Mari Watanabe pondered.
"But judging by how things are now, it seems..."
When Gyoubu Hattori heard that, a flicker of jealousy crossed his heart, but it vanished in the blink of an eye.
"Brother Bai Feng? Baifeng Uesugi?"
Katsuto Jumonji murmured.
"Could it be..."
Katsuto Jumonji suddenly recalled his father telling him that the Ten Master Clans had brought back a child some time ago, but the Yotsuba Family and Saegusa Family had been supporting him all along.
"All right, Mayumi, I can't reveal my identity for now. It would cause unnecessary trouble."
Baifeng Uesugi held Mayumi Saegusa with one arm and gently patted her back with the other.
But because Mayumi Saegusa was wearing a dress, Baifeng Uesugi touched her skin directly. It was cool to the touch.
And he felt softness in his arms...
Seeing how close the two were, Miyuki Shiba pouted, looking displeased.
"Brother Bai Feng, where did those people come from?" Mayumi Saegusa asked, raising her head. Her eyes were a little red from crying.
"Yes, Brother Bai Feng, who are they? We can join forces with our families to wipe them out," Miyuki Shiba chimed in.
"It's no use. The first time I was attacked, I already had the Ten Master Clans investigate. The Ten Master Clans, not the Yotsuba Family and Saegusa Family.
"But they couldn't find a single piece of useful information."
Baifeng Uesugi shook his head and gave a helpless, bitter smile.
"What... Even the Ten Master Clans couldn't find any information? Just what kind of organization is this?" Miyuki Shiba said in shock.
"Brother Bai Feng."
Mayumi Saegusa looked at Baifeng Uesugi with concern.
"Don't worry. I left back then to draw their attention and keep them from coming after you. But everything's fine. Although they're very mysterious, they don't know exactly what my relationship with you is.
"Otherwise..."
Baifeng Uesugi didn't finish, but both girls were exceptionally clever and naturally understood what he meant by the words he left unsaid.
"Brother Bai Feng, how strong are those people?"
Mayumi Saegusa asked.
"How should I put it? The strongest I've encountered so far was an S-rank magician. But I don't think that's the full extent of their strength."
Baifeng Uesugi said.
"What?"
"What?"
Both girls cried out in surprise.
"All right, let's leave it at that. Besides, this isn't the place to talk."
Baifeng Uesugi said.
"Oh, right. Don't tell anyone else who I am for now. I'm afraid they'll find out where I am."
Baifeng Uesugi was worried that if his whereabouts were exposed, the Demon Hunters would come here, and things would get troublesome.
And if a fight broke out here, everyone was a student, so he would have to devote some of his attention to protecting their classmates.
The only advantage was that they didn't know Baifeng Uesugi was now an SS-rank magician.
"Brother Bai Feng, don't worry. I'll tell everyone in a bit," Mayumi Saegusa said.
"Brother Bai Feng, I'll tell them too."
Miyuki Shiba chimed in.
"Mm, good girls."
Baifeng Uesugi patted each of them on the head.
The two happily enjoyed the head pats they had missed for so long.
"By the way, Mayumi, do you like Tatsuya?" Baifeng Uesugi suddenly asked.
"Huh? Brother Bai Feng, why would you say that?" Mayumi Saegusa asked, puzzled.
Even Miyuki Shiba, standing nearby, was completely baffled.
"I think you've been paying a fair bit of attention to Tatsuya lately. It seemed like you might like him," Baifeng Uesugi said.
"Of course not. I just think Tatsuya is mysterious, and he's shown that he's very strong. I admire people who are strong."
Mayumi Saegusa explained.
"Besides, Brother Bai Feng, don't you know who I like?"
Mayumi Saegusa looked at Baifeng Uesugi shyly.
"Oh, really? How come I don't know? Mayumi, who do you like?"
Baifeng Uesugi asked with a smile.
"Brother Bai Feng, do you really want me to say it in front of so many people?"
Mayumi Saegusa said, giving him her signature little-devil smile.
Baifeng Uesugi looked back and saw that everyone in the vehicle was watching them.
And Miyuki Shiba seemed a little unhappy.
"Miyuki, what's wrong? Are you unhappy?" Baifeng Uesugi asked.
"Hmph, no, I'm not."
Miyuki Shiba gave a little huff.
"Who made our Miyuki unhappy? Tell me, and I'll get even for you."
Baifeng Uesugi patted Miyuki Shiba's head again to comfort her.
His head pats wiped away the little bit of resentment Miyuki Shiba had felt, and she returned to her seat after saying one thing.
"I'm not talking to you anymore. Brother Bai Feng, you're so mean."
"Brother Bai Feng, I'll go tell everyone."
Mayumi Saegusa also stood up as she spoke.
"Mm."
Mayumi Saegusa went over to the others and stressed that what had just happened must not get out. Most of the people in the vehicle were Student Council members, so they naturally listened to her and all said they understood.
After dealing with the incident, the convoy set off again.
After an hour on the road, everyone finally arrived at their destination.
"Hattori, what's wrong?" Takeaki Kirihara asked, puzzled to see Hattori looking so dejected.
"No, it's nothing..." Gyoubu Hattori said stubbornly.
"At least you don't look like things are going too well," Takeaki Kirihara said.
"I've lost a little confidence," Gyoubu Hattori explained.
First there was the matter of his feelings, and then the unexpected incident. Those two things had dealt Gyoubu Hattori a heavy blow.
"Hey, hey, come on. The competition's the day after tomorrow, and you're losing confidence now?"
Takeaki Kirihara said.
"When the accident happened just now..."
"That was a really close call," Takeaki Kirihara remarked.
"In the end, I didn't do anything at all," Gyoubu Hattori said dejectedly.
Despite being the Student Council vice president, he had been less useful at a time like that than Baifeng Uesugi, a first-year.
Gyoubu Hattori had already begun to doubt himself deeply.
"I think the fact that you didn't act shows you were still able to make sound judgments," Takeaki Kirihara said.
"But Uesugi didn't do anything at the time either, and in the end, he was the one who resolved the crisis," Gyoubu Hattori said helplessly.
"If we were just comparing magic power, he'd probably be above me."
"But a magician's worth isn't determined by magic power alone. Still, never mind magical talent-if even my aptitude as a magician is inferior to that of a junior, how could I not lose confidence?"
Gyoubu Hattori said dejectedly.
"Ah, that's really a matter of experience," Takeaki Kirihara said.
"I think Uesugi is very unusual in that respect. I'd guess he's killed before."
"Killed before? You mean he has actual combat experience?" Gyoubu Hattori asked, puzzled.
"It's the impression he gives. When he used magic just now, I could faintly sense killing intent from Uesugi.
"But a magician's worth isn't determined by magic power alone... is it?" Takeaki Kirihara said.
"What are you trying to say?" Gyoubu Hattori asked.
"If the president heard you say that, she'd be very happy," Takeaki Kirihara said.
Gyoubu Hattori looked even more miserable when he heard that. Thinking back to how Baifeng Uesugi, Mayumi Saegusa, and Miyuki Shiba had interacted in the vehicle, he felt a deep sense of helplessness.
"Blooms and Weeds are just the results of an entrance exam, nothing more. There are plenty of capable people among the Course 2 Students now, especially among this year's first-years."
Takeaki Kirihara said.
"Kirihara, do you mean Shiba?" Gyoubu Hattori asked.
"No, not Tatsuya. The people who are always around Uesugi, and those who are always around Tatsuya, are all very capable."
Takeaki Kirihara explained.
"That's true," Gyoubu Hattori agreed with a nod.
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