"I was barely eight years old back then, and you two were five. Falling in love with a five-year-old girl raises all sorts of problems."
Even now, he was barely acknowledging it. When Akane, who was the same age as them, had approached him, he had given her an answer based on the benchmark of turning sixteen. Considering their ages back then, it would have been morally and ethically out of bounds. Who am I, Hikaru Genji? he had thought at the time.
"That might be true, but… Hey, Yu-nii. What do you think of us?"
"What do I think… wait, what are you doing?"
"Seduction. Isn't that what this is? We're going to do it with Yu-nii tonight anyway."
"Hey now… wait, Arisa, when did you even…"
"Big Brother. You can touch my body… as much as you like."
Marika, in the full bloom of adolescence, dropped the towel she was wearing and pressed her bare skin directly against Yugen. Arisa, too, removed her towel and embraced him, burying her face in his chest. Looking closely, their expressions were melting… directing a gaze at him that was filled with expectation for what was to come.
There was no mistake. Senhime had drugged them with something.
"Tell me, did Mother give you something?"
"Ah, yeah. She gave us something like a 'secret elixir.' She said if we drank it, we could 'avoid' things. What did she mean?"
"She gave it to me too and said the same thing."
"…That woman."
Well, considering the ethical issues, perhaps what Senhime did should be praised—preventing pregnancy was crucial. However, as a secondary effect of the drug, Arisa and Marika's breathing was beginning to roughen. If this continued, they would end up doing it right here in the bath, and they would definitely faint from the heat.
Yugen steeled himself.
"Asha, Mina. Let's go to the room. You'll get dizzy if we stay here."
"O-Okay."
"If you say so, Big Brother…"
After somehow managing to get them dressed and back to the guest room, what awaited Yugen were three futons laid out side by side. Before he had time to contemplate the implications, Marika and Arisa began to rub their bodies against his.
Yugen deduced that the contraceptive's side effect was acting like a potent aphrodisiac. But any such analysis was blown away by a sudden kiss from Arisa.
"Nn… Big Brother, I can't hold back anymore. Make me… make me yours?"
"Me too! I want you to make me your bride too, Yu-nii!"
"…Good grief."
In the end, carried along by Senhime's scheme, he ended up taking both Marika and Arisa. Perhaps due to accumulated stress, he loved them fiercely, almost forgetting it was their first time.
When he woke the next morning, Arisa was sleeping on top of him, covering him. Marika was asleep on his right side.
"…Give me a break."
"Nnnyu… Ah, Big Brother. Good morning."
"Morning, Arisa. Are you okay after yesterday?"
Though he had been swept along, Yugen had been forced into premarital relations with all his escape routes thoroughly cut off. Just as he muttered, starting to feel resigned to his fate, Arisa fully woke up.
"Yeah… Hey, can I keep calling you Big Brother?"
"I don't mind. If that's what you want to do, Asha, then do so."
"Thank you. …Big Brother."
"It is a physiological phenomenon."
As Yugen spoke with Arisa, his body—the embodiment of desire—reacted to her magically matured form, touching her. Remembering the events of the previous night, Arisa asked bashfully, cheeks flushing red. Yugen answered with clinical calm.
However, Arisa acted fast.
"Hey, Big Brother… until Mina wakes up… can we?"
"You're a lewd little sister, Asha."
"Only for you, Big Brother. I only use this tone with you… Ah!"
Ultimately, he ended up engaging in groundwork (entendre intended) with Arisa. Marika, waking up to the sound of Arisa's voice, pounced on Yugen as well. They ended up making love until the Yaguruma servants came to wake them.
Breakfast was Sekihan (Red Rice), as if the household had anticipated everything. Under the lukewarm, knowing gazes of those around him, Yugen ate his breakfast with a feigned look of innocence, while Marika and Arisa ate theirs with heads bowed and faces bright red.
"..."
"Miyuki? Is something wrong?"
"N-No, it is nothing, Onii-sama."
Though she hadn't seen the scene, deep in her heart, Miyuki suspected that Yugen's number of fiancées had increased. Tatsuya, seeing her hastily cover up her suspicion when asked, realized that something had definitely happened to Yugen.
After breakfast, with some time before departure, the Toakami family and Arisa gathered. Marika wondered what they were going to talk about. Yugen cut straight to the chase.
"I asked the Toakami family and Asha to gather here to discuss my involvement in your future magic training."
"Eh? We're moving to Hakone, so it's not that far, right?"
"I can't say it's that simple, which is why we're talking."
No matter how close the main Kagurazaka residence was, using it as a training ground was problematic. Furthermore, Yugen was still a high school student, currently commuting from Tokyo (the Shiba home). Considering the risk of being spotted by the Jumonji family, Yugen proposed a solution.
"Ryotaro-san, Serika-san. I would like to have the Kamiizumi main house take custody of Asha and Mina. Their safety can be guaranteed there, and I can make time to visit."
"Kamiizumi? Do you mean the Kamiizumi Gozo?"
"Yes. He is my maternal grandfather. The current head is my brother by blood. To train in magic, one must train the body alongside the spirit, or it amounts to nothing."
Gozo was a name any citizen of this country would have heard at least once. The current head, Mototsugu, was a former member of the Mitsuya family and the Vice Commander of the "Divine Generals," who had displayed overwhelming power at First High's Nine Schools Competition. Furthermore, he was one of the pair who had drilled secret techniques into Erika and Leo. The track record was impeccable.
Yugen himself had refined his magic by learning the Shinkage-ryu Sword Arts. Female disciples like Yugen's sister Shizuru, Kana, and Mika had also achieved visible results. It was arguably the perfect environment to polish the two girls.
"Kamiizumi Gozo… Eh? The Kamiizumi Gozo from the history textbooks?"
"That's the one."
"…To be taught by someone called a hero… I want to learn from Gozo-san!"
"Ah, right, okay… I'll talk to Grandfather. What do you want to do, Asha?"
"I want to learn from Gozo-san too. Because I want to become strong like you, Big Brother."
He wanted to support Marika and Arisa's enthusiasm. However, he was honestly worried it might turn into Gozo's insane "Beyond Hell Course." He resolved to talk to Mototsugu and Chisato beforehand to manage the situation.
With that in mind, Yugen turned his gaze to Ryotaro and Serika to confirm their will.
"Ryotaro-san, Serika-san. The two of them have spoken, but I want to hear your opinions as Mina's parents and as Asha's guardians."
"…Sooner or later, the time will come for Marika and Arisa-san to learn magic. If they are to be taught by a great magician like Yugen-kun, and additionally by the hero Lord Kamiizumi, then I wish to respect their decision."
"I share the same opinion. Besides, it is rare to be able to learn magic from the person you love. Marika, Arisa-san. If you are going to do it, you must apply yourselves diligently."
"Y-Yes! Thank you, Dad, Mom."
"Uncle, Auntie. Thank you very much."
With this, it was decided that Marika and Arisa would be sent to Gozo. Yugen would write the letter of recommendation and planned to speak with Mototsugu and Chisato in advance… to ensure Gozo didn't get too carried away and repeat the history of Yugen's own training.
The time for departure arrived. They moved from the Yaguruma main house by limousine to New Chitose Airport, then by government plane to Tokyo Bay International Airport, and finally by another limousine to the former Atsugi City in Kanagawa Prefecture, heading for the Mitsuya main estate.
Marika was so stunned by the continuous luxury treatment that her eyes were mere dots. Ryotaro and Serika were also surprised, while Arisa, perhaps not fully grasping the scale of it, seemed more moved than shocked. Senhime smiled at the sight.
After such a journey, they proceeded to the meeting at the Mitsuya house. Present from the Mitsuya side were the head, Gen; the heir, Motoharu; the head's wife, Shiho; and the heir's wife, Mitsuya Honami. Honami's presence was apparently due to Shiho's arrangement.
"It has been a long time, Honami-san. I apologize for not greeting you sooner."
"Not at all, Yugen-san. You seem well. I occasionally receive contact from Lady Miya, but… I am truly sorry that Lady Miya causes you such trouble."
"Please, don't worry about it. Are you getting along well with Motoharu-niisan?"
"Yes… We have been blessed with children. They are due in the summer."
After briefly touching on the topic of Miya, Honami answered Yugen's question about her marriage while gently rubbing her abdomen. With Honami's permission, Yugen touched her hand. Through the fluctuations of life radiating from her fingertips, he felt the pulse of new lives.
"…Male and female twins, I see."
"That is amazing, Yugen-san. You are exactly right."
"I am always astonished by Yugen's extraordinary abilities."
Motoharu remarked with a hint of exasperation at Yugen identifying the babies' composition in a single glance. Since Motoharu had shrewdly managed to do the deed, he was undoubtedly looking forward to the safe birth and growth of his children… though the slight shock of becoming an uncle at seventeen was a secret Yugen kept to himself.
Because matters had been discussed to some extent beforehand, the procedures for Arisa's adoption into the Mitsuya family went smoothly. The Toakami family, as Arisa's legal guardians (Ryotaro and Serika), and the adoptive parents (Gen and Shiho) signed the papers. Senhime had already arranged the certified copy of the family court's permission.
Since Senhime would handle the submission collectively, Arisa would formally become the adopted daughter—the fifth daughter—of the Mitsuya family by tomorrow at the earliest. For Shina, who had been the youngest, it meant gaining a younger sister.
Incidentally, Shina appeared after the meeting and immediately hit it off with Arisa. When Jiro showed signs of nervousness around Arisa, Shina puffed out her cheeks slightly and pinched Jiro's backside. Seeing Jiro already henpecked, Gen held his head in his hands, while Shiho smiled at her daughter's boldness.
"…Yu-nii. The Mitsuya household is lively, isn't it?"
"I think only Mina would describe it that way."
Later, during a communication with Gozo, the entire Toakami family was dumbfounded by Gozo's youthful appearance, while Arisa was excited to be speaking with a hero from the history books.
Seeing Arisa's composure in the face of greatness and the Toakami family's reaction—which reminded him of the common sense he had nearly forgotten—Yugen realized once again that his own standards of "normal" had become thoroughly paralyzed.
(Author's Note)
The first half is less about the main plot and more of a side story involving the Kamiizumi family. I often read historical novels to kill time, and this is the result of trying to rationalize why the character "Tsuna" wasn't inherited despite the connection to Kamiizumi Nobutsuna.
And so, the protagonist has his moat neatly filled in and is forced to make a move. Though, whether there truly is "no problem" is something he has the means to foresee.
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