Even on the second day of the new semester, the topic of conversation was dominated by Miyuki and Tatsuya. With the additional news of Yugen and Miyuki's engagement, naturally, Yugen was also swept up in the gossip. Given that Yugen was already frequently seen with multiple girls, it wasn't uncommon to hear rumors labeling them as "candidate mistresses" or "common-law wives."
Well, it couldn't be helped that those rumors were, in a sense, correct. In Yugen's case, he had made an announcement unprecedented in magician society: simultaneously announcing Miyuki as his fiancée while declaring recruitment for additional fiancées. Furthermore, the Japan Magic Association issued a supplementary explanation stating, "The Japanese government has granted Kagurazaka Yugen a special exemption recognizing polygamy," causing a flood of engagement applications from both home and abroad.
However, honestly speaking, Yugen saw through most of these as "landmines" based on his past life experiences. He checked all the clearly suspicious entries on the list and reported them to Senhime. Regarding the matter of Efia Mensah, Senhime had dismissed it effortlessly: 『Airi-san isn't explicitly French, and while the neighboring British government might say something, a little intimidation should silence them.』
Upon asking, it turned out that the godfather of her alias, "Altimicia of the Black Night," was the father of William MacLeod, one of the current "Thirteen Apostles." Apparently, upon hearing this, Senhime had nearly sent him to the heavens. He had given her a name befitting a witch, but from Senhime's perspective, it was a case of "Don't you talk, you're a magician yourself," as she proceeded to beat him half to death... Just what are you doing, Mother?
Returning to the topic at hand, in Class A, where Miyuki was, there were many understanding individuals, including Yugen, so the voyeuristic curiosity was restrained. Class B wasn't too bad either, thanks to Erika's influence (though she disliked it, the name of the Chiba family carried weight). Class E, the Magic Engineering course, was also peaceful thanks to Touya. However, regarding the first-year group, Minami was currently being grilled by her classmates.
"As I said, there really is nothing going on."
It was precisely because she knew the truth that she couldn't say anything, and since Minami herself was a beneficiary of the situation, she couldn't respond freely. However, the female students' interest did not end there.
"Come to think of it, Sakurai-san, you addressed the three seniors with '-sama,' didn't you? Is Sakurai-san also a member of the Yotsuba family? Or perhaps the Mitsuya family?"
"I called them that previously because I was instructed to do so by Tatsuya-sama. I am someone receiving aid from the Yotsuba family. As for Yugen-sama, I only address him that way because my aunt has connections with people related to the Mitsuya family."
Naturally, she couldn't tell the whole truth. Thanks to the cover story Yugen had constructed beforehand, Minami was able to answer smoothly.
Magicians often engaged in dangerous work, and it wasn't rare for employers or colleagues to take in the children of magicians who died in the line of duty. Since there were quite a few such students at First High, no one flinched at Minami's explanation.
Just as they were about to pry further, a voice called out to the wall of people. It was Riri, the class representative, who had just arrived at school.
"Everyone, class is about to start, you know? If you don't mind your evaluation scores dropping, I can force you all to take your seats, okay?"
At Riri's statement, delivered with a beaming smile, the female students forming the human wall scattered like baby spiders and took their seats.
Previously, Riri had used Phalanx with exquisite control to smack several male students who were making a racket, lecturing them with a full smile. Classmates who witnessed this realized she was indeed the younger sister of Jumonji Katsuto, the former head of the Club Management Group, and no one in Year 1 Class A dared to oppose her.
Minami thanked Riri as she moved to take her own seat.
"Th-Thank you."
"Don't worry about it. When it comes to family circumstances, there are things you just can't say, right?"
Since the second period was practical training, no crowd formed around Minami during the break. However, lunch break wouldn't be so easy... or so she thought, but the first person to call out to Minami was Riri.
"Sakurai-san, let's go together."
"Ah, yes."
Riri didn't allow anyone else to intervene. Originally, "Sakurai" and "Jumonji" were close in alphabetical order, and their seats were next to each other, making it easy for Riri to talk to her. Furthermore, since the Student Council President where she belonged was Miyuki, Riri couldn't treat Minami, a fellow Student Council officer, as a stranger.
From Riri's perspective, having built a friendship as a classmate and fellow council member, she wasn't particularly surprised that Minami was connected to the Yotsuba. But for Minami, it was strange.
"Um, Jumonji-san. Why... why did you help me?"
"Hmm... if you ask why... well, I'm in a similar position."
"Eh?"
"My real parents died on South Shield Island (Minami-tate-jima). Immediately after that, I was taken in by the Jumonji family."
Minami recognized the name South Shield Island. Since she wasn't a directly involved party, she hadn't been told the details, but according to information from Maya, it was the location of a Navy Strategic Magic Research Laboratory. Seeing Riri speak of it so casually, Minami showed a sorrowful expression and bowed her head.
"Um, please accept my condolences."
"Ah, it's fine. I was so shocked at the time that I went right past sadness... Besides, being sad won't bring them back."
Riri herself thought it was a strangely dry way of thinking. But having been taught from a young age that "A human who cannot protect themselves cannot protect others. Do not show weakness by abandoning your own defense just because an ally is hurt," Riri showed a stout demeanor, not grieving openly for her parents' death.
"Is it not painful?"
"It was painful. But you know, compared to my old life where I was often alone, life at the Jumonji house has a family, and it's fun. Wait, this isn't interesting for you to hear, Sakurai-san."
"N-No, I was the one who asked."
Compared to her life with parents who were often away due to National Defense Force work, Riri was very happy to have a family, even with the obligations of the Jumonji house. On her first day there, she was so happy she cried loudly without caring who saw.
When Riri apologized, looking awkward, Minami replied that she was also at fault. Then, Riri took the plunge and made a proposal.
"Hey, Sakurai-san. From now on, can I call you Minami? Calling a close friend by their surname is a bit stiff, so I want you to call me Riri."
"...Yes, that is fine, Riri-san. Please call me Minami as well."
"Wait, what about the '-san' suffix... well, maybe it can't be helped given your nature, but no '-san' for me, okay?"
"Um, I will try my best."
Sakurai Minami, who was destined for a bizarre fate in the original story, and Jumonji Riri, a being who did not exist in the original. The catalyst that allowed these two to build a friendship was likely the strong influence, indirectly, of Kagurazaka Yugen and Kudou Minoru.
"Achoo! ...I feel physically great, so is someone gossiping about me?"
"Yugen stands out even without trying, so it's unavoidable."
"Shizuku-san..."
And so, Yugen sneezed, despite the fact that the girls weren't actually gossiping about him specifically at that moment.
January 12th. It was the first Saturday since the new semester began. Classes were only in the morning, but various organizations like the Student Council and club activities were moving in full swing. Amidst this, the members of the former Year 1 Class E (excluding Tatsuya) were gathered in the cafeteria, a rare occurrence.
"Come to think of it, we haven't gathered with this lineup recently."
"Well, you and I and Miki became Course 1 students, and Mizuki is in Magic Engineering."
Thanks to the magical techniques Yugen taught them—techniques not taught in magic high schools—Erika and the others had obtained abilities that not only surpassed high school levels but could even defeat active military magicians. According to Erika, she never imagined a stunt like rising from a Course 2 student ("Weed") to Course 1 ("Bloom") would actually happen to her.
"That's true. It's mostly thanks to Yugen-san, though."
"Mizuki, you're quite a big shot yourself to be able to sum up this change as just 'thanks to him'."
"Seriously."
In addition, Erika and Leo had become members of the Club Management Group, and Leo became the captain of the Mountaineering Club last autumn (originally, it was thought Touya would become captain, but considering the image and appearance of the Mountaineering Club, Touya proposed Leo was suitable, and the motion passed unanimously by everyone except Leo).
Perhaps due to the presence of Tatsuya and Yugen, Minami was performing physical conditioning and mountain training as a formal member. Seeing the male members get fired up watching Minami's efforts, Leo inwardly muttered, "They're too simple-minded."
"By the way, Leo, are you keeping in touch with that girl?"
"...Hey, Mikihiko. I told you to stop talking about her in front of this guy."
"Oh? Sounds like an extraordinary story. Mizuki, restrain Miki. If push comes to shove, cling to him with those proud weapons of yours."
"Erika-chan!?"
When Leo responded to Mikihiko's prompt with a suspicious expression, Erika, hearing that there was a shadow of a "woman" around Leo, couldn't stay silent. She told Mizuki not to hesitate to use a honey trap, causing Mizuki to flush with embarrassment.
Although they had finished lunch, there was still time. Realizing Erika's interrogation wouldn't stop, Leo resigned himself and explained the situation.
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