Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei - Volume 01 - Enrollment Chapter (I) Read online

  This behavior was something deeply ingrained into the siblings' daily activities.

  —And of course, nothing happened.

  "Welcome; don't mind us, please come in."

  Directly in front, a voice came from the opposite end of the table.

  Tatsuya really wanted to ask Mayumi what caused her such happiness to greet them with a smile like that as she beckoned them in.

  Miyuki led the way into the room, followed hurriedly by Tatsuya. He stopped one step from the door, with Miyuki two steps from the door.

  With both hands slightly before her, Miyuki bowed in greeting, a textbook example of formality.

  When compared to such a honed movement, Tatsuya had no chance of imitating it.

  Miyuki's speech and movement patterns were completely different from Tatsuya's. This was most likely the work of their deceased mother.

  "Eh... No need to be so formal."

  After watching Miyuki execute a perfect greeting that would not be out of place in a formal gala, Mayumi seemed to shrink a little.

  Even though there were two other members in attendance, they seemed to be overwhelmed by the atmosphere as well.

  There was one other person present that was not a member of the Student Council. The representative from the Public Moral Committee wore a mask of composure, but anyone could tell that was a brave front, not to mention a veteran observer like Tatsuya. Truly, my little sister is quite motivated today, Tatsuya thought.

  The only thing that puzzled Tatsuya was exactly why Miyuki chose such an intimidation tactic.

  "Please sit. We can talk while we eat."

  Maybe it was because Miyuki's opening salvo rattled her, but Mayumi's voice had changed. To put it positively, the voice was still harmonious. To put it negatively, the intimate friendliness from before was gone.

  She was probably referring to the long table in the meeting room.

  At this moment, the signal reached the table interior, rearranging the table to be appropriate for dining. (!)

  Regardless, the siblings approached the expensive table and chose their seats. Miyuki slid a chair out and sat down, while Tatsuya chose a seat just below hers.

  For someone who always adamantly insisted that her elder brother take a seat higher than her own, the only reason Miyuki controlled her outburst was because of the understanding that she was the focus of today's meeting.

  "Meat, fish, or vegetarian. Which do you prefer?"

  What was amazing was not just the Dinner Server Module, but the complex selections available as well.

  Tatsuya picked vegetarian, with Miyuki mirroring his choice. After receiving their orders, the 2nd Year student — probably the Secretary Nakajou Azusa — activated the large cabinet-like machine tucked near the wall.

  Now the only thing that remained was waiting.

  Mayumi was seated in the main chair. To her side and directly across from Miyuki sat another 3rd Year female student. One seat over was the Public Moral Committee member, who was across from Tatsuya. Azusa sat next on the other side of the committee member. After regaining her bearings a little, Mayumi began.

  "Introductions were exchanged at the enrollment ceremony, but just in case, let's go over this again. To my side is our Accountant, Ichihara Suzune, also known as Rin-chan."

  "...The only one who calls me that is the President."

  Every part of her solemn face gave off a stern impression, though with her tall frame and willowy limbs, Suzune would have done full justice to the description of "beauty".

  It must be admitted that "Rin-chan" fit her profile better than "Suzune".

  "The two of you should know the one on Rin-chan's side, right? This is the Chair of the Public Moral Committee Watanabe Mari."

  Mari didn't say anything, but her not taking exception to anyone would be natural.

  "And following that is our Secretary, Nakajou Azusa, also known as A-chan."

  "Student Council President... Please don't call me 'A-chan' in front of the underclassmen. I have my position to think of too."

  Because she was even more petite than Mayumi and possessed a more childish face, whenever Azusa directed a teary-eyed face upwards, she unintentionally gave off the impression of a child about to cry.

  And that would probably be the reason she is called "A-Chan", Tatsuya thought. That might be too cruel a truth for the person in question.

  "The last one would be Vice President Hanzou. And that makes up all the members of the Student Council Committee."

  "Which I am not part of."

  "Oh yes, Mari is not a member of the Student Council. Ah, the preparations are complete."

  The cover to the Dinner Server opened, presenting neat and proper meals without a hint of character on a series of trays.

  There were only five meals.

  We're short one... Even though Tatsuya thought of this, he did not mention it aloud because he was thinking of a solution. While Tatsuya was processing this, Mari quietly took out a bento box.

  Seeing Azusa stand up, Miyuki also left the table. As its name implied, the Dinner Server was capable of producing meals, but without a matching table set, it was more efficient to manually bring the trays over.

  Azusa first put her tray on the table, then brought Mayumi and Suzune's portions as well.

  Following that, Miyuki carried over the two trays for the siblings, and with that a most interesting lunch began.

  In the beginning, the conversation was completely open.

  Even then, Tatsuya and Miyuki had very few conversational subjects that coincided with the committee members.

  The conversation naturally flowed towards the topic of food.

  It couldn't be helped that the Dinner Server produced what was more or less fast food, but modern processed foods have nearly the same quality as normal cuisines. That being said, if it can only match "normal quality" cuisines, then the deficiencies of processed foods cannot be denied.

  "Did you make that bento yourself, Watanabe-senpai?"

  Miyuki's intention was simply to initiate a conversation with everyone else, and did not hide any other reason.

  "Yes, are you surprised?"

  However, when asked by Miyuki, Mari nodded and replied with a teasing question of her own that was difficult to answer.

  In reality, Mari did not intend to torment Miyuki, but wanted to play a small joke on this sensible and polite underclassman.

  "No, just a little."

  Just as Miyuki was starting to panic, a voice from her side responded for her in the negative.

  "...I see."

  Tatsuya's eyes were watching Mari's hand motions, or her fingers to be precise. If it was made by a machine, or by hand, what kind of cuisines are possible or not... It gave the impression that he could see through everything, causing Mari to feel quite embarrassed.

  "Let's start bringing bentos of our own tomorrow."

  When Miyuki spoke up as if nothing had happened, Tatsuya also shifted his line of sight.

  "Miyuki's bentos are certainly incredible, but as to where to eat them..."

  "Oh, yes... First we need to find somewhere to eat them..."

  The siblings' dialogue — not only the contents, but the atmosphere itself, seemed a little too intimate for a pair of blood-related teenagers.

  "...Just like a pair of lovers."

  Suzune adopted a smile that was not a smile, and dropped an explosive comment.

  "Is that so? If we weren't siblings, then we would be lovers, is that what you think?"

  Tatsuya calmly countered and quickly defused the explosion.

  Or more likely accidentally detonated it.

  "...Of course, that was a joke."

  When facing a totally red Azusa, Tatsuya mirrored Suzune's earlier "smile" and calmly continued. His face was not disturbed in the slightest.

  "You, are quite boring." (!)

  Mari said in an exasperated tone.

  "I think so too."

  Tatsuya replied in an even manner
.

  "Ok, Ok, let's end this subject here. Mari, I know it's tough to swallow, but Tatsuya-kun is just a difficult person to handle."

  Maybe it's because she foresaw that this conversation would go on perpetually, Mayumi intervened with a slightly bitter smile.

  "...That's true. I take back my earlier comment. You are an interesting guy, Tatsuya-kun."

  With a slight smile — and for a beautiful young lady, she often reveals a smile before a boy — Mari changed her earlier evaluation.

  First the Student Council President, now the Chair of the Public Moral Committee. I guess I better get used to people calling me by name.

  "It's about time we get to the point."

  It might have been a little unexpected, but the time allotted for lunch break was limited.

  After everyone finished eating, both Tatsuya and Miyuki nodded upon hearing Mayumi's words.

  "Just as our school places heavy emphasis on self determination, the Student Council has been granted vast powers within the confines of the school. Not only our school, but most public high schools also adopt a similar method."

  Tatsuya agreed with the principle. Management-centric and Deterministic-centric were like the ebb and flow of the tides, fundamentally different but at the same time impacting one another. With the victory in the Okinawa Defense Battle 3 years ago and the subsequent rise in international voice, the old management-centric style that led to diplomatic disadvantages and internal unrest was swept out in favor of self-determination becoming the theme of society. In time, there was another reverse; a portion of private high schools adopted a harsh management-centric philosophy. Thus, it is difficult to unilaterally calculate the progression of events. (!)

  "Our Student Council uses the traditional method of concentrating the power and authority in the president. This presidential style can also be described as extreme centralization."

  Hearing these words triggered some unease, though this would probably be discourteous to Mayumi.

  Tatsuya tightly clasped his fist.

  "The president is elected by the student body, the other members are appointed by the president. With a few exceptions, the president has the right of appointment and removal for all officers."

  "My position as the Chair of the Public Moral Committee is one of those exceptions. The Student Council, the Club Management Group, and the teachers each select a representative to determine this position."

  "And because of this, on some level Mari holds the same authority I do. Under the rules, the president has a term period, but the others do not. The term lasts from October 1 to September 30 of the next year. Between this time, the president has the right of appointment and removal for all officers."

  (About time to get to the point.) Tatsuya did not interrupt, but merely nodded to indicate he understood.

  "There is an annual tradition to invite the 1st Year representative to the Student Council, with the intent of training them to become the successor. Hopefully, the 1st Year representative will be elected to be the next Student Council President. Although it is not a guarantee, this has been the case for the past 5 years."

  "So the President was also a 1st Year representative? Quite impressive."

  "Ah~, err, yes."

  Mayumi blushed and stammered her reply.

  Tatsuya's response was merely flattery, since he already knew the answer. The odd part was that Mayumi should already be inured to such flattery given her position, yet she still reddened in embarrassment. This was no act, but true embarrassment. This is certainly quite devious... She looks like a perfectly normal high school student. —It can't be that she intentionally lets people see that she is easily embarrassed — and that is the true acting portion?

  "So... Miyuki, I hope you can enter the Student Council."

  At this stage, saying "enter the Student Council" is essentially becoming a member of the Student Council.

  "Are you willing to accept?"

  Taking a breath, Miyuki looked down at her hands, before raising her eyes towards Tatsuya in question.

  Tatsuya shrugged, suppressed his own feelings, and slightly nodded his head.

  Miyuki lowered her head again before raising it. This time however, her eyes were lit in the manner of someone about to take a plunge. (!)

  "President, are you aware of Onii-sama's entrance examination scores?"

  "—?"

  At this completely unexpected development, it was all Tatsuya could do to remain silent.

  What are you trying to say, little sister?

  "Hm, I know of it. Truly incredible... To be honest, when I stole a glance at the teacher's results, even I lost confidence."

  "...If the student council accepts students with high test scores and outstanding abilities, I believe Onii-sama fits the criteria as well."

  "Wait, Mi-"

  "And in terms of Desk Work (Theoretical Manipulation), I believe that has nothing to do with practical skills and grades. In other words, knowledge and judgment are more important."

  For Miyuki, not allowing the other person to finish their sentence and bulling right over them is quite the rare occurrence.

  And if the other speaker is Tatsuya, then the frequency would drop even lower.

  "I am honored to receive an invitation to the Student Council. I would be more than happy to accept even the lowest position, but is there any way for Onii-sama to join?"

  Tatsuya really wanted to cover his face and look skywards.

  Is it possible that his negative influence on his little sister had reached this extent?

  Miyuki should know that blatant nepotism can only lead to others' discomfort.

  "Alas, this is not possible."

  The one who answered was not the President, but the council member sitting to her side.

  "Student Council members must be selected from Course 1 students. This is not an unwritten rule, but an enumerated one. This is the only clause that is attached to the right of appointment and removal for the president. To change this requires a special amendment meeting with the attendance of the full student body and carried by a two-thirds majority. Since the number of Course 1 and Course 2 students are practically equal, this is realistically impossible."

  Suzune softly said this in a tone that was slightly apologetic.

  From her voice, it was obvious that she too was someone that was against the differential treatment between Blooms and Weeds.

  "...I apologize. I said all of that without understanding the situation. Please forgive me."

  Miyuki could only frankly admit her mistake.

  Miyuki rose to her feet and bowed deeply in apology, but no one reprimanded her.

  "In that case, Miyuki will join the current Student Council with the title of secretary, is that acceptable?"

  "Yes, I will work hard to fulfill my duties. Please look after me."

  Miyuki lowered her head again, but this time was more polite than apologetic. Mayumi nodded at Miyuki with a smile on her face.

  "You can get the details from A-chan."

  "As I just said, President... Please stop calling me A-chan..."

  "If there are no complications, can you come today after school?"

  Completely ignoring the tearful protests on the side, Mayumi continued her conversation.

  "Miyuki."

  Before Miyuki could turn and ask, Tatsuya stopped her with a short but powerful verbal tone. He nodded in agreement with Mayumi's suggestion.

  Miyuki nodded as well, before turning to face Mayumi.

  "I understand. However, would it be fine for me to come here after school?"

  "Of course. I'll wait for you, Miyuki."

  "Hey~. Why am I called 'A-chan', while Shiba is called 'Miyuki'...?"

  On some level this was a valid question, but was once again ignored.

  ...Tatsuya started to pity Azusa a little.

  "...There is still a little time left until the end of lunch break. May I say something?"

  The reason that everyo
ne ignored Azusa, and not out of spite or mischievousness either, was probably because everyone's attention was directed towards the hand Mari raised in the air.

  "The roster for the Public Moral Committee still has one empty spot that has not been filled."

  "I just said that we are still reviewing possible candidates. Besides, school just started a week ago, right? There's no need to hurry, Mari."

  Displeased with Mari's hastiness, Mayumi admonished her. However, Mari didn't seem to care.

  "I think, according to the rules of the student council, all members aside from the president must be Course 1 students, right?"

  "Yes."

  Mayumi nodded in confirmation while her expression said that it couldn't be helped.

  "Only Course 1 students are allowed to fill the positions of Vice President, Accountant, Secretary, and related roles, right?"

  "Yes. The rules stipulate that the council is made up of the President, Vice president, Accountant, and Secretary roles."

  "In other words, there is no restriction for bringing a Course 2 student into the Public Moral Committee."

  "Mari, you..."

  Mayumi's eyes widened, while Suzune and Azusa both wore similarly shocked expressions.

  This proposal was every bit as surprising as Miyuki's earlier suggestion.

  Apparently, the 3rd Year student known as Watanabe Mari is quite the practical joker, Tatsuya thought.

  —However.

  "NICE!"

  "Ah?"

  Coinciding with Mayumi's delighted outburst, Tatsuya let out a dull surprise.

  "Yes, there's no problem with the Public Moral Committee. Mari, the Student Council nominates Shiba Tatsuya as Public Moral Committee member."

  An unexpected development happened within an instant.

  "Wait a minute! Shouldn't you take into account my thoughts on the matter? Also, you haven't told me what the duties of a Public Moral Committee member consists of."

  Rather than objecting from a logical perspective, it was more important to listen to the instincts that warned of a dangerous development.

  "We didn't really go into detail about your sister's duties on the Student Council, correct?"

  "...No, that's true, but..."

  —Unfortunately, Tatsuya's objection was immediately countered by Suzune's comment.

  "Eh, Rin-chan, this is fine. Tatsuya-kun, the job of the Public Moral Committee is to uphold the public moral on campus."