Mayumi

Biodata

Background / History

First High School and Yokohama

Mayumi graduated from First High School after serving as student council president and subsequently became a university student. She remained well known at her former school: her visit in October 2096 attracted attention even among first-year students who had never attended alongside her. She also continued to follow school affairs, knowing that Yoshida Mikihiko had become disciplinary committee head 3 5.

Before the Kyoto investigation, Mayumi had fought on the battlefield during the Yokohama Disturbance, including an encounter with Lü Ganghu, the “Man-Eating Tiger.” Tatsuya regarded her combat ability as proven by that experience 3 5.

Investigating Nagura’s Death

Mayumi began investigating after her bodyguard, Nagura, was killed beside Kyoto’s Katsura River. Unknown to her, Kouichi had ordered Nagura to assassinate Zhou Gongjin to conceal their collusion, and Zhou had killed him 2.

On October 15, 2096, Mayumi visited Tatsuya at First High School to request his help. Kouichi had told her that Nagura’s assignment was simply “a job” she did not need to know about. She nevertheless believed her father knew, or suspected, who had killed him. Although she and Nagura had never been personally close, she felt responsible as a member of the family whose orders had led to his death 3.

Mayumi connected Nagura’s recent Chinatown souvenirs with possible involvement in the Yokohama Disturbance. Tatsuya cautioned her against treating that connection as established fact, but agreed to accompany her to the murder scene and examine Nagura’s belongings 3.

Kyoto Investigation and Ambush

At the police station, Mayumi joined Tatsuya, Miyuki, and Ichijou Masaki in examining Nagura’s bloodstained clothing. She recalled that Nagura specialized in water-needle magic, supporting Tatsuya’s deduction that he had used his own blood for a final counterattack. She also felt guilty that Kouichi had removed Nagura’s CAD from police custody, recognizing that its analysis could have helped reconstruct the fight 5.

After visiting the crime scene, Mayumi followed Tatsuya into Arashiyama, where ancient magicians ambushed the group. Her Dry Blizzard drove six attackers from cover, and she later used a gale to interrupt an attack on Masaki. The group subdued the attackers and gave statements to the police 5.

Mayumi resisted Tatsuya’s request that she remain at the hotel while he pursued a rougher investigation the next day. That evening, she invited him to dinner and then to a bar, where three strong cocktails left her unsteady and dependent on his help getting to bed. Her resulting hangover kept her at the hotel while he continued investigating alone 5.

Resolution

On October 28, at the Thesis Competition venue, Tatsuya told Mayumi that Nagura’s killer had taken his own life while being pursued. Relieved, she thanked Tatsuya for avenging Nagura. Before leaving, she declared them even for “what happened that night,” prompting Miyuki to question him about the hotel incident 7.

Appearance

• Facial feature: Slender eyebrows 3.
• Investigation clothing: Warm clothing, a long skirt, and heeled leather shoes. Although reasonably practical, the outfit was poorly suited to Arashiyama’s hilly paths 5.
• Evening clothing: A black A-line dress beneath a matching dress gown, with coordinated shoe adornments 5.

Personality

Mayumi takes her position as the Saegusa Family’s eldest daughter seriously. Her investigation is driven less by personal closeness to Nagura than by unwillingness to ignore the consequences of her family’s orders. She openly accepts that seeking the truth may be self-satisfaction, but considers it necessary to hold her head high as a Saegusa 3.

She distinguishes between her public and private manners. With Masaki, she adopts the demure behavior expected of a Ten Master Clans daughter; with Tatsuya, she is more candid, teasing, and argumentative. She is also alert to his attempts to steer conversations or keep her out of his plans 5.

Despite battlefield experience, Mayumi is visibly sickened by the smell of burning flesh and the attackers’ severe injuries. She deliberately reduces the power of her Dry Blizzard rather than using its full destructive potential 5.

Abilities & Skills

Long-Range Precision Magic

Mayumi is recognized as a genius at long-range precision shooting magic. Her specialty is Magic Bullet Shooter 5.

• Her combat ability had already been demonstrated during the Yokohama Disturbance 3.
• Tatsuya explicitly tells her that he holds her abilities in high regard 5.

Dry Blizzard

Dry Blizzard, the prototype of Magic Bullet Shooter, gathers atmospheric carbon dioxide and turns it into a barrage of dry-ice projectiles 5.

• The projectiles travel at approximately 500–600 kilometers per hour and can penetrate human skin and flesh 5.
• In Arashiyama, Mayumi uses it to flush six concealed magicians out of a bamboo grove 5.
• She deliberately limits its power; the attackers emerge wounded but remain capable of fighting 5.

Wind Magic

Mayumi can generate a gale strong enough to throw charging opponents off balance 5.

• She uses this to protect Masaki from Kurikara Sword users after their weapons cut through his magical barrier 5.
• Her warning helps him recognize the distinction between magic itself and the resulting physical phenomenon, which the swords cannot simply sever 5.

Visual Observation

Mayumi’s particular perceptual strength lies in seeing rather than hearing. Tatsuya considers her eyes sufficiently capable that he prefers meeting her at school over risking her noticing sensitive material in his home 3.

Relationships

• Saegusa Kouichi — Father and head of the Saegusa Family. His secrecy over Nagura’s assignment drives her independent investigation 2 3.
• Nagura — Bodyguard and supervisor. Although not personally close, she refuses to disregard his death in service to her family 3.
• Shiba Tatsuya — Former school junior and investigative partner. Their interactions combine trust in his competence with teasing and suspicion of his evasiveness 3 5.
• Shiba Miyuki — Former school junior who accompanies the Kyoto investigation. Mayumi’s parting reference to the hotel incident leaves Miyuki demanding an explanation from Tatsuya 5 7.
• Saegusa Izumi — Younger sister, who is curious about Mayumi’s private meeting with Tatsuya at First High School 3.
• Ichijou Masaki — Fellow Ten Master Clans member who assists her investigation. Her concern for Nagura impresses him as evidence that she does not treat subordinates merely as tools 5.
• Itsuwa Mio — Close acquaintance whose poor health shapes Mayumi’s initial understanding of Minoru’s sickliness 5.
• Fujibayashi Kyouko — Acquaintance through family connections predating the Yokohama Disturbance 5.

Notable Quotes

“My bodyguard lost his life because of an order from the Saegusa Family. … As a member of the Saegusa Family, I want to at least know the truth of what happened.” 3

“For better or worse, that’s my position. I can’t run away from it.” 3