Rebirth

He's at his Clan's home with Saegusa and Watanabe. They're discussing the fact it's come to Saegusa's attention recently that her father worked with the criminal Zhou that had recently been caught, and that her father betrayed Japan in the process and what to do about the situation when a servant comes in, “Young Master, I apologize for interrupting, but your father asked me to bring this to you urgently. It's an announcement missive to the rest of the Ten Master Clans that the Yotsuba have sent out.”

He raises an eyebrow and accepts the envelope, opening it and pulling out the card to skim it. First is a wave of utter shock, then sudden understanding as certain things click into place, and finally it's followed up by amusement as he recalls something in particular. He looks up at Saegusa, “I suppose that explains why they were so unconcerned even if they were appreciative of you and I trying to give them advice Saegusa.”

Saegusa lowers the teacup she's been clenching in an attempt to hide her stress, “Pardon? Who and what advice?”

His lips twitch, and he drops his gaze back down to the missive, “It basically officially announces the niece of Maya, Shiba Toshiko, is the Heir of the Yotsuba Clan, as well as officially announces her engagement to Amano Sora. It just occurred to me why they weren't worried in the slightest about the Ten Master Clans taking poorly to them being unconnected to one of them after the previous Nine Schools Competition is all.”

Saegusa jolts, “Ah! …Yeah, I suppose it makes sense they weren't concerned in retrospect. But Toshiko? Really?”

He holds the announcement out to Saegusa, who accepts it to look it over herself as Watanabe leans over to read which Saegusa assists with by tipping it towards her. He'd basically covered everything in it, he just hadn't read it in its formal entirety. Saegusa lowers it when they're done and Watanabe leans away, “Well, I'll be damned. I mean, in retrospect it makes sense, but…”

Saegusa looks over in surprise, “Eh? Mari? In what way?”

Watanabe shrugs, “Yotsuba Maya only ever had one sibling we know of, right? I know the Yotsuba are secretive about their members, but while it's possible they had other siblings that were never disclosed, Yotsuba Maya had no reason to mention Toshiko was her niece if she was trying to obscure Toshiko’s parentage, which implies Toshiko’s mom is Yotsuba Maya's identical twin sister Miya doesn't it? And well, she's infamous in her own right for her mental interference magic which earned her the nickname ‘The Mistress of Lethe’ as I recall. I'd like to remind you that Toshiko had barely started school when she spotted the mental interference magic on the Kendo club and when we asked how she noticed, she just said she's had a lot of experience with mental manipulation magic and its effects and left it at that. And well, when you're the oldest child of the infamous Mistress ofLethe…”

Saegusa's straightens in surprise, “Ah! That-! …Yeah, I suppose it actually does make a lot of sense in retrospect…”

Watanabe shrugs, “And like Juumonji said, Toshiko and Sora were surprisingly unconcerned about how the Ten Master Clans would take their abilities…”

Saegusa hums in agreement, then her brows furrow, “...Ichijou isn't going to take it well, given his attraction to Toshiko.”

He sighs, “No, I sincerely doubt it.” He shakes his head, “That's between the Ichijou and Yotsuba though, so we should probably get back to our discussion.”

The hand she'd taken off to accept the notice goes back to her cup as she goes back to clenching it with furrowed brows, “Right…”

She's on her way to the Temple to visit Master Kokonoe and wish him a happy new year. As she exits the cabinet station closest to the temple, she finds a somewhat nervous looking Mikihiko waiting. They'd made plans to meet up go together before the holiday break started, which was the whole reason she'd taken a cabinet instead of a personal vehicle of some sort, but that was before she was officially made the Heir of the Yotsuba Clan and it was publicly announced, and given their reputation, she honestly wasn't even certain Mikihiko would show up.

She makes sure her tone isn't accusing or anything, but she doesn't try to hide it from him either, “I've gotta say, I honestly wasn't sure you'd be here given the announcement.”

He smiles a little nervously as they start towards the temple, “To be honest, my family did bring up distancing myself, but you've never been anything like the rumors of the Yotsuba family and well… yes, my family tried to suggest me cutting contact with you because you're a Yotsuba, but between you and them, you're the one who's been more supportive of me, so… Which honestly says something about how my family has been treating me.”

She smiles, “If it makes you feel any better, I tend to respond to people who find out and make comments about me not acting like they'd expect from a Yotsuba by telling them not to insult me by comparing me to the majority of my family.” Mikihiko barks out a laugh then quickly slaps a hand over his mouth, and she grins at him then shakes her head, “Though, like I said before when I told you about my emotionally adopting of some of my cousins when I told you I'd emotionally adopted you, the older generations are terrible parents and toxic, so it may be more accurate to say ‘don't compare me to the majority of the older generation that made that reputation’ since the kids aren't really like them either.”

Mikihiko hums in understanding, then he flashes her an amused smile, “What I'm hearing is you've basically been singlehandedly guiding the younger generations away from acting like the reputation the Yotsuba has implies they should.”

She shrugs, “Somewhat. In fairness, all of the Ten Master Clans have their own role to play that was basically given to them by the government based on which ‘number’ institute they originate from and what the research focus was. In numerical order of the research center they originate from: The Families from One were essentially anti-personnel specialized troops as is probably made apparent by the Ichijou's ‘Rupture’ spell."

"Two was focused on materials, be that breaking down or using magic to repair in certain ways. Three was focused primarily on support via multicasting in general. I'll skip Four for now. Five's focus can sound a little vague but given the two magics linked to it are the joint venture with the USNA, Bahamut, as well as Abyss(1), which as you well know are both Strategic Class spells that work best in water, it's fairly easy to understand that the focus there was on naval warfare.”

“Six was actually focused on magic related to ‘Heat Control’ but it never got to the point of being practical for military use before World War Three ended, so they're focused more on things like Geothermal power and the like, essentially logistical support in other words. Anyway, Seven was sort of similar to the anti-personnel of One, but whereas one focused on single targeting, they focused on multi-targeting."

"Eight focused more on theory like Six did, but unlike there where the focus was on one specific thing that could have powerful theoretical uses, they were focused on developing additional magic in general essentially. Nine is a bit of a touchy subject for Ancient Magicians I know, but that's because their focus was essentially to modernize Ancient Magics for use, somewhat similar to Eight but in making Ancient Magics available to Modern Magicians instead of developing new things. And in fairness while there is an accepted idea amongst Ancient Magicians that if you give a magic, you receive a magic in return, it outright stated in its pamphlets and all that what the compensation would be.”

Mikihiko nods, seemingly unable to help commenting on that, “Yeah, I know. There's a reason families like my own don't have their magic known to the families of Nine. It basically boils down to the fact we read it over more thoroughly and actually understood it properly.”

She snorts, “Yeah, from my understanding, for those who did give their magic to Nine, they essentially assumed it was such a given that they didn't question the fact it wasn't included in the information in the packet. Anyway, the families from Ten focused primarily on defensive magics, shields like the Juumonji's infamous Phalanx.”

She shakes her head, “Circling back to Four though, while I can't really say what the magics researched there were since it goes against the role we were given, what most people don't understand is that the families from Four, and subsequently the Yotsuba's,” It was a secret, which is why she words it this way, but the Yotsuba are actually the only family from the fourth national research institute, “role is actually to essentially be the shadow operatives. The ones who sabotage, the ones who assassinate, the ones who catch other shadow operatives that have infiltrated, the ones who intercept messages, and possibly even send fake orders.”

She look up at the sky, “If you want to use an analogy and put it in more traditional terms, as the researchers focused on developing weapons and armor, the families from Two, Six, Eight, and Nine could be likened to the blacksmiths, making weapons for others to use. The families from Three and Seven could be likened to archers supporting from behind. The families from One, Five, and Ten could be likened to the Samurai."

"Four, and subsequently the Yotsuba, using the ancient roles as a guide to explain, are the Shinobi. All of this is to say, while I am trying to guide the younger generations away from acting like the older, our role always had been and always will be in the shadows, but that doesn't mean we have to be monsters. Bogeyman, sure, there's value in intimidation, but that doesn't mean we actually have to be the amoral demons we're thought to be.”

Mikihiko nods slowly, “I get it. You can't completely get rid of your family's reputation since it's linked to the role you were given and doing so would undermine it, but you can lessen it somewhat and at least clean it up internally.”

She nods back, “Precisely. Also, I doubt this needs saying, but the role of the families from Four such as the Yotsuba is actually in and of itself something of a secret, so…”

Mikihiko flashes her a smile, “I won't spread it around, I promise.” He laughs, then nudges her side with his elbow, “As an Ancient Magician, I know a thing or two about secrecy.”

She laughs as she reaches over to ruffle his hair. Something she's pleased to note he's getting used to since he doesn't protest or try to push her hand away. Given that also means he's hitting the point that it's sinking in that the affection in the motion is genuine, her heart aches a bit at the way he's started leaning into it slightly and the implications of him possibly being somewhat starved for affection.

As they arrive at the temple, she's a bit surprised when they're asked to wait. They aren't given very many details, just told Master Kokonoe had a sudden guest who he couldn't turn away and hadn't finished with them yet.

She glances at Mikihiko who's head is tilted thoughtfully and he shrugs, “It was bound to happen eventually with such a well known and assumably busy man. I don't know about you, but I can't actually linger all day, but maybe forty-five minutes? If it's that much later than that, I wouldn't be able to stay for very long.”

She nods, “That works for me.”

They're escorted somewhere to wait and the disciples bring them tea while they settle in and idly chat for about half an hour before a disciple comes to tell them that Master Kokonoe is available now.

As they cross the courtyard from where they'd been led to wait to the main hall, she spots the previous visitor nearing the gate on his way out. It was some old man in a suit, and he glances back at her, letting her catch his strangely cloudy white left eye. Which despite the fact that while the data she's getting is strange, her Elemental Sight tells her that it isn't blind or anything like that. Physically, it's perfectly fine.

Yet the moment he looks at her there's some instinctive part of her that tenses defensively even as she feels like she's being scrutinized on some deep fundamental level.

The reaction and feeling is so strange that for once, she uses Legilimency on someone without a solid good reason, skimming his mind rather than digging. She catches a hint of thought, something about her ‘soul aura’ not being anything impressive despite the things he's heard about her having the most raw power in the world and that he's seen bigger ‘auras’ himself, as well as an accompanying image of herself though his gaze. Whatever he ‘sees’ it can't be Psions or Pushions, as she's always had an ironclad control of those, yet there's a faint purple almost mist-like substance exuding from her.

But even as that thought crosses his mind, she catches as he notices two wing-like extensions coming from her back and extending up and his gaze starts moving as he follows it higher, and higher, and higher as it slowly spreads out into a frankly ridiculously large dragon.

It's sturdy looking, yet while it's not decrepit there is something worn and even ancient about it, like old castle walls or something. Still solid and strong, but with centuries of general wear and tear certainly. And also staring straight at him baring its teeth, something about its posture making her think it was that tensing up defensively that she felt on some instinctive level. She just barely catches another thought of not riling or tangling with a dragon as he whips away.

As she'd used Legilimency rather than telepathy, the moment she can't see his eyes, the connection snaps and she doesn't catch anything more.

The whole interaction had lasted maybe five seconds at most, yet she finds herself mulling over it as they're led to where Master Kokonoe is waiting. She doesn't release magic in the usually perceptible ways, but that thought about ‘aura’ and the fact he seemed confident that in his ability being a reliable gauge of power implies that whatever ‘sight’ that was can actually see it in a way she's unfamiliar with.

She also can't really ignore the possibility that whatever ability that was can genuinely see souls, given what he'd seen had been in the shape of a dragon, and she was a dragon animagus. Also, he did look like he was maybe sixty, and she had lived to nearly five hundred in her previous life and has certainly crossed that line in total years lived at this point. She absolutely would be ancient like his ‘sight’ had seen her by normal human standards…

It leaves her more questions than anything really, but she shakes it off to think on later as they're led into the room Master Kokonoe was waiting.

She picks up when Lina calls at the time they had scheduled, “Hello Lina.”

Lina's voice is shaky and on the attached video her brows are furrowed, “Hello Toshiko. I-” She sighs, “The missile theft still managed to happen despite your warning.”

She shakes her head, “In fairness, as I said previously, I didn't know the day it was supposed to happen, just that the plan was discovered in interrogation of a trusted subordinate of Jiedo Heigu.”

Lina purses her lips, her voice turning angry, “And now he's taking them over to Japan to use against your nation.”

She nods, “A different source of mine,” Rowena's hack into Hliðskjálf that is, not that she'll tell them that, “has managed to dig up that he's on a freighter three days out at this point.”

She had asked for Rowena to notify her when he was two days out, but Lina had gotten back to her earlier than expected.

Lina's face hardens and she looks past her mobile terminal if her line of sight is any indication, and there's a brief pause before she looks back, “I've been given the green light to fly to Japan and assist with the capture before our stolen weapons are used against an ally. I'll be catching the next commercial flight I can for secrecies sake and be there in under twenty-four hours.”

She nods, “Understood. I'll let you go so you can prepare to leave then.”

Lina nods back sharply and quickly gives a brisk goodbye of her own before hanging up. She doesn't take it personally. Lina was undoubtedly taking it personally that USNA military assets were threatening an ally nation.

She tosses a box of shields over the ship the moment it's properly docked, mostly to keep Jiedo Heigu or anyone who may be conspiring with him from escaping.

The people on the ship look mostly confused, though even those that likely don't know about the missiles and are innocent look a bit freaked out.

Jiedo Heigu, who had been on the deck however, starts cursing up a storm even as the captain and a few others who probably do know what's going on look like their world has come crashing down.

As Jiedo starts hurrying away, though she honestly doesn't know what he's hoping to accomplish, she tosses a smaller box of shields around him specifically as she and Lina, in her Angie Sirius disguise, land on the deck after using magic to boost themselves up. Detective Toshikazu is there with some police to question those on the ship to sort out who's innocent from those who are guilty. So were Kazama and Kyouko and a small group from the military whose job was to collect the weapons so the military can be certain that they're secure and won't be used against Japan. But it had been decided beforehand that those three would hold back until after she and Angie had secured Jiedo and the weapons so they could watch the ship to make sure no one slipped away.

With her Elemental Sight, it's easy to find what cargo containers the weapons are hidden inside and toss even more shields around them before giving the signal to the other three. For now, at least some of Detective Toshikazu's men will stay on the ground to continue to ensure no one gets away, but some of them will be coming aboard to start gathering people up for questioning.

Even as she sees Detective Toshikazu, Kazama, and Kyouko start to use magic to come up to the deck of the ship quickly, the captain starts trying to talk his way out of this, voice shaky, “You- You can't just hold a USNA vessel for no reason! Doing something like this could be seen as-!”

She cuts him off, “As little more than doing our jobs in securing the stolen USNA missiles you're smuggling for Jiedo Heigu here.”

He whitens even as Jiedo stiffens, presumably at the fact she knows exactly what's going on. The man tries to rally himself, “The USNA won't take-”

She smiles in amusement, “You're assuming the USNA isn't in on helping secure them before those weapons can be used against an allied nation.” She glances over, “Isn't that right Angie Sirius?”

Angie nods, “Quite. Not the usual kind of job I'm sent on, but even if you've already secured things quickly and that was honestly expected, the USNA was too invested in seeing this mess cleaned up to risk anything.” She tilts her head, “At this point I'm here more to oversee how things are handled so the USNA can be assured.”

The captain had faltered the moment she said Lina's military code name, and loses all of his confidence the moment he hears Angie's very American accent.

Detective Toshikazu arrives to the deck at that point, “Weapons secure?”

She hums in agreement and gives him a verbal description of where they are which he calls down to the men he has that are coming aboard before turning back to the ship as a whole and casting a spell to project his voice over the entirety of the ship, “This is Detective Chiba Toshikazu, please remain calm. This ship has been temporarily placed in lock down in light of smuggling the criminal Jiedo Heigu to Japan, as well as stolen USNA weapons. You will be brought in for questioning to sort out those who were aware of the weapons cargo from those who were not. Please be cooperative with the police coming aboard.”

Then he ends the spell as he shakes his head. Through her Elemental Sight she sees more than a few of the crew freak out a bit at what exactly they'd been carrying, but some of the more level headed ones calm down the moment they hear what's going on, assured since they have nothing to do with it.

Kazama and Kyouko who had come up while Toshikazu was making his announcement, shake their heads, though they do look a bit amused as they look over at her, though it's Kazama who speaks, “As efficient as ever I see Toshiko.”

She snorts, “I suppose the shields say something about my Psion count, but with my Elemental Sight something like this really isn't difficult given it means I can literally see where on the ship the weapons are.” She flicks her fingers as Jiedo, “And the moron was right on deck, so I didn't even have to go looking for him to secure him from casting any magic or taking hostages or anything like that.”

Kyouko smiles, “That doesn't detract from your efficiency.”

She shakes her head, but she's not going to go back and forth on that, it's happened before and it never gets anywhere, “Well, while we're waiting for Detective Toshikazu's men to secure the people and the military to secure the weapons, I've been a bit busy so I haven't had the chance to reach out myself, but I saw Retsu's presentation the other day. He handled it wonderfully, could you pass that along to him for me Kyouko-nee? As well as an apology that I've been too busy to reach out myself.”

Kyouko nods as she laughs, “I'm sure he'll be happy to hear that, but don't worry about that last part, Grandfather is fully aware what a busy person you are.” Then she laughs again, “Actually, just the other day he was joking about how you've always got so many things going on that sometimes he thinks you're busier than he is!”

Detective Toshikazu looks a bit bemused as he glances between them, “Since when is Miss Toshiko,” She'd told him to just go ahead and call her by her first name given how frequently messes were occurring that had her calling on him through Erika, “on a first name basis with Elder Kudou? If my asking is alright that is.”

Kyouko's smile widens at the happy reminder of Minoru's new health, “That's perfectly fine! Toshiko usually tries to respect people's privacy with her Elemental Sight born specialization since she literally can't turn it off, so all she can really do is ignore what it's telling her. During the Thesis Competition a couple months ago though, my brother Minoru was part of Second High's presentation team, and she couldn't help but notice something was wrong with his health. Which drew her attention out of concern, and she ended up spotting the fundamental problem that had given him a poor constitution his whole life.”

“She brought it as well as a potential solution to us, which worked beautifully, and after that, my grandfather insisted we owed her a favor and that she start calling him by his first name. They actually chat decently frequently, well, taking into account how busy they both are anyway.” Kyouko's face gets amused as she glances over at her, “Which reminds me, Grandfather knew I'd likely see you before you'd get a chance to see, so he asked me to pass on that he concedes defeat on the previous one so it's your move now in you two's most recent shogi match.”

Angie looked baffled, holding up her hands and waving them back and forth, “Hold up, back up a moment… You play shogi with the man who's known in the USNA as the General? …And you win?”

She glances over, “Mm, usually it's just going back and forth online, though there's been a time or two we've had time to meet up in person and played while we were discussing something. And sometimes.”

Kyouko snorts, “By sometimes, she means a solid thirty percent of the time. And Grandfather says the only reason she doesn't win more is because the way she's protective of innocents bleeds over a little and she isn't as willing to sacrifice pieces as most players.”

Detective Toshikazu looks up at the sky thoughtfully, “That's not exactly a bad trait in general though.”

Kyouko turns her smile towards him, “Not in the slightest, especially since when pressed she is capable of making difficult choices and sacrificing. It's just that she's the sort of person who's slow to deem something lost, wanting to explore all options to save it before she does. But if anything, Grandfather finds it admirable that the biggest contributor to his wins is that the bleed over of that trait means she has a bad tendency to focus a little too much on saving her pieces when they're in trouble, which makes it a bit easier for him to press the attack."

"And ultimately, there is a difference between shogi and real life, the latter not being bound by such strict rules on what can possibly be done to save something. But he's said repeatedly that it does give a glimpse into her personality that leaves a favorable impression in his opinion.”

Detective Toshikazu laughs, “I quite agree with Elder Kudou, that it does!”

Kazama hums, “Honestly, it's probably a good thing she's like that, given how terrifying she's capable of being quite frankly.”

Detective Toshikazu gives him a surprised look, “Eh? Toshiko? But she's always…”

Kazama gives him a dry look, “Who do you think found the intel on Jiedo's plans and spread it?” Detective Toshikazu's surprised gaze flicks at her before he looks back towards Kazama as it becomes questioning while he silently points a finger. Kazama laughs, “Yeah. It was all her. And for the record, when I say it was her, I do mean her and not the Yotsuba, given even Lady Maya was surprised.”

Detective Toshikazu switches his gaze back to her, gazing silently for a moment, “...You are in fact kinda terrifying. Which is a little more in line with what I'd expect from the Yotsuba compared to how you are in fairness.”

Kazama laughs, “More than you know. When she wants to be, when you've crossed lines she finds unacceptable, she's perfectly capable of being a hundred times more terrifying than Lady Maya.”

She glances over, “Also, as Yotsuba, it's our job to be the monsters in the dark that make people jump at shadows.”

Detective Toshikazu stares at her for another quiet beat, “Ooookay! Note to self, do not piss off Toshiko.”

Suddenly remembering the bet she'd had with Muraji on whether it would be her fault if someone realized she was terrifying when she wants to be or if someone else would spill, she snaps, “Oh yeah! That bet! Muraji owes me twenty-five hundred yen.”(2)

Kazama gives her an odd look, “...Do I want to know what you were betting with Major Yanagi on?”

She looks over at him, “One, that's classified, two, probably not.”

He shakes his head in amusement, “Fair enough I suppose.”

Detective Toshikazu is giving her his own odd look, “...You're on a first name basis with multiple military people?”

Kyouko giggles lightly, “You'd be surprised how many actually.”

The two start chatting and it very quickly starts to turn flirtatious, which has her eying Kyouko in thought. As happy as she can be and come across sometimes, she knows full well Kyouko was still grieving the fiancé she'd lost at Okinawa, one of the people she hadn't been able to save. While she's seen her flirt a bit, that's always been either to get someone to be more talkative or as something of a reflex since she can sometimes just be a flirty person. This though… she's pretty sure Kyouko is actually genuinely flirting. It's not a bad thing, nowhere near. If anything, it's a good sign that Kyouko may finally be healing.

She smiles lightly as she watches, flicking a look up at Kazama about the same time he glances at her with his own grin, both of them silently checking that the other is seeing what they're seeing.

As Detective Toshikazu is called away by his men, she decides that if Kyouko is basically her older sibling, then if there's one thing she's learned from Hoshi, it's how to simultaneously be a brat yet help an older sibling out, “Hey Kyouko-nee, are you free Friday night?”

The older woman glances at her, the warm flirtatious smile she'd had fading into a not flirtatious but just as warm smile, “Oh certainly. Why?”

She grins a mischievous grin, “Great! Then you have time to go on a date with Detective Toshikazu!”

Kyouko chokes as her face flushes, “Well, technically- I mean- It's not like he's asked me out, so I don't get why you'd-.”

Her grin turns even more mischievous as she cups her hands around her mouth and calls at Detective Toshikazu's retreating back, “Hey! Detective Toshikazu! You should ask Kyouko-nee out on a date!”

His shoulders rise with a jolt before he throws his hands up, “I don't need relationship advice from a teenager! I hear enough of that unprompted from my sister!”

She calls back, “She's free this Friday but said you didn't ask!”

He falters, his steps pausing before he turns around, face red, “Does seven work for a date for you Kyouko?!”

Kyouko laughs a bit helplessly before calling back, “Seven thirty is better!”

He beams, “Alright! I'll pick you up at your apartment then!”

Kyouko nods a little helplessly, “Okay! Text me the details so I know what the dress code is wherever you're thinking!”

He nods happily, “I will!”

He turns away then, studiously ignoring some of his men shaking with laughter. They aren't the only ones amused, if the way Kazama is looking away and pressing his lips together trying to suppress his grin is any indication.

Kyouko starts batting at her arm, “You are not supposed to take lessons on how to be the younger sibling from Hoshi! Future sister in law or not!”

She laughs, “It seems to work for her!”

Kyouko shakes her head, “Ohhhh, you!”

It's very possible to deem her laughter has progressed into cackling. Kazama shakes his head, “As… amusing as this has been, have the weapons been secured yet First Lieutenant?”

Kyouko pulls her hand away from where she's been smacking her arm lightly, raising it as a fist to quietly clear her throat as she pulls the other holding the tablet terminal to her chest away to look it over. After a beat, she nods, “The soldiers have reported in that they have them under guard until they can be moved, yes.”

Kazama nods, “Then, the only thing left is for the police to round up the crew for questioning and for us to interrogate Jiedo and seal his magic away before he's handed over.”

Without turning his head, he flicks a look at her at the last part, and she nods subtly. Kazama and the military don't know about her reincarnation and her Legilimency of course, but they do know she's good at mental magics.

Angie glances between them, “Hold up, Japan has developed a way to seal away magic entirely?”

Kazama shakes his head, “No, not Japan. Just Toshiko, and with the state of the world, she doesn't trust the world as a whole enough to hand it over yet. Honestly, I can't really blame her. We've started making strides since that worldwide message and Tōkōkuro Mihana's research paper on the actual differences between active and inactive magicals of course, but things like that still take time.”

Angie looks down, nodding slowly, “Yeah… I can get that…”

She smiles at her, “I fully acknowledge that there are dangerous active magicals out there, but until I'm confident it won't be abused against magicals as a whole, I won't release it. If the world can prove that they can actually be trusted with something like that though, I wouldn't have any qualms releasing it publicly to help prevent dangerous criminals being able to use their magic to escape or cause more harm.” She shrugs, “But until I can be sure it won't possibly be practically weaponized against active magicals…”

Angie nods more firmly, “It would be practically criminal to release it.”

She smiles as she nods. She'll have to use Legilimency on Jiedo and see if he had any other plans or collaborators, and there's still some cleanup to be done, but it really was the worst move ever to have Zhou causing trouble with someone capable of something like Legilimency around.

She shakes her head in a sort of helpless amusement. Apparently, there had been a bit of a mixup on who was supposed to do things like adding additional protections against being overheard. Which is relevant, because by sheer dumb luck, there had been someone with some sort of bird hobby at the port, or rather on the roof of a nearby building, with one of those pieces of equipment designed to catch sounds better from further away. They'd had it because they been recording the sounds of the birds to go with the video, but the sudden capture of the ship had lead to him turning his equipment onto the ship out of curiosity.

Which combined with the fact there hadn't been a sound proofing barrier due to said miscommunication of duties meant that their entire conversation had been caught on camera. There wasn't anything incriminating or harmful if it got out obviously, but it still wasn't exactly a public discussion either.

And it had been uploaded within an hour. Since Rowena hadn't had any orders to keep an eye out for things like that, she hadn't caught it, and no one else had until it had been downloaded and re-uploaded to far too many sites to ever really wipe it from the internet.

It had already been spreading like wildfire for a number of reasons, but given it was sort of the first real look at the recently announced Yotsuba Heir, even mainstream media was latching onto it now. Literally now. She's watching it play out on a news channel at that very moment. To avoid any accusations that they were hiding anything, the news hadn't cut it in the slightest.

Which means she's now watching herself set up Detective Toshikazu and Kyouko's date on a mainstream news channel, since there was something relevant -the talk about the magic sealing- after and again, they didn't want to be accused of hiding anything.

Hoshi is laughing her ass off as Kyouko berates her for taking lessons on being the younger sibling from Hoshi, holding up a hand for a high five without a word. Probably because she's laughing too hard to speak. She's personally torn between amusement and embarrassment as she high fives her since it was a private discussion, but there's nothing to be done about it.

Grinning in amusement, Sora nudges her, “I'd recommend not using casual death threats on Kyouko though.”

She wacks his arm with the back of her hand, but he just snickers. Her mobile terminal goes off at that point, and she reaches forward to grab it from the table, somehow not surprised in the slightest at who's messaging her.

Erika

(˃̣̣̥▽˂̣̣̥)

You're the one who got Kazu-nii a date!

Technically, all I did was tell him she was free and said he hadn't asked to prompt him.

Erika

Yeah, but Kazu-nii is terrible with women. Mostly in picking up cues, so by the time he asked, she'd probably have moved on in all honesty, lol.

Erika

Also, Tsugu-nii says you have his UTMOST respect for pulling off getting that dating disaster a date.

In fairness, that was absolutely for more selfish reasons.

Erika

Hmm? How so?

Well… Kyouko-nee doesn't like talking about it, but she actually prefers when other people inform people who are likely to see her more, so…

I'm not sure if you should tell Toshikazu since that seems like a relationship thing, like her deciding to trust him with it but…

Kyouko-nee lost her fiancé at Okinawa five years ago. It was before I met her, and I can't say I get what she sees in him, not that there's anything wrong with you brother, just not my taste, but he's the first guy I've seen her show genuine interest in the entire time I've known her.

Like I said, I don't know if it's something that he should be told about or if it's better to wait to let Kyouko feel comfortable talking about it with him though.

I WILL punch your brother if he breaks her heart though.

Erika

You and me both.

Erika

Tsugu-nii says we'll have to get in line after him though.

Erika

Seriously though, you're just over here being the resident cupid, huh?

I am not!

Where would you even get that impression from?

Erika

Because Miki TOLD me about who gave HIM a kick in the rear to get him to ask Mizuki out.

Erika

And now you're giving Kazu-nii a kick in the rear too apparently.

All I'm doing is helping out people I care for a bit so they'll be happy. It's not like I meddle in most people's relationships.

Erika

You keep telling yourself that Toshiko.

She rolls her eyes, but that basically ends the discussion.

She's walking behind Maya as they head to the Ten Master Clans conference, honestly a bit irritated. Not with taking time off school and accompanying Maya, she'd been the one to insist on that as while she'd combed through Jiedo's mind for anyone he's connected to that could try to go through with his plans and the police had caught all the ones she'd found and arrested them on various other legitimate charges, she'd still wanted to accompany Maya for extra security just to be safe. Just because she'd gone through Jiedo's mind and found everyone Zhou wasn't aware of, doesn't mean their conspirators hadn't had their own connections that may try something after all.

No, what she's irritated about is the Ichijou having sent out a protest to her engagement. She has to assume this is Ichijou Misaki's doing, but she doesn't know what he hopes to accomplish. She did everything in her power to make it clear she genuinely loved Sora, and as they're both Clan Heirs, they couldn't marry even if she was willing to entertain the idea of a relationship with him. Not that she is obviously. It's irritating that they're sticking their nose in and protesting it though. Maya has soothingly reminded her that the Ten Master Clans don't actually have the power to interfere with each other's engagements, only being able to submit protests and try to convince one another, and she's reassured that she has zero intentions of breaking her engagement with Sora.

When they get the the conference room that was rented from the luxury hotel that was picked as the venue, she finds herself having to suppress the urge to glare icy daggers at the Ichijou head, though from the way he jolts and the others that got there before them share looks, even if she represses the glare she's pretty sure the gaze is still frigid.

The Juumonji Head, Kazuki, shifts in his seat, “I wasn't aware you were bringing your Heir Lady Yotsuba. Isn't it generally considered more polite to inform us?”

She leans back against the wall behind Maya as she nods and takes her seat, “Generally, yes, but it was more of a last minute change. A plot to target the conference with a terrorist attack was uncovered, and while the authorities are fairly certain they got everyone related that may have tried to move forward with it,” Maya smiles, “my Toshiko here insisted on accompanying me as extra security just in case."

Juumonji blinks rapidly, “Ah. I see. I suppose one can't argue with that.”

Kudou Makoto shakes his head, “Moving on, Lord Juumonji, has your condition improved?”

Juumonji hums, "Thank you for your concern Lord Kudou, however in regards to that, I have an announcement to make to everyone.” He stands up, which from her understanding is very much not how they usually do things, “This may be sudden but, I, Juumonji Kazuki, will use this meeting as a means of handing over the seat of Head of the Juumonji Family to my son Katsuto. With that in mind, I would like all of you present to bear witness.”

The heads glance at one another, before Kudou replies, "That is quite a brash thing to say.”

Juumonji sighs, "I have been considering this for quite some time. Having reached adulthood, I believe Katsuto has also been thinking about it. Occupying the seat of the Head and having no ability as a Magician… such a thing, not only speaking for the Juumonji Family, but for the Ten Master Clans, would not be desirable. Thus I’ve made such a decision.”

That irritant Ichijou's father, Ichijou Gouki, is the one who replies, "You mean to say, you can no longer use magic?”

Juumonji sighs again, "Since 3 years ago, I have been suffering from a disease that has caused a decline in my magic power. 2 years ago, I was at the stage where I could no longer fight, as such I've virtually left all the duties of being Head to Katsuto. And then 3 months ago, I lost all use of my magical abilities.” He shakes his head and adds, “While it's wonderful the advancements that have been made regarding medical issues involving the magic calculation area and leaves me hopeful my son will not have to deal with this eventually, they unfortunately came about too late to reverse my own decline.”

Saegusa Kouichi tilts his head, “I was going to ask about it, since this is the first time I heard of such a thing. I know it would normally be impolite but it would be a big problem if it could affect others. However, if it's something the recent advancements may be able to deal with, it would be rude to pry.”

Juumonji nods, “Yes, there was an attempt made to help me, but I was told that the damage had progressed to the point it only would've made a difference of a matter of months, and it seemed pointless to waste their time for something that would make such miniscule change.” Then he shakes his head, "Now then, everyone. Are there any objections about the Juumonji’s succession?”

Maya is the first to respond, "Even without our presence, I know it would be fine for the Juumonji’s Family matters to be settled internally, but… I have no objections. I would happily bear witness to the succession of Lord Katsuto.”

Mutsuzuka Atsuko is quick to agree, which isn't surprising given what Maya has told her about how Mutsuzuka seems to admire her which leads her to tend to take Maya's side in disputes, "I too have no objections. Rather, I think it’s quite an honor. I would happily be a witness.”

Despite the fact he usually argues with Maya practically on principle from her understanding, Saegusa also agrees, "I have no intention to protest against other family’s succession matters. I wish Lord Katsuto the best of luck in his future role as the Head. It’s unfortunate for Lord Kazuki, but, for putting forth so much effort for the Japanese Magic Community, thank you for your hard work.”

After a round of congratulations from the other Heads to Katsuto, Kudou waves at the seat Kazuki vacated, "Now Lord Katsuto. As the new Head of the Juumonji Family, please take that seat.”

Once that's out of the way, the conference moves to what Maya has informed her is a sort of standard check in on any potential trouble brewing in the area's of Japan each Clan is in charge of. It kicks off by Kudou prompting Ichijou, "Then Lord Ichijou."

As irritating as his son is and by extension him since he's entertaining his nonsense, Ichijou is at least professional in this regard, "The mountain recesses of the Hokuriku-San'in regions have seen no movement that might become a problem. There have been no signs observed that the New Soviet Union and the Great Asian Union are working on an intrusion.”

Kudou turns to the next, "Lady Mutsuzuka?"

Mutsuzuka shakes her head, "The Tōhoku region has seen no irregularities."

"Lady Futatsugi?"

"Hanshin is as usual. Should there be any eyesores, I will immediately set out to clean it up."

Kudou pauses, "…Lady Futatsugi, be careful. Lord Itsuwa?”

"No movements have been observed in the Shikoku region.

"Lord Yatsushiro?"

"Much like the Hanshin region, the Kyushu region is as usual."

Kudou nods, and presumably because while Okinawa specifically is under the jurisdiction of the JDFS, his region is one of the closest to the GAU which has attacked repeatedly in recent years, Kudou speaks a little more gravely, "Is that so? Keep a look out and be careful.” Then he shakes his head and moves on, “Lord Saegusa?”

Saegusa hums, “If you had asked me that a year ago, my answer would've been about the steadily rising anti-magic movements, but after that… message I don't think I have to tell you that a lot of it has lost steam, if not disappeared entirely.”

Kudou nods, then turns to Katsuto, "Does Lord Juumonji share the same thoughts?”

He nods firmly, “Indeed, I am in agreement with Lord Saegusa that the trouble that had been brewing lost its momentum and even dissipated to some degree after that strange message.”

Kudou nods, then turns to Maya, “Then, Lady Yotsuba?”

Maya hums lightly, “The only trouble we saw recently has already been resolved as I said earlier.”

With the standard reporting to each other on any trouble brewing done, Saegusa glances at Kudou, “Lord Kudou, there is something I would like to say.”

Kudou sighs like he's wanting more patience, "Lord Saegusa, go ahead.”

Saegusa nods, "Very well, thank you for sparing me some time.” Then he turns to Maya, a fake smile in place, "Lady Yotsuba, congratulations on your decision about your successor.”

Maya smiles just as fake, and the two look like they'll burst into a fight at any moment, “Thank you.”

Saegusa’s smile sharpens, “But regarding your niece's engagement, I’m afraid I cannot agree to that.”

Maya's smile also sharpens, “In what possible capacity could you take issue with it? We all know the way Sora took down Ichijou Masaki practically means we must have him marry into the Ten Master Clans so that no one questions our strength, which is necessary given our duties.”

Saegusa's gaze turns almost mocking, “You clearly haven't done much research into the Amano family history. They have a hereditary issue that can effect brain development if it ends up being passed on as more than inactive carrier gene. As such while obviously you're correct about the fact he needs to be tied to one of the Ten Master Clans in some way, introducing his genes to the Clans-”

Maya cuts him off boredly, “Oh that. No, we are aware. I'm sure you've heard at least vaguely of the gene therapy Toshiko made that was used to help Minoru of the Kudou?” Maya shrugs with a smile, “That same thing was used in a more targeted fashion to deal with the hereditary gene he, and his sister at that, were carriers for. They aren't anymore now.”

Saegusa shares a look with Ichijou. A joint attack then. Presumably, given the way he was always trying to make the Saegusa more powerful than the Yotsuba, Saegusa was wanting to snatch Sora away from her and then make up some excuse as to why it's actually fine for him to marry into his own Clan.

Apparently unable to accept it being shut down, Ichijou speaks up then, "My apologies. May I add in something? Lady Yotsuba, though our family has yet to receive an answer from yours, I should admit that what Lord Saegusa has said was influenced by us. As such, could you please consider our request?"

Maya tilts her head, gaze still bored, "The issue regarding the request for the engagement between your family's Masaki and my Toshiko?"

Ichijou nods, "Yes."

Maya sighs, languid and deep, "Masaki is the Ichijou Family’s successor is he not? Toshiko has also been confirmed as the successor of our family. Even if I put aside the fact that it is inappropriate of you to request an engagement when a prior one has been confirmed, what you speak of is impossible.”

Ichijou pushes forward regardless, "I apologize for being rude. But we too are making a serious request. It is not a joke of any sort."

It's probably not really noticeable to others, but she knows Maya well enough to pick up on the fact she's getting irritated, "A serious request? To seek the hand of my niece who’s already engaged to someone, what part of that is a serious request?"

Ichijou doesn't relent though, "If you were to accept our proposal of marriage, then we intend to give Masaki to the Yotsuba-.”

He says the last with a nervous glance at her, voice hesitant but determined, but he doesn't get further than that, as while she'd been about to interrupt him, Maya had held out a hand as she glanced back at her with an expression asking her to let her handle it, before turning back as she interrupts Ichijou, “Pardon me for interrupting, but that is firmly rejected, and frankly, I'm doing you a favor. This isn't a threat, rather a warning, but you're both playing with fire attempting to interfere with my beloved niece's engagement, and near liquid nitrogen at that.”

Saegusa bristles at that, “I beg your pardon?!”

She's angry enough at the attempt that she speaks up even though she really shouldn't, snapping out angrily, “Then get on your knees and beg.”

Saegusa sputters, but Maya glances back at her and she looks so amused, you'd think she was having the time of her life, “Mmmm, let me handle it Toshiko dear.” Her aunt turns back to the two, locking on Saegusa first, “Since I'm addressing you both, I may as well reaffirm that Sora has undergone the new gene therapy to clear the hereditary problem out."

"Not that really has any impact on the rest of the Ten Master Clans, Eighteen Assistant Houses, or Hundred Families given the Yotsuba have never intermarried with any of the aforementioned houses before. And I find it doubtful it will happen anytime soon, given the fact it's born from a desire not to bring in someone who would have conflicting loyalties. It's why the only time such was suggested in our very own previously proposed arranged marriage when we were younger, it was someone leaving the Yotsuba, and after what happened to me, the Yotsuba aren't inclined to do that either.”

Saegusa flinches, and she turns to Ichijou, “This may surprise you, but between the two of you, you're actually the one playing the more dangerous game.”

Ichijou looks confused, “What? How could I be-”

Maya sighs as she leans forward, “Mm, let's talk without all the formalities for once Ichijou. Here's a few facts you aren't aware of, over three quarters of the Yotsuba hate Sora on a personal level, even if they know he's fully capable as a magician, and for the same incident funnily enough. There were actually Yotsuba in Okinawa during the attack back in 2092. We recalled everyone to discuss, even put up communication jamming, which was actually a poor choice. Because despite being twelve he located and broke into the Yotsuba Main House without ever triggering an alarm.”

Eyes go wide but Maya continues, “We know Toshiko didn't tell him where it was because she blatantly admitted she'd have no shame if she had, and why bother lying if you're willing to say that? Do you know why he did though?” She pauses and Ichijou shakes his head, eyes still wide, “As he put it, Toshiko wasn't allowed to be out of contact and disappear for two weeks without warning and worry him. So he was there to, and I quote, ‘check to make sure Toshiko was fine and bust her out and extract a river of blood of vengeance if necessary.’ He even had icicles inching forward to stab the throats of over three quarters of the Yotsuba if necessary at one point.”

Ichijou flinches slightly, and Maya smiles, “And it's very much reciprocated, I can tell you that.” Maya glances back at her with a look that's long since become standard to let her know she's about to skew things to cover their reincarnation and asking her not to get mad, then turns back to Ichijou, “Feelings which have been well known to the Yotsuba since her response to my sister warning her that the Yotsuba would not look kindly on their relationship a couple of years prior to his break in-” Ah, there's the skewing, “was that he and Miho -Yasuda Miho for the record- are her Maya and she the Yotsuba, and any who laid a finger on them were volunteering to play the part of Dahan in a repeat performance.”

Everyone flinches at that, but as much as he tries to hide it, she's fully aware Saegusa flinches the hardest and looks up at her with searching eyes. He was likely thinking she was the one behind his subordinates’ sudden deaths back in the assassination attempt incident. She wasn't, having been perfectly fine with leaving it to Sora and Hoshi since they had things well in hand. She has no qualms letting him think it was her though, so she gives him an arctic smile.

Maya chuckles, “It is not, as you've all probably assumed, an arranged engagement, which isn't wise anyhow given the information in Tōkōkuro Mihana and Elder Kudou Retsu's recent presentation.” Maya looks back at her in amusement, “Actually, to be frank, my darling niece here just barged into my office without even knocking with the engagement paperwork already filled out when she was thirteen and demanded I keep it safe and make sure it was submitted the day of Sora's sixteenth birthday.”

She turns back to Ichijou, who's absolutely sweating nervously, “Given the Ichijou tend to be a rather emotional family, I assume this proposal to end Toshiko’s engagement and set her up with Masaki comes from a place of emotions?”

It takes a minute for him to respond, probably in part due to not initially realizing it was a genuine question, “I- Yes. My-” He glances at her quickly, then looks away to stare down at the table with furrowed brows, “My son is in love with Toshiko to be honest.”

Maya hums, “Then I'm doing him more of a favor then you realize.” He looks up in surprise and Maya chuckles again, “The Yotsuba actually protested the engagement internally you know? Though it was entirely because of their personal feelings towards him. That died a swift death at the hands of my darling niece here. Do you know why?” Ichijou shakes his head mutely, “She said that if they wanted her to marry someone else, they'd have to find her a husband who was essentially nothing more than her partner in legal documents. She would never have a relationship with said husband, she would continue to have a relationship with Sora, in everything but the eyes of the law the husband would be considered the affair partner just for having that legal marriage, and it would be Sora's child or children she eventually carried.”

She pauses and glances back at her in amusement, “And that's assuming she doesn't somehow figure out how to use that new gene therapy to have a baby with Miho. Because the reason I kept mentioning her is because she and Sora are in a closed polygamous relationship with her, and if she could figure out the baby thing, even if you blocked her marriage to Sora somehow, she'd just marry Miho.”

Ichijou flinches again, looking stricken as Maya leans back into her chair properly, “So yes. I am, in fact, helping your son, since he'd actually be getting into nothing but heartbreak if you somehow got Toshiko to agree to sign the papers. Because one last blunt truth for you? Unless you have something to negotiate with, no one gets Toshiko to do something or not do something except for herself and to a lesser extent, Sora, his sister Hoshi, and Miho. That list does not include even me.” She sighs dramatically as she turns to look back at her, “I think I've done my good deed for the day, don't you think?”

She gives her an amused look, “I wasn't aware you subscribed to that way of life and thinking.”

Maya pouts, and despite their observers, outright whines, “You don't have to be meeaann ‘Shiko.”(3)

She chuckles and shakes her head at Maya in amusement.