Though unsuccessful, the magical attack on First High was closely monitored. Among all the National Magic University-Affiliated High Schools, First High boasted the most advanced facilities. In terms of magic, the equipment for observing the school’s campus rivaled even the National Defense Force’s main bases.
First High’s surveillance equipment provided objective data that a spell was cast atop the school to generate and explode hydrogen peroxide gas. The equipment also indicated that the spell originated from the New Soviet Union’s coastal region.
The Magic University relayed this data to the government. As a result, the Minister of Foreign Affairs had enough evidence to strongly condemn the New Soviet Union for their act of aggression and to call for international sanctions against them.
The comments from the Minister of Industry, acting on behalf of Aoba Toudou, were even more critical. Though acknowledging that it was speculation, the minister announced that the failed attack could likely be traced back to Bezobrazov, the New Soviet Union’s Thirteen Apostles member. Serious doubts began to be cast on the peaceful nature of the Dione Project, which Bezobrazov backed.
✦ ✦ ✦
It was Saturday, June 22. Tatsuya and Miyuki were watching the news of the previous day’s press conference over breakfast.
“Well, this is lucky,” Tatsuya mumbled.
“Is it? I thought you would have at least foreseen this much,” Miyuki teased from across the table.
A wry smile appeared on Tatsuya’s face as he shook his head. “Well, I didn’t. My interception of Tuman Bomba at school was a complete coincidence. I actually thought the chances of an attack during the day were pretty small.”
“So not even you can predict everything.”
“Of course not.”
Minami’s hospitalization was one of the awful things that Tatsuya hadn’t predicted. He pushed those regrets to the back of his mind so Miyuki wouldn’t notice, and he forced a smile. The television screen transitioned to another newscast, and they continued their breakfast.
“In any case,” said Miyuki, “I am sure this will dramatically shift the current public opinion.”
Although the news had changed, her mindset had clearly not.
“That’s true,” said Tatsuya. “We can expect many more people to be against the Dione Project, at least in Japan.”
He knew people were still speaking badly about him, but he had no intention of hiding from it. The Dione Project was born from conspiracies, after all. There was no need for him to feel guilty about using public opinion to crush a scheme that wanted to exile him to space.
“Either way, you will be continuing with the ESCAPES Plan, right?” Miyuki asked Tatsuya.
“Of course. The ESCAPES Plan was never meant to counter the Dione Project. My announcement’s timing only pushed it in that direction. To tell the truth, I would have liked more time to prepare, but once I announced the plan, there was no turning back.”
“I know. And I believe what you are doing is right.”
She probably would have said the same thing if had Tatsuya sought world domination. But this was meaningless speculation. Tatsuya’s goal was and had always been the peaceful use of magic.
“By the way,” Miyuki added, “didn’t Aunt Maya suggest you take a look at Miyaki Island?”
“Yeah, I’ve been thinking about that, too. It worked out too perfectly that she just let me have the island for the ESCAPES Plan when she was trying to turn it into a research facility.”
“She must believe your plan will serve the Yotsuba family well.”
“I hope you’re right. Thanks for breakfast.” Tatsuya laid down his chopsticks.
Though she was not finished eating yet, Miyuki sprang to her feet.
“I will go make you a cup of coffee,” she said and scurried to the kitchen.
✦ ✦ ✦
The breakfast conversation at the Shiba household had naturally turned to a discussion of Miyaki Island. It wasn’t that either of them had some kind of premonition. But when the topic was reopened by a visitor who stopped by before dinner, Tatsuya couldn’t help remembering that morning’s casual chat.
✦ ✦ ✦
A girl stood in the doorway with an awkward smile.
“H-hi there…,” she said, waving.
“Lina?!” Miyuki gasped.
Sure enough, their guest that evening was Angelina Kudou Shields.
“Sorry for coming by so late at night,” Ayako said from Lina’s side.
“That’s not a problem. It’s still before dinnertime,” Tatsuya replied, staring at Lina with as much surprise as Miyuki. “Anyway, come on in.”
“Yes,” Miyuki quickly added, beckoning the two girls inside the apartment. “Please make yourselves at home.”
“Thanks,” Ayako told her. “Come on, Miss Shields.”
“R-right… Thanks,” Lina managed.
The two girls walked past Miyuki and followed Tatsuya into the living room; Ayako seemed right at home, while Lina looked reluctant.
✦ ✦ ✦
“There was a mutiny, and you had to leave the country?” Tatsuya asked in surprise.
“How awful,” Miyuki said.
After Ayako had explained the situation, Tatsuya and Miyuki were beside themselves with shock. Under normal circumstances, it would have been hard to believe, but they didn’t see any reason for Lina to deceive them. They accepted the story as truth.
“The Kuroba family has been providing Miss Shields—I mean, Major Sirius—with temporary refuge, but Maya suggested she go into hiding on Miyaki Island,” Ayako explained.
“Is there something Lina can do there?” Tatsuya asked her.
“The family seems to think so, but we’re worried Major Sirius won’t be satisfied with the environment.”
“I’m not that picky,” Lina mumbled.
“Anyhow,” Ayako continued, ignoring Lina’s comment, “we thought she should go ahead and take a look at the island.”
“Has Aunt Maya already given her permission?” Miyuki asked, also paying Lina’s comment little mind.
Lina shrank into herself, and although Tatsuya noticed this, he simply smiled uncomfortably and said nothing.
“She did.” Ayako nodded. “She even suggested Tatsuya be the one to show the major around.”
“Oh?” Miyuki seemed surprise.
“Interesting,” Tatsuya said in a matter-of-fact tone. “It sounds like Aunt Maya thought, as a fellow strategic magician, I would be the most suitable person to restrain Lina in case her exile is a lie, and her true objective is to sabotage the Yotsuba family.”
“But it’s not!” Lina yelled, springing to her feet.
“I know.” Tatsuya was finally paying attention to her. “Aunt Maya doesn’t doubt you, either. She is only doing this to defend herself from possible criticism from the rest of the family.”
“O-oh…,” Lina stammered.
She had struggled through enough red tape in her career to understand what Tatsuya was talking about.
Tatsuya turned back to Ayako. “What are your plans for today?”
“I would love to stay over, but the clan head ordered me to give her your answer right away.”
“So she doesn’t trust phones, huh? Fine. Tell Mother that I accept the job.”
“All right.”
“It’s too late to go to Miyaki Island today,” Tatsuya continued. “We can go tomorrow. I’ll be taking Miyuki with me, so tell Hanabishi to strengthen the security around Minami.”
Interestingly, his orders were not for Hyougo but for his father.
“I will,” Ayako said.
Tatsuya nodded and turned to Miyuki. “Could you prepare a room for Lina to stay the night?”
“Of course.”
“H-hold on!” Lina protested.
Everything seemed to be happening without her consent, but the other three ignored her once again.
“My apologies for the abrupt visit. I will see you two later,” Ayako said.
“Right. Let’s find a time to sit down and talk soon,” Tatsuya said.
“That would be great.” Ayako grinned. “Fumiya and I would love that.”
Miyuki walked Ayako to the door. “Thank you for bringing Lina to us today.”
“You’re welcome. Until next time.”
Once Miyuki had closed the door and walked back to the living room, Tatsuya turned to Lina with a serious expression.
“I want to hear exactly what happened,” he said to her.
“Me too,” Miyuki added. “Have the parasites truly returned?”
Unable to escape Tatsuya and Miyuki’s solemn request, Lina took a deep breath and began to explain.
✦ ✦ ✦
(To be continued in the Invasion Arc)
✦ ✦ ✦
