by Sato Tsutomu
Everyone's gaze fell towards the speaker, Mayumi.
You're hardly qualified to say that.
But Mayumi had no reaction at all.
Probably because she didn't realize it.
More to the point, why hasn't Hattori said anything.
This is slightly different than being not accustomed to speaking with the President.
Even when confronting Mari, Hattori's expression did not change. But compared to his expression now, Tatsuya found that to be very interesting.
—Of course, that's only under the condition that he was a spectator.
Alas, the time allotted to a spectator is very short.
"Watanabe-senpai, the topic I wanted to speak with you about is precisely regarding the replacements for the Public Moral Committee."
The blood that had originally caused Hattori's face to flush completely red had now receded. Just like the slow-motion screening for an animation, Hattori had calmed himself.
"What?"
"I object to you appointing this 1st Year student to the Public Moral Committee."
When Hattori stated his opinion, he was either perfectly calm, or was forcibly holding his emotions in check.
Mari's eyebrows wrinkled slightly, and that did not appear to be an act. Tatsuya couldn't tell if she was merely surprised or irritated by this.
"What is this nonsense? The one who nominated Shiba Tatsuya-kun is President Saegusa. Even though it was verbal, the right of appointment remains with her alone."
"I have heard that the receiving party has not agreed. Despite the nomination, the matter is unofficial until he personally agrees."
"That is up to Shiba Tatsuya-kun himself. The President has already elaborated on the decision of the Student Council. The final decision is his, not yours."
Mari's eyes were on Hattori while she said this.
Hattori never looked at Tatsuya. Or maybe it would be more correct to say that he was ignoring Tatsuya's presence.
Watching these two people, Suzune was very calm, Azusa was very nervous, and Mayumi was completely unreadable, sitting there with a traditional smile on her face.
Miyuki was staring at the terminal on the side with a subtle expression on her face. However, she was probably a hair trigger away from exploding at any time. For entirely different reasons, both Tatsuya and Azusa were growing very worried.
"There is no precedence for appointing a Weed to the Public Moral Committee." (!)
Hattori's rebuttal was laced with the derogatory term. Upon hearing this, Mari slightly raised an eyebrow.
"That's a taboo term, Vice President Hattori. A taboo term as banned by the Public Moral Committee. You have a lot of nerve using that in front of me, the Chair of the Public Moral Committee."
Facing Mari's reprimand, warning, or maybe a little of both, Hattori showed no sign of weakness.
"You can ban that term all you want. Unless you plan on punishing 1/3 of the entire student body? The difference between Blooms and Weeds is something that is written into the school system and acknowledged by the school itself. The source of the difference between Blooms and Weeds is the difference in ability. Public Moral Committee members are responsible for the task of subjugating students that break school rules. A Weed with inferior abilities is incapable of accomplishing that task."
To Hattori's proud assertion, Mari only smiled coldly.
"It is true that the Public Moral Committee is ability-based, but ability comes in many forms. If we need to use strength for suppression, that's what I'm here for. Even if I'm up against 10 or even 20 opponents, I can handle them alone. In this school, the only people that can go 1 on 1 against me are President Saegusa and Club Management Group Leader Juumonji. According to you, the people with low combat capability are unnecessary. Unless, you plan to challenge me, Vice President Hattori?"
The only way that Mari would say this was because of her confidence and combat record. However, despite slightly backing down before this enormous pressure, Hattori had no plans to surrender.
"This isn't my problem. It's about his ability to adapt."
The bottom line was that Hattori believed his stance was correct. Course 2 students with inferior abilities could not handle the responsibilities of the Public Moral Committee that were so heavily reliant on ability. The fact that no Course 2 student has ever been appointed to the Public Moral Committee also supported this.
In spite of this, Mari's confidence surpassed Hattori.
"Did I not say that ability comes in many forms? Tatsuya-kun can read the activation sequence and thus accurately predict the invoking magic with his eyes and brain."
"...What did you say?"
Upon hearing this unexpected detail, Hattori reflexively asked. Rather than saying this was unexpected, it would be more appropriate to say this was impossible to believe.
Reading the activation sequence. This by all rights should be impossible.
For Hattori, that was "common sense".
"In other words, even before the magic has been invoked, he already knows what magic his opponent is using."
However, Mari's answer did not change. This was the truth, was definitely possible, and Mari had no doubts whatsoever as she said it.
"According to our school rules, depending on the type of magic used, the level of punishment also changes. Unfortunately, if we were to disrupt the activation sequence before invocation like Mayumi, there is no way to tell what magic was originally used. If we waited until the activation sequence finished, then that would defeat the entire purpose. Thus it is safer to disrupt magic during the activation sequence. Without any definite accusation of wrong doing, the only thing we can charge them with is attempted disruption and the subsequent lighter punishment. But with Tatsuya, we can properly catch those that have been using stronger magics."
"...But, if he ran across an actual crime scene, and is unable to stop the magic invocation..."
Hattori could not overcome his shock, but still managed to rebut.
"In that case, it would be beyond a 1st Year Course 1 student anyways. And probably beyond 2nd Year students as well. How many people do you know that are able to invoke second and still manage to deny their opponent from invoking first? Besides that, there is still one more reason I want him to join the Public Moral Committee."
Mari tabled the first reason and started another.
No matter what, Hattori couldn't come up with a counter argument on the spot.
"To this day there is no Public Moral Committee member that comes from Course 2 students. In other words, Course 2 students that improperly use magic against school rules are apprehended by Course 1 students. As you said, there is a wide divide between Course 1 and Course 2 students. Course 1 students can apprehend Course 2 students, but the reverse is not true. This configuration has only served to widen that divide. I do not like it that the committee members under my command are only serving to widen this differential impression."
"Ah... Quite impressive, Mari. You have even taken this into account? I thought you only cared about Tatsuya-kun."
"Please be quiet, President."
Mayumi wanted to change the surrounding atmosphere, but was stopped by Suzune.
A reproachful look.
A shaking head.
The former was from Mayumi, the latter from Suzune.
And so, two conflicting emotions were mixed together into one inseparable whole, and came bursting out with resentment.
"President... as the Vice-President, I object to appointing Shiba Tatsuya as a Public Morals Committee member.
While I accept that Chair Watanabe has got a point in her assertion, the original mission of a Public Morals Committee member is to uncover and subjugate the school rule breakers.
A Course 2 student who is lacking in magic ability can't perform the duties of a Public Morals Committee member. Such a misplaced appointment will surely damage your reputation as the President.
Please reconsider."
"Please
wait!"
Tatsuya turned around frantically.
Just as he had feared, Miyuki could no longer bear with it.
Absorbed in Mari's speech, he missed the right timing to restrain her.
While he frantically attempted to preemptively stop her, Miyuki, who had started speaking, was faster.
"This may sound audacious, Vice-President; my brother's practical magic results may indeed be unfavorable, but that was merely because the practical test was not effective in gauging my brother's strength.
In a real battle, my brother will not lose to anyone."
On hearing those words that were filled with certainty, Mari's eyes widened a little. Mayumi's faint smile disappeared as well, and her serious eyes turned towards Miyuki and Tatsuya.
However, the seriousness in Hattori's returned gaze on Miyuki became thinner.
"Shiba-san."
The one Hattori was addressing was, needless to say, Miyuki.
"Regardless of what happens, a Magician must make judgments calmly and logically. Individual bias may be unavoidable for a normal person, but for one who is aiming to become a Magician, please bear in mind that you should not let your individual bias cloud your judgment."
There was no kindness felt in the admonishment. He was probably just acting as an excellent "Upperclassman", who despite his self-righteousness, was looking after his junior of the same Course 1. —But, under these circumstances, Tatsuya seemed to know that such a manner of speaking would cause an opposite effect, and the moment when Miyuki would rebuke Hattori.
Sure enough, Miyuki was getting increasingly heated up.
"Pardon me for saying so, but my judgment is not clouded! If Onii-sama could use more of his power—"
"Miyuki."
Tatsuya held his hand out in front of Miyuki, who had completely lost her cool.
With a startled face, Miyuki shut her mouth with a mix of embarrassment and regret, and hung her head in shame.
Having stopped Miyuki's words with a wave of his hand, Tatsuya walked up to Hattori.
Miyuki did say too much. She almost said the things that shouldn't be said. However, it was Hattori who had made Miyuki say that much. Tatsuya had no intention of putting all the blame on Miyuki alone.
"Vice-President Hattori, why don't we have a mock battle?"
"What...?"
The people who were lost for words from the surprise request, were not limited to the challengee, Hattori alone.
Mayumi, and also Mari, looked at the two of them in dumbfounded amazement from the unexpected daring retaliation.
Under everyone's gaze, Hattori's body started quivering.
"Don't be too conceited, for a mere reserve!"
The one who gave a small shriek was Azusa.
The other three, as expected of upperclassmen, remained composed.
And then, a small wry smile surfaced on the troubled face of the one who was getting verbally abused.
"What's so funny!"
"A Magician should remain calm, right?"
"Kuh!"
Having his own words thrown back at him in ridicule, Hattori held his breath.
Tatsuya didn't stop there. He did not feel like stopping.
"As it is, I think that we won't know each other's anti-personnel battle skill without fighting.
It's not like I want to become a Public Morals Committee member but... if it's for proving that my little sister's judgment is not clouded, then it cannot be helped."
He seemed to be mumbling to himself.
To Hattori, it sounded like a challenge.
"...Fine. I'll give you a good lesson on what it is to know your place."
It was not just his mouth that had betrayed his agitation. His controlled tone, on the contrary, indicated the depth of his anger.
Without a moment's delay, Mayumi interjected.
"As the Student Council President, I authorize the formal mock battle match between 2nd Year Class B, Hattori Gyoubu and 1st Year Class E, Shiba Tatsuya."
"On the basis of the Student Council President's declaration, as the Chair of Public Morals Committee, I recognize that the match between the two of you as a legitimate extracurricular activity in abidance of the school rules."
"The time of the match will be thirty minutes from now, at the third practice room, the match will be a private one, and I authorize the use of CADs by both sides."
It was a measure to prevent the match from becoming a brawling incident — an act of violence forbidden by the school rules.
On the declaration from Mayumi and Mari with solemn expressions and nonchalant voices, Azusa started typing furiously into the terminal.
◇◇◇
"It's just the third day of school, and my cat is going to be out of the bag huh..."
After retrieving his CAD case in exchange for the approval letter stamped with the student council president's stamp (even now, this sort of thing is still done on paper), Tatsuya grumbled just before the door to the third practice room, and from behind him, came a voice that was on the verge of tears.
"I'm really sorry..."
"It's nothing you need to apologize for."
"But Onii-sama, it's because of my fault that I'm causing trouble to you again..."
Turning around, and taking half a step, Tatsuya held his hand above his little sister's head.
Miyuki's body trembled as she closed her eyes. But, after feeling the gentle pat on her head, she timidly looked up.
Even now, her tears threatened to spill from her eyes.
"I said this too during the school entrance ceremony right?
I always feel that I'm being saved by you whenever you get angry in my place, when I am unable to get angry myself.
...Don't apologize. Now is the time to say something more appropriate."
"Yes... please do your best."
Wiping off a tear with a finger, Miyuki smiled, and in similar fashion, Tatsuya smiled, nodded, and opened the door to the practice room.
"This is surprising."
Upon opening the door, this was the line said to him.
"What is?"
The one who was receiving Tatsuya at the door, was the appointed judge for this match, Mari.
"I was referring to your unexpected enthusiasm at fighting. I thought you were one who wasn't bothered by the remarks of others."
Even while she was talking about her surprise, her eyes were sparkling with anticipation. As a deep sigh welled up to his throat, Tatsuya, with his steel-like self-restraint — describing it in this manner may be a little exaggerating but — anyway, swallowed it.
"I thought it was the job of a Public Morals Committee member to stop personal fights."
Instead of a sigh, he couldn't help but let loose a somewhat sarcastic remark.
While there was not a single sign of Mari rebutting that.
"This is not a personal fight. It's a formal match.
Mayumi said it too, didn't she?
The rule of strength is not something applied between the Course 1 and Course 2 students. Rather, it is something applied between Course 1 students themselves.
This is the very first time we are using such a method to settle things between a Course 1 and Course 2 student, you see."
I see; on the contrary, it is encouraged to settle disagreements by force if they can't be settled by words alone.
"Didn't the 'formal matches' increase ever since you became the Chair of the Public Morals Committee, senpai?"
"Indeed, they did increase."
Her calm attitude caused not just Tatsuya, but even Miyuki who was waiting behind him to smile wryly.
Then, Mari suddenly turned serious and brought her face close.
"Well, are you confident?"
At a distance where he could hear her breathing, she asked in a whisper.
Miyuki's beautiful eyebrows rose at that overly close distance, but as Tatsuya's field of view was largely occupied by Mari's face which was giving off a meaningful smile, it was fortunate
(?) that he could not see his little sister's overreaction.
With her head partially lowered with a pair of upturned, almond-shaped eyes, and in addition to that, a faint, sweet scent drifting toward him; Tatsuya became conscious of his own sexual excitement.
In the instant he was conscious of it, to the object called 'himself', it became a phenomenon born from inside of him, which was then severed from himself. His excitement was converted to mere information inside of him.
"Hattori is skilled enough to be among the top five in our school. If I have to say, he's more inclined towards group battles, and individual fights are not his specialty, but still, there is hardly anyone who can win against him in one-on-one."
In an alluring high pitch voice, Mari whispered those words which were devoid of any sexual charm.
"I'm not thinking of fighting him head on."
But, without the slightest sign of wavering, Tatsuya replied in a voice which could be said to be more mechanical than a cold one.
"You are pretty calm... I lost a little confidence."
While saying that, Mari was clearly amused.
"Haah."
Without saying anything else, Tatsuya gave a vague nod.
"At a time like this, if your face turns red which will make you cuter, the number of people who will lend you their strength will increase, I think."
Grinning as she stepped back, Mari then walked to the starting line in the center.
"What a troublesome fella..."
She's probably the type who would seek chaos in order and bring about order in chaos, thought Tatsuya.
To a person living in tranquility, she's a troublemaker.
While letting out his first sigh at his human relationships which were filled with remarkable ups and downs ever since entering this school, he opened his CAD case.
The black attaché case contained a pair of CADs in the shape of handguns.
He took out one of them, pulled out a cartridge shape from the place where a magazine would be lodged into a real gun, and exchanged it for something else.
Except for Miyuki, everyone watched him intently with deep interest.
"Sorry for the wait."
"Do you always carry additional storage cartridges with you?"