The distance between Magic University and the National Defense Academy was not so great as to make travel a chore. Thanks to that proximity, Mayumi and Mari—who had gone their separate ways after graduation—were able to meet up with relative frequency.
"So, how are things going with Tatsuya-kun?" Mari asked, leaning back.
"You don't need to worry about me, Mari," Mayumi replied with a playful hum. "More importantly, how are things progressing with Shuuji-san?"
Ever since Mayumi and Tatsuya had begun dating following their graduation, the conversations between the two women had taken on a decidedly more "girly" tone. While Tatsuya's status as a member of the Yotsuba family remained hidden from the public, both Mayumi and Mari were already in the loop. Technically, Tatsuya had shared the secret with Mayumi, who had then promptly dragged Mari into the confidence.
"We have a date coming up," Mari admitted. "What about you, Mayumi? Have you two actually gone out yet?"
"Tatsuya-kun actually invited me out for this coming weekend."
"Oh? I'm surprised the man has that much initiative."
"I was shocked too! But apparently, family circumstances required Miyuki-san and Minami-san to return to the main estate for the day. Tatsuya-kun realized he was going to be completely free, so he reached out."
"Family circumstances, huh..." Mari sighed. "That's a world I'll never truly understand."
Mayumi was a scion of the Ten Master Clans, and Mari's boyfriend, Shuuji, belonged to the illustrious Chiba clan. Both were well-accustomed to the impenetrable walls of "family business." Mari, however, came from a background far removed from such arcane politics; to her, it was a different world entirely.
"Anyway, that's why we're going to the amusement park this weekend!"
"Wait, what?" Mari blinked. "We're supposed to go to the park this weekend, too... Which one?"
"Which one? Um, this one," Mayumi said, showing her the digital ticket.
Mari stared at the name of the park. It was identical to hers.
"We're going to the exact same place... Just to be sure, what time are you meeting?"
"Nine in the morning."
"...Don't tell me even the timing is the same."
Mayumi's eyes lit up. "It's like a double date!"
"You sound far too excited about this," Mari groaned, letting out a deep breath as Mayumi began to cheer.
On the day of the date, Tatsuya arrived twenty minutes early. He intended to pass the time by browsing his favorite technical book site, but he spotted a familiar face nearby. After a moment's deliberation, he decided to offer a greeting.
"Mr. Shuuji Chiba, I presume? It's been a long time."
The man turned. "You're... wait, I remember you..."
"Tatsuya Shiba. We met during the Vampire Incident when I was a second-year at First High."
"Right, Shiba-kun! Erika told me about you. You're part of Major Kazama's unit—the 'Great Tengu,' aren't you?"
With those words, Tatsuya immediately understood how Erika had managed to explain his identity to her brother without mentioning the Yotsuba name.
"So you're acquainted with Major Kazama?"
"He's legendary in certain circles," Shuuji said. Then, his expression turned curious. "By the way, what brings a man like you to a place like this?"
Shuuji couldn't help but ask. To him, Tatsuya didn't seem like the type to spend his morning at a colorful amusement park.
"I'm meeting someone. My girlfriend."
"You too? To tell you the truth, so am I."
"You're meeting Watanabe-senpai, I assume? I saw you with her during last year's Nine Schools Competition, alongside Erika."
"Ah... you saw that?" Shuuji's face flushed slightly, and he looked away. "Man, you saw me at my absolute worst."
Shuuji clearly hadn't forgotten the embarrassment of being lectured by his younger sister in public.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Tatsuya-kun!"
"Sorry, Shu. I'm late!"
Mayumi and Mari arrived at the exact same moment. Neither Tatsuya nor Shuuji looked particularly surprised by the synchronized arrival. Conversely, the two women were the ones taken aback by the men's lack of reaction.
"What were you two talking about?" Mari asked.
"Apparently, Shiba-kun and I share a bit of history," Shuuji explained. "He mentioned seeing me getting scolded by Erika during the Nine Schools Competition last year."
"Oh, that..." Mari's expression soured. "Shu, is Erika going to be a problem today?"
"She's fine. She said she was heading out with Mizuki Shibata today."
As Mari reflected on the "bitter" memories of that day, Mayumi tilted her head curiously and looked at Tatsuya.
"What's this about?"
"During last year's competition, Watanabe-senpai was seriously injured, remember?"
"Yes," Mayumi nodded. "That was when you realized she had a fracture just by looking at her and told everyone exactly what to do."
"Correct. A few days later, Mr. Shuuji showed up at the venue. Erika questioned why he was there when he was supposed to be in Thailand for swordsmanship instruction."
Mayumi chuckled. "Heehee. I guess Erika-chan has a bit of a 'brother complex' too."
Shuuji blinked at her casual remark. "Erika too? Is there someone else?"
"Tatsuya-kun's sister," Mari answered. "Miyuki Shiba. You saw her at the competition, right?"
"Oh, that girl... She's Erika's friend, isn't she?"
"Yes," Tatsuya replied smoothly. "Erika-san has been very kind to both me and my sister."
"I—I see... Well, thank you for being a good friend to her as well."
Shuuji found himself slightly intimidated by the poise of the younger man. Having grown up in the world of martial arts, Shuuji was used to dealing with adults, but Tatsuya possessed a level of world-weariness and refinement that felt entirely different.
"Well then! Let's get going! A double date!" Mayumi announced.
"A double date?" both men echoed in unison.
"Are you still on about that?" Mari sighed, clearly exhausted by the idea.
"Why not? We're all here anyway. I want to see how a 'senior couple' handles a date—for research purposes!"
"That's embarrassing! Besides, Shu, you'd hate that, wouldn't you?"
"I don't mind," Shuuji said with a gentle smile. "As long as I'm with you, Mari, I'm happy."
"Dummy... don't say embarrassing things like that out loud!"
Watching the two of them get into a lovey-dovey rhythm, Mayumi felt a spark of competitive fire. Tatsuya, on the other hand, made no effort to hide his look of mild exasperation.
"Tatsuya-kun, since we're here, let's link arms!"
"I'm not sure what 'since we're here' is supposed to mean, but I don't mind," Tatsuya replied.
Despite Tatsuya's response being devoid of even a shred of youthful romance, Mayumi happily entwined her arm with his. Watching the younger pair, the "senior" couple, Mari and Shuuji, found themselves looking away, suddenly feeling a strange sense of bashfulness.
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