The sudden, loud challenge silenced the entire dining area for a moment.
"Miyuki, I've finished eating, so I'll head out first."
Tatsuya Shiba stood up, picked up his drink, and took his tray to leave.
From Chiba Yeyou's angle, he could clearly see that about half the food remained on Tatsuya Shiba's tray, and a shadow filling more than half of the paper drink cup was clearly visible.
Tatsuya Shiba didn't have it easy as a guardian!
His little sister was far too clingy.
As her older brother, he was also afraid of keeping her from making friends, leaving her all alone apart from him.
Oh, well. Since we know each other, I'll give him a hand.
With that thought, Chiba Yeyou stood up.
"Shiba! Bring Miyuki over here. Suzune Ichihara needs to speak to you two!"
Tatsuya Shiba and Miyuki Shiba froze for a moment, but Miyuki happily carried her tray over.
Tatsuya Shiba hesitated, then came over too.
"???"
Suzune Ichihara was baffled.
When had she called those two over?
What did she need them for?
Why didn't she know anything about it herself?
"You..."
Seeing the slightly apologetic look in Chiba Yeyou's eyes, Suzune Ichihara understood immediately. He had used her as his weapon.
Well, look at you!
I only just asked you to help me with some work, and you've gone straight to commandeering me instead!
Sigh!
Oh, well. I'm good-tempered. I'll just consider this looking after my juniors.
While Suzune Ichihara was consoling herself that taking a loss was a blessing, Tatsuya Shiba came over and sat opposite Miyuki Shiba, beside Chiba Yeyou.
"Thank you!"
Tatsuya Shiba spoke softly.
"No problem!"
Chiba Yeyou watched the group without a care.
"Then let's head over too..."
Before Leonhard Saijo could finish, Erika Chiba grabbed his tray-holding hand.
"What?"
Leonhard Saijo looked at Erika Chiba in confusion.
Erika Chiba rolled her eyes in exasperation and glanced at Miyuki Shiba.
Here's a look. Figure it out yourself!
Idiot!
Then Kai Chiba immediately picked up his tray and led the way out.
Although Leonhard Saijo was still somewhat bewildered, he followed Erika Chiba away.
"What?"
"Do you need something?"
Chiba Yeyou frowned at the group as he asked.
"Well..."
"Suzune Ichihara needs to talk to the three of us. Go eat over there!"
Chiba Yeyou waved a hand to interrupt the guy, then pointed at another empty table.
Then he ignored the group and went back to enjoying his food.
The boy at the front glanced at Chiba Yeyou's shoulder. Oh, he had an emblem. Then he led the others away.
"Tch!"
"A bunch of brainless, self-important idiots!"
"All they can do is stand on the lofty pedestal of their self-proclaimed status and tell everyone else what to do."
"They don't even bother taking the moral high ground before pointing fingers. It's utterly ridiculous."
Chiba Yeyou shook his head as he watched their retreating backs with disdain.
"Thank you, Chiba Yeyou!"
Miyuki Shiba had also realized that he had gotten the siblings out of that awkward situation.
This guy had finally done something good!
For once, Miyuki Shiba's impression of Chiba Yeyou improved a little.
But why had he used Suzune Ichihara's name?
Miyuki Shiba looked at Suzune Ichihara in confusion.
One look at Miyuki Shiba's gaze told Suzune Ichihara that she had figured it out too.
"Remember, junior, you owe your senior a favor!"
Suzune Ichihara raised an index finger and wagged it in front of Chiba Yeyou, then picked up her empty tray and left.
She still needed to get several more meals. There were a few hungry mouths waiting to be fed.
"If you want to eat together, just say so. Are you that scared of Tatsuya Shiba?"
Chiba Yeyou looked at Miyuki Shiba as he asked.
"N-no, I'm not!"
Miyuki Shiba suddenly flushed.
Seeing her try to cover it up only to expose herself, like a thief crying thief, Chiba Yeyou could only conclude that this girl was beyond saving.
"And you, too. So what if you're a Course 2 Student?"
"Are you eating their rice?"
"What are you afraid of?"
"You make it sound like your sister will be cut off from the world just because you're beside her!"
Chiba Yeyou turned to Tatsuya Shiba.
For a moment, Tatsuya Shiba didn't know what to say. This feeling of suddenly being cared about...
Wasn't bad...
"All right, enough of that. Take your time eating, you two!"
Chiba Yeyou glanced at the food on Tatsuya Shiba's tray, at least half of which remained, then picked up his empty plate and left.
"I'm sorry, Brother!"
Only then did Miyuki Shiba notice the largely untouched food on Tatsuya Shiba's tray and realize that she had caused him trouble.
"You don't need to apologize!"
Tatsuya Shiba patted her head like a puppy's.
Then Miyuki Shiba flushed and became much more docile, her chilly demeanor fading away.
Sorry. I take back what I thought of you before.
Chiba Yeyou, you're a good person!
Chiba Yeyou was in a wonderful mood as he walked back toward the classroom building, on his way to his classroom.
The thought of having done a good deed today filled him with delight.
One good deed a day.
GET!
Then he remembered the favor he owed Suzune Ichihara, and his mood soured again.
Damn it!
I took a huge loss today!
Does this count as lighting myself up to illuminate others?
Sigh!
I've moved myself to tears. How am I so kindhearted?
I ought to give myself a Touching Huaxia award...
Actually, this world doesn't seem to have a Huaxia. The original Dragon Country ascended to the heavens!
Anyway, it disappeared mysteriously.
Looks like I can't even get that award.
While Chiba Yeyou was feeling that he had lost out, in a less-than-beautiful mood and somewhat lost in thought, someone approached him from ahead.
Seeing that the person showed no intention of moving aside, Chiba Yeyou had to step aside himself.
Sigh!
Young people these days!
So hotheaded and impetuous!
Why don't they learn from me?
Can't you see such a fine role model right here?
What a shame!
Blind at such a young age!
Although Chiba Yeyou had moved aside, the person seemed determined to push his luck and continued walking straight toward him.
Chiba Yeyou had been walking with his head lowered, marveling at his own greatness while feeling miserable, and hadn't paid attention to who it was. Only when he abruptly looked up did he realize it was Hanzou Gyoubushoujou Hattori.
"Need something?"
Chiba Yeyou asked with a peculiar look.
He's here to pick a fight!
Sure enough, no one comes with good intentions, and whoever comes will have to be made good!
Just when I'm in a bad mood, you've come to save me.
How noble of you, brother!
"I came to tell you not to entertain such unrealistic fantasies. Mayumi Saegusa is not someone you can lay your hands on!"
"If you're counting on those rumors to win her heart, I suggest you give up!"
"You'd be better off putting that energy into studying magic."
Hanzou Gyoubushoujou Hattori offered his earnest advice.
*???*
What's going on with you?
Why does that expression seem a little strange?
Aren't you supposed to be furious, then receive some care for your senior from me, and finally give up and work hard on magic, leaving you happy, me happy, and everyone happy?
Why do I feel like there's even a faint trace of a smile?
Chiba Yeyou's stare made Hanzou Gyoubushoujou Hattori's scalp prickle.
Fuck!
Don't tell me I'm the one in the most danger!
At that thought, Hanzou Gyoubushoujou Hattori involuntarily pressed his legs a little closer together, feeling that this offered him a shred of security, while watching Chiba Yeyou warily.
*???*
What's with that wary look?
And what are you squeezing your legs together for?
Hiss!
Is it that time of the month?!
Chiba Yeyou instinctively moved a little farther from Hanzou Gyoubushoujou Hattori.
"Heh. What if I say no?"
Chiba Yeyou sneered.
"Then show me strength I can acknowledge!"
Hearing that, Hanzou Gyoubushoujou Hattori instantly regained his momentum.
"Oh?"
"How so?"
No way. No way!
You want a mock battle with me?
Has Tatsuya Shiba's role as a tool already started expanding?
"Have a mock battle with me!"
Sure enough, just as Chiba Yeyou was frantically questioning it inside, it still came.
"Don't worry. Only the two of us will know about this. It won't damage your reputation."
Seeing Chiba Yeyou's expression of astonishment and disbelief, Hanzou Gyoubushoujou Hattori guessed that his junior feared losing face by being defeated, so he spoke considerately.
"All right!"
"Let's do it now, then. There's still half an hour."
Chiba Yeyou checked the time.
First High School, mock battle arena one
"You haven't brought a CAD. There are school CADs here. Pick one!"
Hanzou Gyoubushoujou Hattori saw that Chiba Yeyou was wearing only an ordinary communicator on his wrist, not a CAD, and brought over the school's CADs for him to choose from.
It made sense, on reflection. After all, the school strictly regulated CADs. Even if students brought one, they were not allowed to use it, so apart from student council members, few people carried one every day.
"No need. I'm fine like this."
Chiba Yeyou glanced at this standard-issue "junk" and spoke dismissively.
Would I need a CAD just to fight you?
Do you think I'm Tatsuya Shiba?
Chiba Yeyou found it a little amusing.
As a Course 1 Student, it was understandable that he could cast magic without relying on a CAD.
"All right, then. The instant this coin hits the ground, the fight begins!"
Hanzou Gyoubushoujou Hattori took out a coin. After speaking and seeing Chiba Yeyou nod, he tossed it into the air.
First, I'll use vibration magic to throw him off balance, then follow up with a spell that drags him backward to catch him off guard. With the final strike, I'll hurl him against the wall and knock him unconscious. Then I'll win!
That will keep the damage to a minimum. I'll wake him up afterward!
"Clink!"
As Hanzou Gyoubushoujou Hattori thought, the coin fell to the ground.
"Quantum Domain, expand!"