Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei - Volume 05 - Summer Holiday Chapter Read online

  "Id-i-ot. George and I don’t have that kind of relationship."

  In response to Akane’s negative statement, Masaki started to raise his voice without thinking but he restrained himself.

  "Who are you calling idiot! Humph, you can only afford to act like that now. Since friendship is fleeting in the face of love."

  "Lo-Love!? Akane, you’re way too precocious for an elementary student!"

  "Don’t mock elementary students!? What about you Niisan, you’re already a high school student and you don’t have a girlfriend!"

  "Akane, there are things you shouldn’t say…!"

  "Both of you are too loud."

  "Ruri!? You don’t speak like that to your elder sister!"

  "My my, Masaki, Akane, Ruri, all of you settle down. Why don’t we enjoy our food?"

  Participating in such an uninhibited conversation was not something Kichijouji could do.

  He took care not to let his envy show and also made sure no one realized his smile was fake so that he could look at the happy circle of the Ichijou family with what looked like a happy face.

  —Because she could see he was acting like an outsider, the next words came from Akane’s mouth.

  "I’ve got it, Kichijouji should live here."

  "Oh, Akane. Great idea."

  Kichijouji did not have time to break in — the next blow came from Midori.

  "Yes, it is! This house has too many unused rooms. Hey, Shinkurou-kun, get out of the dorm and stay at our house."

  "No, there’s no way I could put myself in your debt so much…"

  Kichijouji wasn’t merely being polite, these were his true feelings. No, there was an unmistakable element of politeness, but he was not just refusing for form’s sake — this was a genuine polite refusal.

  "Shinkurou-kun, wouldn’t it be better to say yes?"

  Since she was sincere, Midori’s saying such a thing only made Kichijouji more uncomfortable. It wasn’t that he hated the idea of living with the Ichijou family, rather, it was because a part of him found it enticing that he was confused over how to refuse.

  If Masaki hadn’t thrown him a lifeline, Kichijouji might have been overwhelmed by Midori.

  "Kaa-san… Akane aside, please stop saying such things that make George uncomfortable. This matter was discussed enough two years ago, right?"

  Right. The subject of staying with the Ichijou family had also come up two years ago. He had refused it himself and chosen to continue living in the dorms — thanks to Masaki’s assistance, he remembered that close call.

  "I’m sorry, Midori-san."

  Since it had been impressed on him in various ways that he should not call her anything like Oba-san, "Midori-san" spun easily out of Kichijouji’s mouth.

  "I can’t become more indebted to you, it would be too painful, and it is often convenient to be in a dorm that is attached to a laboratory."

  The latter half of his statement was in no way a lie. Third High School was at the former site of the first laboratory of the Kanazawa Magic Research Institute, which is the research institute Kichijouji was attached to and the place he also discovered the "Cardinal Code" at. The dorm built at that site had facilities to conduct experiments late at night and designed so that no one had to "sleep in a huddle in the hallway" to conduct research and HD panels with convenient supplies for emergencies.

  But that was an add-on, an additional reason; the first part, "I can’t become more indebted to you" expressed Kichijouji’s true feelings.

  "Really? …If you change your mind, you can move in anytime. We would not think of it as any trouble at all."

  Midori saw Kichijouji’s attitude toward this matter as his usual stubbornness and did not persist in inviting him further. Akane was a little unhappy, but she stopped with making a face; she might have realized that twisting Kichijouji’s arm any further would ruin his mood.

  While Kichijouji was relieved that Midori and Akane had eased off, he worried that he might have caused his benefactors, the Ichijou family, to feel depressed. But although he was dependent on the kindness of Midori, Akane, and the others, there were some emotions within his heart that he could do nothing about.

  —Three years prior, acting in conjunction with the Great Asian Alliance’s invasion of Okinawa, the New Soviet Union invaded Sado. Even now, the New Soviet Union denied participating in the invasion; however, without a doubt those troops belonged to that nation.

  The invading troops were only a small detachment of the overall invasion force. However, even so, that was enough military power to quash the Island of Sado. Kichijouji, who was living on Sado at the time, became a war orphan with the loss of his father and mother in that conflict.

  Both of Kichijouji’s parents had also been magic researchers. At that time on Sado, there was a facility dedicated to experiments to clarify the nature of psions using below ground impressions; both Kichijouji’s father and mother worked at that facility. It was said that the facility was the target of the New Soviet Union’s invading troops. The research facility bore the brunt of the invading army’s surprise attack; over half of the employees got caught in the battle between the invaders and defenders and lost their lives.

  A mere single day of tragedy. On that day, at 10AM, he received word that unidentified troops were invading in a surprise attack; Kichijouji had been unable to contact his parents, and he had been evacuated to a shelter near his school under the guidance of the staff of his middle school.

  Although he prayed for his parent’s safety inside the shelter, Kichijouji had already been mature enough to have a realistic premonition of disaster.

  However, Kichijouji was still childish enough at the time to tremble, feeling powerless, forgetting that he had magic of his own as a weapon.

  The ones who rescued Kichijouji, who had squatted in the shelter enduring the terror, were a heroic group of volunteer soldiers spearheaded by the Ichijou clan—

  That time was not the only time they had saved him from terrifying peril.

  Masaki’s father, Gouki, also pulled some strings to allow him to intern at a magic theory research institute while he was still a mere first year middle school student. With both his parents dying simultaneously and having no other relatives, Kichijouji, who would have had to enter one of the infamous orphanages for magicians, had a place to live and the means to pay for his expenses thanks to the Ichijou clan. This was not just a belief of Kichijouji, this was an objective fact.

  Soon after entering the research institute, his unique natural talents as a magic researcher blossomed and by his deed of discovering "the Cardinal Code," he had repaid that favor — no, Kichijouji would never be able to forget that act of kindness. He should never consider himself finished with paying that favor.

  Kichijouji had decided in his heart to make repaying the Ichijou clan for their support a mission he would spend his whole life doing.

  For he himself to become a member of the Ichijou family, even as a simple lodger, was something too astounding for Kichijouji to contemplate.

  ◊ ◊ ◊

  With Kichijouji employed as her home tutor, who would come once a week, Akane’s good humor was restored. The debits and credits of this transaction made a one sided minus on Kichijouji’s side but he was not the least bit dissatisfied. Instead, having an excuse to visit the family once a week made him unconsciously joyous.

  The meal ended, Kichijouji went and collected his things from Masaki’s room and made bows in the Ichijou foyer.

  "Thank you, for the delicious meal."

  "No no, it was not all that great. I am sorry. It is gracious of you to say you liked it."

  "Don’t be ridiculous. I like Midori-san’s home cooking."

  "Oh, really, thank you."

  It definitely took a while for Midori to release him from the demurring battle.

  "Kaa-san, you need to get back soon. Aren’t Akane and Ruri waiting?"

  Masaki’s two younger sisters were in the midst of cleaning up after the
meal. Kichijouji thought it would have been alright to leave washing dishes and the rest to a HAR (Home Automation Robot), but under Midori’s policy of "I’d be too embarrassed to let a daughter of mine leave the house to become a bride, if she can’t even do this much", the girls did a daily chore rotation of cooking, cleaning, and laundry.

  "Oh, that’s true. Then Shinkurou-kun, come over to play again."

  "Yes, I promised Akane-chan I’d do that."

  Since they could not see Kichijouji to the front door, the sisters conducted their goodbye rituals in the dining room (dining hall suited the room better).

  Akane had been tedious about reminding him about the matter of home tutoring until Kichijouji’s words and the false gaiety of Midori’s mood sent her into the kitchen.

  "It was awful of me to force you to stay so late."

  "Don’t worry about it. It’s summer vacation."

  Kichijouji laughed and shook his head at Masaki who was worn out by the thanking.

  "At any rate, I’d have been alone if I’d gone back to the dorm — it was fun."

  "Really, I’m relieved to hear you say that."

  Masaki knew that even though it was summer vacation, Kichijouji had his hands full with the reports for both the Thesis Competition and the research institute’s reports, so he didn’t have much free time. Despite knowing that, Masaki had still invited Kichijouji. Actually, the statement of ‘it was fun’ had eased Masaki’s mind greatly.

  "I’ll come again on Saturday."

  "…It’s okay to not worry about what Akane said."

  "There no way I could possibly do that."

  As he watched his friend’s apparent rivalry with his younger sister, a snigger nearly leaked out against his better judgment.

  "I won’t be just coming to be Akane-chan’s home tutor, I have to serve as your opponent for simulation games, Masaki."

  Masaki’s lips formed in to a "へ" syllable, as memories of the beginning and end of today’s simulation game overwhelmed him. Kichijouji knew that just from watching him. Therefore, as it’s said, Kichijouji didn’t do anything else to drive Masaki into a corner and they proceeded in that fashion.

  "Hey, George, I’ve been thinking a little."

  Nevertheless, it was called to a halt from Masaki’s side.

  "What’s up, something important?"

  "No, not all that important matter, but..."

  While he introduced it like that, Masaki’s face did not have any trace of levity in it.

  "Concerning that conversation, the problem of situational judgment."

  "Hmm, that problem."

  "Whether to advance, to retreat, or to maintain the course… the discussion was about instant decision making on a single combat level; I don’t see how strategic simulation games have much to do with that."

  "That’s not true. It’s important to develop what’s called an eye for opportunities, and squad combat and single combat are not all that different in the essentials."

  "Even if you say so, instant judgment is a reflexive and intuitive thing, right? In order to cultivate a tactical eye for single combat, I still believe the best way is to partake in a multitude of mock combat…"

  "Masaki… the loss in Monolith Code to First High School was somewhat due to the single combat tactics within the framework of the overall strategy. Polishing a squad level tactical eye is absolutely indispensable."

  "But for squad tactics, isn’t getting the opinion of a competent staff officer more important?"

  "Ahh… it’s true about staff officers, but..."

  Taking Kichijouji’s hesitation as assent, Masaki mysteriously sported a bright, shiny sparkling smile.

  "Then there’s no problem. Because I have George to be a competent staff officer for me."

  This surprise attack inflicted great damage on Kichijouji.

  To Kichijouji, Masaki’s statement was an excessively sweet blow.

  Kichijouji needed tremendous strength of will to stiffen his face and keep his smile from falling off.

  "…Flattery won’t work, Masaki. Making decisions on the strategic ideas the staff officers offer is the duty of the general to whom they report to."

  Masaki's furious mutters as they parted informed him that there was no way he was being flattered but Kichijouji pivoted and showed Masaki his back.

  The muscles in his face were just about to reach their limit.

  Luckily, Masaki had not been aware of the state he was in.

  If he had been aware of it then, he would not mistake it for anything but something awkward he hadn’t considered.

  (Masaki, for you I will become the greatest staff officer. I will always be only your staff officer. So become the greatest general for me.)

  The rival he had always been continually conscious of since the Nine Schools Competition, and the fact that Masaki’s romantic interest was that person’s younger sister as well, all disappeared from within his head. Kichijouji just felt happy about being needed by Masaki whom he saw as his benefactor.

  Memories of Summer

  [August 31st (1)]

  It is the year 2095 AD, August 31st. For the students of magic high schools, today is the last day of summer break. As the majority of science and literary high schools have already begun the new school year, and arts and physical education high schools don't start until mid September, it's an about average length. The Nine Schools Competition which ran from August 3rd to the 12th has already finished, but there is no particular break extension for the representatives.

  Even in the 21st century long breaks had inherent problems (homework) to go along with them, something often cried over during the last day of break-- this often as not being literal crying whilst looking over essay files comprised solely of a bunch of titles, a cherished tradition across the nation. However, it has to be said that not all students are such slackers(?). Like a certain pair of brother and sister enrolled in first year of the National Magic University attached First high school, the number of students who leisurely spent their last day of summer break relaxing at home was not in the minority.

  "Miyuki, it's done."

  "Thank you very much, I'm so sorry, Onii-sama. Bothering you with such a trivial matter......"

  "Making crushed ice isn't really anything troublesome."

  While placing the ice pick onto the dining table, Tatsuya let out a chuckle at his sister's excessive manner of speaking.

  At that, Miyuki gave a graceful smile. In her hands, black liquid sloshed around within the heat resistance glass of the coffee server.

  Coffee poured in a dark cascade over the chunks of clear ice Miyuki had used magic to create (by freezing from the bottom of the container upwards, in such a way as to disrupt convection), and Tatsuya had used an ice pick to break it into crushed ice (since if he had used his own magic, it would have ended up as fluffy shaved ice instead).

  A fragrant aroma filled the dining room.

  To prevent the scent from spreading any further Miyuki cast a pocket of cold air over the large round cup, and soon rose holding a tray with two portions of iced coffee.

  At that casual use of a high level skill, Tatsuya narrowed his eyes.

  Noticing her brother's gaze Miyuki broke into an embarrassed grin, before airily turning her back.

  In the room on the first floor facing the garden-- it had originally been a guest room, but now with the bed removed it had become a spare room-- and lazing around the table, with the thrown open windows and curtains giving the air of an open terrace in a resort, Tatsuya and Miyuki enjoyed coffee time.

  That being said Miyuki was bustling around serving Tatsuya hand and foot, such that she didn't even have time to warm her own chair, but as that was because Miyuki found doing so pleasurable, any third person quibbling over the scene would simply be unseemly.

  As if finally satisfied, Miyuki modestly took off her white frilly apron and sat down not opposite to Tatsuya from the round table, but next to him.

  Beneath the apron, her
flawless white arms showed under the wide shoulder straps of her translucent one piece. Tatsuya felt the clear polkadot summer dress was rather familiar.

  "Do you remember?"

  Sensitively reading Tatsuya's look, Miyuki shyly asked him a question before he could open his mouth.

  "Of course. It suits you perfectly."

  At Tatsuya's utterly earnest compliment, Miyuki began to blush.

  "Sheesh. Onii-sama, you're always like that."

  "It's because I truly think so. I said it at the start right? Besides, I wouldn't give you anything that didn't match you."

  Accompanied by a cool face, at Tatsuya's intense words, completely unsuitable for (in light of the general world view) his sister, Miyuki's face turned completely crimson.

  "Eh, uhm...... Thank you very much."

  As he caught a glimpse of Miyuki's face looking up at him, both embarrassed yet happy at the same time, she had a rather similar expression when I first brought her that dress Tatsuya thought as he relived the memories of that day.

  [August 14th (1)]

  August 14th. Two days after the close of the Nine Schools Competition. Tatsuya and Miyuki were going to the shopping tower in the city center.

  The two of them are high school students, and in the middle of their summer break. Even for shopping it would seem unlikely to need to go on a Sunday, but of course there was a reason. From tomorrow the 15th to the 18th, Tatsuya has to attend meetings at Four Leaves Technology (FLT) regarding commercialization of the flight device. Next week from Tuesday to Thursday he has field exercises scheduled with the Independent Magic Equipped Battalion. Since his only free time is in the weekend, Tatsuya thought there was little point in taking a break.

  As for what to do to fill in the time, Tatsuya decided to buy Miyuki a reward for her victory in the Mirage Bat event. At the word 'reward' instead of 'present' Miyuki had sulked lightly for a while, but as this was ostensibly a present in all but name anyway she was now happily walking beside him in the best of spirits. In any case, the subtle fact that Miyuki was not pleased with a simple gift, but more than happy to receive a gift from Tatsuya was something lost upon him.