MTLNOVEL Chapter 23: Chapter 22: Bonds Bent by Trust
Lunch break arrives, and Yugen, Tatsuya, and Miyuki head to the student council room. Yugen presses the intercom, and a voice grants entry. He opens the door, followed by Miyuki and Tatsuya.
Inside, Mayumi, Mari, and two other council members wait. The trio bows.
"Pardon us," Yugen says, Miyuki and Tatsuya echoing.
Their impeccable manners startle the seniors. One coughs, regaining composure.
They sit Yugen near Mayumi, then Miyuki, Tatsuya. A dining server eliminates cafeteria trips, a perk of this national institution. As the freshmen greet, the seniors react to Yugen's surname.
"My sisters caused trouble. My apologies," Yugen says, bowing again.
"It's fine. We trust you, Yugen," Mayumi replies.
"Doesn't sound like it," Yugen mutters.
To move on, Mayumi introduces the council. "This is Suzune Ichihara, accounting, nicknamed Rin-chan."
"Only the president calls me that," Suzune says coolly.
"Mika-neesan gave her that name," Yugen notes.
"Exactly. She was chaotic but never dull," Suzune adds.
Suzune's calm assessment confirms Mika's wild but likable nature. Mayumi continues, "Next is Mari Watanabe, disciplinary committee chair. And Azusa Nakajo, secretary, aka A-chan."
"President! Not in front of underclassmen!" Azusa protests.
"I remember you. Kana-neesan and Mika-neesan dragged you to our house," Yugen says.
Azusa flinches under the group's gaze. "You were busy then, so we didn't meet."
"Sorry for my sisters' trouble, Azusa-senpai," Yugen says.
"It's fine! They helped me a lot!" Azusa insists.
The "A-chan" nickname slides. The council, including the absent vice-president "Hanzo-kun," totals four.
Lunch arrives via the server for four, Mari bringing her own bento, making five. Yugen eyes the extra portion warily until Mayumi plops a large homemade bento on the table.
"For me and Yugen. Dig in!" she beams.
She's engaged, yet here we are. I'll eat to avoid starving, but… Yugen glances at Miyuki's frozen smile and partially iced bento.
"I'll make your lunch starting tomorrow," Miyuki says.
"Don't strain yourself," Yugen replies.
"Got it!" Miyuki nods, her bento thawing.
Yugen notices Mari's homemade lunch. "Didn't expect that, Watanabe-senpai."
"Surprised? Your tip to my boyfriend paid off," Mari grins.
"As Mitsuya, I've ties to both. My friend's with Chiba, your boyfriend's family, and my brother's engaged to someone from Watanabe's adoptive family."
Yugen and Mari are practically in-laws. Her bandaged fingers hint at her cooking skills.
"You know everyone," Miyuki says.
"Brings trouble too. Got called a lolicon once. Had to school Masaki and Shinkuro," Yugen says.
At a party, Ichijo's heir, Masaki, saw his sister confess to Yugen and teased him. Yugen, annoyed, subdued both Masaki and Shinkuro with joint locks. Their parents apologized, and Masaki's sister asked to call him "Brother," which he couldn't refuse.
"That's Ichijo's Masaki, right?" Mayumi asks.
"Yeah. Indecisive and naive," Yugen says.
"No mercy, huh? He's Ten Master Clans," Tatsuya sighs.
"Even the 'Crimson Prince' asks me for girl advice. I'm no expert," Yugen says.
Masaki and "Cardinal George" pestered him often. Love advice? He'd redirect them to their parents.
Lunch ends, and Mayumi gets to business. "The president is elected, but other roles are appointed or dismissed by the president."
It's autonomy or the school shirking responsibility. The council and disciplinary committee can carry CADs on campus. The council's chosen by the president, while disciplinary members are picked by the council, club federation, and faculty, with the chair elected internally.
"Annually, the freshman rep joins the council. Yugen, and Miyuki, who gave the reply address, we'd like you both," Mayumi says.
Miyuki stands, pleading for Tatsuya's inclusion, but Suzune notes only Course 1 students qualify. Miyuki relents. Yugen stands.
"I'm in," he says.
"Sorry for overstepping. I look forward to working with you," Miyuki says.
Yugen had no club plans, and Mayumi's persistence swayed him. Miyuki's quick agreement was unexpected. Mari raises her hand.
"Mayumi, about the disciplinary committee's council-appointed slot…"
"We're still deciding," Mayumi says.
"Didn't Kana-neesan abolish the Course 1-only rule?" Yugen asks.
Mayumi lights up. "Perfect, Mari! We nominate Tatsuya Shiba for disciplinary committee!"
"Wait! What about my say? I don't even know the job!" Tatsuya protests.
Yugen and Miyuki haven't heard their duties either. Miyuki beams at Tatsuya's nomination. Yugen explains, "Disciplinary committee handles rule-breaking magic use and disturbances. The chair decides penalties and attends disciplinary hearings with the president. Right?"
"Spot on, Yugen," Mayumi says. "Your sister set a record for hearings."
"My sisters never lack for stories," Yugen says.
Shizuru quelled a riot during her election, becoming president. Kana silenced hecklers with her "eye." Mika went from disciplinary chair to president. All became presidents, while Mototsugu was vice-president and Mototsune led the club federation.
"So, I stop fights by force, magic or not?" Tatsuya asks.
"Yep," Yugen says.
"And stop magic use?"
"Ideally, before it starts," Mari adds.
"I'm Course 2 because of poor practical skills!" Tatsuya argues.
It's a combat-heavy role, tough for a typical Course 2 student. Mari remains unfazed. Yugen speaks up.
"Watanabe-senpai, lunch is ending, so just a question. Tatsuya's right Course 2 students are deemed weaker in magic. What do you expect from him beyond magic?"
"Good point. Answer after school?" Mari asks.
"Fine," Yugen says.
Yugen knows Mari's reasoning, partly from original knowledge. Mayumi trusts Mari's judgment.
Miyuki asks as they head to practical magic observation, "Why ask Mari that?"
"Tatsuya undervalues himself. I'm pushing him. Plus, subduing magic users without magic is possible Mika-neesan did it," Yugen says.
"Really?" Miyuki asks.
"Depends on the magic. Mika excels at reading perception ranges."
Tatsuya doesn't need that. Trained by Yotsuba, with real combat experience and Yakumo's martial arts, few peers match him.
"We'll see after school," Yugen says.
"Agreed," Miyuki nods.
After school, Yugen and Miyuki submit permits to retrieve CADs and meet Tatsuya, whose mood remains sour.
"What's wrong? Not just the hassle," Yugen asks.
"Classmates encouraged me. It's… disheartening. They neither support nor oppose," Tatsuya says.
"I only asked why. It's your call," Yugen says.
"Who wants this for Tatsuya?" Miyuki asks.
"No clue," Yugen teases.
Their banter hides their hope for Tatsuya's acceptance. He sighs, cornered by their united front.