by Sato Tsutomu
Why is it……when he’s with other people, he shows such a wide variety of expressions?
"Is something the matter?"
"No……it’s just I didn’t expect to be guided by an officer. Also, I thought that this was an air force base[11]."
Hearing my brother’s words, the corners of Sanada-san’s mouth twitched. It felt like he had warmed up to us a little.
"It seems you have some familiarity with the military, don’t you."
"My martial arts master was once in the army."
"Ahh, I see……well, the reason an army technology officer is in an air force base is because my specialty is rather unique, and we’re lacking those here. The reason your guidance isn’t being left to a noncom is……because we were expecting you, I suppose."
Lieutenant Sanada smiled affably as he spoke. He wasn’t particularly handsome, but his features had a certain charm which would put anyone at ease.
However for some reason my brother seemed to go on guard upon seeing that smile.
Sanada-san led us into a high-ceiling gymnasium. By gymnasium, I refer to the fact that that's the closest impression I could think of, and it’s possible that it has a different name altogether.
From the ceiling which was probably about five stories hung a large number of ropes, from which many soldiers were climbing up to the ceiling then jumping off. They wore no parachutes. It was doubtful whether a parachute would have done any good at this height, but normally speaking fractures would be the least of their problems.
This technique is Acceleration Systematic Magic - Deceleration, is it……
There were probably around 50 people.
All the soldiers getting on then off the ropes were magicians.
The level of this skill wasn’t particularly high, but it’s extremely unlikely that was all they teach magicians at this base. For so many magicians to be in one regional base……this is truly the frontline border.
I can also see the bad soldier, err, Lance Corporal Higaki.
So that person was a magician……
Captain Kazama was waiting for us. I can understand that he knew we were coming based on him sending Sanada-san to pick us up, but I didn’t think he’d go as far as to leave supervision of training to a subordinate while waiting.
No—he hadn’t been waiting for ‘us’, but rather, my brother.
"Coming this early, can I interpret this as an interest in the military?"
With a clumsy smile on his rugged face, Captain Kazama spoke to my brother.
"I do have some interest. However, I have not decided on whether I want to become a soldier."
"Well, that’s to be expected. You’re still a junior high student right?"
His wording different from yesterday, I felt that he had some ulterior motives—although that may be a bit harsh.
"Just recently."
"You should be around 12, no, 13 right? Though, you’re a pretty cool customer."
"I am 13."
At the Captain’s question, my brother gave a safe answer. I couldn’t help feel a sense of surprise, but I immediately put it down to my misplaced beliefs.
My brother was an honor student at school. Not only in primary, but even in the junior high he had just entered, in everything unrelated to magic he was a prodigy all the way.
He couldn’t really be said to be sociable even as flattery, but he’s been relied on in numerous situations by both classmates and juniors, and even once by a teacher.
If he had been born into a family unconnected to magic.
If he hadn’t been the nephew of the Yotsuba family head.
If he wasn’t Okaa-sama’s son.
If he wasn’t my brother.
…There’s no point thinking about this, is there.
It’s the same as thinking, what if I didn’t have ‘Yotsuba’ Miya’s blood in me.
While I was lost in thought, at some point, it was asked if we’d like to participate in the rope climbing training. Obviously not me, but my brother.
"No, I’m not that good at magic."
Hearing him refer to himself in the first person ‘I’, my back tingled. Was that a caution from Okaa-sama, to seem normal?
It doesn’t really suit him……no wait, that’s not the point!
"Um, how did you know about Nii-san?"
Again, that strong aversion when attempting to speak the word ‘Nii-san’.
Why?
When it’s such an indisputable fact that this person is my brother.
"How did you know he was a magician?"
But seizing up in a place like this would be too unnatural.
More than that, this is important to me.
Normally, my brother does not wear a CAD. Of course, he does not carry traditional aids like charms or vájra either.
Both Okaa-sama and I carried mobile terminal CADs, so over these four days, the only one who conspicuously dressed as and could be told to be a magician should be Sakurai-san.
Don’t tell me, we’re being observed……?
"……Just somehow, I guess."
Captain Kazama seemed to be surprised at being asked a question by me, and with a serious expression gave a decidedly seemingly not serious answer.
Just somehow, the heck’s that?
Is he trying to dodge the question!?
"It’s not like I’m trying to hide anything here."
—!?
At that timing, almost as if he’d read my mind, my face stiffened.
"Having seen countless hundreds of mages, it’s like I can read the air about them now. Whether they’re magicians or not. Whether they’re strong or weak."
It’s no good, I thought, I can’t stop the unrest from showing on my expression.
"By the way, why would you ask such a thing?"
This is bad……!
My sensitive reaction had aroused suspicion.
Even though I had been told by Okaa-sama to keep my relationship with the Yotsuba under wraps.
"I’m sorry, my sister has always been sensitive about my poor magic……she’s more nervous than usual."
—To me who had lost my focus and didn’t know what to do next, my brother became my shield.
"Is that so. You’ve a good sister."
"Thank you. She is my pride."
"Haha, you get along so well. I’m jealous."
I could hear only biting sarcasm in his words..
But my brother had no such intentions.
He had only helped me because I had been in trouble.
I’m not so distorted as to not understand that.
But why was he so concerned?
Even though my struggling for a reply was no concern of his as a Guardian.
Even though keeping the secret of the Yotsuba held no benefit for my brother.
Even though it’d only be me who would be scolded.
So why would he cover me as normal siblings would, as a brother protects his sister……?
Chapter 10
November 6th, AD 2095 / Yotsuba Main House - Drawing room
"Still, a far greater enigma than ever expected."
In his conversation with Tatsuya, Kazama dropped a line seemingly without context, yet Miyuki picked it up immediately.
"You understood?"
"Just who do you think I am?"
Tatsuya, bowing lightly with a wry smile, expressed his apologies to Kazama.
"I didn’t realise until I had been invited on site……but barring the field hospitals on the front lines, I had seldom sensed the smell of death so densely before."
At Kazama’s straightforward evaluation, Miyuki involuntarily raised her eyebrows.
At that likely unconscious change in his sister’s expression, Tatsuya thought ‘no wonder’.
"That’s because this is the site of the infamous ‘Fourth Institute’."
"The site of the deathly[12] Magic Ability Development Fourth Institute huh……just looking at the building here now, there’s no way to
tell."
During the rise of modern magic, just as in other developed countries, many research and development institutions sprang up dealing with magicians. 10 numbered institutes were set up, and now half of them are still operating. The remaining half, as rights for magicians started to pick up, were closed down one by one for inhumane research amongst other reasons.
Amongst even these was the institute whose research was whispered to have disregarded human life and humanity itself, the Fourth Institute of Magician Development, or the ‘Fourth Institute’.
Due to the confidentiality surrounding both the Fourth Institute and its research, not even its location had ever been publicly disclosed, only an announcement that it was to be shut down.
The center of the former Fourth Institute was located right in the basement of the Yotsuba main house.
The products of the Fourth Institute, the magicians they developed, were designated only with the number ‘Four’—the Yotsuba.
Magicians with the letter four in their family name, aside from the Yotsuba, are known to include the ‘Yomo’, ‘Shihoudou’, and ‘Watanuki’. But they are unconnected to the Ten Master Houses and the 18 auxiliary houses.
"All their research facilities are in the basement after all. It’s not just this house, but all the houses of this village were disguised parts of the Fourth Institute’s faculties."
"So it seems. The first time I knew about it three years ago, I was quite shocked as well."
"Well, the ground facilities are still used in order to test a magician’s performance, and the martial arts gym especially sees much use…… the smell of death the Major still senses, are most likely now the bodies of the magicians who didn’t make the cut."
"And so are the Guardians of the Yotsuba tempered, literally side by side with death. I see, so that’s why you people need so little training after joining the military; even the children are formidable."
The first time Miyuki had heard, she had actually blocked her ears.
Now, she is able to face the truth.
But even now, the pain which runs through her chest hasn’t disappeared.
She will never be able to get used to this pain.
She herself hoped that the day she can simply accept such pain will never come.
Chapter 11
August 6th, AD 2092 / Okinawa - Onna Air Force base
Soon after our tour had begun, the rope training ended.
After the rope training was grappling. It may have been of interest to those with an affinity for martial arts, but for someone like me who doesn’t even grasp the difference between kenpo and karate, I got bored rather quickly.
At this rate, with us simply spectating, there’s no way I will be able to grasp my brother’s true abilities.
Maybe I could simply excuse myself early…… nope, no good. I’m not supposed to separate myself from my brother, and even if I did then it defeats the purpose of having come here anyway. Not to mention, it would simply be too rude. It’d be good if it’s somehow possible to get into a situation where that person joins in the training……
There’s no way he could have read my thoughts.
"Shiba-kun, you’re pretty bored just watching aren’t you? Want to have a go?"
With that invitation from Captain Kazama, that person looked over at me.
"I guess so, we came all this way so why not?"
Just now……the fact that I was bored, did he see through me?
Poof, the blood rushed to my head.
How mean, how mean, how meean!
Why did he have to go notice something he totally didn’t need to notice!
—That person didn’t so much as crack a smile, yet here you are having such a childish fit, my inner voice of reason admonished.
But my feelings continued to denounce him.
Ni, Nii-san you idiot, you should at least give me a reason to get mad at you!
Even in my monologue, the uncomfortable sense of resistance at calling him ‘Nii-san’ didn’t completely disappear.
In the first place, truthfully speaking, that term would have been a more appropriate term of address for him, or so it should be.
So just why……?
It seems I still don’t fully understand my own heart.
The partner called up for my brother was a sergeant of medium build looking to be in his late twenties or early thirties.
"Shiba-kun, there’s no need to go easy. Back when he was a student, Sergeant Toguchi’s boxing skills were on the nationals level."
Even without magic, he was good enough for nationals?
Sliding on his toes without stepping, closing the distance in small increments, his stance felt more like karate than boxing. I wonder if this is Okinawa’s boxing style? Or is it the Air Force’s?
While I was distracted by such speculations, the match was over in an instant.
The time it takes to process thought. In that one moment, my brother struck out with his right arm.
That was an image born from results.
What I really saw was my brother somehow suddenly appearing right next to Sergeant Toguchi, with his right arm extended.
The Sergeant collapsed without a sound onto his knees, somehow spared from falling over any further than that.
"Toguchi!"
One of the watching soldiers ran up in a hurry, and proceeded to administer (I think) first aid to the sweating Sergeant.
Still standing where he was, my brother lightly bowed.
Despite his face showing respect for the opponent he had defeated, it also gave off the impression he was somehow flaunting his victory.
"This, this is……"
Next to me, Captain Kazama was muttering. Lieutenant Sanada was speechless, staring with wide eyes.
"Corporal Haebaru!"
"Sir!"
At the Captain’s call, a well spirited soldier looking to be in his mid 20s stepped forth.
The man was slimmer than the Sergeant, but there was no impression of frailty whatsoever; he had the image of a knife forged through fire and water, hammered and whetted, until everything unneeded was chipped away and all impurities removed: simply sharp.
"Do not even think of holding back. Go with your full power!"
"Yessir!"
Simultaneous with his answer, Corporal Haebaru pounced on my brother.
That’s insane!
There’s no way you can match a soldier who has fought on the frontlines against a 13 year old boy!
Intending to shout out ‘stop!’ I opened my mouth.
But the actual words never came.
Sighs of admiration could be heard coming from here and there from the audience
That person was fending off the Corporal’s onslaught without any hint of being in danger.
Punches and kicks sent out at a speed blurry to the eye, were being intercepted at an even greater speed.
Not by a little, but by quite a bit.
"It’s like he has fought real battles before. That interval is the space you’d allow in case the opponent is holding something back."
"Seems like it."
I didn’t understand even half of the conversation between the Captain and the Lieutenant, but even my untrained eyes could perceive that my brother had the upper hand.
There was no room for mistaking the Corporal’s expression.
Even as he attacked, he was desperate.
Ah!
That person counterattacked.
But the Corporal was no slouch either.
After intercepting my brother’s punches right, left, right, left, from the now exposed flank, a counter—!?
I almost involuntarily closed my eyes, but a part of myself calmly told me ‘there is no need’.
There’s no way that person would be taken out by attacks of this calibre, or such.
The moment it seemed that the Corporal had caught hold of my brother, my brother had already slipped past to the Corporal’s side.
That person
’s right hand extended, and grabbed the Corporal’s right sleeve near the top of the elbow.
Yanking the Corporal my brother halted his own motion, at the same time turning Corporal Haebaru around so that his side was exposed.
Without a sound, my brother struck out with his right elbow.
With a groan, the Corporal staggered forwards two, three steps.
The Captain’s shout of ‘that’s enough!’ was the signal to end.
Now receiving treatment, Corporal Haebaru shook hands with that person, as people crowded around them.
As the praise showered down, the Captain cut in admist the throng.
In the gap left in his wake, I followed after the Captain.
"Winning against Corporal Haebaru is quite the feat. He’s one of the strongest in the unit, you know?"
The one who said this was Lieutenant Sanada.
"I truly didn’t expect this degree of skill. Did you receive some form of special training?"
Captain Kazama swept over my brother with discerning eyes.
"No, nothing special in that sense. In terms of my strength, there’s a dojo at our mother’s place, and I train there."
"Hmm……"
While he didn’t seem completely satisfied, the Captain nodded, appearing to say ‘I won’t pry any further for now’.
"But at this rate, the honour of the Onna Airborne Corps will be crushed……will you consent to one more match?"
Instead of prying, the Captain said something rather selfish. The one who had invited my brother to participate was the Captain himself. And yet, now that his men had been defeated he went and said something like ‘losing honour’.
Saying that he must have a match in such a selfish way, just how far is this going to go?
I tried to gently refuse the Captain’s offer.
Since my brother is my escort, I had the right to refuse. I thought that.
"Please, allow me!"
But I was one step too slow.
Interrupting me, a voice I knew called out. It was a voice I had heard recently.
"Lance Corporal Higaki—if this is for the sake of revenge, I will have to refuse you."
"It is not revenge, it is vindication!"