The negotiations with Kazama had concluded in a manner satisfying to Maya—and by extension, to the Yotsuba. While calling it "playing him like a fiddle" might be an exaggeration, the agreement that Tatsuya would no longer be used in the current conflict against the Great Asian Alliance was undeniably on Maya's terms.
Of course, whether she truly intended to uphold this verbal promise, or whether it could be fully trusted, remained questionable.
Now, in the reception room, Maya and Tatsuya faced each other one-on-one. Kazama, his business concluded, had naturally departed, but Miyuki too had been made to leave at Maya's firm instruction.
Miyuki, for her part, had adamantly wished to avoid leaving Maya and Tatsuya alone together. However, she knew that as a candidate for the next head of the Yotsuba, she couldn't defy an order from Maya, the current head. With a half-resigned expression, she withdrew from the reception room.
"Hehe~ It's been a while since it was just you and me, Takkun~"
There was no need to worry about eavesdropping in a room used by the head of the Yotsuba family. Even so, Maya had patiently waited until the presence outside had completely faded.
"Aunt, you didn't keep me in this room just for this, did you?"
"Oh, come on. I haven't had a chance to spoil you recently, and you were just doting on Fumiya-san and Ayako-san, weren't you? I heard they looked so happy going home."
"Fumiya and Ayako are my second cousins. There's no problem with doting on them a little. However, my relationship with you, Aunt, isn't the same, is it? Beyond just being relatives by blood, you are the Head of the Yotsuba, and I am merely the Guardian to the next Head candidate."
"Still so stiff, aren't you~ Well, that's part of your charm, Takkun."
Having indulged herself for a bit, Maya seemed satisfied and returned to facing Tatsuya properly.
"So, Aunt, what was so important that you made even Miyuki leave?"
"Actually, the Stars are on the move."
"Does that mean America itself is making a move?"
Tatsuya, who had been subtly averting his gaze until now, fixed his eyes directly on Maya.
"Ah, if you stare at me like that, I get embarrassed."
"..."
From the uncharacteristically blushing Maya, Tatsuya again subtly averted his gaze. One reason he usually avoided looking at her directly was that Maya would get embarrassed and they couldn't have a proper conversation.
"Um..."
Sensing Tatsuya's exasperation, Maya cleared her throat once, attempting to reset the mood. Of course, such a gesture wouldn't completely change the atmosphere, but Tatsuya wasn't so idle as to remain exasperated indefinitely.
"For now, the Stars have merely begun their own investigation. But they've already grasped that the explosion was caused by magic that converts mass into energy. They've also narrowed down the identity of the caster quite a bit. —Specifically, they've identified you and Miyuki-san as prime suspects."
At the information Maya delivered, Tatsuya shook his head one-and-a-half times.
"...Their information gathering capabilities are impressive."
"I suppose it shows they don't call themselves the world's strongest magician unit for nothing."
"No, what I'm referring to is your own agents, Aunt."
No reply came. Maya fell silent, a look of being caught off guard on her face. Tatsuya, without showing any amusement, spoke to fill the silence.
"To uncover the intelligence activities of the USNA Army's Stars, who claim to be the world's strongest magician unit, almost in real-time... Have you infiltrated them with spies?"
"...Even for you, Takkun, I can't tell you that, unfortunately."
"Quite right."
To Maya's somewhat forced reply, Tatsuya nodded with a serious expression.
"You're impossible, Takkun..."
Murmuring this, Maya quickly regained her smile and met Tatsuya's gaze.
"...In any case, be careful with your surroundings. The Stars aren't as lenient as the opponents you've faced before. If they decide you're shaking America's hegemony, they might resort to force to eliminate you."
"And if that possibility of backlash against the Yotsuba arises, it means assassins will be dispatched from elsewhere. I'll bear it in mind."
"I'd be against it, though."
Maya's words clearly conveyed the Yotsuba's future policy to Tatsuya. It meant that if he made a mistake, assassins would be sent after him by the Yotsuba themselves.
"Hey, Takkun, can't you quit school?"
"Why would I do that?"
"If you quit school and remained in confinement here, the Stars wouldn't investigate you, and you wouldn't have to worry about assassins from the branch families. We'd assign someone else as Miyuki-san's Guardian."
"I see. I refuse."
Tatsuya immediately rejected Maya's proposal without a moment's hesitation. Of course, Maya knew he would refuse, but she was somewhat surprised that he answered so instantly.
"If it weren't you, Takkun, I'd force you to comply with all my might... but unfortunately, my magic isn't compatible with yours. Even if I tried, it would just end up being broken."
Saying this, Maya began to dote on Tatsuya again. Tatsuya knew she had been holding back even while they were talking.
"Excuse me."
As if on cue—and indeed, he likely was—the veteran butler entered the reception room.
"Oh, Hayama-san. Is something the matter?"
Her tone was normal, but Maya's current posture had her curled up on Tatsuya's lap. It was hardly the dignified pose of the head of the Yotsuba family. If the butler who entered had been Aoki, he probably would have yelled at Tatsuya, forgetting the fact that the Head herself was doting on Tatsuya in her presence.
"I've brought fresh tea. Would you care for some, Tatsuya-dono?"
"Rather than that, please do something about Aunt."
"Hohoho, that is beyond my capabilities, Tatsuya-dono."
With eyes full of affection for Maya, Hayama made no attempt to hide his complete amusement, causing Tatsuya to let out a sigh.
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