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

Ceremony's End

The freshman representative speech fell to Miyuki, the top admit. Yet, deep down, she wished it wasn't her role.

"This honor rightfully belongs to Onii-sama…"

Persuaded by Tatsuya, she stood here, but Miyuki still believed he deserved to be the representative.

"I promised to show Onii-sama my finest moment, so this is my duty."

No freshman or upperclassman would guess she was here at her brother's behest. To Miyuki, Tatsuya's will was everything; the opinions of others were irrelevant.

"Now, we commence the entrance ceremony for National Magic University Affiliated First High School," the announcer declared.

Miyuki had planned to sit beside Tatsuya, ignoring the ceremony entirely, but being chosen as representative dashed that hope. Though she might have refused without his persuasion, his wishes came first, so she reluctantly forwent their time together to fulfill her role.

"Next, the freshman response. Representative: Shiba Miyuki."

As Miyuki took the stage, boys and girls alike were captivated, eager for her words.

"I'm grateful for the warm welcome on this joyous day. On behalf of the freshmen, I pledge to uphold First High's pride, striving equally in academics and beyond, growing together in this place of learning."

Her words subtly challenged the elitism of First Course students, slipping in phrases like "equally" and "beyond magic." Tatsuya, listening, inwardly tensed, but the freshmen, entranced by her elegance, missed the nuance.

"Onii-sama, are you watching?"

Amid countless gazes, Miyuki sought only Tatsuya's. Her speech was crafted for his approval, and she yearned to know his reaction.

"There he is…"

Spotting Tatsuya, her heart sank at the girl beside him. Though he'd had acquaintances in middle school, including girls, seeing one so close so soon was unbearable.

"Is Onii-sama abandoning me?"

Tatsuya would never forsake her, but doubt clouded her mind. He seemed to enjoy chatting with the girl and another beside her.

"It's just my imagination, right?"

Dismissing baseless fears with baseless reasoning, Miyuki regained her composure.

"Shiba-san, well done," a voice called.

"Oh, President Nanakusa. Thank you," Miyuki replied.

Caught off guard mid-thought, Miyuki faltered briefly. But, trained as a lady, she concealed her unease.

"That was quite a speech. 'Equally,' 'beyond magic' bold choices," Mayumi teased.

"I…" Miyuki hesitated.

She'd meant to be subtle, but Mayumi noticed. Expecting reproach, Miyuki pondered how to sway her senior. It proved unnecessary.

"I'm not scolding you. I'm glad our representative thinks that way. The student council needs such minds," Mayumi said.

"Student council?" Miyuki echoed.

Instead of criticism, she faced interest and a council invitation. Before she could respond, freshmen and some upperclassmen swarmed her.

"Shiba-san, that was amazing!"

"Beautiful and brilliant!"

"An honor to share your course…"

"A flower blooming true to her crown…"

Surrounded, Miyuki couldn't move. She longed to rush to Tatsuya but couldn't ignore her new classmates.

"By the way, Shiba-san, aren't you meeting your brother?" Mayumi interjected.

"Yes," Miyuki nodded.

Mayumi's words were a lifeline. Unable to brush off her peers, Miyuki subtly thanked her with a glance.

"Let's talk while we walk," Mayumi suggested.

"Thank you for your kindness," Miyuki replied.

Though curious how Mayumi knew Tatsuya, escaping the crowd mattered more.

"President, how do you know my brother?" Miyuki asked after a few steps, suspicion flaring. Could she be a rival?

"He's a bit of a rumor among the teachers," Mayumi said.

"A rumor?" Miyuki tensed.

Her mind swirled with fears of slander against Tatsuya.

"Entrance exam average: 98. Perfect scores in magical engineering and theory unprecedented! You're amazing, but your brother's something else!" Mayumi praised.

"Thank you!" Miyuki beamed, overjoyed not just for herself but for Tatsuya's recognition, her gratitude heartfelt.

Unbeknownst to the elated Miyuki, Mayumi mentally labeled her a brother-complex.

Post-Ceremony

After the entrance ceremony, Tatsuya and his group headed to the counter to receive their ID cards. The cards weren't pre-made; personal authentication was required to write data onto them on-site. Any counter could process them, but First and Second Course students were neatly segregated, as expected.

Tatsuya mused that Miyuki, as the top admit, had likely already received her card and was now swarmed by admirers.

"Hey, Tatsuya-kun, which class are you in?" Erika asked, barely hiding her excitement.

Tatsuya couldn't guess what she was anticipating, but Erika and the three around her seemed to know.

"Class E," he replied.

Service wasn't his forte; he answered plainly, heedless of her expectations.

"Yes! I'm in E too!" Erika cheered, practically bouncing.

Tatsuya thought her reaction was a bit much, but seeing Mizuki's similar enthusiasm, he wondered if this was normal.

"I'm in E too! Phew, I won't be alone in class," Mizuki said, relieved.

Already worrying about being alone? Tatsuya recalled his middle school days, rarely solitary, and thought a bit of alone time might be nice.

"I'm in G," one of the others said.

"I'm in F!" another chimed.

The remaining two were in different classes but seemed unfazed. With eight classes per grade and twenty-five students each, it was fair. Perhaps they were imagining their yet-to-be-met classmates, Tatsuya thought, detached. It wasn't his concern.

The two left for their homerooms, perhaps to make friends.

"Let's check out our homeroom too!" Erika suggested.

"Sounds fun," Mizuki agreed.

Tatsuya felt bad dampening their enthusiasm, but he had other plans.

"Sorry, I promised to meet my sister," he said.

"Your sister?" Erika's face lit up with intrigue, as if she'd found a new game.

"She must be adorable, with a cool brother like you!" Erika teased.

"Chiba-san, flattery's unnecessary," Tatsuya said dryly.

"It's not flattery! You're plenty cool!" Erika insisted.

"Yeah, Tatsuya-kun's cool," Mizuki added.

"Thanks, I guess," Tatsuya replied.

Most boys might blush, but Tatsuya lacked such emotions. Still, to avoid seeming curt, he kept his response neutral.

"So cool," Erika grinned.

"Very mature," Mizuki murmured.

"Mature? We're all fifteen," Tatsuya quipped, catching Mizuki's comment. Teased about his age often, he was sensitive to it.

"R-Right…" Mizuki flustered, then pivoted. "Is your sister Shiba Miyuki, the freshman representative?"

Tatsuya nodded, unbothered by her attempt to shift topics—he hadn't meant to rattle her.

"No way! Are you twins?" Erika exclaimed.

From her reaction, she hadn't known they were siblings—or perhaps thought they didn't look alike.

"We get that a lot, but no. I was born in April, she in March. One month earlier for me or later for her, and we'd be in different grades. Pure coincidence," Tatsuya explained.

"Must be complicated, huh?" Erika said, then froze, realizing her words.

Her comment implied, "Being in the same grade as your honor-student sister must sting." It could be taken as concern or an insult. Tatsuya understood but let it slide, knowing she meant no harm.

"By the way, Shibata-san, how'd you know? Shiba's not that rare a surname," Tatsuya noted.

"It's rare enough!" Erika retorted.

Her quip eased the tension, thanks to Tatsuya's tact. It let her banter freely.

"Your features are similar," Mizuki said.

"Are they?" Tatsuya asked.

He thought Miyuki was a beauty, even objectively, but never saw himself as similar to her, so Mizuki's comment surprised him.

"Come on, you're cool too! You're practically identical!" Erika laughed.

"Not thrilled when you say it laughing," Tatsuya deadpanned.

"It's not just looks. Your auras are alike both so poised," Mizuki said.

"Yeah, aura!" Erika echoed.

"Chiba-san, you're quite the character," Tatsuya said.

"No way!" Erika protested.

Ignoring her routine objection, Tatsuya turned to Mizuki.

"Seeing auras? You've got really good eyes," he said.

Mizuki paled; Erika looked puzzled.

"Good eyes? She wears glasses," Erika said.

"Not what I meant," Tatsuya clarified.

Without explaining, Tatsuya resolved inwardly to avoid using his powers around Mizuki.