Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei - Volume 08 - Reminiscence Chapter

by Sato Tsutomu

But it seemed that Sakurai could tell Tatsuya’s thoughts.

  "That is something that I decided, not because I was ordered, but of my own free will."

  Tatsuya frantically tried using ‘Regrowth’, but soon realised it was futile.

  Even though he could rewind material matter, his power was helpless to turn back the clock of life.

  "Won’t you let go?"

  Sakurai murmured to Tatsuya in a sweet voice.

  "I, who never once had the chance to freely choose in my life, am finally free to choose how I die. I won’t let this chance pass. I can finally choose to die not as a man-made tool, but as a person."

  Never in his dreams had Tatsuya thought Sakurai carried such darkness in her heart.

  But unexpectedly even to him, there was no surprise.

  "So, won’t you let me go?"

  At Sakurai’s words, Tatsuya could only nod silently.

  With a look of peace, Sakurai closed her eyes.

  Gradually, she stopped breathing.

  Next to them, Sanada began to chant sutras.

  Kazama placed a hand on Tatsuya’s shoulder.

  While carrying that hand, Tatsuya stood up.

  There were no tears in his eyes.

  Curiously, the feelings of sorrow had lifted from Tatsuya’s heart.

  Hearing Sakurai Honami’s last words, he was convinced there was no need to grieve.

  —Tatsuya at that time did not know that it was actually possible to convince grief away, and that it would be the one time he would do so.

  Chapter 17

  November 6th, AD 2095 / Yotsuba Main House - Sunroom

  Possibly because there have been a lot incidents today that have reminded him of the events of three years ago.

  Tatsuya thought about Sakurai Honami, who he hadn’t thought about in a long time.

  The memories were laced with regret.

  Nevertheless, he knew he could do nothing more than regret and understand.

  Besides, if she hadn’t sacrificed herself, Tatsuya might not have considered polishing his magic combat skills or doing anything else with the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion.

  This last time he had been able to end it without anyone else being sacrificed.

  His experiences three years ago had not been in vain. Tatsuya could comfort himself with that.

  And he dedicated a silent prayer deep in his heart to the woman who nobly sacrificed herself as a shield three years ago.

  —That was probably what made the shock unreasonably large.

  Upon sight of the face of the girl holding the tea and cakes, Tatsuya came dangerously close to raising his voice.

  "…Would you like something?"

  "No, thank you."

  The one who was questioned by that girl was Miyuki.

  Her shock was showing in a more extreme fashion that Tatsuya’s.

  That was not unreasonable.

  The face of the girl in the servant’s uniform and Sakurai Honami’s were like two peas in a pod.

  The girl and her fellow servant had not quite left when Maya showed herself in the sunroom.

  Hayama did not accompany her.

  This gathering was probably to be private.

  Tatsuya was permitted to take a seat for that same reason.

  "What is it Miyuki-san? You look like something gave you a shock, but..."

  As she lowered herself to sit, Maya questioned Miyuki with a worried expression.

  She appeared to be a different person than the one who had had a confrontation with Tatsuya; it was the normal face of Yotsuba Maya.

  "No…Oba-sama, that girl just now?"

  "Ah, Minami-chan?"

  When she heard Miyuki’s question, Maya gave a slight nod of understanding.

  "Her name is Sakurai Minami. A second generation Sakura series, the girl is more than the genetic niece of the Guardian who served your mother, Sakurai Honami."

  By second generation she meant a person who had a genetically modified magician as a parent.

  And the phrase 'more than the genetic niece' probably meant that Honami and the girl’s mother who also possesses a first generation modified body have the same DNA.

  That was the reason their features were the spitting image of each other.

  "The girl is already quite skilled. I think her potential abilities are on par with the Saegusa twins. I have been thinking of training her to become Miyuki-san’s Guardian sometime in the future. Since once she becomes an adult there will be situations where a female guard is necessary."

  Miyuki by and large understood Maya’s official point.

  Certainly, for Miyuki who is female to have only a male, Tatsuya, as guard causes inconvenient situations.

  However, just a little while ago, Tatsuya was informed of Maya’s true purpose; fortifying an additional layer of protection against some possible moment in the future of havoc and destruction. If he was being told to use a girl with the same face as ‘Her’ as a tool, then this could only end in conflict.

  —At that moment, he had no way of predicting the havoc and destruction to come.

  Chapter 18

  August 17th, AD 2092 / Okinawa - Naha Airport

  While listening to the announcements of plane arrivals and departures, I was recalling the events of six days ago.

  After Sakurai-san went to be Onii-sama’s guard, the person who manipulated the screen for us disappeared; so I could only see what happened next from the images streaming on the news.

  Suddenly, at the water line a light brighter than the sun erupted.

  In the middle of that light, the enemy ship vanished.

  The transformed terrain of the beach was washed by breaking waves.

  It was an anthem of victory.

  That was the official report shared with us and the world in general afterward.

  What was not shared with the world is the truth known only to us, what we were told is that the light that destroyed the enemy was made by the power of Onii-sama.

  The transformation of mass into energy, the enormous energy that burned everything into nothing is the strategic class magic ‘Material Burst’ wielded by a strategic class magician. That indeed is the true power of Onii-sama, the name of its true form.

  The one hailed as a hero for driving away the enemy is Onii-sama.

  And also the sad event only we know of.

  Afterward, Sakurai-san never returned.

  At the joint funeral service for the victims, the cremated remains of Sakurai-san were in accordance with her will completely scattered into the ocean.

  The one who returned Sakurai-san to Mother Ocean was Onii-sama.

  Onii-sama never showed pain in his face.

  He gently comforted me who broke down crying.

  Onii-sama might not be sad. Or else it might be that he could not become sad.

  No, it does not matter which one it is.

  Because I have decided.

  While watching Sakurai-san become ashes, I had an insight.

  I, at that time, had died once.

  I lost the life that Okaa-sama gave me; I received a new life from Onii-sama.

  Therefore, all that I am belongs to Onii-sama.

  "Miyuki, it is about time to get inside."

  "Yes, Onii-sama."

  When Onii-sama called out to me, I stood up off of the sofa in the lounge.

  Okaa-sama no longer makes a face when I refer to him as ‘Onii-sama’. The truth is that I think it probably still pains her. However, I no longer worry about Okaa-sama’s feelings concerning it.

  As usual, Onii-sama is handling all of our luggage and only he is in commercial class, but that no longer troubles me.

  Because after all Onii-sama says that he prefers it.

  Because Onii-sama’s wishes are absolute.

  I took the hand of Okaa-sama who is not in perfect physical condition and trailed after Onii-sama.

  For now, there are still words that are not spoken. Words that cannot be spoken.

>   Nevertheless, I have already decided.

  —Onii-sama, no matter where you go, no matter how far; I, Miyuki, am going with you—

  Untouchable — The Nightmare of 2062

  The eldest daughter of the Yotsuba Clan, Yotsuba Miya, gazed at the western sky from the window of her own room with her childish face clouded. She is currently twelve years old. She just became a middle school student this April, yet the anguish on her face is unsuited for her age.

  She is fretting about her younger twin sister, whose whereabouts are unknown, Yotsuba Maya. Three days before, she was kidnapped by anonymous perpetrators in Taipei when she was visiting as part of a cultural exchange program sponsored by the Asian branch of the International Magic Federation. That this was not a disappearance due to unknown reasons, but rather, a violent abduction, was obvious to anyone. Because Saegusa Koichi, who was visiting Taipei with Maya, is suffering from lacerations and broken bones in his right hand and right leg and the loss of his right eye due to his battle during the kidnapping.

  Koichi's condition is still worrisome. After all, Koichi is not only her younger sister's boyfriend, but also her fiancé. Rather than Koichi, who was severely injured while escaping the abductor's grasp, her worries were naturally more concentrated on Maya, who the kidnappers had made off with. To be honest, she was gripped more by feelings of anger and bitterness toward Koichi than feelings of worry. He brazenly returned alone from his cowardice while her sister was taken away.

  She understood that it was not Koichi's fault. To require such a thing from a mere fourteen-year old boy was cruel and, from looking at the situation, the criminals placed more importance on Maya. It could be said that Koichi got entangled in Maya's kidnapping and was left with one eye for all eternity. Nevertheless, she was not at an age where reason could overcome emotion. Since the identity of the abductors had not been attained yet, it was all she could do to keep her anger from bursting free.

  Unexpectedly, she felt a fuss in the corridor. Quicker than a knock could be made, Miya turned toward the door.

  "Pardon me."

  The voice of Maya's personal maid trembled with such violence as it passed through the door — it seemed like she was shrieking. These past three days, panicked voices and excited voices could be heard throughout the mansion, but there was something a little different about this tone compared to the others — something like hope was mixed in it.

  "Please enter."

  As a reply, Miya opened the door in the twinkling of an eye. Even so, she did not do anything as vulgar as rushing into the crowd of servants employed by the Yotsuba family in the room. Before crossing the frame of the doorway, she vigorously shook her body. Still, impatience could not be kept off her face and her feelings of impatience returned at the same time.

  "Maya-sama has been rescued!"

  Upon hearing those words, Miya's mind went blank. Miya could not remember what she did after that. When she became aware of herself again, she was approaching the head of the Yotsuba Family, her father, Yotsuba Genzou.

  "Otou-sama! I have been told that Maya has been found; is it true!?"

  In the conference room that the family elders use for meetings, Miya interrogated her father under the intent gazes of the aunts, uncles, and other elder relatives.

  "It's true. I have just received word from Juuzou."

  "From Oji-sama of the Kuroba?"

  As she heard that, an expression of pure relief arose on Miya's face. Kuroba is the branch family in charge of supervising the intelligence division of the Yotsuba Clan. Kuroba Juuzou, in addition to being the head of that branch family, is Genzou's brother in law. If word had come from Juuzou, then there could be no room for doubt.

  Even so, Miya soon found a reason to feel indignant, and once again she confronted her father.

  "Why was I not informed!"

  "I don't understand what you mean. Didn't I just inform you as soon as possible?"

  "Do not try to fool me please! I have been told that Maya was rescued today, which means that as of yesterday at the very latest, you probably knew the criminal's true identity! Why did you not tell me this!?"

  "Because telling you would be meaningless."

  "Wha...!?"

  "Telling you would've been meaningless. Or do you believe that you would've been able to help save Maya?"

  "I would have..."

  Miya snapped her mouth shut with regret. Certainly, she was still a child; Miya understood that herself. Even if she had been told where Maya was being held, she could have done nothing. Nevertheless due to her blood ties, she felt that she should have been told the whereabouts of her younger sister, right? A whirlpool of bile swirled within Miya's heart.

  "I believed not telling you was for the best."

  However with her father's next words, the bile was pushed aside by a premonition of dark clouds on the horizon.

  "Although I do not wish to tell you this, Miya, brace yourself."

  It seemed like he had something awful to relate to her. Something terrible had happened to Maya. Miya's heart was no longer trembling from a premonition but from a conviction. An impulse to cover her ears assailed Miya's heart but, as her father told her to, she girded her nerves and prepared herself for her father's next words.

  "Maya was found in Quanzhou[20]."

  "Dahan's..."[21]

  Dahan is a portion of the southern half of China that, after the world was beset by a firestorm of outbreaks of warfare, was quickly able to break away and establish itself as an independent nation. The Great Asian Alliance has been dominating the northern part of China continent and the Korean peninsula since two years before, and has taken possession of Tsushima[22] half a year ago. Since then Japan and Dahan, although not formal allies, had shared a common enemy in the Great Asian Alliance and had cooperated militarily.

  "Maya had been imprisoned in a research laboratory placed in Quanzhou that is a subdivision of the Kunlunfang Institute[23]."

  Miya's face quickly paled. Kunlunfang Institute is Dahan's magician development group. The evil rumors of that place would not die any more than the ones about The Fourth Institute which the Yotsuba are now the actual masters of, but are entirely different. The content of those rumors with regards to females is so bad that Miya could not bear to hear them fully.

  "Maya is suffering from deep wounds. The damage to her body is also severe, but I am more worried about the wounds to her spirit..."

  The tone of Genzou's voice, which until then had been level while he spoke, went wild. Sounds similar to teeth grinding in anger and cries of pain were mixed in his words. A rage that could not be appeased by teeth grinding, a sorrow that howling in pain would not abate.

  That prompted in Miya the feeling that the worst was yet to come.

  "Maya has been used as a human guinea pig for experimentation."

  "How terrible!?"

  "It was an experiment in magician manufacturing. It was not merely a scientific experiment. The truth is—"

  "That's enough!"

  No matter how prepared she had decided to be, any more than this would be unbearable for Miya. To hear any more of what happened to her younger sister would be too much.

  She glared at her father with eyes full of tears. Miya widened her eyes and let tears flow from both eyes.

  From both of her father's hands, blood was flowing from his own fingernails which he was digging into his own flesh.

  Miya averted her face. After she did so, she saw her uncle's face. Fury swirled in her uncle's eyes. She looked at the opposite side. The people who are cousin to her father housed raging hatred in their pupils.

  "Miya, there is something only you can do."

  "—Yes."

  Miya took numerous deep breaths to calm herself. Everyone is outraged on her younger sister's behalf. It was a minor balm, but it allowed herself to recover her sanity.

  "Maya is locked inside herself. While her eyes are open, she does not respond to anyone's voice. She does nothing out of her o
wn will, she does not even respond when we treat her wounds."

  Miya firmly ground her back molars. She did so to hold back the urge to scream.

  "Miya, take away everything she felt for the past three days from Maya's mind with your magic."

  Miya closed her eyes and took one huge deep breath.

  "If it is something that can be done, I believe it is something I too wish to do."

  Miya's voice was flat with little emotion in it. By crushing her feelings, Miya was finally able to voice a reply.

  "But, my magic is manipulation of the structure of self. There is no way to take away memories by changing the structure of self."

  She had no power to take away memories.

  "Not take away her memories. If she was aware that her memories were taken, I doubt she could maintain her sanity. What we would have in our midst would be like a ticking bomb that could go off at any time."

  Genzou also understood that Miya could not wipe out memories. Still, he ordered her to do it.

  "Don't take away the memories, separate the feelings from the memories. The memories of things people have done themselves naturally have emotions attached to them. Reconstruct 'the experiential memories' into 'informational memories'."

  Don't take away the memory, take away the sense of reality from it.

  "But Otou-sama, I cannot do such a precise operation. Although I could transmute all 'the experiential memories' Maya possesses into 'informational memories', reconstructing only those three days into 'informational memories'... manipulating 'memory' in such a way is something that is impossible for me."

  Miya looked away as she answered. The rightness of what her father ordered, Miya understood with an acuity beyond that of a child. For that reason, her inability to do so with her power vexed her.

  "Then change all of Maya's 'experiences' into 'information'."

  "But that!?"

  Miya stared at her father with disbelieving eyes. Nevertheless, Genzou did not flinch even a little from the utmost censure he received from his daughter.

  "Miya, I understand your feelings. I myself am aware of the regret and guilt I will feel by taking away Maya's recollections. Even so, the way things are, Maya's spirit will definitely be destroyed."