Chapter 3 : When will the blood begin to race?

I shall refrain from commenting about the LN.

"Do you know what does this mean, Saegusa?"

Their eyes met and clung.

Subtle aggression marked every syllabus of the carefully enunciated statement, as if the speaker had chosen the tone with great consideration. They were schooled to remember that it was the height of impoliteness to lose control of one's emotions.

However, she knew him intimately, well enough to read the nuances of his body: the subtle crease between his brows, the tension in his shoulders, and the gruff undertone of his voice.

Her friend was livid with her.

Her heart beat violently in her chest.

His brown eyes met her defiant gaze coolly, but his thick and intimidating muscles were clenched in an obvious display of rage. Under the harsh light, his tightened jaws appeared to be knife-sharp.

It was the calm before a Nor'easter.

She resisted swallowing visibly.

His huge and imposing body was like 'Phalanx', an impermeable and rock-solid wall. It was one of the rare times that she felt that she had a communication barrier with the man known as the 'Iron wall'. For once, she feared him.

His strength, a tower of security, instilled fear.

Her heart wept quietly in a soft dirge at the sudden loss of their easy camaraderie of three years.

They had been inseparable partners since they joined First High. It wasn't difficult since they were kindred spirits. The heavy mantle of being descendants of the Ten Master Clans marked them so profoundly that they stood out like a sore thumb. They had an understanding. They understood the pressures of being descendants of the Ten Master Clans. The existence of each other helped to alleviate the pressure of constantly being in public eye by the very virtue of sharing that spotlight.

She ignored that maudlin sentiment, choosing to maintain her façade of being fully in control of the confrontation.

Her hands were placed intentionally before her, open-palmed and loose. She couldn't show an iota of weakness, which was one of the effects from the betrayal. She knew that he was speaking to her as the successor of one of the Ten Master clans, not as her good-natured friend who worried excessively about her like a mother hen.

That thought nearly wring a bittersweet smile.

The successor of the Juumonji clan loomed closer, his thick brows furrowed. Under the sharp light, his gaze hardened, as if her flawless mask of strength involuntarily provoked a war of wills between the two graduating members of First High. That harshness faltered for a moment, as if he was contemplating, before he schooled his face into another emotionless mask.

Mayumi knew that introspective look.

Shivers went down her spine. Did he…Did Katsuto have something up his sleeve?

Her mind raced at possibilities, leafing through multiple outcomes like rapid turning pages. The only comfort was her knowledge of him.

Mayumi knew him.

It would not be difficult to unravel his motivations.

He lived to bring honor his family.

His ingrained sense of honor and responsibility encumbered Mayumi's ability to predict what kind of information he might justify to be used for negotiations with her father.

Why did he need to negotiate in the first place? It wasn't as it was essential for them to be married. Katsuto himself had recommended her to marry someone she liked if it was possible.

She was drawing up blanks.

The existence of an unknown possibility terrified her. The idea that she was not in control of a situation that had adverse effects on her life horrified her.

No, she should be thinking about what might be used to damage her. Mayumi could channel her efforts into protecting herself.

She had the same sense of duty towards the society, the Magical Association and her family. Additionally, she had the same commitment towards protecting her image. What could Katsuto use against her?

No, she needed to try again!

The Elfin Sniper deliberately relaxed herself, plastering a friendly smile on her face.

"Katsuto-kun, I'm merely taking up your recommendation," returned Mayumi, looking at him through her long eyelashes. Her tone was intentionally light and bright; struggling against the downward current that was dragging this conversation into depthless doom. Her gaze was searching his earnestly, openly asking for compromise.

He held her gaze steadily. His muscles bulged when he folded them before his chest, matching the apathetic expression on his face.

He had made up his mind.

That synchronization between them and the ease in which they could read each other's expression spoke of their closeness. Unlike Hattori, Katsuto could read her intentions well. There was a flash of understanding in his eyes, which disappeared as soon as it appeared.

Katsuto had used their closeness against her, twisting the blade and stabbing her in her heart.

The betrayal scorched her. The pain felt like deadweight in her chest. Then the pain morphed, fueling the rage that boiled at his open rejection of the olive branch.

That pigheaded buffoon!

Mayumi inched forward, closing the distance between them.

Someone, standing across the room, cleared his voice loudly.

Mayumi nearly leapt, forgetting that they were not alone. The oldest daughter of the Saegusa family took the time to regain her composure from their fight, brushing her stray fringe behind her ear in faux-coyness. She sensed the inquiring gaze of her father upon her.

An ice cube slipped into her stomach. How much had her father observed? Mayumi repressed the need to chide herself for her carelessness. Wasn't it a lesson schooled into her since she was a child? She lowered her head, relaxing her body so that she did not attract more attention.

"It isn't a custom of the Saegusa family to enforce arranged marriages if a party expressed hesitance," Saegusa Koichi's lens gleamed threateningly as he placed both of his hands on Mayumi's small shoulders.

She knew that the gesture was meant to project a united front. However, his hands felt as weighty as the burden of her family name.

"I benefited from my father's wise decision." He continued smoothly.

Her Father's meaning was crystal-clear.

Mayumi shivered at his authoritative tone, knowing that her father was serious. She regulated her breathing, uncertained of the outcome of the confrontation between her father and her peer.

The silence between both men was taut with tension.

All the uncertainty about her fate nearly caused her to squirm. She repressed the desire to speak for herself, knowing that it was intolerable. Her father had made this personal issue a problem of politics between powerful families, a realm that she had to sit out.

Katsuto straightened himself dramatically, so that he towered over the leader of one of the most powerful Ten Master Clans. Anger burnt deep in those dark eyes, as if he was offended. It proved that Katsuto had what it took to be the successor of his clan, since he did not bow down to pressure.

"Respectfully, you don't know anything, Saegusa-sama. I refuse to have this marriage annulled on the grounds that you are planning to match her to Shiba Tatsuya," exploded Katsuto.

His voice reverberated around the study.

He was still far too young for politics, noted Mayumi. One must never lose their temper in a showdown because it revealed their weakness. The lesson was drilled into her from a tender age. However, she did not understand why Katsuto had a problem with Tatsuya. Why would he have a problem with Tatsuya? Her classmate recognized his abilities and his contributions to First High. Didn't he encourage her to consider their junior at the party of the Nine competition?

Around them, the other employees gathered, ready to employ magic against their guest.

Tension rocketed as both men stared unflinchingly at each other.

Wait.

Her heart nearly stopped.

Could he have known?

He couldn't have known. He couldn't have learned the truth. Her hands balled into fists, as she stared helplessly at her classmate.

Saegusa Koichi waved his hand nonchalantly, laughing cordially. "Stand down. This is not the manner to treat a guest." His gaze swept through the whole room, enforcing authority. "Should he prove to overstep his boundaries as a guest, then it is a different matter."

The tension in the air was so palpable that she could not breathe.

The other employees returned to their duties, but kept a watchful eye on the livid guest.

Saegusa Koichi turned his back on Katsuto, choosing a lush blood-red armchair to sit down. She knew that it was careful move to project a sense of control over the situation. Her classmate clenched his hands, fighting to regain composure.

Ah, her father, the wily fox. With a simple gesture, he had exerted control over the situation.

With clasped hands, Mayumi could only study both men carefully, trying not to remain obstructive. Her father loved to invite her to sit in on matters regarding the clan so that she could learn from observation.

She could tell that Katsuto was escalating the battle into a confrontation between two Master clans.

Katsuto was breathing hard. He looked almost dangerous, with his hands balled into tight fists. His muscles protruded in a crude display of power, a reminder of the sheer power he wielded.

Her father was a contrast to him with his careless ways. He lowered himself into his favorite armchair, an affable smile on his face. "The Ten Master clans cannot afford to go to war with one another. There is a reason why the Yotsuba chose to remain in hiding."

An open threat.

Her classmate took a deep breath, reading the threat correctly. "On behalf of my family, I seek your forgiveness for my loss of temper." He inclined his head rigidly, knowing that he had crossed the line.

"All is forgiven," returned Saegusa Koichi airily, as if he was a very forbearing elder. "We make mistakes. It's human to err. The affairs of the heart make us particularly rash. I know you are very attached to my daughter, Mayumi, but she has expressed her reservations on this union openly. This union isn't made official among the Ten Master Clans yet. " He picked up the porcelain teacup and sipped from it, enjoying the fragrance of the hot tea.

Katsuto shook his head violently, stepping forward. "Mayumi cannot be together with Shiba Tatsuya. My father, no doubt, will lend his support when he learns the reason for my insistence. It is for the best of the Ten Master clans…"

Mayumi stepped into her classmate's vision, shaking her head violently. No! He couldn't tell her father the truth. No, he couldn't divulge the secret of his parentage!

Please. Please stop this nonsense!

His eyes gleamed with stubborn determination as if he was on justified suicide mission.

That idiot!

"Because of his powers?" whispered the Head of Saegusa silkily, propping his head with his hand idly. "I have heard tales of his prowess—"

Katsuto shook his head violently, barely containing his raging temper. "He is related to the Yotsuba family."

Silence filled the opulent room at his proclamation.

The teacup clanked on the coffee table loudly.

Despite her efforts at maintaining composure, Mayumi leapt at the sound.

Her heart palpitated with fear.

Please, Kami-Sama. Please let her Father be not persuaded.

The leader of the Saegusa clan closed his eyes for a moment. "It has been a pleasant night, Juumonji-kun. Let my servants see you out—"

Chills went down her spine at the threat lacing his words. Her Father was furious and he wanted to have a private word with her.

Damn.

She lowered herself carefully into the opposite seat, attempting to calm herself. There was no use losing her composure over this. She needed another plan.

"Saegusa-sama—" There was a hint of hesitance in his tone.

"Thank you for saving me the trouble of researching into Shiba-kun's background. The hour is late. I'm afraid Mayumi cannot see you off tonight." The servants immediately stood by his side, trying to usher him away, despite his protest.

It would be disrespectful if Katsuto had chosen to tally in the study.

Mayumi could feel him looking at her worriedly. Her classmate dithered for a moment, standing at the threshold of the office. For a moment, mother-hen Katsuto was back. He was eyeing her with great concern, hoping that she would be fine.

Her blood boiled.

How dare he!

She looked away, silently dismissing him.

Sighing, he swept out of the study, following one of their servants to the door.

The door shut after him, leaving the father and daughter alone.

Her anger abated, knowing that she had more important matters to see to.

"Mayumi."

"Yes, Father?" She focused all her attention on the patriarch of her clan. She allowed some signs of her nerves to show in her face, knowing that if she tried to maintain a poker face, her father would become more suspicious.

"Is it true?"

He paused tentatively, watching her expression closely.

She could almost feel beads of perspiration gathering at the back of her neck.

"I do not know," returned Mayumi, wrenching her hands. She lowered her head, as if shamed by her response. "I'm sorry, Father."

If it wasn't for her meeting with Yotsuba Miya, she wouldn't be sure of his parentage. Her mind drifted to the last time she had met him at the beach after that eventful day. It was a short peaceful interlude between the waves of violence for him. She could imagine how he looked like: his eyes were Eton-blue, like the open sea before them; his thick messy hair caressed by the salty breeze, his body unusually relaxed and a small smile on his face.

"I can't return your feelings, but you're important to me."

Warmth surged at the recollection of his confession before the endless ocean.

Then, her suitor—for a lack of a better word— left the beach to participate in the event known later as the Scorched Halloween. The event took the magical society by a storm. That event was one of the ultimate testimonies of his powers, the possibilities of him as a well-wielded weapon.

The thought of Tatsuya perceived to be nothing more than a weapon infuriated her. He had offered so much to the Magical society such as advancing the technology of magic. He was beckoning another age for the magical society, by challenging societal norms and perception of magic.

He was also a person that she admired and cherished.

Her mind returned to the present. A piece of her felt that she ought to be ashamed of herself for disregarding her duties to her clan. She was brought up to put the well-being of the Saegusa family first. Her father demanded strict loyalty from every member of the clan. She understood Miyuki's recount about her change of perspective after she was revived: these duties, the public image, the fame and her thirst to improve magic did not mean so much to her. The desire to see Shiba Tatsuya happy became the most consuming goal.

"You do not know?" echoed her father quietly. His accusation reverberated loudly in his large office.

His voice held a hint of disbelief, as if he could tell that she was lying.

Mayumi straightened the hem of her auburn-shade skirt demurely.

Within seconds, she felt someone tipping her chin with his thin bony fingers upwards. She met his inquiring gaze calmly.

Her father's gaze bore into hers. "Repeat that while looking at me, Mayumi." Threat laced his tone, causing shivers down her spine.

The former President of First High resisted swallowing visibly, keeping the sham of composure.

She knew that she did not have time to consider the implications of her actions since it would raise her father's suspicions. Then, she thought about the repercussions of letting the truth slip. That would spell the end of Tatsuya's tranquil days. In the aftermath of the Scorched Halloween, the pressure on the Magical society had increased after witnessing the sheer power of an individual magician. A sense of fierce protectiveness sprang deep within her. Peace saturated her, chasing away that ingrained terror caused by her father's censure.

Without missing a beat, Mayumi sounded every syllabus of the sentence clearly. "I do not know, Father."

The fingers that were grasping her chin tore from her face immediately. "Then, you aren't doing your job." His eyes were wild, a sign of his lack of composure. He ran his hands through his hair, messing them up. His hair of silvery-white and black stood awkwardly, a blip in his perfect image.

Her father hated losing control.

The sight of her father losing his composure strengthened her will. Gracefully, she climbed on her feet and sank into a deep bow. "I apologize for my incompetency, Father. I'll do better."

The leader of the Saegusa clan snapped away as if he could not stand the sight of her, his hands deep in his pockets. Frustration was etched on every line of his wiry frame.

The leader of the Saegusa clan was still her father, the man who was responsible for raising her. The undulated disappointment in his eyes caused her heart to sink deeply. At that moment, she realized that she was never the cause of his displeasure.

Saegusa Mayumi served her clan well. She had never failed him.

A sense of sorrow welled in her chest, watered by the anomalous closeness between her and her father. Although her relationship with her father was not perfect, she was suddenly cognizant of her closeness to her father. Her father, despite being so mistrustful, saw her as a capable partner, a reliable assistant that he could depend to manage the affairs of the clan. He did depend on her. Her mind drifted to the countless hours he had spent in grooming her—his insistence in bringing her along to important meetings, and his teachings. Her father had never done that for her older brother, the successor of the Saegusa clan.

Her inability to complete her task affected her father adversely, as if he had never expected her to fail him.

It was strange that it was only in this moment that she realized how much her father depended on her. In the balmy warm light, the harsh, wily and invincible taskmaster looked older and more delicate. He looked like a father, not the invincible leader of a powerful clan.

His fatherly confidence in her weighed on her conscience and made her shifting allegiance very apparent.

There was no turning back.

Mayumi had seized the moment and decided the fate for herself.

The disquiet silence stretched between them as if both of them knew the significance of the instant. She eyed her father closely, trying to make sense of how he felt.

She waited quietly, allowing the peace from the awareness of her decision to permeate her deeply.

Mayumi did not believe in regrets.

Mayumi was convinced that she was correct in betraying her clan by keeping Tatsuya's secret. Perhaps, she could make up to her clan one day by arranging a closure between the two powerful Ten Master Clans.

The tension in the room faded.

Her father sighed deeply. "You didn't refute Juumonji-kun's words."

Huh.

Mayumi was mystified by his words. She blinked owlishly. What did that idiot say? Her mind backpedalled to the conversation in the study. They had exchanged many words. Tilting her head slightly, she regarded her father. "What do you mean, Father?"

His gaze was gentle.

"You didn't disapprove the idea of a marriage with Shiba Tatsuya."

Oh. OH!

Her heart raced at the thought of them being together. Her cheeks burnt red. She could feel heat emanating from them. Oh! It was too premature to speak of such matters between them. Her mind drifted to the wry smile and the hint of gentleness in his tone. She averted her gaze, surprised that her father would speak so openly of such matters.

Both Tatsuya and she were not ready for this step!

Her father, on the other hand, chuckled brightly. "Well, that's the reaction I was hoping when I told you that you were engaged with Juumonji-kun."

Mayumi didn't know how to react to his sudden change of mood. It was so disarming that she hesitated at a reply.

Her father waved his hand carelessly, signaling that she did not need to respond to his question.

"I will speak to Juumonji-san about cancelling the engagement. It is a waste. Both of you are so suited to each other. I've observed both of you since your first year in High school. Somehow, something has changed between the two of you. Besides, he didn't seem to care much for your opinions."

Katsuto's actions were out of the norm. He had rarely showed so much contempt for her judgment.

"Katsuto-san usually respects my opinions," defended Mayumi easily, not knowing why she needed to support him but he was nothing but a prick. "He, however, can be pig-headed about things that he thinks it is important."

Her father lifted a brow, surprised.

"Nonetheless, that quality makes him unsuitable. I want your prospective partner to care for you. You deserve that much" returned her father, rubbing his smooth chin.

There was an air of doubt as if he was hesitating to speak his mind.

"Mayumi, I know I'm always so hard on you. After the Okinawa incident, it is difficult not to have high expectations of you. You're the single most powerful and intelligent magician in the clan. The Yokohama incident has shown how worthy you are to be a Saegusa. Your worthiness as a magician should earn you some allowance when it comes to your future happiness. Make no mistake; I want you to be happy."

There was nothing but sincerity in his eyes.

Her heart twanged.

For a moment, she saw the similarities between her father and Tatsuya's mother. Despite everything, they had the best interest at heart for their children.

Her gaze softened slightly. "I understand, Father."

It was her most sincere response between them.

Father coughed into his hand.

"If Shiba is indeed affiliated to Yotsuba, it might be too challenging for you to gather intelligence. They are masters at deception. I shouldn't blame you. If Shiba is indeed a part of Yotsuba, then they are out to have revenge. Be mindful of your attachment to him."

His spectacles gleamed brightly.

Her heart fell. With great difficulty, she maintained her silence. According to the Shiba Siblings, the head of the Yotsuba clan no longer had the capacity to hold emotional grudges, unlike her mistrustful father.

Be mindful of her attachment to him? Did he want her to regulate the amount of time she spent with Tatsuya?

Taking a deep breath, she hurled her fears into wind. "Do you find him unsuitable, Father?"

Her father turned to regard her carefully. "He's a remarkable young man. He'll be a credit to our family if he has no alliance to any of the Ten Master clans," mused he.

She sank into a deep bow. "I understand, Father." In truth, she did not understand. She could not turn back time to the point when she could choose to stay away from him.

Didn't Tatsuya tried to keep his distance from her? However, it was simply too late. Her heart was fixed on him.

There was a long pause, as if her father had more to say to her. She could tell from his eyes that he knew that she would disobey him.

It was no longer in her jurisdiction to stay away from Tatsuya.

Her father opened his mouth again but settled for a deep and helpless sigh.

"See that you do." With that, he dismissed her from his presence. He turned away from her, his back facing her.

No doubt, he was wondering how he should break her engagement without incurring the wrath of the Juumonji clan. The best possible solution was if Katsuto agreed to the ending of the engagement. The crux lay in convincing Katsuto and his family to an amicable parting despite the possibility of a union between Tatsuya and her. Knowing her father, he would play up the Yokohama incident to ensure favorable outcome.

"Father."

He turned around and looked at her.

Driven by her curiosity, she took a leap of faith. "Will you ever forgive the Yotsubas?"

His eyes went wide at her question. Mayumi knew that she had crossed the line by asking about the Yotsubas. Since young, they seemed to be a taboo subject.

To her astonishment, her father exhaled a deep sigh—a rare sign of vulnerability. "Forgiveness ?For my eye? For the trauma of being kidnap?"

Mayumi turned and closed the distance between them. "Both families must be close in the past. I mean the Yotsuba and our family were taught by the Elder."

Her father looked distantly, as if lost in his memories. "We were. There are mistakes that we cannot amend. It is not easy to explain all the bad blood between us." He rubbed his chin carefully, staring into a distance. "Perhaps, it was just fate."

Mayumi heard those words before.

Fate? It was fate that a Saegusa will never be united with a Yotsuba?

"I don't understand. I don't understand, Father. I understand the Magical society's fear of the Yotsuba. I don't understand our enmity with them," urged Mayumi, revealing her confusion.

He raised a brow, surprised by her question. "How long have you wanted to ask the question?"

"Since Okinawa."

Both of his brows shot past his hairline. "Why? Why then?"

"We were there because of them, were we?" probed Mayumi, trying for a more gentle tone. "I never understood our preoccupation with the Yotsuba."

His gaze darkened.

"They have every reason to harm us. It is better for us to be on high alert against their actions," returned her father. "We wronged them and we failed them as allies. The unscrupulous Yotsuba have every reason to get rid of us, Mayumi." He looked at her darkly. "Yotsuba Maya was completely changed from the experience; she's not a person to be reasoned with."

The Yotsuba lost their head and many members of their family from the war.

Mayumi swallowed thickly, not knowing what to say. She knew that her father's fear would be a self-fulfilling prophecy if he wanted to maintain his hostility towards that family. For a moment, she wanted to tell him how foolish he was to think that way. The alteration of Yotsuba Maya was due to her sister's magic and it was precisely due to this magic that she would not harbor resentment.

The words of the Elder rang in her head for a moment. A greater force. Pieces of puzzles seemed to jolt into place. Her eyes went wide.

"Father, have you ever considered—just considered—that it might have been a set-up?"

Her father met her gaze incredulously.

"What do you mean?"

Mayumi took a step back, considering her words carefully. "There are far too many coincidences. Too many questions. Why will they not kidnap the other younger descendants of the Ten Master Clan? Elder's clan had children too..."

"Mayumi, you should not continue without any evidence." His shoulders were tensed and threat laced his tone.

With great effort, she held her tongue.

Her father refused to see beyond the injustice, his sense of guilt and grief at the whole picture. There was no point talking to him about it without more evidence. Why did this matter so much to him?

"Father, did you care for Yotsuba Maya?"

He became wide-eyed before schooling his expression into a drearier one. "I do not care for the Queen of the Night. She is ruthless in serving her own agenda. She has never forgiven me for the slight."

It made sense. Her father married two women—the first wife who produced two sons and her mother. He wouldn't have married if he could not get over her.

To her surprise, his gaze became gentle. "I did care for Yotsuba Maya. She was a wonderful girl, bright, beautiful and very powerful. It was difficult not to be attracted to her. I loved her."

His fake eye never stood out more apparent.

Something suddenly made sense.

"You hate the Yotsubas. You hated how they dealt with the kidnap."

She understood the core of his obsession of ruining the Yotsuba. He didn't fear that they would take revenge. He hated and feared them for other reasons.

Her father merely chuckled sardonically, rising to his feet. Stuffing both hands into his pockets, he walked out of the room.

She was left to her own thoughts.

The question of why the magical society would object so violently to the union of the Yotsubas and the Saegusas troubled her. Her father champion the marginalization of the Yotsuba, the 'Untouchables'. The mystery of the Elder troubled her.

"You're to keep your distance away from the Yotsuba. A Saegusa cannot be together with a Yotsuba."

Her father was by the door, watching her.

She nodded numbly. She sank into a deep bow.

Carefully, Mayumi maintained the carefree persona of a Saegusa ojou-sama as she glided back to her bedroom. There were eyes everywhere, so she had to make sure that she had her mask on. Besides, her younger sisters were both asleep.

Soon, she locked herself in her room, glad to be alone. Hastily, she walked to her communication center and began the process of masking her communications. Kyouko-nee taught her in the past how to do so. The process would take some time.

Automatically, her hand reached for the back of her head to release the pins embedded so that her hair would tumble freely around her. With a few swipes of her hands through her thick hair, she looked satisfyingly presentable.

Fate.

Fate seemed to have a hand in keeping both of the families apart.

The eldest daughter of the Saegusa family barely had time to check her appearance when an image of him swam into focus.

Her heart thumped violently in her chest.

Those familiar blue eyes were bright with curiosity. Her eyes drifted past his pert nose, down the imperceptible lift of the corners of his lips, down to his sharp chin. Her gaze lingered on his toned body barely hidden behind those loose casual clothes. His discipline to maintaining his power paid off : he was as lethal as a sleek panther. He looked so carelessly powerful, relaxed in his seat with a teacup in front of him. Despite his plain looks, he was a fetching sight.

"Mayumi."

She lifted her gaze to meet his. Despite his impassive tone, she knew that he was laughing at her.

"Like what you see?"

Her cheeks burnt red.

"She has taught you well," continued Tatsuya. Praise laced his tone, making her light-headed. Mayumi knew that he was praising her for her ability of masking her communications. It had been a difficult night and she did not want to deal with any more repercussions of her actions.

Mayumi nodded indifferently. "Are you busy with the same project?" Are you free tomorrow to meet me?

His gaze sharpened at her question. It was as if he could see traces of weariness in her eyes. She did not need to put up a front before him. Without hesitation, Tatsuya nodded meaningfully, leaning forward slightly. His hands were on his lap. "It is a tough case." Library, reading room.

His concern for her made her insides tingled with warmth.

Mayumi knew that Tatsuya was going to book a reading room after school so they could meet each other there to talk. With great ease, the first-year read the intent in her eyes as easily as he unscrambled magical activation sequences.

Mayumi felt almost naked before him.

That was silly of her.

No one knew her body better than him.

He had decoded every particle that formed her and repaired the damages to her body at the Yokohama Incident with scientific detachment and precision.

Absently, the eldest daughter of the Saegusa family pressed a hand on her chest, feeling the steady beating of her heart.

His gaze drifted away from the screen, sending a signal to invite Miyuki to join in the communication. Even though she ought to trust Kyouko-nee, she knew that her father would definitely check her communications for the night after her conversation with him. Mayumi had to present the image that she was really close to both Shiba siblings, rather than just the older one.

Her heart swelled at his protectiveness and the knowledge of their closeness. Despite reading her as effectively as Katsuto, he had used the knowledge to protect her from more criticism. It was like a balm on her wound. Her father was right. She deserved better. She deserved a partner who cared for her always.

Gracefully, Miyuki appeared on the screen, a wide smile on her face. The Snow Queen was flattering in casual wear, which emphasized on her petite body and gentle curves. She could imagine that most of her peers would die to see the Snow Queen smile so warmly at them.

Mayumi shot her a teasing wink when she realized that she could barely see Miyuki's clothes under her short blue apron: her outfit was too short to be seen. Miyuki nearly dashed upstairs to change her clothes but the former President assured her that it was OK.

"This communication is secured. For my eyes only."

Miyuki blushed, lowering her head but remained glued to her seat.

Tatsuya remained wisely quiet during the exchange.

Easily, their conversation expanded to include everything under the sun. It was until Miyuki yawned that all of them decided to end communications.

By then, the heavy weight in her chest had assuaged. Mayumi smiled, grateful for them.

Miyuki disappeared from the screen earlier, giving them some time to be alone with each other. Tatsuya remained still, the corners of his lips lifted in a small smile. He looked almost contented spending the time watching her.

It was a sentiment that she shared: she couldn't help the smile that stretched across her face as she tried to use the moment to memorize him. She found this moment of tranquil unusually valuable as if she sensed an upcoming storm. The threat of Katsuto lingered uneasily in the air, a morbid forecast of things to happen. In addition, the mystery of the Elder hung precariously in the air. Trouble always did find him, since Tatsuya was the manifestation of Murphy's Law.

"Have an early night, Kitten. You need some sleep to keep those claws sharp." However, the storm had not reached the shores.

Mayumi rolled her eyes, mildly peeved. Secretly, she was pleased by the mirth in his eyes.

"By the way, the dress suits you."

With that personal comment, he disappeared from her screen.

Mayumi became flustered for a while, pressing both of her small hands on her cheeks. "Idiotic Tatsuya." She took note of the dress that he liked before preparing for bed. It was nice to know that he admired one of her outfits. Maybe, she would wear it for him soon.

Wait. He learned fast! Where did he learn that?

His open admiration of her dress reminded her of the last time she had dressed up for him.

She had never forgiven him for failing to notice her summer dress on the day they travelled to the site for the Nine School Competition. She had worn that dress for him since it highlighted her best features.

Mayumi would remind him of that incident soon.

It did not occur to Mayumi that she had worn that dress especially for Katsuto because she knew that he was visiting.

By mutual implicit agreement, Mayumi walked to First High alone. The rest of the students of First High kept a polite distance from her, choosing to talk about her among their friends or flash an uneasy smile at her as if a barrier of glass separated them.

She was used to the presence of this invisible wall, the wall that distinguished her as a descendant of the Ten Master Clan.

Usually, she would have waited for Tatsuya and his company of friends at the station so that they could walk to school together. After experiencing the Yokohama incident together, Mayumi was very close to those first years. The constant decision of placing their lives in one another's hand during the short but intense battle fostered a bond so deep that everyone was surprised at its strength.

Mayumi did not trust easily but she trusted Ericka, Leo and Miki freely now.

It was strange how the battlefield molded her life as easily as clay.

The Elfin princess lamented at the loss of daily meeting her dependable Kouhai. She hated the idea of starting her day without a glimpse of him and a taste of his wryly wit. It was all that idiot's fault. The hurt flared from the memory of his betrayal. Intentionally, he exposed her to condemnation from her father.

Katsuto lumbered into the classroom, his head lowered in shame. The sharpness in her father's dismissal of him probably made him realized that he had caused trouble for her.

Her father's words drifted in her head. He had made his choice. Katsuto did not deserve her and her friendship.

The rage at him fizzed out. He didn't deserve her time. Katsuto had made his choice by disregarding their friendship for his duty. At that moment, she realized that Katsuto really did not matter to her. That realization informed her decision.

Instead of ignoring him, Mayumi greeted him politely, wearing a smile reserved for her acquaintances.

From the peripheral of her vision, she could see the confusion on the faces of her close friends. Oh, she needed to warm up for the upcoming interrogation during their break.

Katsuto's brows shot upwards, shocked. He mumbled his greeting before stumbling to his seat that was a few desks away.

Whispering filled the classroom.

"Did something happen?" questioned Mari, leaning in so that she could whisper to her. Her head was cocked to the slight, allowing the short black bangs to cover one of her eyes. "I have never seen you treat Juumonji-san so…so politely." She was the third of "Triumvirate".

The former president regarded Mari closely, noticing the concern in her brown-gold eyes.

Civil. Neither of her friends had ever seen her treat him so politely. Neither of them knew of her engagement with Katsuto.

"I've learnt that some things just don't matter anymore," smiled Mayumi, twirling a pen in her hand absently. "We're no longer engaged."

Technically, she did not consider herself engaged to him any longer.

There was a long pause.

Brown-golden eyes and brown eyes widened.

"What? Engaged?"

"You're engaged!"

Rin-chan had snapped her head to stare at her openly.

Mayumi could feel all her classmates' eyes on her.

She resisted the urge to fidget in her seat, cautioning them with a stare.

Instantly, both of her friends drew closer to her, trying to keep the conversation private.

"You've never said anything about an engagement to Juumonji-san," returned Mari in a furious whisper. She was quite certain that everyone had heard her despite her attempt of keeping it down. Her good friend looked ready to throttle her with both hands. "You should tell these things to your friends."

Rin-chan was impassive, waiting for her response.

The Elfin Sniper merely burst into laughter. It took her a while to calm down. Mayumi considered her words carefully, knowing that everyone was hanging on to her answer. "It was arranged by our fathers. Strictly business. They had mistaken our years of alliance as a foundation for a good marriage. My father has acknowledged recently that we are not compatible for each other."

"I always thought that you had agreed to an engagement with—"

The screeching of chair interrupted Mari's cheerful response.

Tension filled the room.

The sound of the door slamming shut concluded the discussion, cutting the tension in the air.

Mari blinked continuously.

Uneasy silence filled the classroom.

"What is that guy's problem? He acts as if he wants to marry Mayumi," mocked Mari, looking at Rin-chan. She shook her head, returning her attention to her screen.

Mayumi felt a side of her eyebrow twitching. "Do you really think that I lack of appeal?" Was she really not attractive? She knew that she was shorter than most girls since she stopped growing in her third year of middle school.

Mari shrugged absently. "Does it matter? Did you want to marry to that thick-headed idiot?" She jerked a thumb towards the door.

She remembered the confrontation that happened the night before. "No. It wouldn't work."

Rin-chan lifted a brow. "You're so sure of it. Did you actually consider…?"

"It wouldn't work out because she has her affections set for a particular person," whispered Mari playfully. "How can anyone resist with those blue blue eyes? I could gaze into them for hours." Teasingly, Mari pressed both of her hands on her cheeks.

Mayumi snorted in an unladylike way, turning to face her screen.

"Do I have something to inform your Nao?"

She waved it off carelessly. "He understands. I'm talking about your love interest."

Mayumi rolled her eyes, ignoring her friend. Her cheeks, however, were slightly warm.

Katsuto did not return to class for lessons.

It was the longest day of her life, going through day without a glimpse of him. Katsuto's reaction reminded her of his threat. The magical society would not look at her relationship with Tatsuya so favorably.

It took her all of self-discipline to maintain her public image as she walked out of her classroom to the library. The vast size of First High did not bother her until today. The routine of smiling and returning greetings to schoolmates felt like a burden as she tried to suppress her desire of meeting Tatsuya faster.

The desire was so overwhelming that she wanted to run.

Patience, she would see him soon.

Her heart raced at the thought of seeing him again.

She tried to convince herself that that anxiety was due to Juumonji-san's knowledge of Tatsuya's parentage. She found herself outside of the reading booths in the quiet library. There were very few students milling around the library, utilizing the resources of the school for research.

Tatsuya was in one of the booth, reading from the screen, focused on updating himself on the theories of magic. The uneven black bangs barely hid the frown on his face as he scanned the screen quickly.

Her heart fluttered at the sight of him. She was delighted to see him hard at work, doing what he like best. Like Miyuki, she was privy to all sides of him.

Wordlessly, she stepped into the booth and shut the door behind her.

They were finally alone.

Her heart pounded loudly.

"Something happened last night, Kitten?" He cut to the chase. "Miyuki and I observed that you were worried."

His emotionless observation made her smile. It was strange how he could read her so easily.

She closed the distance between them, a small smile on her face.

"It's Katsuto-san."

"Ah, your intended," commented Tatsuya, crossing his long legs, taking up half of the room. "Unhappiness in paradise?"

She rolled her eyes dramatically, lowering herself into a spare seat. It was a tight squeeze for them despite her petite size.

Mayumi didn't mind. She craved some physical contact with him.

Her shoulder propped intimately next to his broad, muscular shoulders. Despite the brief contact, she could feel the tension in his body.

Was he unhappy?

"If Tatsuya-kun has an eidetic memory, he ought to remember that this arrangement was his token of regard." Mayumi held his stare steadily, turning slightly so that she would face him. Her shoulder brushed past his intimately.

His eyes became Eton-blue.

"I did not persuade Club Management Leader to go to your rescue. He was acting on his own—"

"The Juumonji clan knows your parentage."

Mayumi held her breath, scanning his expression closely.

Silence filled the small booth.

He turned to look at her. The screen became dark, a sign that he wanted to concentrate on their conversation.

Blood pounded in her ear.

"Why would my parentage becomes of concern?"

Her neck turned scorching red. She didn't know how to answer him without sounding too forward. He ought to remember that marriages between the Ten Master Clan were based on ancestry. The whole Magical Society was grounded on lineage. He was a member of the Ten Master clan so he ought to understand. She turned away, hoping that Tatsuya would eventually get understand the reason for the scrutiny.

"Why would Juumonji-san talk about my parentage?" He was relentless and obtuse.

"Tatsuya…"

She threw her hands in the air, frustrated by him.

Tatsuya remained silent, his eyes on her. He was watching her, waiting for her to explain herself.

Oh Kami-sama, he really didn't get it!

Her cheeks burnt red.

She turned away, channeling her attention on the screen.

"Juumonji-san doesn't want to break off his engagement with me because he thinks that Father will consider accepting you as my fiancé. He thinks it is not beneficial for our families to be joined by marriage."

Tatsuya seemed unperturbed. He folded his arms. "Oh. Is that his opinion?"

She tilted her head slightly, considering his question. She shook her head. "No, I don't think so. I'm not too sure. I mean there was once an arranged marriage between Father, the successor of my clan and your aunt, the successor of your clan."

"Technically, Yotsuba Miya could be the successor of the clan too."

The image of a beautiful but emotionless older lady with features as refined as Miyuki flashed in her mind. She had the opportunity to meet her in the past.

"Oh. I didn't know that."

"However, the previous war has proven that the Yotsuba is simply too powerful. An alliance between your clan and the Yotsuba might prove too dangerous for the other clans." He mused. "There will be no one to stop us."

The way he had referred to them as the Yotsuba, as if he was an outsider, troubled her slightly.

Mayumi pursed her lips as she considered his suggestion. "No, that is a hindsight bias. We didn't know how powerful the Yotsuba was until after the kidnap of your aunt and my father. It doesn't make sense. What about Ichigo? They are a powerful clan. I don't see them trying to prevent any possible alliance between my clan and theirs."

"I don't think they know. Well, it was only after the Yokohama incident that Saegusa-ojou sama expresses preference for younger men—"

Face flushed, she smacked him on his arm. "I was referring to Kasumi and Izumi."

The faint smile on his face did not fade away. "Juumonji's awareness of my parentage might mean that someone is manipulating the Ten Master Clans from behind the scenes."

His conjecture made sense. The Juumonji clan was not notable for intelligence gathering. She frowned.

"This manipulation is not related to the Nine-school competition, Okinawa, Blanche, and Yokohama incidents right?"

"What made you draw a relationship between all of these incidents? With the exception of the Okinawa incident, the rest of the incidents were targeted broadly at the Magical society. I do think that there is a single force driving these events."

Mayumi could tell that he could not see the pattern between these events from the crease between his brows. However, he did not disregard her speculation. She liked that about him. He respected her opinions.

Mayumi shrugged, brushing her shoulder against his arm. His solid presence centered her. "These four events reflect a mastermind with deep pockets and wide connections. Following that logic, I should add the kidnap of Father and your aunt. I know that the Yotsuba destroyed the Dahan but I can't help to think that..."

Their motives behind each event varied widely but she was certain that they shared a common point: the same enigmatic player or mastermind.

Tatsuya looked contemplative.

"An organization. An organization that has been plotting for decades to keep our magical society in check."

Mayumi pursed her lips. "We do not have evidence." If these events were connected then Tatsuya's speculation was spot-on. The presence of chaos and disunity would help to keep the magical society in control.

"How did Saegusa-sama react? Did you tell him the truth?" There was a gleam of understanding in his eyes, as if he would not blame her if she had revealed the truth after Katsuto had told him.

Tatsuya knew the importance of duty to the clan. He also knew her dedication to her duty.

The acceptance in his eyes was too much for her. "The truth was not mine to tell."

She allowed her words to settle in.

The talented first year froze.

Mayumi blushed, lowering her head. "Y-your aunt reacted badly to our close friendship. You told me that she ordered you to kill me. I know that Father will react badly if he learns the truth."

Tatsuya turned to meet her gaze. There was a hint of tenderness in his eyes. "I'm not a Yotsuba. The Yotsuba has never acknowledged me as a part of the family. However, Miyuki is treated as a potential successor to the leadership of the Yotsuba and she is my sister."

He was a Yotsuba by extension of his relationship with his sister.

"And you're Miyuki's guardian."

Her mind drifted to the first time she met the Shiba siblings. He had watched over Miyuki-chan protectively even at a tender age. Tatsuya told her of his harsh trainings to ensure his worthiness of serving the possible successor of the Yotsuba family.

"I'm her guardian," affirmed Tatsuya proudly, holding her gaze. Mayumi knew that brotherly feelings were all he could authentically feel. The attempt to create an artificial area to manipulate magic resulted in his inability to feel emotions in the wider spectrum.

The Yotsuba had seen fit to adjust him because they did not consider him a magician. Her heart ached at the loss of the ability to feel.

Slowly and deliberately, she leaned against his firm and toned shoulder, savoring the closeness between them. "The best that is available for our Snow Queen," teased Mayumi, giggling to herself. Both of them knew how indignant Miyuki was about her nickname.

"Aren't you afraid that I'll tell on you?"

"Not really, after Juumonji-san's betrayal."

"He betrayed you by revealing my parentage?"

Mayumi nodded gingerly.

"He did what he had to. He did not betray your trust since you did not tell him about my parentage."

The truth of his words glared at her. It did not justify the hurt he had caused her. Did he approve of Juumonji-san actions?

"Will you?"

Tatsuya raised a brow questioningly.

"If you were in his shoes, will you do what he has done with full knowledge that you will hurt me?"

Mayumi's gaze bore upon him expectantly.

He considered her words.

"There are some wounds that cannot be undone with magic. I cannot restore trust that is lost. Juumonji-san probably did that because he was cornered. He does not hide his affections—"

"Will you?" Her hands were on his forearm, gripping him hard.

The anxiety was apparent in her tone. She had never bothered to hide her emotions in front of him. She lifted her gaze to meet his, their bodies facing each other.

His answer was important to her.

Mayumi did not care if Juumonji-san did not care for her. She had accepted that fact. A piece of her needed to know if Tatsuya would hurt her the same way as Katsuto.

She did not even know if she would be able to take it.

Tatsuya's eyes met hers steadily. "If that was a duty to Miyuki, I will. I will do it willingly, in full knowledge that I will hurt you. My duty to Miyuki will always come first."

The tension in the room abated immediately.

Her hands relaxed as a gentle smile stretched across Mayumi's face.

"That's a no then. I'll never ask you to choose between us. I'll never put you in that position when all that is left that is genuinely yours is your loyalty and affections to Miyuki-chan."She drew absent circles on his forearm, allowing the comfortable silence to stretch between them. "If you really think that I'm important, you would keep my use of Miyuki's nickname between us," smiled Mayumi almost lethally.

"What about my duty to Miyuki?"

"Did she ask you to report to her when others use that nickname?"

He shook his head. His eyes reflected curiosity, wondering where this conversation would lead him.

"Then you are under no obligation to tell her. Since it isn't your duty to her, you will not betray my trust," explained Mayumi airily.

A wryly smile appeared on his face. "It sounds about right."

The Elfin Sniper laughed brightly, collapsing into his arm. The scent of the ocean enveloped her, causing her to sigh in contentment. It reminded her of the open sea and freedom.

Freedom.

She did not believe that they did not have a choice to decide their partner. She did not believe that fate could stop them from being together.

Mayumi needed to unravel the mastermind behind the plot.

"Kitten, your father wants to meet me. Your bodyguard stopped me at the station to pass me the message."

Her eyes widened.

How could she forget that Nakurawas one of her father's men? It was good that she had ordered him not to divulge any information about Tatsuya and her. Her father did not need to know that she was attached to the first year.

Tatsuya reached for her hand, as if he knew that she was bothered by the fact.

"He never told me. When is Father meeting you?"

"Tonight. I have already accepted the invitation for dinner—"

She shot out of her seat. "And you didn't tell me?"

Mayumi was almost flustered. She needed to be home soon. She didn't have enough time. "How could you not tell me earlier? I need to return home to dress up. I don't have enough time to dress up before dinner. You should have told me earlier!"

Hastily, she packed up her things, ready to rush home.

"Do you mean it then?"

"Huh? Mean what?"

"That you didn't mind having sex before marriage?" continued Tatsuya emotionlessly, standing up so that he was inches away from her.

Huh?

It was strange that he had brought up this matter. She knew that he was present in those discussions. Miyuki had wisely stayed out of it, knowing the fierce protectiveness of her brother.

Mayumi leapt away from him, putting as much distance between each other as she covered herself with her hands. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Was that a proposition?

"Exactly as it means." He waggled both of his brows lecherously. His hand on her arm inched upwards slowly as if to reinforce his point.

She held her breath.

Goosebumps began to pop on her skin.

Oh Kami-sama!

She wasn't ready for this! That idiot needed to give her time to be ready for this!

The eldest daughter of the Saegusa family quickly picked up her things and bolted out of the room, terrified by his sudden advance. In her haste to escape him, she did not realize that Tatsuya had effectively eased her nerves. It was until she was safely hidden in her own room that she burst out laughing.

Tatsuya had cleaned himself up well for dinner with her family. With lethal grace, he alighted from his ride, his black leather shoes gleaming in the evening sun. The bespoke black suit and the white dress shirt complemented his slim and fit frame well, bringing out the best of his disciplined body. The jacket cut a sharp V-line, placing emphasis on his broad shoulders and slim waist.

It was clear that Miyuki had dressed him; since she tended to his unruly mop of hair, taming it down to sit in a refine fashion on his scalp. Mayumi would have laughed at him—so dressed up and proper—if he did not have the deportment to complement his polished appearance.

He sank into proper a bow, carefully lifting her knuckles to his thin lips. Tenderly, he pressed his lips on her knuckles. The contact sent delicious jolts up her skin.

Mayumi grew flustered for a moment, unsure of how to respond. Her heart palpitated so quickly that it felt as if it wanted to leap out of her chest.

His lips lingered longer than customary.

Butterflies filled in her stomach.

"You look beautiful, my ojou-sama," complimented Tatsuya warmly. A ghost of a smile lingered in his eyes, as if teasing her for her loss of the ability to speak.

She found her tongue, thick in her mouth.

"Y-you look dashing yourself." She swallowed visibly. "I never thought that you could clean up so well. I-It must be the hard work of Miyuki-chan."

Slowly, he brought out a bouquet of flowers. It faint and sweet fragrance added to the evening air. "This is for you, Mayumi. Miyuki says it is customary for me to give you this."

Her eyes widened at the sight of the bouquet.

Tatsuya had actually brought her flowers!

The bouquet of rich blue irises stood proudly in his hand. Specks of gold crowned the middle of each flower, adding a sense of enchantment to the flowers. She loved the flowers, it was the same shade as his twinkling eyes in the dying light.

Cautiously, he offered the bouquet to her.

Mayumi could laugh at the odd image of the stoic Tatsuya bearing flowers. Touched by his dreamy gesture, she accepted them, taking a deep sniff of them. They smelt sweet. "It will add more color to my room. Thank you."

He dipped his head in a nod, a hesitant smile on his lips.

She eyed his arm meaningfully.

"My apologies," intoned Tatsuya offering his arm to her.

With a radiant smile, she took his arm, knowing that both of them had been lingering outside her home for too long. Her father knew that she was interested in him, so it wouldn't be a surprise to the head of the Saegusa clan leader.

Gracefully, she led him through her family home towards the dining room where her father was waiting. He did not show discomfort at the opulence that laced the corridor. She understood that the Yotsuba prized prudence more than opulence, which mean that this was not a common sight.

The sight of the flowers in her hand made her father smile openly. When Tatsuya gifted her father a basket of fruits, her father grinned warmly, thanking him.

None of her guest had the foresight of preparing a small gift to thank the host for their hospitality before him.

"It is rare to find an attentive suitor," remarked her father, eyeing them with great interest. "You're planning to pursue my Mayumi right?"

Her cheeks grew flustered at the open questioning.

Tatsuya remained silent, maintaining a gentle smile on his face. He shared a glance with her, playing the role of the besotted lover.

Mayumi could swoon at the sight. However, she knew that Tatsuya was merely playing up the role of a gentleman caller.

Her father merely laughed.

To her surprise, her father invited them to eat at the more intimate dining room, rather than the formal one. There, he broached on many subjects, congratulating him on the participation of both major events in the Magical High schools, the Nine School Competition and the Research.

Mayumi could tell that her father was impressed by his fine mind and his solid grasp of magic theories. His knowledge about the affairs of the Magical Society fascinated him and her father began an earnest conversation about the keeping the Anti-Magic elements in the society in check.

"We need to show that magic can be used for the advancement of the society rather than just mere weapons," commented Tatsuya mildly, clasping his hands together. "As long as the perception of magicians as dangerous and nothing more than weapons persist, non-magicals will continue to fear us and insist on our destruction."

"Ah. If we do not keep our edge, we cannot deter the non-magicals from employing nuclear weapons. That was the reason for our existence. After Scorched Halloween, it becomes even more impossible to persuade anyone to reconsider the image of a magician. The Magical Association is also worried about that incident since we do not know who this strategic magician is. The incident shows that we're too powerful to be controlled."

She remembered that night fondly. It was the night of Tatsuya's confession. She could never imagine how he could wreck so much damage when he was so gentle with her.

"Unless we control ourselves," whispered Mayumi, looking at both of her hands.

Her father dipped his head in a nod. "That's what the Magical Association is for. It gives the more powerful clans a say on our affairs, helps us to settle disputes but more importantly, it is an avenue to regulate our powers."

An avenue to regulate their powers? The Ten Master clans have barely begun to work in a collective fashion, choosing to serve their own individual self-interests. Despite the alliances between different Ten Master clans, they had never became a decisive force to overrule the rest of the Magical Association. The Elder, remained above the politics simply because he was the teacher of two of the most powerful leaders of the Ten Master Clan.

"What about the military?" questioned Mayumi curiously? "Isn't it a different entity?"

He nodded. "The JSDF, however, employs a lot of magicals. Their words have some weight. The manner they employ our magicians have consequences."

To his credit, Tatsuya remained silent. He was deeply involved in the change of the image.

Occasionally, she wondered how he had felt being a part of his huge change in the society. She had seen through his immense capacity for destruction and saw only him. He was far more dangerous with his agile and quick mind, a misfit in every way. He was a living reminder that the magical society needed to broaden their perspectives so that she would experience progress.

"Are you affiliated to Four Leaves Techologies?" asked the leader of Saegusa suddenly, staring at Tatsuya.

"My father works there. I do not stay with my father," returned Tatsuya easily, leaning into his chair. He seemed to expect an interrogation of his parentage. "He pays little attention to the matters in the household."

Mayumi was surprised by his admission.

"Juumonji-kun is certain that you're part of the Yotsuba."

He let out a laugh. "If I were a Yotsuba, I would be more careful about letting others learn of my identity, especially another member of the Ten Master clan." He met her father's gaze without hesitation.

Not convinced, her father leaned in. "Do you intend to use Mayumi?"

What use was she to him? The question baffled her. He had access to one of the Ten Master clan through his sister. He didn't need her.

Tatsuya blinked at the change of subject, turning to share a gaze with her.

His eyes flashed indignantly. "No. My sister and I will not. She has saved the life of my sister. We owe her our gratitude. We owe her everything." He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly at the admission of his gratitude.

Mayumi's heart fell slightly. He was courting her because he felt obligated to her. She never wanted him to feel indebted to her! She had saved Miyuki because she had promised to watch over her. She never knew.

Could she expect more of him? Could she actually expect that he had genuine feelings for her? The magic that his mother had put over him so that he has some control over magic damaged him.

Her father bristled resentfully. "Are you trying to court her to pay off your debt? Mayumi doesn't require you to…"

He shook his head, maintaining his gaze on her. "She is important to me. When the time comes to choose between magic and her, I'll choose her." The corner of his lips lifted in a smile. His eyes were of an Eton-blue, reminding her of the calm and deep ocean she loved.

His specifically-worded statement astounded her. What did he mean? Did he mean that there was a way to reverse the magic that altered his limbic system to create an artificial Magical Calculation area? He would lose his abilities to perform simple magic. She wouldn't want him to do that for her.

"Are you part of the Yotsuba?" demanded her father again, levelling his gaze on him.

Tension skyrocketed in the dining room.

However, Tatsuya did not seem affected by the tension in the room. His gaze was on her, observing her closely for her reactions.

Why was he looking her in that way? He seemed to be considering her feelings.

She ached to reach out to touch and sooth him.

Tatsuya broke away from his silent observation of her to look at her father. "I'm not a part of the Yotsuba."

His statement reverberated around the small dining room like a proclamation of things to come. It felt almost final, a decision he had made for himself. She knew that it was not difficult for him to reject the Yotsubas. He took neither their surname nor used their connections. They had never seen him as a part of the Yotsuba.

Her father broke into a large smile. Climbing to his feet, he extended his rough hand towards the teenager. "I like you. I don't really care if Juumonji are going to oppose this, but I'll approve this engagement. Do I need to meet your father to finalize the arrangements?"

The lenses of her father glinted slyly.

Tatsuya rose to his feet, taking her father's hand warmly. "Thank you. I'll take good care of your daughter. No, I'll inform my father."

Mayumi rose to her feet coyly.

She felt his eyes on her, watching her intently. Instantly, her face flushed.

They were engaged.

Butterflies filled her stomach at that thought.

Saegusa Koichi, catching a glance of his daughter, exploded into guffaws. "Good. Good." He slapped her on the back, leaving the newly-engaged couple alone in the dining room. Before parting, her father even winked at her. "I'll announce the good news to the Magical Association tomorrow. There isn't a point delaying the announcement. Ask Mayumi to show you around."

The two teenagers sank into a deep bow.

Wordlessly, Mayumi left the dining room, allowing Tatsuya to follow her. She took him across the house to her sanctuary where she knew that no one would eavesdrop on their conversation.

"That went brilliantly," scolded Mayumi, slamming the doors shut. Her eyes were slightly narrowed while she watched him closely.

Fascinated with her room, he roved around her space. The carpet muted his footsteps. "I've achieved our objective of fixing our engagement." From the gleam in his eyes, she could tell that he was satisfied with the way her room looked.

For some odd reason, his approval meant a lot to her. It was strange to see being a part of her sanctuary. Did he notice the color of ceilings?

"I didn't know that you wanted to be engaged with me," stammered Mayumi, blushing brightly.

They were now formally engaged. They were promised to each other.

It felt almost surreal that they had gained the approval of her father.

"What's with the deal with the debt?"

"Don't you want to know who the mastermind is?" quipped Tatsuya, stopping to watch her carefully. He stuffed his hands into his pockets. "The mastermind would no doubt make a move, knowing that your father has approved our relationship."

"Oh."

Her heart sank.

The main reason for this engagement was to bait the mastermind.

Careful not to let her disappointment show, she sat on her soft bed. So he had planned to be engaged with her so that they could resolve the issue of the mysterious mastermind. The pain from the realization scorched her like an open flame.

"I... s-see…" She tried to drum up some excitement, plastering a smile on her face. "That's great! No wonder you didn't need to tell your aunt. I guess we don't have to work on…"

"Kitten."

He stood before her, a brow marring his face.

"Miyuki will be happy to hear that we are engaged to be married. She's looking forward to address you as her sister." He shook his head fondly at the thought. "Our Aunt will not protest too much at the reason for our engagement when she receives closure."

"B-but…"

Her mind raced with the many possibilities of things going wrong. They might not be able to bait the mastermind. There may not be a mastermind at all!

"What happens when Miyuki becomes the heir of Yotsuba? What then?"

"It'll have little influence on us."

Mayumi pinched her nose gently. "My father wouldn't be too pleased. You said you weren't a Yotsuba."

"Miyuki's status as an heir of Yotsuba doesn't mean that I'm a part of them," clarified Tatsuya emotionlessly. "Besides, if your conjunction that there is a mastermind who had a hand in this, then we'll be able to resolve this hostility between the two families. I do hope that we might have a more permanent arrangement. It'll be beneficial for all. You said that my mother wanted a closure between the two families. This might be the best way of resolving the problem."

Mayumi laughed mirthlessly. "What if there isn't a mastermind? A marriage wouldn't end a feud? Our families could force us apart. They could go to war with each other to force us apart. We could have a divorce, then what shall happen? We're just prolonging the inevitable."

He tipped her chin carefully with his fingers. His gaze was gentle. "Do you have so little faith in yourself, little kitten? I need you to have faith in us." The determination in his eyes soothed her worries.

The thought of war between their clans spooked her.

"I can't help it. I'm very close to my sisters. I can't imagine a day in which I'm forced to…" She fought back a choke. The image of her facing off her sisters was too much for her to bear.

"The day will not come, Mayumi," concluded Tatsuya, stroking her cheeks tenderly. "I trust your instinct. There is a mastermind and we'll unravel this person's plot. That person will no longer hurt our families." Fury flashed in his Eton-blue eyes.

She turned away from him. "What if our families don't find a closure?"

The smile on his face turned mischievous. "Why, there is always the option in which both families will grudgingly accept."

Mayumi arched a brow.

Tatsuya merely wiggled both of his brows in response.

It took Mayumi a while to understand what he meant. Her cheeks merely turned beetroot-red and she could not quite meet him at the eye for the rest of the night. However, she did not object being physically close to him.

She was very conscious of the way her blood was racing at his presence.

A/N: Thank you for reading. This chapter has been sitting on my hard drive for a while. I decided to clean it up a little and publish it instead of completing it. Look forward to reading your opinions of this chapter. Have a good day.