The Irregular at Magic High School: Everyone Loves My Brother?!

Tatsuya parted with Miyuki at the school gate, heading to Class 1-E. He expected Class 2 students to be self-conscious about their status, but the four he met yesterday seemed unbothered, so he dismissed it as pointless.

"Morning, Shiba-kun!" Erika greeted loudly as he entered.

Tatsuya, thinking himself unremarkable, was surprised she noticed him. But every girl in class was staring, so it made sense.

"Morning, Chiba-san. Shibata-san, we're neighbors again. Nice to see you," Tatsuya said.

"Please, likewise," Mizuki replied.

"Feeling left out here," Erika teased.

Tatsuya, catching her playful tone, joined in. "Hard to exclude you, Chiba-san."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Erika laughed, feigning protest.

Classmates noted their easy rapport, but Mizuki, seated beside them, panicked. "No fighting, you two!"

"Huh?" Tatsuya said.

"Just joking, Mizuki!" Erika clarified.

"O-of course, I knew that!" Mizuki stammered.

Tatsuya and Erika exchanged amused glances as Mizuki flustered. "What's with those looks?" she whined.

"Mizuki's mad!" Erika teased.

Tatsuya, ignoring the fun, plugged his ID into his terminal for course registration, typing at blinding speed. Erika and Mizuki gaped, as did others.

"Wow!" a boy in front exclaimed, impressed by Tatsuya's keyboard-only method.

"Not a secret, but staring's not great," Tatsuya said.

"Sorry, man. Keyboard-only's rare these days," the boy said.

"Really? It's easier once you're used to it," Tatsuya replied.

"Guess so… I'm Saijou Leonhardt. Dad's half, mom's quarter, so call me Leo."

"Shiba Tatsuya. Tatsuya's fine."

Mixed-blood mages like Leo weren't uncommon, with some groups encouraging it for ability enhancement. Erika and Leo bickered briefly, but Tatsuya and Mizuki calmed them down.

Just before orientation, a woman entered. Class 2 had no homeroom teacher, so her presence puzzled the class.

"Congratulations on your enrollment. I'm Ono Haruka, your school counselor," she said brightly.

Tatsuya sensed something off, wary of trusting her easily.

"I'll send guidance to your terminals for course registration. Those done can leave, but no exiting after orientation starts," Haruka announced.

Tatsuya considered stepping out but stayed to avoid attention. He noticed someone rise, unfazed by stares, and leave. Tatsuya watched absently, then felt Haruka's gaze.

(Being watched… because I stayed despite finishing?)

He couldn't discern her intent—not flirtation, but something unclear. He pondered until orientation ended.

"What's the plan till lunch, Tatsuya?" Leo asked.

Post-registration, they were free. No one would care if they explored or studied.

"No plans. I'll tag along," Tatsuya said.

"Let's check the workshop!" Leo suggested.

"Workshop?" Tatsuya echoed, expecting Leo to prefer the arena.

"Hardening magic works best with weapon techniques," Leo explained.

"Makes sense," Tatsuya nodded, understanding Leo's interest in weapon maintenance.

"Can I join?" Mizuki asked.

"You, workshop?" Tatsuya said, surprised.

"I'm aiming to be a magic engineer," Mizuki said.

"Same here," Tatsuya added.

"Shiba-kun, a magic engineer? Unexpected!" Erika interjected, annoyed at Leo's presence.

"You're arena material. Go there," Leo shot back.

"Says you!" Erika retorted.

They glared, making Mizuki nervous, her pleading eyes on Tatsuya.

"Cut it out. You're upsetting Shibata-san," Tatsuya said.

"N-no, I'm fine!" Mizuki blushed, realizing she'd clung to him.

"Let's go," Tatsuya said, ignoring her reaction and heading out.

"Wait up!" Leo and Erika called, chasing him, still bickering.

"Why do they fight so much?" Mizuki worried.

"Dunno, but I don't think they're really at odds," Tatsuya said.

"I hope so," Mizuki murmured.

At the workshop, Mizuki forgot her concerns, engrossed in the tour. Trouble brewed at lunch in the cafeteria.

At the cafeteria, Tatsuya's group ate after the workshop tour. School facilities were equal for all, so Class 2 students didn't need to hold back.

"Food's surprisingly good," Leo remarked.

"You'd eat anything," Erika jabbed.

Their bickering, now routine, flared again. Mizuki, unaccustomed, fretted.

"Why do you always fight? Get along!" she pleaded.

Tatsuya hid a smirk, watching without intervening—perhaps as guilty as the duo.

"Onii-sama!" Miyuki's joyful voice called.

Tatsuya, Erika, and Mizuki recognized it, but Leo was clueless. "Who's Onii-sama?"

"Your brain can't figure it out," Erika teased.

"What?!" Leo snapped.

"Erika-chan! Leo-kun!" Mizuki interjected, halting the spat.

"My sister," Tatsuya clarified.

"You've got a sister?" Leo said.

Turning, Tatsuya saw Miyuki with a crowd trailing her, as usual, and gave a wry smile. (Her pull is too strong.)

Miyuki's charm, masking her true self, drew people in. Tatsuya, knowing her, found it bittersweet.

"Hi, Miyuki! Been waiting," Erika greeted.

"Hello, Miyuki-san," Mizuki added.

Tatsuya noticed jealous glares from Class 1 girls aimed at Erika and Mizuki.

"Let's go, Onii-sama," Miyuki began, but Morisaki cut in.

"Give us your seats," he demanded.

Miyuki's face twitched subtly, noticed only by Tatsuya. (Hold back,) he signaled with a glance.

"(Y-yes…)" she replied.

Tatsuya decided to observe. Erika and Mizuki snapped back.

"Why should we listen to you?" Erika retorted.

"We're still eating!" Mizuki added.

"This is a magic high school. Strength rules. Weeds don't get to act tough," Morisaki sneered.

Some Class 1 students nodded, but Honoka and Shizuku shot disapproving looks. Tatsuya noted they'd mesh well with Miyuki.

"I'm leaving, Miyuki," Tatsuya said, cutting his meal short to avoid escalation.

"Tatsuya!" Leo called.

"Jerks! I'm out too!" Erika huffed.

"Erika-chan!" Mizuki followed.

Satisfied, Morisaki offered Miyuki the seats. "All yours, Shiba-san."

"No, thank you. I'll eat elsewhere," Miyuki said coldly, stunning most Class 1 students, especially Morisaki.

"Honoka-san, Shizuku-san, let's go," Miyuki said.

"Uh…" Honoka faltered.

"Okay," Shizuku nodded, supporting her.

Miyuki had noticed their disapproval of Morisaki. The Class 1 group stood frozen, left behind.

Erika's group, following Tatsuya, fumed at Morisaki's attitude.

"Why'd you give up the seats, Shiba-kun?" Erika demanded.

"Should've knocked them out!" Leo added.

"No fighting! But you could've won, Shiba-kun," Mizuki said, reluctantly agreeing.

"Arguing further would've disturbed others. Besides, they're no match for Miyuki," Tatsuya said.

"What's that mean?" Erika asked.

Tatsuya smirked, speeding up, leaving them scrambling to follow.

The afternoon saw more clashes during practice observations. By the school gate after school, tensions boiled over.

"Enough! Miyuki-san said she's leaving with her brother!" Mizuki shouted, surprisingly heated.

Morisaki's group insisted Miyuki talk with them, claiming it was better for her, ignoring her wishes.

"Mizuki's got some fire," Miyuki whispered.

"Chiba's rubbing off," Tatsuya replied.

The siblings watched the Class 1-Class 2 dispute from a distance.

"What do you want, Miyuki?" Tatsuya asked.

"To leave with you, Onii-sama!" she answered instantly.

Tatsuya nearly smirked but held back, already entangled. Mizuki's passion escalated.

"What right do you have to separate Miyuki-san and her brother?" she demanded.

"Separate?" Miyuki blushed, puzzled.

Tatsuya watched her curiously.

"Class 1 has our own matters! Weeds, stay out!" Morisaki snapped.

"We're all freshmen! What's the difference now?" Mizuki countered.

Morisaki, provoked, drew his CAD. "Want to see talent's difference?"

Tatsuya, unfazed, noted Morisaki's rage, ready to act if needed.