Rebirth

She sighs as she rolls her neck. Despite finishing her first semester at First High, things still haven't fully settled. The course one students that had been up in arms at her appointment to the Disciplinary Committee, while they'd stopped trying to lay traps and jump her since it only ever ended in them being arrested by the Disciplinary Committee, still by and large went out of their way to try to make trouble for her.

There have been a stupid amount of reports filed against her for some false accusation or another. They'd all been proven false, but there have been enough that she'd actually managed to accumulate more personally then have been levied against the entirety of the Disciplinary Committee minus her in five years. Watanabe had been pissed about it of course, but she'd also had a sort of grim satisfaction, as in her eyes the fact they were trying so hard to get rid of her proved that they were shattering that idea of course one students being superior to course two students. Watanabe had made it clear that she personally felt they were lashing out because their world view was being challenged.

Particularly since she quickly gained a reputation of her own, and while she didn't have the authority of the Disciplinary Committee Chief of course, she'd sort of started to scare them just as much as Watanabe. Which the girl found immensely amusing, since she never abused her power, yet had shattered their false impression of superiority.

There was also the fact that Yuki seemed to grow more and more miserable with each passing day, not because she'd done anything to him, but just because people were tolerating his nonsense less then before. Their mother at home for one thing, but also it had very much become the norm for each of her soulmates to take one of her sides and Hoshi to walk directly behind her when they were on the go, or next to her and directly across from her respectively if they were sitting to take away Yuki's ability to encroaching on her personal space physically and push that boundary. She was starting to think she'd have to call it out and be blunt about it whenever it does happen.

On a better note, her, Sora, Miho, and Hoshi had started to get rather close to the kids that were kind of their friends, though they often joked about Sora and Hoshi being practically tied at the hip even though they hate each other. They've been strangely persistent about that, but if they find it amusing and as long as Sora and Hoshi aren't offended, which they aren't, there's no harm in it.

Also, there was just… the general pleasure of getting to experience school life with her soulmates and sister in law. Even better on a personal level, students are expected to acquire regular education outside of First High so it can focus on magic, so they aren't even having to go through lessons on things they already know and instead can focus on the more unknown magic of this universe. Well. Unknown to her soulmates. She'd progressed almost unnaturally fast, but since it was about the only thing this universe could teach her, it wasn't surprising. Even if it's useless for her, it doesn't really affect the general idea of attending school with them or how she feels about it. Maybe it was a strange thing to focus on, but it brought her a strange sense of genuine happiness.

Miho tilts her head, “Why did they even call you to this after school meeting regarding the Nine Schools Competition though? I mean, unlike the Thesis Competition in autumn, the Nine Schools Competition is based entirely on practical skills. Given you're in course two and the inferiority they're generally deemed to have to course one, I can't see them asking for your presence being about wanting to get you to participate.”

She hums, “Your guess is as good as mine.”

Hoshi leans into the gap between her and Sora, “Are you sure it's okay if we tag along?”

She waves her hand by the side of her head, opposite where Hoshi is leaning forward, “They just sent me an email asking for my presence out of the blue. They didn't say it was a private meeting, quite the contrary since they asked me to attend the meeting specifically for preparing for the Nine Schools Competition being held after school, and besides they're the ones technically cutting into my time.”

Hoshi leans back with a laugh, “Fair enough!”

It isn't long before they get there, and she finds Saegusa, Watanabe, and Yuki waiting outside for her. Watanabe tosses a curious look at her companions. She shrugs before they can ask, and repeats basically what she'd said to Hoshi a bit prior, “You guys asked me to come out of the blue, which also cuts into my time and plans I had with them. They tagged along so we can get back to it as quickly as possible when whatever I'm here for is done with.”

Saegusa laughs, “That's not unfair, and it's not a secret meeting or anything, so there's no harm in them being here. Before the official meeting, I wanted to speak to you so what you were asked here for isn't dropped on you like a bombshell.”

She nods, “Alright then. What was I called here for?”

Saegusa smiles, “First High actually has a critical lack of CAD engineers. It's not a particularly big deal in general, but when it comes to the Nine Schools Competition where each school is expected to do their own CAD maintenance, it becomes more of a problem. While we were discussing it at lunch today, Yuki mentioned that you were actually rather skilled at those sorts of things! We were wanting to ask you to become one of the technicians for the CAD maintenance.”

She blinks a little rapidly at her, then tilts her head with a confused smile, “Saegusa-senpai, with all due respect, I'm not the sort of person to have a lot of school pride, so given whether First High wins or loses doesn't really matter to me, I have to ask. Why on earth would I want to spend the first half of my summer break helping dig First High out of the hole they dug themselves into?”

Yuki flinches at that, undoubtedly upset that she was turning down his work of trying to get her what he deems is her ‘due recognition’ and what he insists she deserves, regardless of whether she wants it or not. Saegusa winces slightly, then gives her an almost pleading look, “This situation has already shown First High the consequences of its prior actions, of what happens when you neglect things like teaching CAD engineering. If anything, wouldn't this be a good opportunity to force the faculty to see the monumental difference having good CAD technicians can make? If anything, showing such an example of the differences it makes can very easily serve as a good argument when I go to talk to them about it more after the Nine Schools Competition is over. I was already thinking that maybe I should talk to them, but if you agree I swear to you on the Saegusa name I will.”

She hums as she looks away thoughtfully for a few moments before looking back towards her without bothering to turn her head back again, “You can be quite dogged about getting your way, huh? Alright then I suppose.”

Saegusa's pleading look switches to an beaming smile, and her hands shoot out to grab her own and give them a grateful squeeze, “Thank you, thank you!”

She she turns to meet her gaze more fully, “Just don't forget your promise.”

Saegusa lets go to clasps her hands in front of her, “I won't!”

She hums, “You'll have to be careful about what competitors you assign to me though. While it isn't technically necessary, it can create quite a few problems if there isn't a certain amount of trust between caster and technician.”

Saegusa grows more serious, “I know.” Then she smiles brightly again, “Rin, ever the pragmatic, brought that and the… heated relations between you and a lot of course one up already, but given the roster we're looking at for the Nine Schools Competition, it should be fairly easy to just assign the magicians to technicians in such a way that you'll end up with people there should be no problems with.”

She smiles back, “If you're certain.”

Watanabe smiles, “There won't be any problems on that front.” Then she glances at her group, “You guys can come into the meeting as well, but please stay out of the way near the back.” They all nod and she turns her smile on her, “We should head in then, since it'll be starting soon.”

They head inside, and until she has reason to go up, if she even has to for the announcement of her official inclusion as a technician, she waits by Miho, Sora, and Hoshi back by the back wall from the perspective of the table Saegusa, Watanabe, and Juumonji were at.

A lot of students were incredibly nervous, and she can't really blame them. For one thing, the competition puts the pride of each school on the line, and perhaps because of the ‘first’ or maybe for some completely unrelated reason, First High is often seen as the best overall of the magic highschools out of the nine magic university affiliated highschools. There are specializations for certain schools, and it wasn't uncommon for that specific school to win out in things regarding those specific specializations. Even that isn't always a guarantee though and First High is still often viewed as the best across the board.

It puts an undeniable pressure on the kids to defend their school's pride, that's for certain.

Inevitably, given how much attention was thrust upon her from her appointment to the Disciplinary Committee, and probably in retrospect, hurt pride that she took first place in the rankings for the theoretical tests, someone towards the back who's aware of her presence asks what she's doing there.

Saegusa hums, “The Student Council has nominated Shiba Toshiko of class 1E as a member of the technician staff.”

Immediately someone all but blurts, “A course two student on the technician staff?!”

Someone else pipes up more calmly, “Yeah, but she's on the Disciplinary Committee, right?”

Another voice asks somewhat dubiously, “Is she up to fine-tuning CADs?”

She bursts into laughter, drawing more than a few dirty looks from these kids who still haven't unlearned the prejudice that's practically been drilled into them. Then she turns her amused gaze to Nakajou, "Mmm, Nakajou-sempai, can I ask you a question?" The shy girl jolts at being singled out, then nervously nods, "Did the Faculty ever recommend you transfer to Fourth High because of your engineering skills which is more in their area of expertise?"

Nakajou blinks rapidly, "Ahh, no?"

She makes a mock puzzled look and taps her chin, "But you're acknowledged as one of the best technicians in school, aren't you?" She nods hesitantly, "That makes no sense then! How come the Faculty recommended I transfer to Fourth High because they didn't have the facilities for a student of my skill level but didn't do the same with you?"

Nakajou blinks quickly for a moment, then shakes her head firmly, but she doesn't look upset. If anything she looks like she's trying awfully hard not to smile and laugh, as the other students in the meeting that had been protesting stare down at the ground, open and close their mouths, or look very awkward, unable to counter that.

She gazes at them in mild amusement, then shakes her head, “Honestly, considering Saegusa-senpai had to convince me to accept this position since I'm not particularly interested in it, if anything, you're sabotaging her work.”

That causes more than one student to flinch, and she hums as she turns back to Saegusa, who claps once in delight before turning a smile to her, “Well then! It looks like it's official! Shiba Toshiko will be on the technician team to support First High's Nine Schools Competition competitors!”

That very night, they've barely finished dinner when ringing from the living room indicates an incoming call. Honami, who had just started to gather up the dishes, quickly sets them back down and excuses herself to go answer it. Given that while you can make or answer a call without a camera on but the standard is that calls are technically video calls, she's not surprised that Honami identifies the person before they speak, “Oh! Good evening Major Kazama. I assume you're calling for Toshiko?” There's a beat, likely for a nod, before she adds, “I'll get her, please wait a moment.” She comes back into the kitchen quickly, and turns to where she's already getting up, “You may have heard, but Major Kazama is on a call connected to the TV in the living room.”

She nods, “I heard. Thanks Honami.”

She strides past her into the living room to stand in front of the TV, currently showing the call with Major Kazama. She smiles as she comes to a stop in front of it, “It's been a while Major.”

The man nods with a small smile of his own, “Yes, it has, hasn't it, Special Officer.”

She hums, “If you're using rank, I assume the line is secure on your end?”

He makes a small chuckle, “Of course. And your end is of course secure, given how hard core the security around your house is. Sometimes I think it's excessively so.”

She snorts in amusement, “Hackers these days are relentless… is the official line. But it's not surprising in the slightest given the ties to the Yotsuba.” Then she shakes her head, “That being said, given how busy you are, I assume you didn't call for just a pleasant chat, though I wouldn't say no to that.”

He chuckles, “Neither would I, but unfortunately no.” Then his expression turns more serious, “First, some work related news.”

She nods, “Alright.”

He reaches over and starts manipulating his terminal to send over schematics as he speaks, “Today, we finished overhauling the Third Eye. At this juncture, we'd like you to update the software and run some functionality tests.”

She tugs her terminal out just to confirm her schedule is what she thinks it is, “Unless it's more critical and needs to be done sooner, I have Sunday free.(1)”

He nods, “We aren't so pressed for time we need you to miss school, so that works just fine. So, on Sunday morning, please report to the usual place.”

As casual as the talk had been, given it was work related and he'd referred to her as ‘Special Officer’, she shifts from her more casual posture to a salute, “Understood sir.”

He salutes back briefly, then relaxes again, “Moving on Special Officer, rumor has it that you'll be taking part in the Nine Schools Competition too?”

She blinks quickly a moment, then huffs a small laugh, “I suppose I shouldn't be surprised how quickly you learn things with Kyouko-nee around. Yes I am. Only as a technician though. Is that a problem?”

Kazama shakes his head, “No, that in and of itself isn't a problem, that being said… The competition site is in the Southeast Fuji Training Area. Well, of course, it's the same every year, but…” His expression becomes serious again, “Watch your back, Toshiko. In the same area, we've repeatedly spotted what are most likely members of an international crime syndicate.”

She has to stamp down on her knee jerk snarl. Then bite back the laugh that wants to bubble up. Over four hundred years later, and what the Syndicate had done to Hei still left her more… sensitive to ‘international crime’ particularly a ‘syndicate’ rather than any other name, even though they were all basically the same.

She forces it away so she won't miss Kazama continuing, “Considering the timing, we think they're targeting the Nine Schools Competition.”

She frowns, the only bit of the displeasure she lets through since it's understandable, “An international crime syndicate huh?”

She lifts her gaze at the end and he nods, “I had Mibu look into it.”

She blinks quickly, “As in a parent of Mibu Sakuya's? Small world, given she's a second year at First High…”

He chuckles lowly, “That it is. Specifically her father, Mibu Yuuzou.” He reaches out to pull up his credentials on the call, “After retiring from the army, Mibu transferred to the Cabinet Information Management Agency, and he's currently in charge of international crime units.” She nods her understanding, so he continues, as he pulls up some more, “According to Mibu, they might very well be members of a Hong Kong based crime syndicate, the No-Head Dragons.”

She hums, “Obviously it's not something to go blabbing around, but is that information entirely confidential? Mostly just asking because I'm classmates and friends with a Chiba, and while I'm sure you're setting up your own things, it wouldn't be a bad idea to talk to her about potentially having the police amp up security.”

Kazama shakes his head, “It's not so confidential you can't bring it up with her, though given what your connection to the military is, there may be questions you can't answer regarding where you got the information.”

She nods, “I can deal with that though, so I'll talk to her about it.”

Kazama nods, “Alright. I'll be in touch further as soon as I receive any additional information.”

She nods, “Thank you very much.”

He nods, and they quickly wrap up the call. She sighs as she ducks into the kitchen and dining room briefly to speak to her mother, “I'm off the phone, so you're free to go into the living room now rather than avoiding it for privacy. I'm heading up to my room, since I need to call Miho and Sora.”

Her mother's brow furrows, undoubtedly picking up on the displeasure she's not attempting to hide, “If it's not a particularly private call, why don't you make it in the living room?”

She tilts her head, “That…” Before she can say anything, Yuki shoots up from his seat as he mumbles something about going to his room, likely not wanting to be around her soulmates -not that Yuki knows that of course- or talk of them anymore then necessarily. She blinks after him as she watches him hurry up the stairs with her Elemental Sight, “Well, my biggest reason not to want to was because reincarnation stuff is going to come up, but if Yuki isn't around…” She shrugs, “Then it doesn't really matter.”

She heads out to the living room, and isn't particularly surprised that her mother and Honami drift after her, likely wanting to find out what has her so upset. She glances at the time on her terminal before slipping it away, having figured as much since she just had dinner, but wanting to confirm it wasn't too late to call Sora and Miho before she does.

She quickly manipulates the terminal that has a larger TV screen, which is what it's usually used for, to pull up a multi-call for them. Both so she can warn them and Hoshi who will undoubtedly learn through Sora, and because she hadn't even realized that the whole… syndicate thing was still a sore spot. But she knows herself well enough to know it's going to get to her more than usual to have another syndicate interfering with her life in any way. She also knows full well her soulmates would much rather she calls them to vent and get it out of her system now rather than let it build while she waits until she sees them tomorrow and potentially hits a boiling point quicker than that.

She's mildly surprised when Miho answers first, since with her non-neglectful parents, Sora tends to have more freedom, but the question is answered when Sora picks up only a couple seconds after her, looking a bit ruffled, with an equally disheveled Hoshi just barely in frame. Which indicates he and Hoshi had been rough housing again and had subsequently slowed him from answering a smidge.

Miho gives him a bemused look, “What were you and Hoshi fighting about this time?”

Sora waves it off, “She was just being particularly annoying.”

Her mother gives the screen a bemused look from her spot behind her on the couch, “I still don't understand how she got her emotions back if she was one of these… contractors.”

She waves a hand dismissively, “Her brother, Sora in this life since they were siblings even in their previous one, was there from day one and-”

Sora pipes up before she can finish, "I won is what happened."

Hoshi turns to him in confusion, "What?"

Sora gives her a triumphant look, "My little sister lost her emotions to magic taking them away in a subconscious or whatever deal and I arguably challenged the universe itself to keep my sister from me and I won."

Hoshi breathes in as she raises a finger to argue, and after a beat of silence breathes out as she lowers her finger, "...I can't even argue with that. Fine, you won." Hoshi gives him an annoyed look, “But don't get used to it! You hardly ever win!”

Sora snorts, “No you're just a brat and hardly ever wanna admit I won.” He waves off Hoshi's outrage, “Anyway, what's wrong Toshiko? Because it may not be unusual for you to call, but you don't usually look so upset.”

Hoshi leans more into frame with a concerned look as she scrutinizes her, and with false cheer, she chirps back, “Oh, nothing much! Just learned all of half an hour ago at most that apparently after everything the Syndicate did to us, it's still very much a sore spot when people start putting together words like ‘international crime’ and ‘syndicate’, particularly when they're giving me heads up they're going to be interfering with my life!”

Miho sits up from the slouch she'd been in, clearly holding her mobile terminal in front of her, “Wait what? Why on earth would there be warnings of international crime syndicates?!”

Sora waves it off, “We can get to that in a minute. It still bothers you? After over four and a half centuries?”

She shrugs, “Considering I had to shove down a knee jerk reaction to snarl angrily, I guess so, but it's as much news to me as it is to you, so I'm not sure what else you want me to say.”

He searches her face a little before sighing, “We'll talk more about it later, when you've had more time to think about it, I guess. So what's this about another interfering with your life?”

She shrugs, “It's not personal and nowhere near as big from what I know so far, but certain people I'm not allowed to disclose having a connection to-”

Hoshi snorts, “Major Kazama then.”

She continues without acknowledging it, since she's kinda not allowed to, even if in an entirely unsurprising turn of events, Sora, Hoshi, and Miho had very quickly dug out who she was referring to the first time she mentioned it, “-called both for some official business, as well as to warn me that he's had reports of people that are most likely tied to an international crime syndicate based in Hong Kong known as No-Head Dragon, and the timing indicates that they're probably gunning for the Nine Schools Competition for some reason. Which is bad news in general obviously, given the kids that'll be there, but as just a cherryon top, I was made part of the technician team today, so it also means that an international syndicate is once again interfering with my life.” She glances away, “I am… more than a little upset! Honestly, given I would've been more inclined to give the heads up in person tomorrow, I wouldn't have bothered calling, but you guys are always getting on my case about not calling you sooner when I'm upset, so.”

She shrugs at the end. Miho looks concerned afterwards. Sora looks pissed, and he huffs, “Well. I didn't live as long as you last time, but apparently you aren't the only one with a sore spot, but mostly in it being more sensitive than usual when it comes to things upsetting you.”

Hoshi grumbles something she doesn't catch more clearly than the tone, which indicates some sort of agreement as she disappears out of frame. Miho chews her lip, “What's being done about it? And is there anything we can do to help?”

She shrugs again, “That source of mine is undoubtedly setting things up on their end, but they weren't against me talking to Erika and seeing about using her police connections to ramp up security. Or, not in general anyway, I can't mention where I got the information from obviously. So that'll be one question I won't be able to answer while trying to get her to understand how serious I am and that she needs to impress upon her family that same seriousness.”

Miho relaxes slightly at the news that the 101st were already working on it and were fine with her talking to Erika, “Probably easier than you think, given how highly they all think of you. And the Chiba would likely be even more inclined than usual to act considering…”

She tilts her head, “Considering?”

Sora hums, “Erika's father and Mikihiko's family are both being a bit of an ass regarding making them go, or rather why from my understanding though they haven't explained, so she decided to try to put a more positive spin on it and invited the rest of us that aren't competitors or on some sort of support team like you to come stay at the hotel as well since her connections make it possible. She wanted it to be a surprise, which is why she didn't tell you or Yuki, but I'm sure she'll understand why we told you. Anyway, Miho was referring to that, since despite the asshole reason her father is making her go, she is a Chiba, and undoubtedly her family will take it more seriously then they otherwise might at the idea that a member of their own family is in the potential line of fire.”

She hums, “I see… That probably does make things easier, yes.”

From there, the discussion turns to exactly how to bring it up with her and how to deal with the fact she can't say where she got the information from. Eventually though, it does circle back around to her being upset about it and soothing her.

They have to get off the call not long after that though, since they'd spent so much time discussing how to talk to Erika and their own personal measures before that it was getting rather late.

They say their goodnights before ending the call and she gives her mother and Honami one as well before heading for the stairs. She does, admittedly, feel better after talking to them about the whole mess. Not that she'd expected otherwise but she won't have to basically seal off the upset feelings from the rest of her mind to be able to have an easier time getting to sleep.

The next morning, she's not even surprised when upon meeting up with her and despite soothing her last night, Sora and Miho immediately move to comfort her in person. She's not paying a whole lot of attention since she's more focused on her soulmates, but she does notice Sora shoot Hoshi a Look.

Without hesitation, she hums as she turns, “Ooookay! That's the cue to leave!”

There's more than a few confused protests, but she is fully aware of why she was heading off without them. Namely, after their last life, they don't even have to share a look much less a word for Bai's sixth sense to go off and tell her it's fine to peace out. Assuming she doesn't want to be the proverbial if non-numerically accurate third wheel and subject to watching their affections. Hei used to have to verbally tell her, then he could just give her a look, and now they don't even need that for Hoshi's sixth sense tuned to their ‘gratuitously sweet’ PDA, as she puts it.

Leo speaks up a little louder in their confusion, “Why?”

Through her Elemental Sight, she sees Hoshi glance back at them, “Just trust me. I know my brother, and now is the time to leave."

Mikihiko seems frustrated, “But you don't even get along with your brother? How could you possibly know… that whatever you think is happening is happening.”

She snorts, “Experience. If you don't want to come with though…” She shrugs, Your loss. I can guarantee Hei at least clocked you ignoring my advice so they won't bother to hold back."

Hoshi practically vanishes into thin air at that point she leaves so quickly, and Miho and Sora start comforting her in earnest. Even more of her focus shifts to them, but given they're in public and the way she grew up -in both lives actually, given her life before her Calanthe memories came back was pretty bad too- her brain just can't ignore their surroundings. It's always too busy looking for potential threats to let her. It's for that reason that she's vaguely aware of their group growing more and more awkward, with the only exception being Yuki, whose face is darkening further and further. They try to say something a few times, but she honestly only knows of that vaguely beyond burying herself in her soulmates, who don't even bother to pay them any mind.

It doesn't take too long before they give up and flee. Since they weren't in her immediate vicinity, she'd usually have lost them at that point, but some part of her, probably the part who'd been a mother, grandmother, and great many times over grandmother, can't bring itself to ignore them. That little part of her brain idly pays attention to them, even as some of her upset turns inwards for letting something that happened so long ago continue to affect her.

It's why she sees them catch up with Hoshi, who casually comments, “Survived the war zone huh?”

Erika all but explodes, demanding almost hysterically, “Why didn't you warn us about how they get with PDA?!”

Hoshi shrugs, “I did. You ignored me. So they ignored that you were still there."

Mikihiko gives her a tired look, “How did you even know that was coming? You and your brother's relationship- How could you even realize what was about to happen?”

Hoshi gives him a tired look, “A loooooot of experience.”

Erika groans, “Ugh. They were practically radiating sugar, like they were trying to drown us or something. I feel like I'm gonna hurl after that.”

Hoshi laughs, “Yeah, they have that effect. It's more one of those ‘count your blessing because that's about all you can do’ situations. Mostly, just the fact that while they're excessive, at least they don't cross the line into impropriety?”

Mikihiko gives her a wary look, “I suppose there's that.”

They go silent as they just settle around waiting for them to finish up and catch up, and with little going on, while her mind still keeps an eye on them, it lets it drift more into the background, and frees up more of her mind to focus on her soulmates.

Erika stares down at her cup at their usual cafè, “I sincerely doubt it, but I'm kind of obligated to ask. Is the reason you can't tell me your source because they or you have some sort of ties to this ‘No-Head Dragon?” Erika looks up as she finishes, snorting a second later, “Given I don't think I've ever seen you so offended, the answer is a resounding no.”

She nods, “No, I don't have any connection to No-Head Dragon. The reason I can't tell you… I'm sorry, I know it just makes it more complicated, but I can't even tell you that either.”

Erika shrugs, “I'm a member of the Hundred Families. I know a thing or two about not being able to explain things. I'll talk to my brothers, since me and my father hardly even interact.”

She relaxes slightly, “Mm, you'd be surprised how many don't get it though, even though they of all people should. Do you think your family will do anything though? Even as… vague as the tip off is?”

Erika hums, “I think so? I'll be talking to my brothers instead of my father, and they at least generally trust my judgment even if my father doesn't. It will probably be enough for them that someone I trust is the one who tipped us off.” She takes a sip of her drink thoughtfully before continuing, “If nothing else, they'll probably arrange a couple of extra police since Father is making me go as well.”

She hums, “It's serious enough that I'd prefer more, but I'll take what we can get.”

Erika gives her a huge grin, “Don't worry! You can count on me to get them to do something, even if it's small!”

She nods with a smile of her own.

Everyone is rather busy with last minute preparation, making the school a sort of madhouse akin to recruitment week. The competitors were cramming in last minute training and working out tactics of what they can do with their skill, either by themselves, with their teams in team competitions like Monolith Code, and sometimes with their CAD technicians since part of it does come down to if they can successfully get the CADs to use the magic the competitors want.

Yuki, having been selected for both the Newcomers Division Monolith Code as well as Newcomers Division Ice Pillar Break(2), was busy practicing magic with Honoka and Shizuku, who were respectively picked for Newcomers Division Battle Board and Newcomers Division Speed Shooting.

Erika and Leo were both in athletic clubs, so they'd been drafted into helping out with various tasks in preparation for the upcoming competition, even if they themselves weren't officially part of any teams, competitors or the support staff like technicians.

She herself has been busy with CAD maintenance and helping the competitors assigned to her figure out the various tactics they may use depending on the situation and training to get better at pulling them off.

It makes her glad Sora, Miho, and Hoshi were attending school at the same time as her in this life, since while they may have been fine with just the two of them and treated it like one on one bonding time, it means Mikihiko and Mizuki have them around as well instead of kind of falling to the wayside on their own because everyone else is busy.

That being said, Mizuki is missing from the place they'd agreed to meet-up at the end of the school day to go and relax at Café Einebrise to catch up a bit since the preparations mean they don't see each other as much.

She glances around the group, “Did Mizuki go to the bathroom or something?”

Hoshi shakes her head, “Nah, we've been here for like, fifteen minutes already and haven't seen her yet.”

She hums and starts scanning around with her Elemental Sight, seeing her on her way to one of the side buildings. She actually feels a bit confused as to why she'd be heading there of all places, given it's not really in use while everyone is preparing for the Nine Schools Competition.

She tilts her head, and given she had promised Maya not to disclose things like her Elemental Sight without good reason, she just gives Sora, the one angled to be the least likely for anyone to catch it, a Look as she vaguely says, “I'll go look for her. I was doing CAD maintenance and wanted to stretch my legs a bit anyway.”

Clearly having caught the look, Sora speaks up before anyone can suggest they go with, and potentially have to explain how she's a little too accurate even if she goes out of her way not to head straight for Mizuki, “Alright, we'll wait for you two here, since the others haven't shown up so someone's gotta be here anyway.”

Miho and Hoshi, though they didn't catch the look, know them well enough that they pipe in with their own agreements to the plan. With the three of them agreeing, Erika and Leo, the only other ones who were there so far, don't even question it and let her slip away on her own without protest.

She breaks into a run though, when she realizes that Mizuki is heading straight for the area she's basically mentally blacked out because Mikihiko was practicing magic. Modern Magicians are fully aware they're basically announcing the magic sequence of their spells given the activation sequence is visible before it's absorbed. In her opinion, they willingly let their magic be public information available to any who pay attention. Ancient Magicians on the other hand, not only do not have visible activation sequences, but they actively try to hide how their magic works.

A side effect of training her Elemental Sight and learning to see Pushions with it though, is that she can absolutely see their magic and how its supposed to work. As such, she always does her best to respect his privacy and essentially does the equivalent of mentally redacting him, unlike the bathrooms that she just censors so she knows vaguely what's going on in case there's trouble but can't make out enough to see anything inappropriate. With the mental redaction with Mikihiko, she leaves just enough vision clear around him to catch wisps of the Pushions at the edges, since she can't learn how the spell works from just that, but it will tell her when he's done.

It does mean she's kind of hyper aware of where Mikihiko is when he's casting though, since it's the only missing spot in her Elemental Sight's vision. As she's running towards the door, she sees Mizuki peering in the door down the hall.

Before she can get there, she hears Mikihiko's voice snap, seemingly reflexively, “Who's there?!”

Then clusters of Pushions leave the redacted zone, hurling towards Mizuki. Thankfully, she has a target now that they're out of the redacted zone, which she would have dropped for Mizuki's safety if she hadn't gotten there fast enough, since that takes precedence over Mikihiko's privacy in her opinion.

As such, while Mizuki cries out in alarm and drops to her knees, probably trying to avoid them, it's easy to launch a Pushion variant of Gram Demolition at them, since Gram Demolition is in and of itself just a ball of raw Psions that disrupts a spells structure. Different spell casting types they may be, but Ancient Magic isn't immune to having its magics’ forms disrupted similarly, though not exactly the same given the fundamental differences.

She sighs as she comes level to the doorway and after a glance at Mizuki to make sure she's alright, turns to Mikihiko, who seems to be tense on reflex, “Relax Mikihiko. I know it's a reflex to your magic being canceled, but neither of us is here to pick a fight.”

Mikihiko jolts then suddenly looks embarrassed as he drops his gaze, “My bad Toshiko. Fighting with you was never my intention.”

She hums, “I know. Like I said, I'm aware it was just a reflex.” She glances at Mizuki, “Much as I hate to say it, it's sort of Mizuki's fault for disrupting a magician while they're casting and think they're alone.”

Mizuki gasps, “I'm to blame?”

Mikihiko lifts his gaze back to her, “No, it's not her fault. It was because of my inexperience. Thanks Toshiko. Thanks to you… I avoided injuring Mizuki.”

She shakes her head, “I doubt it. I interfered just to be safe, but given your reflexes, you'd have probably recognized Mizuki and pulled back on your spirits before they could make contact.”

Mikihiko flinches slightly with a small noise and looks down briefly before meeting her gaze again as he musters himself, “I guess it's too late to try and hide it now. Just like you said Toshiko, I was using Water Spirits to practice my Summoning magic.”

She hums, “Water Spirits, huh?” She glances over at Mizuki, “Is that why you were coming up here Mizuki? You saw the magic?”

She gets a little shy, “Ah, you know about… Yes, I was waiting at the rendezvous point when some sort of magic caught my attention because it managed to get through my Aura Cut Coating Lenses. I came to investigate because… well, honestly I couldn't exactly say why, it was like something was drawing me in… then I got here and there were those orbs of light in all sorts of shades of blue.”

Mikihiko suddenly gets an intense look on his face, one that at first glance looks afraid, “You could see the different shades of color?”

Mizuki gasps and stamers a little and he moves forward, expression still intense, as he gets closer and closer. When their faces are just inches from each other, she coughs into her fist pointedly, “Unless Mizuki isn't interested and Mikihiko is being pushy, that's my que to leave. If not though then I'm not sorry Mikihiko, but if you're that kind of man, your friendship is not worth getting Mizuki away from this situation.”

They both seem to realize just how close their faces are at that and spring apart at the same time, cheeks reddening. Mikihiko looks between them quickly, “No, no that's not-!” He ducks his head and pushes out a breath, seeming to center himself as he locks his gaze on Mizuki, “Sorry.”

Mizuki ducks her head, but from the way she's toying with a bit of her hair between her first two fingers and thumb, she doesn't think she'd have minded if that had been Mikihiko's intention, “No, I'm sorry.”

She gives her a baffled look, “Why are you apologizing Mizuki?”

She looks down as she makes an embarrassed noise and Mikihiko gives her an apologetic bow, “Really, I'm sorry.” He straightens up, “When I thought that you might actually possess the Crystal Eyes, I just couldn't help myself…”

She bites back the understanding noise that wants to bubble up, realizing he'd just been trying to get a closer look at Mizuki's eyes. She seems to realize it as well, given her blush finally fades as she gives him a gentle smile while slipping her glasses back on, “Let's forget about this Mikihiko. You just startled me, that's all.” Her cheeks regain a little bit of the flush, “But it did embarrass me, so please don't ever do that again, okay?”

Mikihiko's own cheeks redden again as he ducks his head in another bow, more shallow than the previous, “I'm really sorry.”

Realizing they'd probably go in circles, which while adorable and a bit amusing, isn't very productive, she cuts in, “Mikihiko, what are Crystal Eyes anyway? I've heard of oversensitivity to magic in general, but that sounds like something else.”

Mizuki also nods with an interested look, which is entirely understandable since it's related to her eyes. Mikihiko slips his eyes closed in thought for a brief moment before reopening them and glancing at her with a small smile, “It's not that big of a secret, so it should be fine to explain.” He grows more serious as he turns his gaze back to Mizuki, which again is totally fair since it's absolutely more relevant for her, “Those of us who manipulate Spirits identify each Spirit by color. But it's not as if we can really see them in a true sense.”

Mizuki makes a slightly confused look, so she asks mostly to clarify, “By which you mean you don't see them visually, but just by reading their individual vibration signatures through magic right?”

Getting into things he's more familiar with seems to have settled Mikihiko, if how calm his expression and voice is, “Yes. So it varies by school, how the colors are perceived. For example, my school sees water as blue. Fire is red. So each color is applied uniformly in our minds with no discrepancy in hue.”

She tilts her head, “Mizuki saw them as blue of different shades though?”

He nods as he turns back to Mizuki, “I'm guessing that you're perceiving the differences in each Water Spirit's power and nature as different shades of color. Such eyes as yours are known as ‘eyes that can see God’, the ‘Crystal Eyes” in my school.”

She frowns, “Does that mean Mizuki is in danger? Because honestly? It sounds like something Spirit Magic using Ancient Magicians would sell their souls to acquire.”

Mizuki tenses, and Mikihiko gives a bit of a self-deprecating smile, “Right. A year ago, I would've been mesmerized, and I might have claimed her for myself by force.” Mizuki gasps and takes a step back, and Mikihiko quickly holds up a hand, “Hold up! Right now I don't have those kinds of desires or tendencies, okay?” He gets serious again as he drops his hand, “Still, that doesn't mean that I'm inclined to tell the other spell casters that the ‘key’ to a ‘divine’ kind of magic exists.”

She hums, “It's probably best for Mizuki's safety to keep it under wraps as well.”

Mikihiko nods. Then his brows furrow, “Actually, hold on, I thought everyone else was meeting up after school. What are you even doing here?”

She hums as she glances away, “I suppose it's only fair given the secrets revealed. I suppose I should start by saying that I wasn't actively trying to hide it myself exactly, I just promised my aunt I wouldn't reveal it without good reason.” They both nod in understanding, and she leans a hip against one of the desks as she crosses her arms, “I have an Elemental Sight born specialization. In and of itself, Elemental Sight isn't entirely unique of course… but having it as a legitimate born specialization and not a supernatural power is, which is true for mine. Which also means like most natural versions of born specializations, mine is actually stronger, though it seems to be focused more on precision than distance. I'm actually always aware of where you are Mikihiko, because whenever you start to cast I kind of… well, in my own head I call it ‘mentally redacting’ the area around your body. Because the biggest difference between my Elemental Sight born specialization and the supernatural power is that I can see Pushions.”

Mikihiko sucks in a sharp breath, looking genuinely scared for a moment, but she waves like she's telling him to sit, “Relax Mikihiko. That's why I mentally redact you when I see you start to set up to cast, because Modern Magicians know on some level that their activation sequence is out in the open and could theoretically be copied and willingly take that risk. Ancient Magicians do not take that risk though, so I've always been careful to respect your privacy when casting.” She shrugs, “That's also why I'm kind of hyper aware where you are when you're casting though. Because it's not dissimilar to holding your thumb on something on a screen. Even if you're focusing on other parts of it, you're still all too aware of the part you can't see because your own thumb is in the way. I'm always careful to make sure you and your immediate surroundings are hidden from what I'm consciously aware of when you're casting though.”

Mikihiko relaxes and gives her a grateful smile, “Thank you.”

Mizuki looks a bit confused, “But… why don't you just turn it off? If you want to avoid seeing things like that.”

She snorts, then holds out a finger as she pulls out her mobile terminal and quickly types something into it before flipping it around for them to see, “Tell me what that line of magic sequence means and I'll answer your question.”

Mizuki tilts her head, “A puzzle?”

She shakes her head, “No, because you tell me what that means and I'll have the answer to give you. Because that's the defined end point of my Elemental Sight born specialization spell. Which runs twenty-four seven and I literally can't turn off even when I want to. Trust me. I've tried.”

Mikihiko leans closer to examine the code, “Maybe something linked to death then?”

She shakes her head, “No, I've seen spells with things like that, usually in that a spell cast is only supposed to continue until the victim is dead, but there would still be similarities in the code since the only thing you'd be swapping is whose death ends it, and there are not. Similarly, it's not something linked to consciousness either. Not only have I seen spells with things like that too, but also, I've undergone a lot of testing over the years. All of which concluded that my Elemental Sight remains on even when I'm asleep.”

Mikihiko gives her an alarmed look, “Wait, what? Isn't- Isn't sleep suppose to be when the brain takes some time to relax essentially?”

She shakes her head, “What you're thinking of is more that it's when the brain starts to process the things it's experienced throughout the day. The brain is actually more active than most people realize when you're asleep, so it doesn't harm me or anything. As far as that goes, it's not dissimilar to people who train themselves to snap into full wakefulness to potentially defend themselves under certain circumstances.”

Mikihiko looks relieved, and she shakes herself, “Anyway, when I got to the meet up spot, Mizuki wasn't there and everyone else was saying she probably hadn't gone to the bathroom since they'd been there fifteen minutes already so I started looking for her in the data I'm always taking in to find her. I honestly thought she'd just lost track of time or something, but when I realized she was going straight for where you were using magic…” She shrugs, “Hurried to catch up since while you most likely would've realized what was going on in time, it's still always better to be safe rather than sorry.”

Mikihiko gains an understanding look and Mizuki's expression gets a smidge embarrassed, but mostly grateful.

Mikihiko tilts his head, face gaining a concerned anxiety, “Speaking of, how did you cancel my spell anyway?”

She tilts her head back to gaze at the ceiling thoughtfully, “Mm. Honestly, my aunt would probably consider that a separate secret, but you'd probably work out the first part yourself, and you have every right to know the second part, since it's entirely understandable you'd be concerned about people messing with your magic.” She looks back down and shrugs, “I wasn't kidding when I said my Elemental Sight is more geared towards precision. While Psion count is also important, I do have that as well, so Gram Demolition is laughably easy to aim for me. I developed a Pushion version is all. Gram Demolition is usually used on activation sequences which aren't in the physical dimension for Ancient Magic the same way for Modern Magic-”

Mikihiko gives her a confused look, “What? Ancient Magic doesn't have any activation sequences.”

She snorts, “It does. I may not observe yours out of respect for your privacy, but that doesn't mean I've never met an Ancient Magician who's aware of my Elemental Sight and was okay with me observing. What do you think those chants and hand signs and all that do? They’re you building the activation sequence to feed to your magic calculation area.”

Mikihiko sucks in a sharp breath, lurching forward to grip her shoulders, “What? That- Do you realize how revolutionary that is for designing new Ancient Magic spells?! I mean, we sort of know the effects of everything, we wouldn't be able to make new spells otherwise, but to know exactly with pinpoint precision-!”

She gives him a bemused look, “Yeah. Like I said though, my aunt made me promise not to spread my Elemental Sight, amongst other things, so I can't exactly come forward with it and work out what all of those things do exactly to help build the spell.”

Mikihiko breathes out slowly as he lets go of her shoulders as he looks down, “That's… true.” Then he laughs in disbelief as he looks back up, “I'm already starting to get why your aunt is so insistent on hiding it though! Because it just occurred to me, that as impossible as I thought it was, your ability is even more valuable to Ancient Magicians than even Mizuki's Crystal Eyes!”

She hums, “In some ways I guess? I can't see the colors though. I mean, I can tell what the Spirit is from its magic, but… Anyway, perfect honestly? That's not really why she insists on hiding it.”

Mikihiko shakes his head in amusement, “Maybe, but that in and of itself makes it all too easy to see why even if I don't know her exact reason.”

She hums before glancing around, “Anyway, everyone else will probably get worried if I take too much longer to come back with Mizuki. Did you want to get back to what you were doing, or did you want to join us Mikihiko?”

Mikihiko shakes his head as he moves over to the incense burner, “No, I'll come with. Honestly, that scare of almost hurting Mizuki and the shock of your revelations has my mind too shot to be able to concentrate.”

She nods, “Alright then.”

She steps forward to help him with putting everything away at that point, and Mizuki scrambles to assist as well when she realizes what they're doing. Between the three of them, it doesn't take too long at all to get everything put away, and they're off towards the meet-up spot in short order.

They walk in a comfortable quiet for most of it, but as they get closer, Mikihiko seems to reach a decision, “Hey, Toshiko?” She hums in acknowledgment, and he continues, “If… If I allowed you to watch me cast, would you be willing to tell me what precisely all of the various tools and motions and words do as far as building activation sequences goes? I know you said you can't come forward with it, but maybe if you just tell me and I come forward with it- I mean, if you're okay with that?”

She looks over at him, “I wouldn't mind as long as you kept my name out of it, but Mikihiko… you do realize I'd learn all the spells you let me see, right?”

He sets his shoulders, “Yeah. Yeah I do. But given you went out of your way to not see my spells before out of respect, you aren't the sort of person who'd go and make them common knowledge since you'd respect the secrecy Ancient Magicians have.” He falters slightly and turns to her, “Right?”

She nods, “Of course I would Mikihiko. As long as you're okay with me learning your spells, I'd be more than happy to tell you what I'm seeing with Elemental Sight. You may have to get a better grasp of Modern Magic Sequences though, since the different magics aren't actually different in those regards, just in how they're called up, so the information would be in a magic sequence format.”

He nods, “Yeah, I kinda figured when you said we were manually building the activation sequence.” He smiles hesitantly at her, “So, you probably won't have time with all this Nine Schools Competition madness, but we'll set up a time to meet up after it's over with?”

She smiles back, “I actually wouldn't mind meeting up earlier. Sora and Miho call me a workaholic, but honestly, I find things like that relaxing sometimes, so if anything, it'd probably serve as a good way to wind down from this daily madness if you're up for it.”

He beams at her, happy and excited, “Absolutely!”

She chuckles, but seeing their group in the distance, she nods towards them, “We’ll set up something later.”

He glances over at where she'd indicated and nods in understanding and agreement.