Saturday, March 23, 2097.
Immediately following the graduation ceremony, a group of five—Yugen, Tatsuya, Miyuki, Mizunami, and Lina—hurriedly departed for Okinawa. This trip was Yugen's brainchild, bolstered by a formal request from Maya Yotsuba. The group was set to rendezvous at the executive lounge of the Tokyo Bay International Marine Airport.
"Oh, Tatsuya, Miyuki? And Yugen too?"
"Lina? What are you doing here?"
Tatsuya and Miyuki widened their eyes in genuine surprise. While Yugen had mentioned the possibility of Lina joining them to Celia, he had left the final decision to Celia and the Yotsuba family—specifically Maya. It seemed Maya had her own agenda, perhaps sensing it was time for Tatsuya to finally establish the "hierarchy" among his potential fiancées.
Meanwhile, Honoka—a top contender for that position—was scheduled to arrive in Okinawa on the 25th with Shizuku. Even Ayako was slated to arrive on the 24th to provide backup for the Yotsuba family, or more specifically, for Tatsuya.
"I was commissioned by the head of that family," Lina explained. "She asked me to assist with Tatsuya's work. Though, I suspect the real reason has more to do with his fiancée situation."
"I see... I haven't heard a word about this from my mother," Tatsuya replied. His words were technically true. Maya had delegated the details to her butler, Aoki, who harbored a long-standing coldness toward Tatsuya. Maya, ever the strategist, likely enjoyed the subtle friction caused by putting Aoki in charge of Tatsuya's affairs.
"I'm well aware of your combat prowess, Lina," Miyuki added softly. "But this time, the focus will be more on social engagement than magical warfare."
"I know, Miyuki... Celia and Sylvie drilled it into my head until I could do it in my sleep."
As part of her "Social Adaptation Improvement Plan," Lina had been rigorously coached in etiquette by Celia, Sylvie, and even Kudou Retsu. Being the granddaughter of a former USNA President, she wasn't a stranger to high society, but the nuances between USNA and Japanese customs were vast. She chose not to mention that during the training, Celia had put her in joint locks so painful she felt she was "one step away from the afterlife" more than once.
"Still, it's already been five years since I met Tatsuya and Miyuki. Time really flies," Yugen mused.
"Wait, Yugen, were you involved in the Okinawa incident too?" Lina asked.
"More than just involved. Tatsuya was acting as Miyuki's bodyguard back then."
"That's right," Tatsuya murmured, looking back on that summer of their first year in middle school—before the Battle of Okinawa. At his words, Miyuki's cheeks flushed a delicate crimson.
"Yes. Looking back, that encounter was my first love. It was so painful to part ways with Yugen-san back then. I think I've loved him since that very moment."
"Hey, Tatsuya," Lina interjected, "I heard from Honoka that Miyuki was pursued by that 'Crimson Prince,' right? It looks like he never stood a chance."
"...Indeed."
Tatsuya thought to himself that if Yugen hadn't appeared back then, all of Miyuki's intense affection might have been directed solely at him—a prospect that made him conclude he "wouldn't have been able to maintain his sanity." In that sense, Yugen was the savior who had rescued Tatsuya.
The Strategy Meeting at "Left Blood"
The group stayed at a luxury hotel near the airport, owned by the Kamizaka Group. Due to the Yotsuba family's room assignments, Yugen was paired with Miyuki and Mizunami, while Tatsuya was paired with Lina. Though the boys looked exhausted by the end of the day—thanks to some behind-the-scenes plotting by Miyuki and Lina—the night passed without further incident.
The following day, after the memorial service, Yugen and the others headed to a two-story steakhouse located right in front of the Naha Army Base. This wasn't a traditional Okinawan restaurant; it was "Left Blood," run by the descendants of former US military personnel.
"Yo, Tatsuya! Yugen! Long time no see!"
"Hey, Joe. I heard from the guys in Tokyo you got promoted?"
"Yeah, Sergeant now," replied Joseph Higaki, a large man with a shaved head. He spoke to Yugen and Tatsuya as equals. Since the incident five years ago, the prejudice against the "Left Blood" community had softened, largely due to Joe's recognized merits in battle.
They went upstairs to a private room where Major Kazama and Sanada were waiting. To their surprise, Chen Xiangshan of the Great Asian Alliance was also present.
"For this operation, we are in a cooperative relationship," Kazama explained, sensing the tension. "Understand that Colonel Chen is here as an ally."
"I see," Yugen said, his voice dropping an octave. "For now, then?"
Kazama nodded, acknowledging Yugen's dual status as a military man and a member of the Shinjokai.
The briefing revealed that six enemy agents were on the main island, including an Australian journalist named James Jackson, who was traveling with a 12-year-old girl. Yugen looked at the photo, a flicker of recognition crossing his face.
"Do you know him, Yugen-kun?" Kazama asked.
"I feel like I've seen him before... likely when I accompanied my grandfather to Australia. But I wouldn't trust appearances. Especially if they are magicians."
As they prepared to leave, Yugen turned to Chen Xiangshan. He spoke in cold, fluent Mandarin:
"Chen Xiangshan. I'll view you as an ally for today. But if I ever deem you an enemy again, I will erase you and Lu Gonghu from this world. After what you did in Yokohama, if you don't want to die a miserable death, I suggest you abandon the foolish idea of invading this country."
The room went deathly silent. Even after the door closed, Chen Xiangshan exhaled a breath he didn't realize he was holding. The bloodlust Yugen had radiated was so intense it felt inhuman.
An Unexpected Encounter in Naha
While Yugen and Tatsuya were meeting with the military, a tall blond man in a light jacket and sunglasses walked through a Naha shopping mall. It was Colonel Hans Ernst of the South American Federation.
Inside his mind, a voice echoed—his "partner," the legendary "Demon King" of the previous century, Hans-Ulrich Rudel.
"Look at that, Hans. A blond girl over there..."
(Cut it out, Rudel. Don't make me sound like some creep,) Hans snapped back mentally.
Hans noticed a young girl, about 12 years old, being approached by a suspicious couple, while a group of black-clad men—clearly soldiers—closed in. Just as the situation turned dangerous, a group of Japanese students intervened.
Sawaki, Kirihara, Mibu, and the others handled the majority of the thugs with terrifying efficiency. However, when two men lunged at the defenseless Isori and Kanon, Hans felt compelled to move.
"Hey. Go to sleep." Hans appeared like a ghost, dropping the attackers instantly.
"Um, thank you very much," Isori stammered, surprised by the stranger's intervention.
"Don't mention it. For now, let's take the girl and get out of here," Hans said coolly. "Explaining this to the police would be a headache none of us want."
Reluctantly but sensing his strength, the students agreed to follow the mysterious foreigner to a nearby fast-food joint to regroup.
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