A quick glance with 'Osiris Sight' confirmed she was a relative of the "Thirteen Apostles'" Leonid Kondrachenko. Correcting his assessment that she was likely connected to Colonel Hans Ernst, who was serving as the President's guard, Yugen introduced the woman at his side.
"Mr. President, may I introduce my fiancée, Miss Miyuki Shiba."
"It is an honor to meet you, Mr. President," Miyuki said with a perfect, graceful bow. "I am Miyuki Shiba, niece of the head of the Yotsuba family."
"The pleasure is mine. I am Deacca Bresteiro. It is an honor to meet anyone associated with the legendary 'Untouchables.'"
After a polite exchange, Deacca also greeted Tatsuya and Lina. The other guests watched from a distance, hesitant to approach—mostly because of the even more imposing figures now closing in.
"President Bresteiro, it has been too long," a new voice boomed.
"Ah, President Senard. I didn't realize you would be attending in person."
"Naturally. And Kagurazaka-dono, it is good to see you again. My thanks again for the incident four years ago—please convey my regards to Gozo-dono as well."
"Think nothing of it, Mr. President," Yugen replied smoothly. "I was merely caught up in my grandfather's whims."
Victor Senard, the French Head of State, shook Yugen's hand warmly. Sensing that approaching the Yotsuba directly might invite unwanted political scrutiny, the President used his existing friendship with Yugen as a bridge to meet Miyuki and Tatsuya.
Once the formalities were over, the two world leaders and their wives headed into the hall. But Yugen's greeting line wasn't finished. His grandfather, Maimoto Mitsuya, approached alongside Laura Curtis, who had recently regained her memories.
"Hahaha! Look at you, Yugen. Already making a name for yourself with world leaders. Gozo and Chihime will be jealous," Maimoto laughed.
"Grandfather, this isn't a laughing matter... though it looks like the other party has arrived early as well."
"Ah..."
Yugen looked toward the entrance to see a sturdy, elderly man approaching with a security detail. Laura gasped the moment she saw him. The man smiled warmly at her. It was Wyatt Curtis, the USNA Senator from Virginia and a legendary kingmaker in American politics.
"Great-Uncle!"
"Laura... I am so glad you are safe. And you must be Maimoto Mitsuya. I heard the details from General Kudo. My deepest thanks for sheltering my grand-niece."
"Please, Senator. I am a man long since retired from the front lines. I simply couldn't turn a blind eye to a lady in need," Maimoto demurred.
While the emotional reunion unfolded, Yugen turned his attention to the Senator's two Japanese guards: Toshikazu and Inagaki.
"Toshikazu-san, Inagaki-san. It's been a while. My apologies for all the trouble lately."
"Don't worry about it, Yugen-kun," Toshikazu sighed. "It was my father's responsibility to begin with. I don't blame Erika for being so angry she won't come home."
Erika had already made it clear she was considering having her mother file for a formal severance of ties to take the "Katori" name. She had even joked she was fine being Leo's "mistress" as long as he was okay with it.
"Inspector, speaking so frankly is..." Inagaki started.
"Inagaki, this is a matter for the Chiba family as much as it is for the police. We're just 'luckier' than the Saegusas in that we haven't officially fallen from grace yet."
Toshikazu knew that given the recent Zhou Gongjin incident, he technically shared the blame for Erika's situation. Since Yugen had ensured he remained on high-level guard duty despite this, Toshikazu had solidified his intent never to oppose the Kagurazaka family.
"I heard the details about Saijo-kun from Erika in confidence," Toshikazu added. "I was surprised to learn our grandfathers were acquaintances."
"In any case," Yugen said, "for the time being, I'll be requesting your services as a member of the Ministry of Police, bypassing the family hierarchy. Besides, Toshikazu-san, aren't you under pressure to finally settle down and get married?"
"...Coming from Inagaki, I could take it. Coming from you, I have no retort," Toshikazu muttered.
As the VIPs filtered into the ballroom, the lobby finally cleared. Yugen and his group were among the last to enter, but their presence was the most magnetic.
Yugen and Miyuki led the way, with Mizuki acting as their formal escort. They were followed by Tatsuya and Lina, with Chihime bringing up the rear—a three-tiered formation of power and grace. The hall, which had been buzzing with chatter, fell into a sudden, hushed awe.
The silence broke only when Ushio and Akane Kitayama, along with their son Wataru, approached.
"It has been a while, Kagurazaka-dono. I look forward to our continued partnership," Ushio said with a deep bow.
"As do I, Kitayama-san. Let us maintain our good relations," Yugen replied.
Though they had seen each other recently because of Shizuka, they kept the conversation strictly professional for the public eye. Most of the political and financial elite knew that the Kagurazaka family was the backbone of the Kamizaka Group. With Yugen now the head, it was a settled fact that he was the future titan of the industry. His "Stellar Furnace" project was already poised to change history.
Though Ushio was older, Yugen's standing was now technically higher. Considering Yugen would eventually succeed Chihime as one of the "Four Great Elders," Ushio's deferential bow and Yugen's use of the respectful "san" served to signal their relative positions to the rest of the room.
"You've become quite the impressive man," Akane added.
"You flatter me. I am still a novice who only recently turned seventeen, but I shall do my best," Yugen replied.
Akane's comment held a hint of irony, likely directed at the fact that Tatsuya and Miyuki were revealed as Yotsubas. It wasn't a matter of deception; Tatsuya had simply been treated as an outcast by the Yotsuba for internal reasons. Since Tatsuya himself was satisfied with the arrangement for safety's sake, Yugen saw no reason to argue.
The Kitayamas knew enough about the Yotsuba's history of vengeance to understand that power is a drug that distorts human nature. Still, Yugen could understand Akane's desire to get a little jab in.
Following Yugen's lead, Mizuki, Tatsuya, and Lina exchanged greetings with the Kitayamas. Watching this from the sidelines were the First High alumni, including Shizuka and Honoka.
"...Looking at that," Kanon Chiyoda whispered, "I'm starting to feel a little sorry for Yoshida-kun."
The former Disciplinary Committee Chair was thinking of her seniors—Mayumi, Katsuto, and Mari. Even though Mari wasn't a direct descendant of the Ten Master Tribes, her sheer grit was something Kanon felt she could never match.
But now, with direct-line scions like Yugen and Miyuki serving as the Student Council President and the Head of the Club Management Group respectively, Kanon couldn't help but feel that Mikihiko—the current Disciplinary Committee Chair—must be feeling incredibly claustrophobic.
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