138

  "Yeah, that's right."

  Originally, the Ten Master Clans was established in order to conduct experiments with artificial insemination and artificial wombs to determine the most suitable couplings for producing excellent magicians, which the men and women deemed to be particularly compatible were virtually forced together. It was not all that strange to be told that the same thing is still being practiced today. If anything, it would be more natural to think that it is still being practiced.

  And when he thought about it, he arrived at a sudden realization.

  "Could it be that the Isshiki Family is trying to bring Masaki and Tsuruga-san together?"

  "From what I can tell, it's not just the Isshiki Family, but the whole Tsuruga Family that also wants Kirie-san and Nii-san to get married. Actually, I think they even wanted for them to get engaged at once, but you know how Nii-san is. It’s only been a little more than three years since the attempt to push forward with proposing an engagement to that person, who is the next head of the Yotsuba Family. And since that hasn’t completely been settled yet, neither the Isshiki Family nor the Tsuruga Family can apply any kind of pressure, and they're getting impatient."

  "No, that matter is pretty much settled already…"

  Kichijouji objected with a fed up voice. Kichijouji was not present at the party held after the March 2098 graduation ceremony of the First High School. So he didn't witness that incident between Tatsuya and Masaki.

  However, he learned by word of mouth what had happened there. It's a little hard for him to believe, but it was said that the two of them exchanged blows over Shiba Miyuki. At the time he heard of this, he frankly thought "when did this happen?". However, it should be noted that this fight was settled without the use of magic. ──The outcome being Masaki’s defeat.

  And it's because he is aware of this that Kichijouji felt that Masaki's attitude at the Magic University was "a disgraceful pick-up artist play."

  "But we still haven't received an official reply from the Yotsuba Family, you see."

  "Eh…?"

  139

  "Well, they probably didn't have any intention of answering to begin with."

  "That's…"

  Kichijouji could understand the Yotsuba Family's position. In the first place, it was an absurd thing to propose an engagement to Shiba Miyuki immediately following the announcement of her engagement to Shiba Tatsuya. Knowing the Yotsuba Family, it was understandable that they felt mocked at the attempt. Kichijouji thought if not for that, such an unreasonable and imprudent decision could have led to open hostilities.

  "In other words, due to the situation, those formal talks of marriage are still up in the air…"

  But if you remove the fact that the formal proposal from the Ichijou Family has not been formally answered by the Yotsuba Family, then the marriage proposal is still pending.

  While pretty much everyone in the magical community thinks it's a closed book, it still might be something hard to ignore when trying to make a formal proposal towards Masaki.

  "It must be hard for Kirie-san too, you know. Because she probably likes Nii-san."

  "I don't remember her ever showing any sign of it when we were attending Third High, though…"

  Kirie isn't just a year behind them at the Magic University, she was also his kouhai at Third High. As a high-achieving underclassman that she was, Kichijouji had known of her since high school.

  "When you were all in high school, I think she thought of Nii-san as someone unreachable for her."

  "Did she voice her thoughts on the matter when her family, her relatives and the Isshiki Family told her to marry Masaki?"

  "I don’t think that she has been able to give up because she wants to, rather, because she is unable to at all. After all, it’s her family, her relatives, and the Isshiki Family, who have been pushing her to do it. By some chance if it ends up happening, it’s only natural to hope for the best, isn’t it?"

  A lot of things are now coming into view, thought Kichijouji.

  (That's something that Masaki would think. Really, what an idiot…)

  140

  "Akane-chan. Thank you. I feel like I'm starting to understand a lot of what I've been wondering."

  "Really? I'm happy I could help, then."

  Akane said in a buoyant tone

  "Shinkurou-kun. I'll leave Nii-san and Kirie-san in your hands. Out of everyone you came to me to ask about their relationship, Shinkurou-kun, so this must mean you’re at the end of your rope, right? I'm sure someone who Nii-san trusts the most like you, Shinkurou-kun, can do something about that…"

  She added in a formal voice.

  "…I'll try my best."

  To which Kichijouji responded, since he wasn’t on the spot.

  ◇ ◇ ◇

  Sunday, July 4th.

  Kichijouji called Masaki to come to the Magic University.

  It is not all that uncommon for students to come to the Magic University on a Sunday, since many students can be seen coming and going throughout the campus. In particular, students such as Masaki, who often miss lectures and seminars due to work, tend to use Sundays to catch up.

  At the end of a tree-lined path, in a corner of the campus away from the other students.

  Under the green canopy of overhanging branches, while trying to avoid the eyes of others, Kichijouji faced Masaki.

  "George, what's going on all of a sudden?"

  It was unusual for Kichijouji to call Masaki like he just did.

  "I heard about Tsuruga-san."

  Kichijouji cut to the chase without any preamble.

  "Was it Akane…?"

  Masaki frowned after having guessed correctly.

  141

  "We already talked about this yesterday. I'm still processing everything.

  So, give me a break and don't push it, is what Masaki means.

  Kichijouji, however, ignored his appeal.

  "Masaki, you were acting like that because you don't want to marry Tsuruga-san?"

  Masaki unconsciously glanced left and right. This was not the middle of nowhere, deep in the mountains. They might have chosen a place with relatively few students, but that doesn't mean no one will pass by.

  "Don't worry, I'm using sound insulation magic. You didn't notice?"

  Having this pointed out to him, Masaki realized that he had been so agitated that he hadn't noticed the magic that was active in his immediate surroundings.

  "Did you think that by playing the role of a pick-up artist, that she would come to dislike you?"

  "…George, cut it out."

  "Nonsense. There's no need for you to act like a jerk."

  "Stop it already."

  "If you dislike Tsuruga-san so much, just come clean and say so. It'd be better for Tsuruga-san too."

  "Don't say another word…"

  "And yet you always keep her by your side and keep insinuating things. That's cruel, Masaki."

  "I told you to stop!"

  142

  143

  Masaki raised his voice.

  Kichijouji, however, stood unfazed. Although he did as he was told and momentarily shut his mouth, he maintained an accusing stare at Masaki.

  "…It's not like I dislike Kirie or anything."

  "So you're just keeping her at arm's length? That's even crueler."

  "It's not like that!"

  "Then what are you doing?!"

  They both stared at each other.

  "It's none of your business, George!"

  "I'm your best friend!"

  Masaki gasped.

  "My best friend is losing his mind. It's only natural that I would worry!"

  Masaki is at a loss for words after Kichijouji fired back.

  "Even Akane-chan is worried about you! I won't back down until I at least hear what your honest feelings are!"

  Kichijouji is ragged out of breath,

  Masaki loudly exhaled the breath he had been holding in.

  "This has got to stop now…"

  There was a profound sense of melancholy in the muttering that Masaki had released.

  Kichijouji held his breath at what could have easily been a soliloquy.

  "…What do you mean?"

  For a moment, Masaki gave a "now I’ve done it" look, probably because he didn't intend to let Kichijouji hear his mutterings.

  Letting out another sigh, Masaki met Kichijouji's gaze. Until this point, he had always faced Kichijouji, exchanging glares, but this was probably the first time since the start of this discussion that they properly met eye to eye in order to achieve a meaningful dialogue.

  144

  "Did you hear from Akane about the relationship between the Isshiki and Tsuruga?"

  Kichijouji nodded in response to Masaki’s question with, "I’ve heard it."

  "What did you think?"

  "What I think is…"

  Kichijouji didn’t answer right away this time after Masaki asked him this brief question.

  Having your marriage partner chosen for you based on your genetic compatibility is not something that one would emotionally like to accept. However, considering the origins of modern magicians and circumstances surrounding magicians, he felt that it might be a necessary evil.

  There are even rumors in some areas that there are still human experiments being carried out in order to develop magicians. Kichijouji thought that, compared to compulsory fertilizations and cloning, the marriage route might be considered most humane.

  "I'm a man, so I don't know how women really feel. But if I were being forced against my will to be with a man for the sole purpose of giving birth to a superior magician, it’s a terrible thing in my opinion."

  "…How do you see the role of men in this, Masaki?"

  "In the most extreme case, a man is no longer useful once his partner is pregnant. But a woman has to raise a whole new life inside her own body. A life that comes from a man she doesn't even like. I can't really imagine what that must feel like."

  "…There are artificial wombs nowadays."

  "Why has the use of artificial wombs remained so low? I hear that nowadays there are almost no cases of women suffering physical injuries as a result of egg retrieval. Also, pregnancy is a very heavy burden for the woman. It must be physically easier to rely on an artificial womb than to grow a baby in one's own womb. And yet even today, there are still an overwhelming number of women who prefer to carry their children in their own wombs. Why is that? Ain't there a reason for that that we men don't understand?"

  "…I'm a man too, so I don't know either."

  Kichijouji looked down and shook his head several times as if to say, "I’ve given up."

  "Then, Masaki, you──"

  As he said this, Kichijouji raised his head and made eye contact with Masaki.

  145

  "──Are you trying to make Tsuruga-san dislike you because you feel sorry for her?"

  "Everything would end up better if she were to dislike me and if I were to dislike her, I think…"

  Masaki averted his eyes and stared off into the distance.

  "What do you mean?"

  But when Kichijouji asked what he meant, he promptly returned his gaze.

  "Regardless of what Kirie thinks of me, neither the Tsuruga Family nor the Isshiki Family are going to give up."

  "──"

  Kichijouji admitted deep in his mind that he was being shallow in his thinking. Since the beginning, this is a case where the interests of the magician community are prioritized over the feelings of the individual. Certainly, "I don't want to" is not enough to stop it.

  "In terms of the potential to produce superior magicians, a combination of the Ichijou Family and the Yotsuba Family is much more promising than a combination of the Isshiki Family and the Tsuruga Family. A combination of the Isshiki Family and the Tsuruga Family has a proven track record, but the Ichijou Family and the Yotsuba Family are from the Ten Master Clans. More so if the other person is Shiba-san. The chances of having a child born with superlative talent is high."

  "…There is also the possibility that the blood is too strong for the child to make it."

  "Even with taking that risk into account, it's clear which combination has a higher expected value."

  Kichijouji couldn't help but concede the validity of Masaki's argument. The "blood is too strong" argument itself is an unfounded and a contrived one.

  "So long as I'm approaching Shiba-san and making a show of it, I can't force Kirie to be with me because of the interests of the magical community. Maybe I can at least buy some time until Shiba-san and Shiba are officially married."

  "And after that… what do you plan to do?"

  "Magicians typically marry early. As long as I keep grumbling about "I can't forget about Shiba-san," Kirie might be allowed to marry whoever she wants."

  "So, you are going to keep playing the clown, Masaki… for the sake of Tsuruga-san?"

  146

  Unclear about what was so amusing to him, Masaki let out a strained chuckle.

  "I can't make anyone laugh at me. So, I guess I can't really be called a clown. Perhaps a hateful character who plays with the heroine's feelings?"

  Kichijouji thought, "Huh?" In this particular context, the heroine is not Shiba Miyuki, but rather Tsuruga Kirie.

  Kichijouji found it surprising to see Masaki unconsciously putting Kirie in the heroine's role instead of Miyuki. At the same time, he felt that "perhaps there might be a thread of hope."

  "…Masaki, you just said a while ago that you are 'a man she doesn't even like'."

  "And what about that?"

  "You know, Akane-chan said that Tsuruga-san likes you, Masaki."

  "Akane did? No, there is no way."

  "Why not?"

  "There is no reason for her to like me. Think objectively. I've been acting like a harem king to her, being a pretty disgusting person for as much as I can."

  "So you are aware that you have been a jerk…"

  Kichijouji muttered musingly.

  Although he had said it himself, Masaki was a little hurt by his reaction. But if he were to pay attention to this now, the conversation would go off on a tangent. He decided to let it slide and proceed with the conversation at hand.

  "Kirie has a tendency to pay too much attention to other people. It is part of her virtue that she is so attentive, but I have seen many times before when she is unable to assert herself properly because of this. I think Akane must have misunderstood when she saw Kirie being told by her family and relatives to "fall in love with me," and end up being put in a position where she couldn't say no."

  Masaki assured him of this with great confidence. He seriously believed in the words he said.

  However──

  "──It wasn't a misunderstanding!"

  All of a sudden, a shout came from behind Masaki.

  147

  "Akane-chan didn't misunderstand anything!"

  "Kirie!? Why did you come here…"

  Turning around, Masaki caught the sight of Kirie staring at him with teary eyes.

  Masaki exclaimed "Wait!", and then turned to face Kichijouji.

  "George!"

  "That's right. I called her."

  Kichijouji calmly admitted it was his doing. There is not a hint of remorse on his face.

  "Why did you do that!?"

  "Because she is involved in this."

  "Then why did you have to bring me to hide behind the trees!?"

  "If she had been in plain sight, you wouldn't have told me how you really feel, Masaki, would you?"

  "Guh…"

  Kichijouji's claim was one hundred percent true. The proof is in the fact that Masaki doesn't have anything to say back.

  And Masaki didn't even have the time to say anything back.

  "Masaki-san!"

  "W-What?"

  Kirie was far more angry than Masaki.

  "Please stop doing this to me. Stop trying to decide how I feel!"

  "I-I'm sorry."

  "When did I ever say I disliked you, Masaki-san!?"

  "No, no… I thought you disliked me too…"

  "You didn't say that, did you!"

  "Ye-Yes."

  Overwhelmed by Kirie's intensity, Masaki's tone was subdued.

  148

  "Masaki-san."

  Kirie closed the distance and peered up into Masaki's face, looking straight into his eyes.

  "I like you, Masaki-san."

  "……"

  "I've always liked you for a long time."

  "……"

  As if suddenly becoming a totally foolish man, Masaki had nothing to say back.

  "And this isn't because my family or my relatives told me to. This is how I really feel."

  Then, Kirie's expression suddenly became timid.

  "…It's my fault, too, because I couldn't confess it for a long time. I didn't have the confidence to confess to you, Masaki-san. Thinking that I wasn't good enough for you."

  "No, I'm not any sort of great guy…"

  Masaki muttered, as if to give consolation, or perhaps as an excuse.

  But, unfortunately for him, Kirie didn't pay it any heed.

  "It's true that I was being pushed by my family. If my father hadn't ordered me not to leave your side, Masaki-san, and if my mother hadn't encouraged me by saying that you were kind enough not to reject me. I would still be just staring at Masaki-san from afar…"

  "That would be pretty much a stalker…", the source of the muttering was Kichijouji.

  Of course, both Masaki and Kirie ignored the mumbling.

  "Masaki-san, I want you to believe in this one thing."

  Masaki didn’t hide from Kirie’s gaze. He certainly wasn't a weak man that would run away from this.

  "I like you. I'm in love with you. These are my true feelings."

  This, unmistakably, was a confession.

  "I'm…"

  Masaki thought, "I have to say something."

  But he couldn't find the right words to say. He couldn't get the words together in his head.

  149

  He had always thought that Kirie stayed by his side because her family had forced her to.

  And though it wasn't a complete misunderstanding, it wasn't something she had "no choice but to do," as Masaki had previously assumed.

  The fact that she herself had romantic feelings for him was completely unexpected by Masaki.