MTLNOVEL Chapter 5: Chapter 4: Tangled Threads at the Gala
I'm attending Mitsugu Kuroba's party as Gozo's stand-in. Motoharu, worn out from Miya's relentless questioning, is down for the count, so I'm flying solo. I tuck away my versatile gun-shaped CAD and head out.
Lucky or not, the party's at our hotel—probably a Yotsuba property. Gozo's knack for pulling strings never ceases to amaze, even if he's likely bedridden with back pain in Gunma right now.
I present my invitation and am ushered into a grand venue reserved for this private event. A sharply dressed man approaches.
"Yugen Nagano, here for Gozo Kamiizumi," I say.
"Remarkable composure for a twelve-year-old. I'm Mitsugu Kuroba. Where's your companion?"
"My brother's exhausted from the flight. He sends his regards."
No need to stir trouble. Kuroba handles Yotsuba intelligence—careless moves could be deadly. Best to steer clear of rattling the "Untouchables." Mitsugu smirks at my formal tone, likely sensing Gozo's influence. Maybe he's sizing me up, thinking of Tatsuya. I'm just a kid, so I let it slide.
"Your parents must be proud," he says.
"Thanks to Gozo, mostly," I reply.
Mitsugu waves me off with a "Make yourself at home." It's a relaxed event, and few here know I'm a Mitsuya. I grab some food, but two teens approach.
"Sorry to bother you," the boy says.
"Who are you?" I ask.
"I'm Fumiya Kuroba. Just Fumiya's fine."
"And I'm Ayako Kuroba. Ayako's okay. Were you talking to our dad earlier?"
"Yugen Nagano. Here to make friends. Call me Yuto."
Fumiya and Ayako, Mitsugu's kids, join me. They're my age, sent by their dad to mingle. Their mother, Aya Kuroba, approaches, surprised to see someone their age.
"I'm Aya Kuroba. I didn't expect kids your age here. Please look out for Fumiya and Ayako."
"Yugen Nagano, representing Gozo Kamiizumi. Nice to meet you."
Aya flinches at Gozo's name, whispers to the kids, and bows before leaving. Fumiya and Ayako follow her. The main guest has arrived—probably Miyuki, her clear voice unmistakable.
Staring is rude, so I activate [Kaleidoscope] to observe discreetly. Fumiya and Ayako rush to Tatsuya, who gives a faint smile. Miyuki looks disappointed, Mitsugu disapproves, and Aya seems sad. Their guilt over Tatsuya's isolation feels misplaced—tying him to their shame isn't redemption; it's avoidance.
They sought power to prevent tragedy, only to create Tatsuya. Isolating him defeats the purpose. If he's frightening, they should fix their perspective, not him. I'm no saint either. Deactivating [Kaleidoscope], I resolve to be Tatsuya's equal—a friend. That's my starting point in this world.
"Yugen-san?" Miyuki's voice snaps me back. She's in a dress, clearly flustered.
"Airport reunion, right, Shiba-san?"
She tries to regain composure. I smile lightly. "So, this is the party you mentioned," she says.
"I don't know the details myself. Didn't expect you here. Something on your mind?"
Miyuki glances at Tatsuya, chatting with Fumiya and Ayako. "My brother never smiles at me like he does with them. I don't understand why."
"You can't accept it?"
"…Yes."
Fumiya and Ayako, like Tatsuya and Miyuki, share Yotsuba blood. What's the difference? They're unburdened, while Tatsuya's bound as Miyuki's Guardian. I'm in no position to meddle, but as someone with a sister, I choose my words carefully.
"Brothers want to protect their siblings above all. Tatsuya's no different, even if he doesn't show it."
In my past life, I avoided deep bonds. Now, comforting a distressed girl while hiding my knowledge feels like wearing a mask. But to befriend Tatsuya, helping Miyuki is a step forward, calculated or not.
We chat with Fumiya and Ayako, and I nod to Tatsuya outside. Back at the hotel, Motoharu's recovered.
"You okay, man?"
"Yeah. Party go well?"
"No clan heads, so I survived."
I hang my jacket and sit. For nearly six years, I've worn the "Yugen Nagano" mask to fend off opportunists. At parties, I'm "Gen's relative." That's my identity until high school, and surprisingly, no one knows. My Mitsuya connection is vaguely known as "clan ally." Motoharu says my calmness fits, though my age raises eyebrows. Acting my mental age—college-level—is safer than slipping up.
"Tomorrow?" I ask.
"A friend on a cruiser needs help."
Motoharu's boating license, earned to keep up with his siblings, suits our clan's coastal intelligence gathering. We've sailed Tokyo and Sagami Bays. Last time, I caught a huge fish, shocking Shina and making the family laugh. Not my fault!
August 5, 2092
I jog at dawn, using magic to adjust the air to mimic Gunma's climate. Yesterday's mental strain—meeting Tatsuya and Miyuki—was unexpected. Gozo's Yotsuba ties aren't secret, but running into the main players? What a twist. Miyuki's interest complicates things. I gave her advice, but their path is theirs. I want a friendly bond with them, nothing more, to ensure they're not isolated.
Motoharu's recovered, though facing Miya was tough. Keeping our Mitsuya identity secret is no small feat. Resisting Miyuki's charm? I'm not one to judge.
We head to Toguchi, a retired navy man turned cruiser operator. His gruff vibe screams "sea monk," but he's warm. After learning cruiser basics, we run a group tour under his watch. Later, he asks us to manage a sailboat yacht at 4 p.m.
Cruising in Okinawa isn't bad—or so I thought. Forgetting the Reminiscence Arc's details was a mistake.
"Alright, Motoharu-san, Yuto-san. You two handling the cruiser?" Miya asks.
"Yes, ma'am," Motoharu replies.
We don't discuss our magic further. Motoharu steers back to port. The coast guard questions us, but we plead shock and arrange direct talks, with Miya's group's consent, avoiding trouble.